Read Online An Ocean Apart by Robin Pilcher - Free Book Online

right hand towards him. “And by way of introduction, I’m Rachel Devereux.”
    David took hold of her hand. “Hi, Rachel,” he said, overwhelmed with relief that the whole incident was apparently finished with. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m David Corstor——”
    â€œI know you are,” Rachel interjected, a huge grin on her face. “Oxford Blue at tennis, titled, lieutenant in the army, what else was it? Oh yes, rock star…”
    David felt himself blush. “Ah, of course, Toby’s wretched introduction!” He looked up at her and smiled. “I think we’d both be better off if we forgot about that little interlude, don’t you?”
    Rachel smiled and nodded. “Maybe for the best.”
    â€œGood! So, which way are you heading now?”
    â€œBack the way we came.” Rachel flicked up her wrist and looked at her watch. “I was meant to be at the science buildings at two o’clock for a tutorial, but I don’t think I’ll make it.”
    David put his hand on her arm and turned her in the direction of Broad Street. “Come on, I’ve got a car back at the pub. Even in this infernal traffic, I think we’ve more chance of making it on wheels than on foot. At any rate, I’m going up that way.” He glanced apprehensively at her as they walked. “Maybe I shouldn’t really say this, but I’m meant to be watching Toby play cricket this afternoon.”
    Rachel looked sideways at him, a rueful smile on her face. “Yes, you’re right. Better left unsaid.”
    They walked briskly up Cornmarket and around the corner into the Broad, sometimes divided and at other times pushed together by the crowds coming towards them. “So how does it work, you being here at Oxford and being in the army at the same time?”
    â€œWell, I’m not really in the army yet. I’m what Toby quite rightly termed a ‘second lieutenant-in-brackets-on-probation.’ I joined up after leaving school, the army pay my way through university, and then, if all goes well with my finals, I do six months at Sandhurst and five years with the regiment.”
    â€œRight. So when are the finals?”
    â€œGod, I wish you wouldn’t ask that question.” He looked over to her, pretending to chew on the fingernails of his right hand. “Next month!”
    â€œYeah, same as me.”
    â€œReally? I can’t believe that. Which college are you in?”
    â€œHertford. Why do you say you can’t believe it?”
    â€œWell … because … well, I just thought that I might have met you before now. I mean, Oxford’s not that big a place.”
    Rachel turned and smiled at him, but said nothing more until they had turned the corner of the Broad and were nearing the car. David took the keys from his pocket and Rachel walked out into the street to stand by the passenger door.
    â€œActually, I have seen you around,” she said, looking at him over the roof of the car.
    David stopped as he put the key in the door and glanced at her, a puzzled expression on his face. “Really? Whereabouts?”
    â€œI don’t know. Just around.”
    â€œThen why haven’t I seen you?”
    Rachel shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. Maybe you just haven’t been looking in the right direction.”
    The remark was laced with such possibly seductive innuendo that David felt an involuntary shiver of excitement course its way up his spine. He looked directly at her, catching the physical intent of the statement in her eyes.
    â€œObviously not,” he said quietly to himself. Unlocking the car, he climbed in, and having bundled the pile of cassettes back into the glove compartment, he reached over to open the passenger door. Rachel threw her book onto the back seat and jumped in, wedging the bottle of champagne between her feet.
    â€œThe science building,