A Witch Alone (The Winter Witch Trilogy #3) by Ruth Warburton Read Free Book Online Page A

at me again. ‘But if I can find out, I’ll—’
    He broke off. A girl was standing in front of us, her hands to her mouth in exaggerated shock.
    ‘O. M. G! Anna Winterson!’
    I blinked. The girl flung her arms out, looking like she expected – what, a hug ?
    ‘Anna!’ she said. ‘It’s me – Lauren, for goodness’ sake!’
    ‘Lauren!’ I looked closer, almost unable to believe my eyes. Lauren? Here? Somehow the coincidence seemed crazy, impossible. And yet – we were only a few hundred metres from my old school. ‘Lauren!’ I dropped Marcus’ arm and ran forwards to give her a hug. ‘I can’t believe it – I nearly didn’t recognize you with the new hair. How are you?’
    ‘I’m good! And blimey, mate, I don’t need to ask how you are, you look a-bloody-mazing!’ She held me at arm’s length and gave me an admiring once-over. ‘Has your dad won the lottery? Where did you get that fantastic dress?’
    ‘Oh …’ I realized I was wearing clothes my grand-mother had given to me. They were, as ever, ridiculously fancy designer pieces, totally unsuitable for wearing to school or anywhere useful. How could I explain that – explain everything that had happened in the single short year since I’d left London?
    ‘Long story,’ I said at last. ‘It was a present.’
    ‘And I suppose you must be Seth.’ Lauren smiled flirtatiously at Marcus, looking up at him from under her eyelashes. ‘You’re every bit as good-looking as Anna said.’
    It was like a kick to the stomach. I felt suddenly sick, faint with the unexpectedness of the blow.
    Marcus waited for me to reply and then, realizing that for some reason I couldn’t, he stepped in.
    ‘Actually no, I’m Marcus.’
    ‘Oh!’ Lauren was taken aback. She looked from me to Marcus, then back at me, clearly wondering what she’d said. Then she smiled. ‘Well, nice to meet you anyway. How do you know Anna?’
    ‘Family friend. We’ve been out for the evening and I said I’d walk Anna back.’
    ‘Quite the gentleman! I’d walk with you, but I’m going the other way – I’m out clubbing. Fancy coming along? Shame to be all dressed up and nowhere to go!’
    ‘Sorry.’ I had to force out the words. ‘I’m shattered. Maybe …’
    ‘Yeah, maybe another time. Gotta run anyway, we were meeting at eleven and I’m already late. Lovely to see you! And great to meet you too, Marcus! Anna, we must catch up – I’ll call you, yeah?’ She blew air kisses at us both and trotted off down the road.
    As the sound of her heels tapped into the distance, I leaned against a wall, trying to catch my breath.
    ‘Anna,’ Marcus put a hand on my back, ‘are you all right?’
    ‘Yes,’ I managed. ‘Just – she hit a nerve. I can’t—’
    ‘It’s OK, no need to explain,’ Marcus said quietly. We walked in silence the rest of the way to my grandmother’s.
    At the house, Marcus waited politely while I fished in my pocket for the key.
    ‘Well, goodbye,’ I said awkwardly.
    ‘Wait.’ Marcus put his hand on my arm. ‘Just a second. Listen, if there’s ever anything I can do …’ He fumbled in his jacket pocket for a pen and then looked around for something to write on. ‘Damn, where’s a receipt or something when you need it? Hang on.’ He put his hand inside his jacket and took out a beautiful linen handkerchief. Before I could protest, he’d written a number across it, in old-fashioned looping handwriting.
    ‘This is my mobile. If you need anything – well, there it is.’
    ‘Marcus …’ I took the handkerchief and bit my lip, looking down at the number. ‘I mean – thank you. But – but why? Why do you keep helping me?’
    ‘It’s only a mobile number,’ he said lightly, an amused smile at his lips. But then his brown eyes met mine for a moment and there was something else there – a sadness. ‘I loved your mother. She was the closest thing to a parent that I can remember.’
    I wanted to say something – but no words