In the Shadows (The Blaisdell Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF

tree’s twisted root. I panic, struggling to free my foot. I look up to find a solid, faded Hessian boot before my eyes. The stranger is crouching down and his eyes, his beautiful icy blue eyes, are locking into mine. I feel his hand pull my foot free from the root. His face is so close; I can feel his breath against my skin. When my maids call again, I know I must thank him and leave. He opens his mouth, as if wanting to speak too. But when the heat pinches my cheeks, I find I have become mute. I rise and turn, lifting my skirts and run towards the house, feeling his strong gaze on my back.
     
    “You’re doing well, Lucy,” said Jen, brightly. “I wish you’d stop worrying so much.”
    With a hesitant smile, I carefully poured the coffee into the cup, taking care not to spill any. It was ironic she said I was doing well. She couldn’t hear my mind buzzing as I tried to remember each customer’s order, where they were sitting and how to work the till. I could see now why people loathed Mondays, although my reason was to do with my lack of sleep after last night’s vivid dream. Mum had come in again, but only when I told her the dream was pleasant, did she leave. That part was true. The handsome stranger from my dreams had caught my attention. I almost didn’t want to rise for work. I would have preferred to go back to sleep and find out who this man was. But my alarm clock wasn’t as forgiving.
    Jen’s gentle clamp on my shoulder felt much heavier than it should, and I almost spilt the coffee I was placing on the saucer for the elderly lady.
    “Careful with that,” said Jen, unclamping my shoulder.
    After I’d given the old woman her coffee, I went back behind the counter, sighing with relief when there were no more customers to serve. I glanced at my watch, realising I’d been at work over five hours already. Derek had been pleased I’d now be working, but Mum was a little less enthusiastic, as she’d hoped I’d have gone to college instead. I’d told her I needed time to consider my options and work things out. Mum had tried to protest that I was clever enough to do anything, if only I’d look at some college courses, but thankfully Derek had intervened, saying I wasn’t eighteen yet, and I had my whole life in front of me. He’d gone on to say they should be happy I was doing something instead of staying in my bedroom all day. Mum had stared back at him, silent words exchanged, and with a wink from Derek, she’d giggled and they kissed in that cringing way that always made me vacate the room. I shuddered just thinking about them. Mum had been besotted with Derek since they met just weeks after Roger’s arrest. Roger. The reminder of what had happened last Friday made me shudder, but I shook it off. I was already used to Derek being with Mum and living with him in a better part of Briggstow. No, it was best to leave things the way they were. Besides, I’d probably only end up disappointed again.
    When Jen realised there were no more customers, she suggested we take a break together. She brought over two cups of tea and a couple of those delicious cupcakes, as I sat on a chair in the corner.
    She took the seat opposite, the chair’s legs creaking over the tiled floor.
    “So, Lucy, tell me about yourself.”
    I choked on the tea, feeling the warm liquid trickling down the wrong way. She wanted to know about me ? The idea didn’t sit well in my stomach. I couldn’t tell her the truth. She’d really think I was a loon. If I had any hope to make and keep a friendship, she could never know. 
    “You know,” Jen said, in between licking frosting from her fingers. “Where you’re from, what you like, what you don’t like, if you have a boyfriend. The usual.”
    “Oh.” If that was all she wanted to know, then I could tell her that in all honesty. “Well, I live locally in Briggstow. I like reading and music. I don’t like spiders, though.”
    Jen slowed in her eating, watching me with