The next week Mark Williams, her boss, came back to work. Everyone was so happy about it; he was a very good detective and a clever agent. Even if they didn't talk very often to each other, Charlotte had a very good opinion of him, and she thought he was one of the best colleagues she had ever met in her life.
He was kind, usually, but quite severe and determined when he was working. He loved helping other people and became a cop with the specific purpose to help Bath, his hometown.
In the everyday life he was a generous boy, always ready to do everything for his friends when they were in need, and with Charlotte, especially, he had always been gentle and respectful.
He accepted her relocation from Newcastle and he, again, introduced her to all the colleagues of her new police station.
After two years working together, he never seemed angry with her, he never seemed angry with anyone at all. For this reason, it was so strange to see him nervous the other day before the fire in the building, when he asked to speak with Charlotte alone.
He was such a good person...and that was why Charlotte suffered so much because of the lies she had to tell him. But there wasn't anything else to do.
They almost never met during the first two days after his comeback and when, finally, they had the possibility to remain alone, she felt too embarrassed and guilty that not even a word came out of her mouth.
Only at the end of the fourth day, they had the chance to talk. He was trying to avoid her, clearly, but she was determined to speak, so she managed to stop him just before he could leave the office.
- Charlotte... - he said rapidly – I have to go... -
- I just wanted to explain to you what happened...what happened...what – it was so difficult to talk.
- What happened in that building? – he suggested.
- Right! – she took a deep breath – I really don't know actually...but I have some ideas...-
- What ideas? – Mark eventually seemed interested.
- When I was working in Newcastle... - she began. She didn't want to say all the truth, but a little part of it, that could seem a good explanation.
- Yes... - he came closer and Charlotte almost gasped. He was not an intimidating guy but he was quite tall, with big shoulders; it was not easy to talk directly to him. Especially, it was not easy to lie in front of him. He was looking at her with his dark blue eyes... and it almost seemed to Charlotte that he was trying to understand her, but also to judge her. As if he could see directly through her mind with those eyes, through her soul.
It was the most stressful situation ever.
- Go on, go on please – Mark said, with a little smile.
- In Newcastle, I worked with some people...and at a certain point, without any, ANY reason, they started to have a bad opinion about me. –
- They...they changed their opinion about you, like that, from a day to another? –
Charlotte remained silent for some seconds...and then she spoke – Yes, like that. –
- Mm, that's weird, very weird – Mark started to think and Charlotte really hoped that he was not thinking too much.
- So, are you suggesting that one of them could be the writer of your name on the walls?– he asked again.
- There's no other possible explanation... -
- So maybe it was just a joke, a stupid joke... -
- I really hope so – she smiled.
- Well then, I really must go now but... -
He was insecure for a moment, and then came a little closer.
- I'm happy to know it, I'm glad that you're not in real danger... -
- Me too – she tried to look happy, while actually she felt so bad.
Then Mark started to walk away, towards the main exit but suddenly he stopped, looking back at her.
- Thank you, Charlotte. –
- For what? –
- For being sincere with me, it was nice. – he smiled and she really wanted to do the same, but didn't succeed.
YOU ARE READING
Love is Dangerous
Action"Love is Dangerous" is a short story written by S. S., a girl from Northern Italy. It tells the story of Charlotte Cornell, a policewoman who works in Bath, in the South of England. Her life there is almost perfect; she has many friends and is ver...
