The Soft Whisper of Dreams by Christina Courtenay Read Free Book Online

face of a dark man with a heavy beard, and her body froze as if rooted to the spot. She felt as if she recognised his face, although she was sure she’d never met him, and for some reason he terrified her.
    ‘Look where you’re going,’ the man snarled at her, before hurrying off muttering, ‘Bloody tourists everywhere you go. There’s never any peace.’
    Maddie stared after him, her mouth hanging open, and a strange feeling of dread began to build up inside her. She had the distinct impression she’d seen that man before, but where? Who was he? She was seized by a sudden urge to find out and set off after him. She followed the man at a discreet distance down the road, as if she was a private eye in an old black and white movie. If she hadn’t felt so shaken, she’d have been laughing, it was so ridiculous, but as it was, she walked with grim determination.
    The man strode along quite quickly, so she had to hurry to keep up with him, but luckily he didn’t go far. Towards the end of the street he turned left, into a small lane leading up a steep hill. It began with some steps and continued as a winding road, leading eventually to a little cul-de sac. At the far end of this stood a chapel of some denomination or other, and the man entered a garden to the left of this building. Without a backward glance, he walked into the house, slamming the door forcefully. Maddie came to a halt some twenty yards down the road.
    She was never sure afterwards how long she stood there, but after a while an elderly lady came up and asked her if she was lost.
    ‘Sorry? Oh, no, it’s just that ... actually, can you tell me who lives in that house over there next to the chapel?’ She pointed.
    ‘Why yes, it’s Mr Blake-Jones, the minister. Did you want to see him about something? Are you a member of his sect?’
    ‘Sect?’
    ‘Yes, the Saint Paulians they call themselves I think.’
    ‘Er, no, I’m not one of them. Don’t worry, it’s okay. I’ll come back another day.’ Maddie looked at her watch. ‘I’ve just remembered I’ve got to meet someone in five minutes. Thanks for your help.’
    She sprinted down the street as if all the demons of hell were on her tail.

 
    Chapter Six
     
    Alex drummed his fingers on the table and checked the time once more. Maddie was late and he was impatient to see her again. He cradled the ice cold soft drink in his hands and tried to calm himself.
    He had only known her for less than a week, but it seemed irrelevant. She intrigued him, mesmerised him, and he desperately wanted to become better acquainted with her. Acquainted? He almost laughed out loud. What a stupid word that is. Hell, he wanted more than that, much more. He wanted to know her in every way, including the biblical sense, no doubt about it. And he didn’t have a clue how to achieve this. She had signalled very clearly that he was to stay at arm’s length.
    It was ironic. Three years ago he could have had any girl he chose. With his looks and self-assurance it had been so easy and he’d never even thought twice about it. Girls were there for the taking. If they happened to say no, it was no big deal, he simply continued on to the next one. But now his self-assurance was gone. And he didn’t want just any woman, he wanted Maddie. Only her. Why this should be so he didn’t know, but he was becoming more convinced about it  every day that passed.
    This is crazy! She just happened to be the first woman I saw when I got out of jail. But that didn’t matter.
    In order to test his theory, he passed the time by studying all the females in the pub to see whether any of them would spark his interest. As it was lunchtime, the taproom was fairly full and he could see at least three very pretty young ladies from where he sat. He looked at each one in turn, noting their faces, their figures, the way they smiled and flirted, how they were dressed. Not one of them made him feel even mildly attracted. Unfortunately, the opposite