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not ill or anything like that. She … she’s just had a baby.’ She stopped at the entrance of the car park, waiting for a break in the line of traffic.
    ‘Oh.’ There wasn’t much else he could say, except, ‘That’s nice … isn’t it?’
    ‘Depends.’ Karen clamped her teeth over her lower lip. ‘Right – whereabouts in Ashford?’

Chapter 7: Richard Schormann
    Ashford, evening: Wednesday, September 17th
    ‘Richard, lad, thank the lord you’re here.’ Ted Booth flung his arm around Richard’s shoulders and ushered him into the house. ‘We were that worried. William’s gone out to look for you again. He feels that bad he was a bit late meeting the train and then he couldn’t find you. We decided you must be making your own way here – but that’s hours ago. Where’ve you been, lad?’ In the light of the hall he studied Richard. ‘And what the heck happened to you? You look like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards.’
    ‘Been in a spot of bother, Uncle.’ Richard tried a smile but his mouth felt stiff, immovable. Now it was over, now he was on familiar ground, he was angry with himself for being so scared. For running. Even if common sense told him it was the only thing he could have done if he didn’t want a beating.
    ‘Looks like it an’ all. Come on, come into the living-room, I’ll put the fire on. Let’s get your coat off, you can tell me all about it.’
    ‘Uncle, this is Karen.’ Richard held his hand out to the girl who was hovering on the doorstep. ‘She helped me.’
    ‘Oh? Well, any friend of Richard … an’ all that.’ Ted glanced uncertainly at Karen. ‘Come in.’
    Ted helped him with his parka. In the bright light they could see it was ripped and dirty. ‘You’re in a right mess. You hurt? We could do with our Linda here to see to you but you’ve just missed her – she’s on nights.’
    ‘I’m okay – I’m not hurt, Uncle. But I lost my rucksack.’
    ‘Never mind that. So long as you’re okay, we can sort that out later.’ Ted fiddled with the switch on the gas-fire until flames flared. ‘New fire,’ he said, with a proud smile, ‘called a Flavel Debonair . Had it put in last month, ready for the winter. Your Auntie Ellen wanted it.’ He cleared his throat, looking embarrassed. ‘She’s in bed … bit of a headache today. Sorry, rabbiting on a bit. I’ll make a brew.’ In the kitchen he raised his voice above the sound of the water gushing into the kettle. ‘She’ll probably stay there tonight, but she’s looking forward to seeing you and getting all the news from Wales. Now then…’ Ted came to stand by the door. ‘What happened?’
    ‘He was attacked by a gang of louts. Rockers.’ Karen spoke for the first time. ‘I saw them chasing him in Bradlow and picked him up.’
    ‘She saved me from a hammering.’ For a moment Richard recalled the rush of gratitude when he’d tumbled into the car.
    ‘So, you didn’t know one another before?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘Well, that was really good of you, Karen, some folk wouldn’t have stopped.’
    ‘Oh, I don’t know.’ She was blushing.
    Duw , makes her look even prettier, Richard thought.
    ‘Well, I do,’ Ted said. The kettle switched off with a loud click. ‘There’s some rough parts in Bradlow. And some rough folk. You were lucky, our Richard.’ He went back into the kitchen. ‘I’ll make that brew.’
    ‘I know how lucky I was.’ Richard grinned at Karen. ‘In more ways than one.’
    Colour rose from her throat to her cheeks. ‘Actually…’ she felt in her jacket pocket, brought out her car-keys. ‘I’d better be off.’
    Richard felt a twinge of disappointment; she’d obviously done her bit for a fool who’d got himself into trouble and now couldn’t wait to go. Just his luck – he really fancied her.
    She must have seen the fleeting disappointment in his eyes. ‘Like I said … my stepfather … he’ll be wondering where I am. Remember?’ she touched his arm.