Pitch Black: A Romantic Thriller (Blackwood Security Book 1) by Elise Noble Read Free Book Online Page B

happened to me.” In fact it was closer to the truth than I cared to admit.
    “It was almost ten years ago now, dear. Time’s the greatest healer. My friends were a huge help too. At first I didn’t know how to go on without him, but now I can look back and smile at the good times. Nobody will ever replace him, but I know he wouldn’t have wanted me to sit around moping so I’ve filled my life with other things.” She got a wistful look, and I knew she was thinking about her late husband.
    I couldn’t help thinking of mine. Was there life after death? I’d never believed in it, but now I wondered. Was he up there, willing me to get my act together? I hoped Carol was right and time would heal, because I didn’t see what else would help.
    Carol snapped her eyes back to mine. “Enough about me. We need to get you back on your feet. Tomorrow I have a fundraising lunch for church and then bingo at the village hall in the evening. You can come to those, it’ll do you good.”
    Was she serious? Seniors’ bingo and a church fundraiser? The last time I’d been in a place of worship was for a sting operation on a pastor who had a side-line in paedophilia.
    And by lunch, did she mean making it or eating it? I could maybe manage the eating part, but I wasn’t so hot at cooking.
    “It’s ever so nice of you to offer, but I wouldn’t want to put you to any trouble.”
    “Nonsense, it’s no trouble at all. It’ll be terrific fun.”
    I didn’t have the energy to argue with the force that was Carol. Going seemed like the easier option.

    I felt hideously out of place at the church lunch, firstly because I was the only person not wearing chintz, and secondly because I was the youngest by at least three decades. The way everyone stared at me, I could have been an exhibit in a zoo.
    Maybe I should’ve invested in a plaque—it would have saved me from answering endless questions.
    Name: Ashlyn Hale
    Species: Barely human
    Habitat: Found on every continent, usually in a hostile environment.
    Traits: Excellent hunter, adopts camouflage when threatened. Thought processes can be unexpected.
    It turned out we were expected to assist with lunch, and after half an hour I was grateful to escape to the kitchen.
    “Can you make the shortcrust pastry?” asked a lady with a purple rinse.
    I stared blankly at her. Didn’t pastry come frozen in packets?
    “You don’t know how to do pastry?”
    “Sorry.”
    “Well can you help chop the vegetables?”
    Oh yes, I could do that. I was good with knives. I forced myself to slow down, but I still sliced three cucumbers perfectly in under two minutes. I didn’t scare the old dudes by demonstrating my ability to do it with my eyes shut too.
    Lunch took the entire afternoon, and most of the people present went straight from the church hall to the village hall for bingo. I’d expected a subdued affair, but I’d underestimated this crowd.
    The alcohol flowed and a couple of bottles of home-brew were produced. I had no idea what was in it, but from the way it burned my throat it had to be 160 proof. I half-carried Carol when we eventually left, our raffle prizes balanced on my other arm. Mine was a toiletry basket, and Carol had a fruit cake she’d tried to leave behind.
    “Mildred Armitage made it,” she’d whispered, too loudly. “Her cakes are always far too dry.”
    I caught Mildred watching us from over her beak-like nose. “We need to take it back with us. You can use it as a doorstop or something.”

    I thought after that evening I’d earned a reprieve, but no such luck.
    “The tea dance is today at three,” Carol told me over breakfast the next morning.
    I stifled a groan. I hadn’t slept well and the last thing I wanted was to go out again. “I’ll have to pass.”
    “You have something else on?”
    “I fancy some time on my own.”
    “Don’t be silly, dear. Sitting alone won’t help matters.” She snapped her fingers. “Vera mentioned yesterday that her