Captured by Tina Johansen Read Free Book Online

hurried out of the shop and dropped them on the ground, lifting each one to her ear in turn.
    The tiny screen read ‘private number’. It was Simon, she realised with a jolt. She didn’t know anyone else who repressed their number, and it was Sunday afternoon. She had tried calling him twice in the two days since her leaving drinks. Despite her revulsion at his actions, she desperately missed his friendship, and wanted to share her excitement about her new adventure with him.
    “Hello, Simon?” she yelled, trying to hear over the cacophony of the departures terminal.  She was still breathless from running the length of the terminal from the security area. There was silence on the other end. She frowned as the non-stop PA system suddenly registered with her.
    ... Anderson please make your way to Gate 32, your flight is waiting to depart.
    “Shit, my flight,” she muttered. “Simon, are you there?”
    “Kirsty...Simon...I...”
    “Simon the line is terrible, I can’t hear you. It’s really noisy here.”
    The phone crackled in response.
    Kirsty could see her gate fifty meters away, and the only people there now were two cabin crew. “Simon?” she said again, scrambling to pick up her things with her free hand.
    The line was silent now. Panicking, Kirsty hung up, picked up her bags and ran to the gate.

Chapter 6
     
    Grace’s boss was alarmed by her request for leave, assuming the worst.
    “Is everything alright, Grace? You can... ah... talk to me, you know.” Daniel Simmons, one of the partners, shuffled uncomfortably in his leather chair. His eyes darted from the crammed bookshelves to the large sash window and back to his Victorian mahogany desk: everywhere, it seemed, but her eyes.
    “What? I just want to take some...” she started defensively, before noting his increased discomfort. “I just need a holiday!” She had sent him a calendar entry for the weeks she wanted, and he had called her immediately, and asked her to come to his office.
    Simmons nodded, mystified but relieved. Calder & Simmons usually worked their young associates like donkeys, but Grace tended to push herself even harder than they expected.
    “My workload should be reasonably light for those weeks,” she continued. “I’ll check and respond to emails when I’m gone of course, and—”
    “You can take those weeks.”
    Grace smiled and stood up. “Great.”
    He watched her walk to the door. “But I trust that you won’t drop the ball, Grace. Try and get your hours up before you go.”
     
    Grace’s mother, Jan, who called her religiously every Sunday evening, didn’t react with enthusiasm when her daughter told her of her plans that Sunday.
    “Mum you’re always telling me that I should take more time off,” Grace admonished. “Now you’re telling me I shouldn’t?”
    Her mother tutted. “I’d like nothing better for you to get some time away and recharge.” She sighed. “but I don’t understand how you can let that lovely man slip through your fingers and then turn around and follow that missy—“
    “Mum!”
    “But she’s so unreliable, love,” her mother continued.  “And a bit cold. Mrs. Rogers agrees with me.” Jan sighed again, something Grace had grown accustomed to hearing on their weekly calls. “Why don’t you go and tell Neil you’re sorry and go somewhere nice with him. You could use the break.”
    “Mum, stop!”
    “I’m just telling the truth sweetheart. Remember Barcelona?”
    Grace took the bait. “Like it was yesterday. We had a great time.”
    She could hear the smile in Jan’s voice. “Remember the nightmare you had trying to plan it? And then she didn’t even bother showing up for the flight!”
    “She was late and she missed it. She got on the next one and we had a brilliant week. She’s just a bit more spontaneous than me, she—“
    “She’s a flake,” Jan said triumphantly. “I bet she’ll leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere. I’m telling you love, call