Read Online The Child Left Behind by Anne Bennett - Free Book Online Page B

stars visible through those thick, rain-filled clouds, but the light from the bedroom lit the top of the tree and the heavy beam of Finn’s army-issue torch illuminated the lower branches.
    In a moment Gabrielle was down and in Finn’s arms, and kissing him hungrily.
    Though their need for each other was great, Gabrielle and Finn knew better than to linger or make any sound in the yard. They stopped only long enough for Gabrielle to rearrange her clothes and put on her cape, and then they were away, stealing through the darkened streets of St-Omer.
    Yvette sighed again and closed the window, but did not fasten it so that Gabrielle could open it when she returned. Then she surveyed the room critically. Gabrielle’s bed was so obviously empty; should their mother peep in on them, as she very occasionally did, she would see that immediately.
    So Yvette made a mound of clothes in Gabrielle’s bed, shaped just as if she was in it. And if shepretended to be asleep too then she didn’t think her mother would risk rousing them by taking the lamp further into the room. Yvette undressed and got into bed, but though she snuffed out the lamp she intended to stay awake until Gabrielle returned.
    Finn and Gabrielle took the back roads and alleys through the town to avoid meeting people. They longed to scurry along quickly, but held back, their senses alert to any noise that would mean they should hide themselves.
    However, they reached Rue Therouanna, at the very end of town, without incident. At the bottom of the road the canal was in front of them.
    As they walked the deserted banks, leaving the town further behind, Finn thought they were far enough away from being overheard to whisper to Gabrielle, ‘It’s just a little further to the bridge and it comes out by the little copse of trees near the house. Take care how you cross because it’s a bit rickety.’
    When Gabrielle saw the bridge, it had obviously seen better days she thought it safe enough, and the two of them crossed with no trouble. In the shelter of the trees, Finn put his arms around Gabrielle and she leaned against him with a sigh.
    ‘You’re shivering,’ he said. ‘Are you cold?’
    ‘No, said Gabrielle, not really cold. I think I’m shivering with excitement.’
    ‘Come on then,’ Finn said. ‘Let’s go. My insides are churning too. Good job I’ve got such a powerfultorch. The ground is boggy and the potholes are filled with icy water.’
    ‘I’ve brought a torch too.’
    ‘Keep it safe for later,’ Finn advised. ‘Mine is probably more powerful and using one will give me an excuse to hold you closer.’
    ‘Ah, yes, please,’ Gabrielle laughed and she snuggled so close against Finn that he could feel her heart thudding.
    Gabrielle was quite enchanted at the cosiness of the house. A bright fire was burning in the grate, the place was lit by the kerosene lamp and Finn had a grey army-issue blanket over the sofa.
    ‘Oh, Finn,’ she exclaimed, ‘I never expected it to be so nice!’
    ‘I have cleaned it up a bit,’ Finn admitted. ‘Take off your cape and let us sit by the fire. I so desperately want to kiss you.’
    Gabrielle knew that by creeping out of the house to meet a man, let alone allowing that man to hold and kiss her, was very wicked and if she was found out she would be beyond the bounds of respectable society. And yet she had agreed to come with Finn to this lonely farmhouse because she loved him so much she was prepared to risk everything and she gave herself over to the excitement she felt when Finn’s lips met hers.
    She didn’t know that the feelings running through her body were the awaking of her sexuality. In fact, the only thing she was sure of wasthat she loved and trusted Finn. He said he would never hurt her and she believed him.
    Finn didn’t kiss her properly, fearing that it might frighten her. When he eventually pulled away before he forgot himself completely, Gabrielle groaned in disappointment, for she had wanted