Chapter 99

Chapter 99
Claire’s POV
I am stumbling for the words to say. And why is he so angry about this? His cheeks are red and his fists are clenching by his side. From the man I met not that long ago to this, is a hundred and eighty degree turn around. I feel like I am having whiplash. Angst sits high in my chest.
“It really isn’t any of your business. Listen, Clive what is going on here? You are almost a different man. I came to you after what happened to me for safety and security and now, well I am beginning to wonder if that was even the right thing to do.” I take a deep breath, since I feel as if I didn’t breathe during that whole sentence.
He lets out a huff or a sigh, something kind of in-between.
I watch as he rakes his fingers of one hand through his hair. “Sorry, yes you are right. I do seem to be on edge. I don’t know what’s got into me. It might have something to do with Jonathan. What if someone puts two and two together, Claire?”
Is he telling me the truth or lulling me into a sense of false security? Either way, I have made my mind up and will be getting out of this place. The whole town has a weird vibe, by that I mean the people. It’s like they are hushing something up. And who are they protecting?
“And Jake staying isn’t ideal. I don’t like having him around too much he is, well never mind. Come on, we need to shop for you. Use your own money. It’s none of my business, you are absolutely right.”
See what I mean? Total case of whiplash as he now resorts back to the calm and understanding man I came across when I was on the run from Jonathan.
Is it really only mid-day? I feel like I have been out with him in this blasted town for an eternity.
“I can go to the shop on my own, I won’t need much stuff, Clive,” I tell him warily. The last thing I want is to give him any whiff of the fact that I intend to not be staying. And really why would I?
I think for a hot moment back there, that I thought I felt something for Clive. He seemed so strong and reassuring but now I have seen this other side of him. Well, I am not too sure. Besides, with Jake being close by there is no way I can trust him. Then with the young woman just gone missing who resembles me, has put the fear of God inside of me.
“It’s best if I come with you, Claire. I know the store owner; lovely lady and you will get a discount.”
I haven’t checked the app yet for the account to see how much Nathalie has put in my account. A discount could come in handy.
There you have it. I have no choice but to let him come with me.
“Did you know the woman, Clive? The one found in your woods?”
He stares straight ahead as he walks at a fast pace, making me feel like I am jogging to keep up with him.
There is a deafening silence, it is uncomfortable and makes my flesh crawl.
“She was from out of town.” That’s it? That is all he has to say? Not whether he happened to know her or know of her? Why do I think he is involved? Or maybe Jake was and Clive protected his asshole of a brother.
“I don’t want to talk about it, Claire. It’s history. Nothing can be done about it now.” He steams ahead and now I am practically running after him. He stops outside an outdoors shop that has mannequins in the window wearing various outdoor gear. A bright green jacket by North Face and some ski pants. I guess they need it up here when the winter comes.
The door chimes as he opens it and allows me to enter first. “You won’t be needing anything fancy like dresses or the like, so I think this shop will be a good fit. The idea is to purchase warm clothing that is comfortable for up in the cabin. It will start to get much colder in the evenings and the snow is coming in a few days.”
It does feel chilly. This morning as I huffed, I could see my own breath.
“First up, you will need some thicker gloves and how about one of these?” he asks as he holds up a blue, cable-knitted hat with a fawn bobble on it. Mm, I am not really a bobble hat kind of girl, however, I don’t want to freeze. Especially if I am going to make a run for it in the middle of the night.
Will this nightmare ever be over? Running from Jonathan and now feeling like I need to run from Clive and Jake. How did I end up in so much shit?
I’m a normal woman, who had a normal job. Some would say a perfect vanilla life. Nothing out of the ordinary ever happened to me. I didn’t even lose my virginity until I was twenty. I mean, I was the last of all my friends and then it turned out to be a disaster. At a party of all places with some guy that I had liked in college.
He was drunk and the whole thing was over before I could even finish counting to ten. Total disaster. And why am I even thinking about that right now?
“Clive, oh, my it’s been a while.” A woman with dark gray hair says as she approaches him. She looks old enough to be his grandmother. Does she work here? I mean she is pretty old, so that would be impressive. Good for her.
“Iris, good to see you too. Aye it has been a while. The cabin and the land keep me busy. Here, this is my friend Claire. She’s visiting for a while.”
He introduces us and I see the way that her face goes slack and her jaw drops slightly open. What? What’s wrong with her?
Quickly she recovers herself and extends her hand then retracts it and brings me in for a big, warm hug. Her ample bosom crushing into me.
“Claire, such a pretty name for a pretty lass. Well, welcome to our town.”
“Thank you, Iris,” I reply not sure what else to say with this amount of affection from a complete stranger. And why did she look at me funny? And why is she glancing now between Clive and I? Fuck, this place gives me the creeps and then some.
“How long are you staying, dear?”
I look up at Clive and make sure to be extra careful with my words.
“Not entirely sure. I have no plans to leave just yet though,” I lie through my teeth.
She places a hand to her mouth and stares at me with her pale blue eyes that seem to be trying to tell me something.
“Clive,” I say turning to him. “Why don’t you go and meander, Iris here can show me some items and I’ll make my purchases.”
“Aye, good idea. I’m not one for women’s shopping.” He moves away. I wait until he is far enough away that I can speak to Iris.
“You need to leave, Claire. It’s not safe,” she says leaving my jaw hanging on the ground.