again was still a shock. She heard herself give a small gasp and she gripped the handrail tighter as a small shot of adrenaline raced through her.
‘Hello, Neve,’ he said. ‘Long time no see.’
His voice was as she remembered, casual, confident, maybe a little deeper, a little huskier. He drew on a cigarette which Neve suspected was the cause of the change. She noticed small creases around his eyes and his mouth, another consequence of smoking. But despite that, he hadn’t really changed, only aged. Neve let go of the handrail and unhooked Willow from her lead, moving away from the steps.
‘Hello, Ash,’ she said. ‘Or Lee, as you seem to be going by these days.’
‘Busted,’ said Lee, with an apathetic look. ‘Had to leave Ash behind. He caused me a lot of trouble.’
‘And Lee, what’s he like?’
‘Reformed. Works with young adults. Member of Greenpeace. Loves children and animals. Wants to save the world.’
‘Regular Mr Nice Guy,’ said Neve.
‘Oh, nothing regular about me, Neve.’
They eyed each other for a moment, before Neve spoke first. ‘What exactly are you doing here?’
‘Working at The Forum. Helping the kids get their lives back on track. Everyone deserves a second chance. Including me.’ He held out his arms and smiled almost as widely. ‘Come on, Neve, give us a hug. I’ve missed you.’
Neve held up her hands, to try to push him away but he was too strong, and her hands were squashed against his chest as he pulled her in for a bear hug. He kissed the side of her face, for longer than necessary, his whiskers scratching her skin.
‘It’s good to see you again,’ he said, ignoring her struggles.
‘Ash, let me—’
‘Lee. It’s Lee, not Ash,’ he said.
‘For God’s sake. Lee, let me go!’
He released her from his hold and grinned at her. His trademark grin, Neve and Megan used to call it. He hadn’t lost it over the years.
‘Sorry,’ he said, taking a step back. ‘I got carried away. Just suddenly felt all nostalgic.’
‘Don’t worry about it,’ muttered Neve, fiddling with the dog lead.
‘Maybe we could go for a drink sometime. You know, for old-time’s sake.’ He looked at her left hand. ‘Ah, married. Will he mind? It’s only like catching up with an old friend. Nothing in it.’
‘Yes, I am married and no, he wouldn’t mind. Not that it’s up to him, anyway,’ Neve found herself adding onto the end, although blatantly aware that Kit would mind, it suddenly seemed important that she assert herself to him. In truth, she just wanted Ash to disappear back to wherever he’d come from. Her past form with Ash scared her. She didn’t want to find herself revisiting those times again.
‘So, that’s a yes to a drink.’
‘No! It’s not.’ Neve gave a sigh. ‘Look, Ash … I mean, Lee, this isn’t an old pals reunion, as well you know.’
‘Do I?’
‘Yes, you do. When I messaged you, you said you had been expecting me. How? Why? How did you know I lived here?’
‘Ahh, well, that will be my powers of telepathy,’ said Lee, accompanying his words with a ghost-like noise.
‘Stop! Can’t you just be serious for one minute? I thought you said you were all grown up now and mature?’
‘Spoilsport,’ said Lee. ‘I see you’ve really taken growing up to the next level. What happened to Neve Tansley or Neve Howells?’
‘Neve Howells grew up and Neve Tansley got divorced. It’s Neve Masters now.’
‘And a new persona by the sounds of it. Or is it? I’m not sure you can really change.’
‘Can we quit with all this beating around the bush? It’s boring,’ said Neve, her patience finally wearing out. ‘How did you know I lived here?’
‘It was pure luck,’ said Lee. ‘I got this job at The Forum and I was on my way over to the art studio with a couple of the residents the other day and I caught a glimpse of you through the windows. You were just leaving and by the time I got there, you were driving out of the car park. This OAP was still packing up and I asked her if she knew you.’
‘That was fortunate,’ said Neve. She thought back to who it might have been. Probably Edith. She always took ages to set up and pack her stuff away and wasn’t averse to a good old chat about anything and anyone. ‘Did she say anything else?’
‘Oh, I learnt quite a lot about you,’ said Lee, grinding his cigarette out with the heel of his boot. ‘Married to a local businessman. Stepdaughter.’
‘Daughter, actually,’ corrected Neve.
‘As you wish, daughter,’ said Lee, before carrying on. ‘You live in the big house down, now where did she say, oh yes, that’s right … Long Acre Lane. She’s right. It is a big house.’
‘What?! You’ve seen where I live?’
‘I just happened to be passing. I saw your car in the drive. No law against that.’
And he was right. There was no law against it, but Neve was now on high alert. She had no idea what Lee was playing at, but she was sure he was messing with her. He’d always liked to tease her, but she knew from past experience, the teasing was just a breath away from danger. Ash liked living on the edge of life and pushing people past their comfort zone. In the past, she had quite liked that element, it had been exciting and frightening all at the same time. Now, though, having experienced the consequences, it just frightened her. ‘How long are you here for?’ she asked, folding her arms, aware she was glaring but didn’t care.
‘I’ve got a month-long contract,’ said Lee. ‘Which can be extended if I want. Such a shame you don’t seem happy to see me. I thought we could relive some of our youth.’
‘Get lost,’ said Neve. ‘I’m not into all that anymore.’
‘Does your husband know about it?’
Neve’s heart thumped against her chest. ‘What does it matter to you?’
‘Just curious. You know, I have actually met him. And your daughter. I thought that’s probably why you wanted to see me.’
Neve closed the space between them, only just managing to hold onto her rage. She jabbed her index finger hard into Lee’s shoulder. ‘You stay away from my family. Do you hear?’
The amused look on Lee’s face dropped immediately, replaced by a glare equal to Neve’s. He snatched at her hand, grabbing hold of her finger and bent her arm over. Neve cried out, twisting her body to relieve the pain.
Lee bent his head down, so his face was once again level with hers. ‘It’s
