In Chains Read Online Free PDF

“You’re jumpy. I didn’t know you were scared of the dark.”
    “This place brings a whole new meaning to the word dark. I don’t like that I can hear creatures but I can’t see them. I can’t even see where I’m putting my feet.”
    He angles the torch so it points down towards our feet. “There, now you can,” he laughs. “It’s not far, we’ll be there soon.”
    I relax my grip on him as the pub comes into view. It looks nice from the outside. It has a thatched roof and there are hanging baskets full of flowers near the door and windows, probably fake flowers at this time of year but they are colourful. Inside it’s cosy and welcoming. The first thing I notice is the log fire. There are wooden beams on the ceiling, a long wooden bar and dark wood chairs and tables, each one lit by a candle. The only customers are a couple of elderly men sat at the bar who turned to stare at us as we walked in. I guess it’s a local’s pub, off the beaten track. Hopefully it’ll get busier later because there isn’t much of an atmosphere at the moment.
    I sit at a four seater table near the fire, while Simon goes up to the bar to order our drinks. He returns with a pint of beer for himself and a half pint of cider for me. I haven’t drunk cider in ages, but wine goes to my head too quickly and I want to be sober when I meet his girlfriend. I’m taking a sip of it when an elegant blond woman approaches our table. She bends down and kisses Simon on the cheek. “Hello sweetie.”
    This must be Christina. I take a good look at her. She’s tall and slim and dressed in grey trousers and a dark pink silk blouse. Her shiny hair is cut in a neat shoulder length bob and her face is perfectly made-up. I feel like a bag lady in comparison. Simon introduces us and she sits down as he goes to the bar to get her a drink. “It’s nice to finally meet you Savannah, I’ve heard a lot about you.”
    Her voice is as elegant as her appearance; she pronounces every word clearly and correctly. Afraid to open my mouth, I take a big gulp of my cider. “It’s nice to meet you.”
    Simon returns, hands her a glass of white wine and slips his arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry Savannah, you won’t be playing third wheel all night. I’ve invited my friend Ben along.”
    “Oh you’ll love Ben,” Christina says, smiling across at me. “He’s very intelligent and such fun.”
    They’re now discussing work and my eyes flit around the pub. The barman is reading a newspaper. I wish they had some music playing. My thoughts drift off to earlier in the day, to Kayden, and I smile to myself, recalling his powerful legs and his cute grin. I wonder what he’s doing right now.
    “Savannah,” Christina’s blue eyes assess me. “What do you do for a living?”
    “I’m writing a book. I hope to self-publish it by the end of the year.”
    “Oh,” she says, sipping delicately at her wine. “You haven’t got a proper job then?”
    “Um…I worked in a supermarket but I had to quit when I came here.”
    “A supermarket.” Her lips curl up.
    “What do you do for a living?” I ask.
    “I’m a PA.” She turns to the door as a man walks in. “Ah, here’s Ben.”
    Ben is also blond and looks a couple of years younger than Simon. He’s dressed in charcoal trousers, white shirt and a red striped tie, like he’s come straight from work. He seems a lot friendlier than Christina. He shakes my hand and smiles. “Nice to meet you Savannah.” Turning to Simon he says, “You kept her well-hidden Si.”
    Ben goes over to the bar and returns with four menus. He sits down next to me. “All the food is good here, but I particularly recommend the steak.” Though I’m sure Ben’s right about the steak, I love chicken, so I opt for the chicken in white wine sauce. Ben and Simon go for the steak. Christina orders tuna salad, I guess that’s why she’s got a flat stomach and I haven’t. Ben leans towards me and whispers in my ear,