Hit and Run by James Hadley Chase Read Free Book Online Page A

would be wise for us to meet during the day, Lucille. Anyone could see us.'

    She dropped the towel and came to sit beside me. She wrapped her arms around her knees and pulled her knees up to her chin.

    'It's a bore, isn't it?'

    'It's certainly that.'

    'It would have been fun to have gone out all day in the car. We could have taken a picnic. Don't you think we could risk it?'

    'Do you want to risk it?' I asked, my voice suddenly harsh.

    'I don't see who would see us. I could wear a big shady hat and sun-glasses. I could put my hair up. I bet no one would recognize me.'

    'Would you mind, Lucille, if your husband found out?'

    She dropped her chin on her knees.

    'Well, yes.'

    'What would he do, do you think?'
    'He'd be angry, of course, but don't let's talk about that. Look, suppose I come to your place? We could spend the day together. It's lonely there, isn't it? We could swim and have a picnic, and no one would see us.'

    'You're not serious, are you?'

    She thought for a long moment, then she jumped to her feet.

    'No, I don't think I am,' she said. 'I'm feeling chilly. I'm going to get dressed.'

    She picked up her dress and shoes and ran off towards the car.

    I sat like a stone man, my hands still gripping the towel. I remained like that for perhaps ten minutes, then I heard her calling me.

    'Ches ...'

    I didn't move and I didn't look around.

    'Aren't you coming, Ches?'

    Still I didn't look around.

    Then I heard her running across the sand and in a few moments she paused at my side.

    'Didn't you hear me call you?' she asked, standing over me, her long, slim legs level with my eyes.

    I looked up.

    She had on her dress now, but it didn't help me to know she had nothing on under the dress.

    'Sit down. I want to talk to you.'

    She dropped on the sand within a few feet of me and curled her legs under her.

    'Yes, Ches?'

    'Would you really like to go for a drive tomorrow and have a picnic – the two of us?'

    The moonlight was directly on her face. She showed her surprise.

    'I thought you said ...'

    'Never mind what I said. Would you like to do it?'

    'Why, yes, of course I would.'

    'Okay. Tell your husband you want to spend the day with me and if he agrees, then we'll go.'

    She stiffened.

    'But I can't do that. You know I can't. He – he doesn't know I know you.'

    'Then tell him we've got acquainted.'

    'I don't understand.' She leaned forward and stared at me. 'You sound so angry. What is the matter, Ches?'

    'Tell him we've got acquainted,' I repeated, not looking at her.

    'But I can't do that. He wouldn't like it.'

    'Why not?'

    'Ches, I wish you would stop this. You know as well as I do why he wouldn't.'

    'I don't know. You tell me.'

    'He's jealous and silly about me. He wouldn't understand.'

    'What wouldn't he understand?'

    'Ches, you're being horrid. What's the matter?'

    'I asked you what wouldn't he understand?' I said, turning to meet her eyes. 'You tell me. Just what wouldn't he understand?'

    'He doesn't like me going around with other men.'

    'Why? Doesn't he trust you?'

    She remained silent and stiff, her eyes searching my face.

    'Does he think you'll be unfaithful if you go out with some other man?' I demanded.

    'Ches! What is the matter? Why are you so angry? Why are you speaking to me like this?'

    'Would he think you'd be unfaithful to him if you went out with me?'
    'I don't know. Ches, please, I don't like this. If you are going on like this I'm going to leave you.'

    'Why don't you like it?' I said, suddenly furious. 'What's the matter with facing facts? You're a married woman, aren't you? You're not a virgin. You must know what a man thinks when a girl as lovely as you brings him to a lonely spot like this where there's no one about and at night. Or are you so dumb you don't know?'

    She flinched back, her expression changing to shocked anger.

    I leaned forward to stare at her.

    'Are you in love with me, Lucille?'

    She stiffened.

    'In love with you? Why, no. What are