Read Online Strikers Instinct by A. D. Rogers - Free Book Online Page B

time to stop the black eye.”
    â€œYour timing was perfect,” I said, “you stopped them breaking all my fingers. I’ll never be able to repay you.”
    I stopped and Luke realised that I wanted to say more.
    â€œI sense a but!” he said with a smile.
    I grinned in return. “But I still don’t understand – how did you recognise me? We’ve hardly ever spoken.”
    Luke seemed almost apologetic. “How many people do you think from Wishton are currently students in Oxford?”
    I shrugged and he continued.
    â€œWell – not many,” he said, “and even less came from the same grammar school. I knew you were here but I just never got the chance to talk to you – you know how busy we all are.”
    I nodded and once again he continued. “But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t keeping an eye on you. Professor Jackson is a friend of mine and she told me you are doing very well.”
    That surprised me. Professor Jackson was one of my tutors and although we got on fairly well I had no idea that she had taken an interest in me.
    Luke continued. “Even though I knew you had settled in I can’t claim that I was looking out for you today – it was pure luck that I happened to be passing that pub. Anyway – here we are – let’s go inside.”
    We were stood in front of a large but slightly shabby house.
    â€œWelcome to my humble home,” said Luke, “well, actually I just rent a room but it’s not a bad place.”
    He steered me through the front door then down a corridor towards the sound of laughter and chatter. We entered a large room containing half a dozen young people – four male two female.
    â€œEveryone, this is Harry, he’s a fellow Wishtonian and he’s had a bit of trouble. I’m glad you are here Kath – hopefully you can sort him out. Harry, this is Kath, she’s Dom’s girlfriend – far too good for him – but more importantly she is a final year med student. Kath – would you mind taking a quick look at him?”
    Kath looked concerned and quickly led Harry into the kitchen.
    â€œI’ll introduce everyone else when you come back – and don’t worry about Kath – she hasn’t killed anyone yet!”
    The rest of the group laughed and then began to question Luke. He evaded their questions until Kath and Harry returned.
    â€œHe’ll live,” she pronounced. “Nothing broken and no signs of concussion but that eye will be swollen for a few days and also his back is going to be tender. He needs to go straight to his doctor if the pain gets worse – or if he starts to get bad headaches. Anyway – what happened? Harry seems reluctant to tell me the story.”
    Luke explained, “Harry is a friend from my old school and today I helped him out when I found him having a spot of trouble with the locals. It’s up to him if he wants to tell you anymore.”
    Everyone looked questioningly at me – so I slowly started to explain what had happened. I half-expected some sort of disapproval but instead I just received sympathetic looks.
    â€œSounds like Luke came along just in time?” said Kath and I nodded my agreement.
    I was slightly surprised that no-one seemed to think that Luke had done anything out of the ordinary – it was almost as if this was something Luke got involved with every day. Anyway – I didn’t push it any further – I was just glad to be in one piece.
    â€œI bet you could use a drink?” Luke asked me.
    â€œYes please,” I replied. “I could murder a cup of tea.”
    Luke and the boys laughed – “I thought you might want something a bit stronger but I think I can manage a cup of tea. Come back through to the kitchen.”
    Luke made me sit at the kitchen table whilst the kettle boiled.
    â€œYou still look surprised.” he said.
    â€œI really can’t