Writers Abroad Magazine Issue 7 November 2017 | Page 24

WRITERS ABROAD MAGAZINE: THE THIRD SPACE
WILDCAT
BY Christine Nedahl
Kass extracted her legs and arms from the togetherness that was them. On a
breath he heard 'please believe me'. He opened his eyes.
'Did you say something?'
'No. You must have been dreaming.'
Gently he pushed back her hair and looked into her green eyes.
'I love you, Kass.'
Her hand moved slowly over his, finger tips caressing. He tried to claim her
delicious mouth but she sprang away. She pulled her top over her head.
'Got to go. Both of us. We can't stay in bed all day.'
She smiled and his heart sang.
***
He was at the bar when she got there.
'Wine, darling?'
As she took the chilled glass their hands touched, electricity flaring. Distractedly,
she scanned the room.
'You okay?'
'I'm fine. I need the ladies room,' and she was gone.
He frowned.
'Alex'- it was a statement rather than a question.
'Do I know you?'
'No, but I know Kass.'
Alex held out his hand but no handshake followed.The other man leaned close.
'She's bad news, mate.'
A sharp intake of breath.
'Who are you? What are you talking about?'
'She's a destructive force, taken a couple. I'm one of the lucky ones, got out
before it was too late.'
'What utter nonsense. Ditched boyfriend are you? Get out of here and leave
me alone. You stay away from Kass, too, understand me?'
He shrugged.
'Have it your way.'
Alex spotted Kass walking back.
'Who was that?'
'He didn't say, just said he knew you.'
She looked surprised.
'A case of mistaken identity, I guess.'
He knocked back his beer and pushed her glass away.
'Come on, let's get home and have a drink there.'
***
'What happened here, Miss?'
Through her sobbing, she held out her bloodied hands.
'I'm not certain. I remember running to the kitchen. I think I picked up a knife
because he was shouting abuse. He lunged, his fist caught my head, and the
next thing I knew, he was bleeding all over the floor.'
23 | NOVEMBER 2017