Page 12 of Bad Star

Chapter Six

The following dayJack picked Rainn up early.

“Is there a problem between you and John?” she asked as he got into the car.

“Of course not,” said Jack. He pulled out into the London traffic that was moving slowly with no more urgency than was appropriate on a Sunday morning.

“I just sensed a strange atmosphere last night.”

Jack patted her knee in a friendly way. “You know there’s no one who is more in awe of your senses than I, but in this case they’re a little off.”

They drove along the tree-lined streets of the suburbs and the sunlight flitted through the car windscreen. Often Jack glanced at Rainn’s face and his tongue played on his lips. He was still hungry. But he would have to be patient. He would play the long game.

“A good day for a walk,” he said. “Perhaps we could go to the common.”

“I’d like that,” said Rainn.

They walked along the edge of the common, chatting as dog-walkers and joggers went passed. Jack walked with his arm in hers. He could feel her body move beside him and sense the strength of her back in her upright posture. He felt the curve of her waist and the length of her muscles that curved down her slim thighs.

Rainn felt very much alive and asked Jack to describe the things she could hear and smell.

He told her about the clumps of narcissi in the verge and the lilac coming into flower. He told her about the swans on the pond and the sparrows that hopped on the path in front of them.

They sat on a bench and Rainn told him how she imagined the world.

“It’s difficult to explain,” she said.

“No,” said Jack, he put his arm around her. “I think I understand.”

“I’m not sure it’s possible,” she said. “But it doesn’t really matter. All that matters is that you try.”

She smiled at him and he delicately took her chin and turned it towards him. They kissed.

“Come to my place,” he said. “It’s time I saw you in it.”

Rainn laughed. “I’d like to. You can give me a guided tour.”