Fairytale of Headley Cross by Clare Revell Read Free Book Online

were perfect, she knew all too well she had her own faults and failings and would hate for them to become public knowledge. “I just wasn’t expecting a story like yours. What about your CRB?”
    He smiled. “I was honest when I applied, so the criminal records check wasn’t a problem. I can’t change my past, but I’ve paid my debt to society. God’s wiped out my sins and here I am.” He picked up his glass and swirled the juice. “What about you?”
    “Nothing so dramatic, I’m afraid. I was brought up in the church. It’s just something I’ve always done. A natural progression, if you like.” Despite his honesty, she just couldn’t tell him everything. Some things were best left in the past where they belonged. Her turning point had been dramatic enough for her to need hours of therapy and counseling and now she was moving forwards. Reliving the past couldn’t happen.
    Carson finished his meal. “That was lovely, thank you.”
    “Do you want a hand with the dishes?”
    He shook his head. “I have a dishwasher. And I fully intend to use it.”
    Maggie smiled. “In that case, I shall make a move and go home. I have a pile of marking to do. Don’t forget to use the arnica cream on those bruises.”
    “I won’t.” He rose to his feet as she did. “Maggie, I’d like to see you again.”
    “You’re helping with the nativity, and I’ll see you in church.”
    He grabbed her hand. His skin was warm and gentle, yet it sent rivers of fire shooting up her arm and tight around her chest. “No, I mean see you. I know you’ve only just broken up with someone, and I don’t want to start anything on the rebound, just think about it.”
    “I will.”
    Her mind whirled as she left the house. He’d asked her out. Did she want to go out with him? Did she want to date a pastor or an ex-con or another man just yet? What was it that made her want to keep him at arm’s length? Was it the fact he was a pastor, her pastor, or an ex-con that bothered her? A bank robber and gangster, someone who routinely carried a gun and used it to threaten people with, and even shoot them, or was she afraid he’d turn out to be another Wesley? Or would her past prevent her from ever being able to trust him?
    Half way down the path to the car, her phone rang. “Hello?”
    “Just checking I have the right number.”
    Maggie laughed and waved at the figure standing in the tinsel strewn window behind her. “You have. Night, Carson.”
    “Night, Maggie.”
    She got into the car and dumped her bag on the floor in front of the passenger seat. Her phone rang again. She grinned and fished it from her bag. “Did you forget something?”
    “No, but you did.” The voice wasn’t the one she was expecting.
    Her heart pounded so much it deafened her. “Wesley?”
    “This isn’t over, Margaret. You’re mine. You need to remember that.”
    She hung up with trembling hands and looked up at the house. The Christmas lights flashed on and off in a constantly changing pattern. She took a deep breath, needing to hear a friendly voice, just for a moment, and redialed.
    “Hello.”
    “Carson, I meant to ask if you’d like me to walk Pilot in the morning before school.”
    “That would be great, thank you.”
    “OK, see you around six. Really going this time. Bye.”
     
    ****
     
    Carson pulled on his coat as the doorbell rang. It was exactly six o’clock. He grabbed his scarf as he opened the door. “Morning. I thought I’d come as well, if that’s all right?”
    Maggie’s smile lit up the dark, bitterly cold morning. “I’d like that.”
    Pilot stood at his heels looking suspiciously at Gypsy. Carson put a hand on his collar. “Easy, boy. You know Gypsy.”
    Maggie gave Gypsy a little bit more lead and the two dogs sniffed each other quickly.
    Carson clipped on Pilot’s lead and pulled the door shut behind him.
    “How are you this morning?”
    “It looks worse than it is.” He started walking with her, the two dogs running