In Another Life Read Online Free Page A

Carol fed back to her daughter.
     
    “Tell him that’s fine, I will.”
     
    Marie’s train pulled in to her station.
     
    “I’ve got to go now, Mum, I’m at my stop.”
     
    “Just be careful,” Carol urged. “We’ll see you soon.”
     
    “Love you.”
     
    “Love you too, sweetheart.”
     
    Marie ended the call and shoved her iPhone back in to her handbag. She ran as fast as her aching feet would let her, hurrying up the escalators like one of the frantic commuters she always loathed in the morning. When she emerged out on to the street long shadows had already crept along the pavement, the only glow offered from the numerous street lights and illuminated shop windows. Whether she liked it or not she’d be driving home in the dark.
     
    *
     
    It took Marie over an hour to get out of the borough of London thanks to numerous road works and traffic diversions. Finally out on the motorway she let herself relax and flicked on her car stereo. Soon a familiar pop song was filling the space around her and she hummed happily to herself.
     
    In her ear she wore her Bluetooth headset so that she could call Seb. But he beat her to it and called her just as she was merging on to another section of motorway.
     
    “Seb, hey, I’m just driving back,” she explained, a little distracted.
     
    “I thought you’d be there by now,” Seb sounded surprised.
     
    “So did I,” Marie agreed sadly. “But I had to work late.”
     
    “Maybe you should have just driven down tomorrow. I don’t like you driving in the dark.” He sounded like her Dad.
     
    “I’m fine,” Marie assured him. “I’m on the motorway now so the worst part is over.”
     
    Driving round London had been a complete shock to Marie’s system when she’d first arrived. Even though she was from a city herself, she didn’t live in the centre. She was used to heavy traffic but nothing could have prepared her for what the capital had to offer. She quickly regretted having driven her car down in the first place but was determined to keep it with her, fearing that she may need it in an emergency if the tube was ever off line. Marie had always been a bit of a worrier, preparing for rainy days.
     
    On the call to Seb she heard the soft clink of glasses and the light mirth of laughter. 
     
    “Are you out?” she asked accusingly.
     
    Seb paused before replying, “just with some of the guys. It won’t be a late one.” Marie didn’t really have much room to complain, she wasn’t even there.
     
    “Guess where Amanda thought I was going tonight?” she asked, changing the subject as a jovial smile pulled at her lips.
     
    “Where?”
     
    “A rave.” Marie stated bluntly. On the other end of the line Sebastian burst out laughing.
     
    “Does she know you?” he exclaimed.
     
    “I know,” Marie agreed. “Perhaps she’s a keen raver and just thinks everyone else is too. I could see her out with her denim hot pants and paint smeared all over her face!”
     
    Marie made herself laugh at the image which presented itself in her mind. Amanda would be even more out of place at a rave than she would be.
     
    “Well say hi to your Mum and Dad for me,” Seb said, preparing to end the call. Marie felt a little dejected; she’d hoped to talk to him for longer. She had a long, lonely drive ahead of her. But he was out having fun and she didn’t want to encroach too heavily upon that.
     
    “I will.” She promised.
     
    “And bring me back some dates.”
     
    Marie groaned slightly. She’d hoped for a relaxing weekend. She knew the minute she asked her parents about dates they’d both start fretting, pouring through the calendar to find dates which didn’t clash with this cousin’s birthday or the anniversary of that Grandparent’s passing. Dates were never an easy topic of discussion within her overly traditional family.
     
    “Love you!” Seb declared, sounding slightly drunk.
     
    “Love you too,” Marie smiled. Seb clicked off