| 3 Comforting Stranger |
| Peggy took a glass from the tray, filled it with the tea and handed it to him. �It�s nice and cold.� �Thanks,� he said, taking the glass and sipping its contents. �It�s good.� Peggy filled the second glass and placed the jug back onto the tray. �So, where are you from?� �The city.� Peggy nodded. �Which city?� Mike placed his glass on the table. �Sydney.� �You drove all the way up here from Sydney?� �Sure. Why not?� �It can be kind of risky if you don�t know what you�re doing.� �I�m a big boy. I can take care of myself.� �Really? Then why are you driving around blindly in the middle of nowhere in the dark?� �I got off the beaten track, that�s all,� he replied defensively. �Mm hm.� Peggy took another sip of her tea. Mike�s gaze strayed to an open window; through it he could see the livingroom. The decor was warm and soft with a touch of elegance. The artwork displayed on the walls was fresh and bright. He turned back to Peggy. �You live here alone?� he asked, noticing there was no movement inside. �No. Actually, I don�t.� She didn�t want him to know she was alone. �My husband...� �You�re married?� �Yes.� �Is your husband home? I�d like to meet him.� Mike stood up. �No. But...he�s on his way.� Peggy stood up. �He shouldn�t be too much longer. He usually gets home around 7:30,� she told him nervously. Mike sat down again. Peggy remained standing, Toby close at her side. �Don�t you think you should get started? I mean, you�ll never get to where you�re going if you don�t make a move soon. Do you have hotel reservations? They�ll probably be wondering where you are by now.� She walked along the porch to the top of the steps. Mike remained seated, observing her nervous composure. �There�s no reason for you to be afraid of me, you know,� he assured her. �I�m not afraid. I just thought that as it�s a long drive...� �Why don�t you sit down. We can talk until your husband gets here.� Peggy�s eyes met his and she knew that if she didn�t sit down he would know for certain that she was afraid. She reluctantly moved back along the porch and took her seat. She felt uncomfortable having a stranger sitting in Rick�s favourite chair. But, there was no getting rid of him. He seemed intent on staying no matter what she said to persuade him. Mike observed her quietly for a moment, then asked, �Do you mind me asking what you do?� �I�m an artist. I have a showing at a gallery in Sydney every year.� �Did you paint those?� He pointed into the livingroom. Peggy glanced through the open window. �Yes, but they�re some of my earlier pieces.� �They�re very good.� �Thank you,� she replied. �What do you do?� �I�m a business consultant.� �That�s what my husband does. He has his own firm. Devlin and Associates.� �Yes. I�ve heard of them.� Her imagination began running wild. What if Rick got a contract this guy wanted and he had him killed. That means he knows I�m alone. Maybe he�s here to tie up loose ends. What am I going to do? Mike noticed her sudden ashen appearance. �Are you all right?� �Yes, I�m fine,� she said quietly. Mike stood up. �Maybe you should lie down for awhile.� He stretched out his hand to her. �Here, let me help you up.� Peggy didn�t want to be inside alone with him. She shook her head. �No. Really. I�m fine. I�m better sitting out here anyhow; it�s like an oven inside.� |