‘You’re quiet. Are you having regrets?’ he said, not turning to look at her as he drove. She gave him a quick glance, but his expression told her nothing. ‘How can I have regrets? It’s just that I felt so mean not telling them the truth. I know I couldn’t but I wish it had been different. If only I were a year older and we could have let everyone know how we feel. But I know you’re right, Giles. It’s just that I hate not being open. Uncle Richard insisted on carrying my case to the Exeter bus stop at the end of the lane. It made me feel wretched.’ ‘I wonder he didn’t consider it heavy for someone intending to spend a holiday on the move.’ ‘I told them that Natalie was making the arrangements either in a B and B or at a youth hostel.’ She sensed a change in him – or was it her imagination? ‘And where is this fictitious Natalie supposed to be meeting you?’ ‘I didn’t make Natalie up. She’s real. We were best friends at school and since then we went away together twice when I was still living with Gran.
