He shook his head. ‘No, we were both right. We need to get moving now and expand our search area, because someone like this is going to be able to walk further in half an hour than most people could.’
‘What do you suggest?’
‘Serious walkers tend to travel in a straight line and if that’s what he did, then there’s just one area of woodland that’s approximately two and a half miles from here.’ Matt indicated an area to the west.
‘And we go there first?’ There was woodland to the east as well, but that was only a mile away. Further on was an area of grassland.
‘It’s a risk. Under normal circumstances there would be search parties out, going in every direction, but we have to choose. We can’t split up, the instructions say that we both have to be at the scene together.’
Think. Think!
Hannah turned, staring at the hill that led away to the west. This was the challenge that any experienced walker would set themselves. When she faced Matt again, he was regarding her steadily.
‘Okay. I agree, we go west.’
Matt shouldered the heavier of the two bags, and added two bottles of water to its weight. He set off at a fast walk, and Hannah wondered if she should remind him that they needed to pace themselves. He probably was pacing himself. She watched his back, gritting her teeth. It was a matter of pride that she could keep up.
But after a mile her head started to swim, and the muscles in her legs and shoulders were screaming. She stopped, letting her bag fall to the ground. Matt turned.
‘Perhaps we should have some water...’ Just a few minutes’ rest, and she’d be ready to go again. He nodded, handing her one of the water bottles.
He was waiting for her. Matt made a show of consulting the map, but they both knew exactly which way they were going as the woodland at the top of the hill stood starkly on the horizon. One minute. Just one minute and she’d be ready to pick up the bag and go again.
‘Drink a little more.’ He picked up the half-empty water bottle that she’d put down on the grass, handing it to her. Then he caught the strap of her bag, shouldering it with his.
‘No... Matt, I’ll be okay...’
‘We have to get there together. If I get tired, you can take the bag back.’
His tone was quiet. Gentle, even. Not like the shouted exhortations to keep going that she’d trained with.
‘Don’t give me permission to give up...’
He grinned suddenly. ‘You don’t have my permission to do anything other than keep walking. I’m going to need you when we get there, so let’s go.’ He turned, obviously slowed by the extra weight but still able to keep going.
It was a lot easier without the bag. Hannah caught up with him, walking beside him.
‘You don’t believe in a little encouragement?’
‘What, you mean bullying you until you pick the bag up again and start walking? No, I don’t believe in that.’ He was suddenly tight-lipped.
‘Sometimes a bit of a push is what’s needed.’
He nodded. ‘Yeah. But don’t ask me to do it.’
Matt wasn’t wasting any words, and it wasn’t just the extra weight he was carrying. This was a line that he didn’t cross. His relaxed attitude to everything wasn’t a matter of laissez faire. It was more like a decision about how he was going to interact with the world.
‘I get it. If I need any shouting to get me back on my feet, I’ll do it myself.’
‘I’d appreciate that.’ He gave her one of his sudden smiles. Those deep blue eyes were enough to drag anyone to their feet, heart pumping faster and legs suddenly strong.
‘I’ll take my bag back in a little while.’
He nodded. ‘All right. I can’t make it all the way like this.’
He had his strengths, just as she did. And finding them, using them, was a challenge that was both daunting and delicious.
* * *