Lost and Found
Stephenson unlocked the boot and pulled out their coats, handing Shirley hers, a cleverly cut piece of black leather that was more fashion statement than sensible winter wear, and slipped into his own. The cashmere lining was like a second skin and instantly he felt much better.
‘What’ll we do? Wait for a car to come along?’
‘It’s half past one in the morning,’ said Stephenson. ‘We could be here all night and I’ve an important meeting at ten tomorrow. I’ll just walk down the road a bit and see if I can find a garage or a house with a phone.’
Shirley shrugged. ‘I’ll come with you.’
‘You’ll be warmer in the car and I’ll make better time on my own.’
‘I’m not staying here by myself.’
Stephenson sighed. ‘As you wish.’
He locked the car and set the alarm, then made his way over to the road without a backward glance, deliberately ignoring Shirley when she held out her arm for him to take. She fell in beside him and they trudged on in silence.
‘It’s so beautiful,’ said Shirley. ‘You don’t see the stars like this when you’re in a built up area. There’s too much artificial light.’
Stephenson looked up briefly, but said nothing. They’d been walking for nearly fifty minutes with no sign of human habitation and the romance of the situation was simply wasted on him. He felt bitterly cold. Shirley had to be freezing in that short coat and skirt. Well, it was her own stupid fault for not staying with the car.