Read Online Underground Rivers by Mike French - Free Book Online

High Street, Rachel felt as if all the shoppers were aiming directly at her, intent on mowing her down. Instinctively, she linked her arm through her sister’s, who beamed at the gesture.
    â€œChrist, is it always this busy?”
    Hayley looked around her, “I’m not usually here during the week, but it seems pretty quiet to me.”
    Everywhere people were speaking on, or fiddling with their phones. Mobile phones had come a long way in ten years. Rachel thought of the brick which had been returned to her that morning and grinned. Maybe she should get another one.
    But who would I call?
    The library stood at the end of a side road, its glass and brick structure towering over the nearby houses and shops. As they walked towards it, Hayley said, “Don’t you think you were a bit rude to that poor man? He was only trying to make conversation.”
    Rachel shook her head, “He needs to mind his own business.”
    Hayley sighed as Rachel continued, “Privacy has been the only thing that was truly mine for the last ten years. It’s important to me and I don’t need strangers breaching it.”
    â€œGod, you’re brittle.” Hayley brought her hand sharply up to her mouth and pressed her lips shut as she glanced at her sister.
    â€œWhat if I am?” Rachel pulled her arm from her sister’s and stopped walking. People parted to move round her.
    â€œSorry, but, well, you’re in the real world now. If you want to fit in, maybe you should exercise a little more restraint.”
    Rachel glared at Hayley, who blinked but held her gaze as she said, “I’m sorry, but I’m right about this. You know I am. You need to cut people a bit of slack if you want to fit in.”
    Rachel nodded and grabbed Hayley’s arm again as she said, “OK, I’ll try. But it won’t be easy. Come on, get me that coffee.”
    It felt less crowded inside, although there were still plenty of people milling around. Large posters advertised coming attractions and the Box Office was doing a brisk trade.
    â€œOver here.” Hayley released her arm and gestured towards glass doors. As they walked over, Rachel spotted a plaque on the wall. Half way down the list of donors to the library’s rebuilding was ‘The Lewis Family’ .
    Hayley came to stand next to her, “We all loved books, Dad in particular. And it was a good tax break.”
    â€œI guess I should be grateful the entire family has been recognised and it’s not just his name up there.”
    Hayley hesitated, opened and closed her mouth, then said, “Come on. I bet you’re dying for a drink. It must have been a long journey,” and she pushed open the door to the coffee shop.
    Hayley motioned Rachel to a table, “What shall I get you?”
    Rachel hesitated. The last time she had bought coffee, the choice had been black or white; now the board behind the bustling servers offered what seemed like several hundred choices. She shrugged, “You decide. Something to eat would be good too.”
    Later, seated, a large blueberry muffin in front of her, Rachel closed her eyes and took a sip of her steaming vanilla latte.
    Perfect!
    When she opened her eyes, Hayley was sitting up straight, eyeing her nervously.
    â€œSo, honestly, where are you intending to go from here?”
    Rachel held up her hand, “Can I please just enjoy this? The coffee is wonderful and the muffin is something I have dreamed of eating for the longest time. Please, for a while, just let me be.”
    As Hayley opened her mouth to reply, Rachel continued, “We will discuss this, honestly, but give me a few moments of pleasure first.”
    Hayley shrugged her agreement and for the next ten minutes, Rachel nibbled her muffin, sipped her coffee and tried to look as if it was what she did every day. Hayley, in contrast, drank her coffee almost in one gulp then fidgeted in her seat, checking her phone every