A graveyard on a chilly November day can be a lonely place. He'd been to visit Anne's grave and had paused to sit on the bench when he saw her come through the gates at the far end. Apart from him, she was the only person in sight. She was looking straight ahead – it was doubtful that she saw him – and her stride through the cemetery was purposeful. She was young – in her late teens – with long blonde hair. She was wrapped in a thick winter coat and carried a large shoulder bag slung over her head and left shoulder.
He knew who she was of course and couldn't help feeling sorry for – alone in the world as she now was. Not that her mother amounted to very much as a parent – and her father, whoever he was, was long gone. He watched her for a while, as she passed the older graves to reach the fresh mound that was her mother's. She stood there for a while – in silence he thought – then stooped and laid a single flower – it looked like a rose – on the heaped soil. Another moment's pause and then she turned and walked away.
X
She was early for the bus, so she'd slipped across the road to get a coffee, takeaway. Now she sipped the hot drink while the few other passengers slowly gathered.
''Excuse me. How long before the bus gets here?''
She turned and looked at him. A stranger – a blonde guy who must be about the same age as her. And obviously finding an excuse to talk to a girl.
She checked her watch. ''About twenty minutes''. Her tone was cool.
Cole considered. He knew perfectly well how long he'd have to wait. But it hadn't him long to notice the attractive blonde teenager among the other travellers. She hadn't sounded exactly welcoming when she'd answered his question. Now he had to decide whether to try and break through her reserve.
X
Sitting next to her on the bus – she'd dropped enough of her reserve for that – he found out that she was Jennifer Craig, eighteen and an orphan. She also had the most amazing blue-green eyes.
He'd been startled to find that, following her mother's recent death, she'd just packed up her belongings and set off to start a new life. He would have felt sorry for her, but this Jennifer obviously didn't need that. She was totally unfazed by the idea of going to a strange place where she didn't know anybody – apart from him of course.
''How else can I make a fresh start?'' she'd asked, matter-of-factly. It was a hint that, perhaps, her old life hadn't been too happy.
Her plans seemed to be as straightforward as her manner. Find somewhere to stay for a few nights, find work, find an apartment.
''I'm used to taking care of myself'' she informed him. He was beginning to realise how true that was.
X
For all that he would have insisted on walking her from the bus halt to the motel, but she seemed to be enjoying his company by that time.
For all that, her ''Goodnight, Cole'' at the door of her room had been firm. No coming in for a coffee. No coming in for a coffee plus.
He was whistling happily as he headed for the taxi rank.