The Doll's House

60

He reached out and took her hand, running his finger over her knuckles.

‘Isn’t this nice?’

Ruby smiled in response, forking another mouthful of pasta in her mouth. She didn’t know what she had been expecting, but the food was good – pasta carbonara, rich, creamy and comforting. She cleared her plate, then picked up her wine, draining the plastic beaker it had been served in. Despite the absurdity of the situation, the wine felt good – a brief spike of exhilaration surging through her before drifting away again.

‘Pudding?’

Ruby nodded and within a minute had wolfed down a bowl of trifle. Stuck down here all she could think of was how hungry she was.

‘I wanted to ask you something,’ she said suddenly. ‘I… I get bored down here waiting for you, so I was wondering if I could have some books.’

He regarded her for a second, then said:

‘What sort of books?’

‘Anything.’

‘You’re not fussy.’

‘I just want to read.’

Another pause.

‘Tell me some titles and I’ll see if I can get them for you.’

Ruby racked her brains, reeling off a list of favourites that would make her feel a little less alone. Books her dad loved, that Cassie was obsessed with. They would be her family down here. Finally, she ran out of ideas. Her captor swallowed a yawn, fatigue finally overcoming him.

‘Thank you, Summer. I enjoyed myself tonight.’

‘Me too,’ Ruby replied. There was a small part of that which was true at least.

‘And if you’re good to me, we’ll see about those books.’

He took a step forward. Ruby’s natural instinct was to step back, but she forced herself to stand her ground. He took another step towards her, wrapping his arms round her and pulling her into a hug. She allowed it, though she was screaming inside. She felt his lips find their way to her ear.

‘All good things come to those who wait,’ he whispered.

Suddenly Ruby had tears in her eyes. She could feel his erection pressing against her. She just wanted to be away, away, away from him. As he disengaged, she wiped her eyes quickly – refusing to throw it all away by losing her cool.

‘Goodnight,’ he said, as he headed towards the door. ‘And thank you.’

Ruby stood stock still as he departed. She remained there for a full five minutes until she could be sure he was gone – smiling her rictus grin, wanting to be a good girl for him, despite the fact that she was shaking like a leaf.