‘You might be a total stranger, but you’re a total stranger who has just rung the police, so I think I’m relatively safe.’
‘Ah, yes.’ The man nodded and held out his hand. ‘I’m Jack. Jack Timpson.’
‘Hi, Jack. I’m Evie Phillips.’ Taking his hand, she smiled. ‘Did you want to charge your phone?’ She pointed to the in-car charger.
‘Perfect. Thank you. I seem to be thanking you a lot in the short space of time we’ve known each other. You’ve been my knightress in shining armour.’
Laughing, Evie shook her head. ‘I think it’s knightess and I’ve only lent you my phone.’
‘Still, if it wasn’t for you, I’d be stuck out there, risking life and limb in that downpour, trying to rescue myself.’ He shrugged, plugged his phone in, and leaned back in his seat. ‘I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, what a day this is turning out to be. First, I forgot that it’s my parents’ wedding anniversary tomorrow and I’m busy all day tomorrow...’ He slapped his forehead. ‘And then on the way to getting their gift, whatever that might be, someone ploughs into me after taking the corner too quickly and doesn’t stop.’
‘That does sound rather rubbish.’
‘Yep. And to top it all off, I forget I haven’t charged my phone.’ He indicated his mobile, which was slowly flickering to life.
‘If it’s any consolation, my day’s been pretty rubbish too.’ Evie shrugged and watched as another flash of light pierced the dull sky.
‘You think you can top mine?’ Turning, he looked at her and grinned. ‘You’re welcome to have a try.’
Laughing, she shook her head. ‘Okay, yes, I think I can top yours. I got bypassed for a massive promotion today by some incompetent bloke who’s only been at the firm a year.’ She held her hand against her chest. ‘Compared to my twelve years of loyal and successful, I might add, employment. And, to make matters worse, I don’t even find out from the boss, but from someone I work with.’
‘Ouch! It’s a close competition. Is that where you’re headed? I’m not keeping you from trying to save your promotion, am I?’
‘Nope. I’m on holiday down here for a few weeks, volunteering. My boss, Melissa, insisted I use up my owed holiday and hinted that I needed to be rested for the upcoming promotion.’ She sank back into her seat and laid her head against the headrest. ‘I fell for it, hook, line and sinker.’
‘You win.’
‘Thanks. I knew there had to be some good in there somewhere.’ She sighed.
Chuckling, Jack shook his head. ‘I’m glad to be of assistance. Seriously though, that’s awful.’
‘Uh-huh.’ Nodding, she slid her ring off, pushing it onto her index finger.
‘Have you spoken to this boss of yours?’
She shook her head slowly. ‘Not yet. She’s ignoring my calls. I’ll write her an email, but I needed to clear my head first.’
‘Probably a good idea. You want a job at the end of it. Or I’m assuming you do?’
‘Yep.’ She shuddered. The thought of walking into the office again wasn’t something she was looking forward to. It hadn’t just been her who had thought she would be made partner, the other solicitors, everyone, had been saying it to her as well. Looking down, she pinched the bridge of her nose. Had this really happened? Why? It didn’t make any sense.
‘That’s one of the joys of being self-employed. No nasty surprises—not from bosses anyway, occasionally from customers.’ Jack grinned. ‘I hope they hurry up. I’m starving.’
‘Here.’ Reaching across, Evie unclicked the glovebox, revealing an array of sweet bags and crisp packets.
‘Wow, you take this car-snacking business seriously.’ Jack pulled out a bag of wine gums and split it open. ‘I’m impressed.’
‘I don’t like to do things by halves.’ She laughed. A blue light glowed through the rain and Evie pointed ahead. ‘It looks like the police have arrived.’
‘Ah, brilliant.’ Cramming wine gums into his mouth, he scrunched the wrapper up and squashed it into the door pocket before braving the rain.
Evie watched as Jack walked around his car, waving his hands this way and that, explaining to the police officer what had happened. She checked the time. An hour had passed already. An hour spent with a complete stranger. Tilting her head, she looked at him and smiled. Yes, he was a complete stranger, but there was something about him, something she just couldn’t put her finger on. They’d spent an hour waiting in the car together and yet there had been no awkward silences or anything. For someone who associated small talk with effort, she’d felt comfortable. She shook her head. She’d told him she’d been bypassed for a promotion—she didn’t even know the guy!
Taking a deep breath, she stepped outside; the rain hammering through her coat within seconds. ‘Is everything okay?’
‘Yes, I have a crime number, so at least I can claim on my insurance.’ Jack grinned.
‘I’ll send a tow car out.’ The police officer looked from Evie to Jack. ‘I assume you’re okay for a lift?’