Page 85 of Ethan & Grace

I sped up again, and so did the man. Or was I just imagining it? My heart was pounding, and I regretted not having walked with Kate. Finally, I saw the Tube sign, but I didn’t want to go down while someone was following me.

Not sure what to do, I spotted a restaurant with the lights still on. The staff were closing up, but I didn’t care. I slipped inside and held my breath. The man walked past the restaurant, but I couldn’t see his face. Who was he?

“Sorry, we’re about to close,” one of the waitresses said.

“Can I just sit for a bit?”

She shrugged. “Fine. Ten minutes.”

I sank into a seat at the back of the restaurant, hidden from the street. What now? It wouldn’t feel safe to go back out there. Just because the guy hadn’t followed me into the restaurant didn’t mean he wasn’t lurking somewhere in the shadows, waiting for me.

Without thinking, I grabbed my phone and called Ethan.

He answered immediately. “Hey.”

I gave a sigh of relief. “Hi.”

“Is everything all right?”

“No, I . . .” All at once, I felt ridiculous. Nothing had happened. A man had walked behind me, and I’d reacted as if Michael Myers himself was chasing me. This letter was messing with my head. “Forget it. Everything’s fine. Sorry for bothering you. Have a good evening,” I said and hung up quickly.

Ethan had better things to do on a Friday night than pick me up and drive me home just because I was paranoid. I would wait until the restaurant closed and then leave with the last remaining diners. Surely I wouldn’t be the only person heading to the Tube.

My phone rang again. It was Ethan.

I declined his call, embarrassed by the whole situation, but he didn’t give up. Three seconds later, he called again.

I gave in and answered.

“What’s going on?” Ethan asked, without a greeting.

“Nothing.”

“It must be something if you’re calling.” From his tone, it was clear he wouldn’t accept my excuses.

“I was with Rose and Kate at the pub. I was heading home just now when this guy started following me, and . . . I don’t know, I just didn’t feel safe.”

Ethan swore under his breath. “Where are you now?”

“In a restaurant,” I replied, scanning around for the name of the place. I spotted it on a menu lying on the table and told him.

“Stay where you are. I’ll be right there.”

He hung up without another word. I was glad. My mind would probably have convinced me to try to stop him from coming, though my heart wanted nothing more.

Fortunately, the staff didn’t kick me out. They let me sit in the restaurant until a black Bentley pulled up fifteen minutes later. At the sight of it, I leapt up and hurried outside.

Ethan was already out of the car, coming towards me. Without thinking, I threw myself into his arms. He caught me and held me close. Relieved, I buried my face in his neck and inhaled his now familiar scent. Combined with his touch, it felt like a balm for my nerves.

My heartbeat and breathing both began to steady, because being held by Ethan made me feel warm and safe. He didn’t let go until I was ready.

“Thanks for coming.”

“Of course.” He looked me up and down. “Are you OK?”

I nodded, still a little dazed.

“Are you sure?”