Chapter 187: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 7, Traitor

CHARLOTTE

It was such a great day. I don't normally enjoy shopping, but with my mother and Kirstie for company it was completely different.

Bookshops. My mother loves books; not the same ones as me, but books about places, adventures, exotic locations. It was such fun...

And Kirstie, with her smart mouth and shameless innuendo at every little thing....

In the tearoom: crisp white linen, silver tongs to lift jam-and-cream scones and tiny cakes from a three-layer stand, porcelain cups and saucers...

Then, Ben's sudden appearance, striding across the floor to us, brushing past waitresses and customers.

Stooping close to me to deliver his hastily muttered message... "Charlotte, Mike called me. You've got trouble. That man, Klempner. He's escaped from prison. He's out..."

My mother: her whimper of fear...

Kirstie: her eyes widening...