The Flyer by Stuart Harrison Read Free Book Online Page A

that his grandfather owned several businesses, and that he’d advised William to study law because it provided a sound basis for almost any career. He knew he was giving the impression that he was much closer to his grandfather than was really the case. In fact, William only saw him twice a year, and always felt that his grandfather’s visits were undertaken more in the spirit of somebody who was keeping an eye on his investment than for any other reason. However, when William was offered a scholarship to Oxford his grandfather had promised to provide an allowance to enable him to take it up, and for that, William was grateful.   
    ‘I wish I could get away from here,’ Emmaline said enviously. ‘It’s even worse during the holidays. The town seems so quiet and empty.’
    She looked away, her face shaded by her hat. William thought she was beautiful. ‘I wish I could stay here,’ he said.
    ‘Why on earth would you wish that?’
    ‘Because while I’m away I’ll miss you.’
    ‘Will you really?’
    ‘I think about you all the time. When I go for a run in the morning I can’t wait to get back, just so that I can see you in your window.’
    ‘I always make sure I get out of bed early and wait for you,’ she confessed.
    They laughed at themselves. He longed to touch her, just to hold her hand. If he could do that, he thought he’d be happy to sit there for ever. Neither of them spoke. William’s mind was completely blank. He couldn’t think of anything at all to say to her and was sure she would think he was a fool. All the time his heart was pounding so hard he thought she must be able to hear it. Suddenly she made a frustrated sound and turned away from him a little.
    ‘What is it?’ he asked.
    ‘You must think I’m an idiot!’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘Because we’re alone at last and I can’t even carry on a conversation. I’ve dreamed about being together like this, just the two of us, and now it’s happened and I can’t think of a single word to say.’
    He was almost delirious with happiness to hear her say that she had dreamed of being with him. ‘I was thinking the same thing myself. I was afraid that you must be trying to think of an excuse to leave. I’ve never met anybody like you,’ he told her. ‘Or felt like this.’ He wanted to kiss her, and as he looked into her eyes he was sure she felt the same way. He leaned towards her and as she closed her eyes their lips met for a few moments.
    When they parted, somebody came along the path and they moved away from each other. William longed to kiss her again, but he was afraid they would be seen.
    ‘Shall we find somewhere else to sit?’ he asked.
    ‘If you like.’
    They got up and followed a path towards the back of the graveyard, where the bushes and trees grew thickly near the wall. They paused to read an old, worn gravestone.  
    ‘I’m sorry,’ Emmaline said eventually. ‘I don’t know how you should kiss somebody. I’ve never done it before.’
    ‘I don’t know how to either. But I do know there’s nothing I’d rather do than kiss you again.’
    William placed his hands on Emmaline’s waist. She turned her face up to him and closed her eyes, and this time they kissed for longer. He was overwhelmed with feeling for her, drowning in sensations of touch and smell and he moved closer, drawing her against him. She acquiesced willingly. When at last they parted, they held one another tightly, breathless with emotion.
    Later, when he walked her home, he thought of the holidays coming up and wondered how he would stand to be away from her.
    Near her house they parted. ‘I’ll write to you every day,’ he said but she told him he mustn’t.
    ‘My father doesn’t know anything about you. When you come back we’ll think of a way for you to meet my aunt, and then you can come to the house and meet my father.’
    William’s spirits sank.
    ‘What is it?’ she asked.
    ‘I’m not sure your father would approve of me.’
    ‘What do