Waking Broken Read Online Free Page B

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    By the time he reached the junction where Quay Hill met the top of the High Street, Harper was getting steadier on his feet. The limp still slowed him down though.
    It was well past six in the evening now but the city centre was still humming. Most of the shoppers were gone. Now it was office workers thronging the streets: some on their way home, others off in search of refreshment or entertainment.
    There were more people around than cars but as Harper limped over the pedestrian crossing at the junction, a black BMW swerved around the corner and into the High Street without pausing. Harper swore as he stumbled out of the way and the polished paintwork brushed his hip. Other pedestrians jumped back or jerked to a halt, some gesturing at the blatant disregard of their right-of-way and safety. But whoever was behind the tinted glass did not hesitate and the car continued without any sign the driver had even noticed the people in his path.
    Harper shook his head. He was about to continue, when glancing sideways, a familiar face in the flow coming up Quay Hill caught his eye. Breathing a sigh of relief, he stopped next to a bollard and waited. He smiled as she drew nearer. One hand raised itself, ready for the embrace.
    But she walked straight past, her eyes just grazing him as she turned the corner without pausing. Harper turned, confused. He stared at the back of her head, relief melting from his face. ‘Becca?’ he called.
    She gave no indication of hearing him.
    ‘Becca!’
    Still no response.
    ‘Rebecca!’ He bellowed her name and this time she stopped, turning to scan the street. She was wearing a big fluffy hat against the cold, her hair tucked out of sight. Her eyes flicked around in surprise, looking for the person who had hailed her.
    ‘Becca.’ Harper hurried towards her as fast as his limp would allow. ‘Didn’t you see me?’
    The expression on Rebecca Shah’s face made him slow and he stopped a few feet away, one hand still outstretched. ‘What is it, Becca?’
    She regarded him nervously. She appeared wary. Then she frowned. ‘Harper isn’t it?’ Relief washed some of the uncertainty from her face. ‘You work for Tony Wright, don’t you?’
    Harper looked at her blankly. ‘What’re you on about? Work for Tony?’
    He shook his head. ‘Didn’t you see me?’
    Rebecca started to appear worried and a little nervous. ‘Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. I just didn’t recognise you.’
    She bit her lip. ‘It is Harper, isn’t it?’
    ‘No, it’s not bloody “Harper”! And what do you mean “recognise me”?’ Harper shook his head in angry confusion. ‘Come on, Becca. I’m not in the mood. I haven’t had a good day. I’ve just walked out of hospital; some idiot ploughed into me when I was on my bike and knocked me into a ditch. They wanted to keep me in and I’m covered with bruises.’
    Rebecca backed off a little and glanced around. ‘Look,’ she said, ‘I didn’t mean to upset you and I’m sorry if I got your name wrong. I mistook you for someone else.’
    Harper held out his hands. ‘Becca, please. This isn’t funny. I just had a nasty knock and woke up in hospital. Stop acting weird.’
    Rebecca began to move away more steadily. ‘Hey,’ she said. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve upset you but it wasn’t intentional. I really don’t know what your name is. I’m sorry you had an accident but I don’t think there’s anything I can do to help.’ She shook her head. ‘My name’s not ‘Becca’ either. You must have mistaken me for someone too.’
    She gave a polite smile, turned and began to walk off, glancing over her shoulder as she went. ‘I’m sorry but I really need to go.’
    ‘Becca!’ Harper began to limp after her, holding out his hands. ‘Stop this, Becca. Please.’
    Rebecca stopped for a moment. She looked scared and unhappy in the face of his intensity and earnest entreaty. ‘No,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘I’m really sorry