Strangers

Chapter 3

"So," she began, "are you both from Devon?"  

"No. I'm from Brighton, but I lived in Devon for the past few years. I love it but..." Rob looked out the window for a second, before sighing and carrying on "I've got a little boy, Rhys, who lives in Brighton with my ex-girlfriend. I got a call two days ago that Sherry, my ex, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer..." he trailed off.  

Sarah was surprised about the son and cancer remark but tried not to let it show and waited for Luke's reason. 

"I'm originally from Tasmania, Australia but I grew up in Devon. I met this guy," he pointed at Rob "When I started University, and well I thought I could use a change in scenery. How about you?" Luke said.  

"Born and raised in Devon, but unlike my brothers, I never picked up the whole farming side of things," she laughed. 

"so why are you going to London?" Rob asked. 

At first she wasn't sure she wanted to say, but for some unknown reasons she felt comfortable with Luke and Rob. Both beautiful strangers who just sat and listened. " I...I just needed a break from my boyfriend Ivan. We haven't been seeing eye to eye lately. One of my friends Amy invited me to stay for the week with her, so I could think things over,"  

They spent the next few hours discussing family and hobbies, were Rob told Sarah that his parents were killed three years ago in a plane crash. And that he had met Sherry in University, she had been one of his closest friends and at the time it seemed natural for them to get married. "It wasnt until after university that we'd had Rhys. After that I realised I didn't love Sherry anymore and when she admitted to having an affair, that was the last straw. I filled for divorce and she up and left. I got to see Rhys twice a month but that was never enough, y'know," Rob stopped talking and looked down at his hands. "Sherry, her parents, and fuck even my parents thought I was a selfish bastard," he bought a shaky hand to his face and stared out his window at the darkening sky. She wanted to say something and by the look of it, so did Luke but they didn't know what to say.  

"That was the hardest part: Letting Rhys go. I should have never let him go so easily,"  

"How old is he?"  

Rob smiled "he's three. And he's so handsome and clever as well. Let me show you a picture of him..." he looked over and Luke passed him his rucksack. Searching around Rob stared confused into the bad until a look of panic crossed his face.  

"oh, fuck!"  

"Whats wrong?" asked a concerned Luke from the backseat.  

"My wallet. Shit! I think I must have left it at Erics house. Great now I don't have any money for the next few day," Rob groaned.  

"Hey, don't worry man, I've got a little cash on me," said Luke reaching over to his worn, faded orange rucksack. Sarah's heart started thumping as she heard the zip to the rucksack be pried open. She'd been real absorbed in their story, but now she was thinking maybe they were just good liars and were planning something sinister. Maybe they were psychos and she was their next target! Just then she heard Luke straighten up and hand Rob his phone and two tenners. Sarah sucked in a relieved breath, adrenaline still pumping through her veins as the disturbing thoughts left her pounding head.  

"you okay?" Luke asked concerned, "your as white as a sheet,"  

"oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just hungry and a little tired...oh! and we have to stop for petrol,"  

"Take the next exit on the right to Southampton, I think the sign back there showed food and petrol," Rob drawled.  

She turned on the blinker and moved into the lane that led towards the next exit. She listened as Rob dialed obviously Erics number and confirmed that he had indeed left his wallet behind.