Red Notice

43

Delphine had recovered from what she’d thought might be another bout of sickness as she felt the Eurostar begin to slow.

Tom appeared at her side and she reached for his hand, enclosing it in hers. ‘What’s happening?’ she breathed. ‘Surely the French can’t be stopping the train. You said that they need—’

‘No,’ Tom said. ‘They’d never stop the train in the tunnel. Something else is going on.’

He leaned out into the aisle and peered up the carriage. The lights flickered and died, then came back on in dimmed emergency mode. The train was still moving, but painfully slowly. Finally, with a squeal of brakes, it came to a complete stop. There were moans and groans from the passengers, frustration and a hint of anger rather than fear. There had been so many breakdowns over the years, stories of passengers being delayed for hours…

Delphine tightened her grip on Tom’s fingers because she knew differently. He knelt closer to her and brushed her cheek with his lips, then eased his hand gently from her grip and locked his gaze on hers. ‘I’ll have to leave you here a while longer.’ His voice was little more than a murmur. He placed her hands on her lap. ‘I want you to do as I say now, and stay here. No matter how noisy it gets, you stay put.’

‘Noisy?’ Delphine said.

‘There may be some shooting, but even if you hear gunfire or an explosion, do not get off the train. Just take cover behind your bags, keep low and stay exactly where you are now. It’s the safest place, and I’ll know where to find you.’

‘If there is danger here, wouldn’t it be better to get off and run back along the tunnel?’

‘No,’ Tom said. ‘I don’t know what’s out there. In here, you’re safe for now. Keep anything valuable with you, in your jeans. We may have to move fast.’

Her skin tingled as he reached out and touched her cheek. ‘Give me your mobile,’ he said.

Delphine handed it to him. ‘But it won’t work in the tunnel. I don’t have any reception…’

Tom didn’t glance up as he tapped the keys. ‘Bluetooth still works. I’m pairing it with mine.’ He handed the phone back and got to his feet.

‘Do you have to go?’ Delphine looked up at him as he leaned down once more.

‘I need to make sure that whatever is happening out there doesn’t happen in here, to you.’

Their lips touched. Despite herself, Delphine liked how it felt.