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She didn’t once mention her own house. A few times, Jack saw her press her lips together in an expression of regret over something she didn’t want to talk about and he wondered whether he might get her alone, later. But by the time the meeting broke up, everyone was yawning, Cass included, and clearly they were all off to their own beds.
* * *
He hadn’t kissed a woman since Ellie had come into his life. Maybe that was why he couldn’t stop thinking about last night. Jack felt a quiver of guilt as he made his way to the church hall the following morning and deliberately slowed his pace. He shouldn’t be so eager just to get a glimpse of Cass.
‘Watch out!’ A burly man in a red waterproof jacket cannoned straight into him as he walked through the lobby, and then shouted the warning in his face.
‘Sorry, mate.’ Jack stepped back as the man staggered a little. ‘You all right?’
‘Yeah. Sorry. Splitting headache this morning.’ The man stopped and seemed to collect himself. ‘Must be a stomach bug. The wife and kids have got it too; when I left, my youngest boy was throwing up.’
‘Yeah? You need anything?’
‘No, it’s okay. The walk here seems to be clearing it.’
A slight prickling at the back of Jack’s neck. It was probably nothing but he asked anyway, keeping his tone conversational. ‘Any other families got it?’
‘Not that I know of.’ The man straightened. ‘The power’s off at my place and it gets cold at night, even though we keep the heater on in the hall. Probably just a stuffy head from too many blankets.’ He took off his coat, hanging it with the others, and opened the hall door to let Jack through.
Cass was easy to pick out immediately, her red hair shining like a beacon that seemed to draw him in. Jack reminded himself that he had more important concerns at the moment, and that wanting to touch her could wait.
‘Can I have a word?’ He motioned her to one side. ‘The guy in the brown sweater who’s just arrived.’
Cass looked round. ‘The one with the beard? That’s Frank.’
‘Where does he live?’
‘Over on the other side of the village.’ She shot him a questioning look. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘Have you heard about anyone else with a stomach bug? Headaches, sickness?’
‘No. We all know about the dangers of flood water, if that’s what you’re getting at. Everyone’s drinking bottled.’ She paused. ‘The whole family usually comes up here for breakfast; the power’s out down there.’
‘He was on his own this morning. And he says that all of the family have had headaches and sickness, which clears in the open air.’
‘You don’t think...?’ As a firefighter, Cass probably knew the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning better than he did.
‘I don’t know.’
‘Best make sure.’
They found their coats, and Jack quickly packed a few things that he hoped he wouldn’t need into a small rucksack. Cass led the way, turning away from the river, taking the path they’d taken yesterday. He wondered whether he should mention last night to her, perhaps even apologise, but Cass had already pulled her phone from her pocket and was scrolling through the contact list.
‘No answer. Maybe they’re on their way up to the church.’ Even so, she quickened her pace, striding along the perimeter of a field of corn, the crop rotting where it stood. On the far side they slid down a steep incline and then back on to the road.
Cass had called again and there was still no answer. She and Jack almost ran the few feet along the road and then up the path of a large modern house. She banged on the door, bending down to look through the letter box.
‘Someone’s coming.’
The door was answered by a heavy-eyed lad of about eighteen. ‘Cass?’ He shielded his eyes against the light. ‘What is it?’
‘This is Jack; he’s a paramedic. Can we come in, please, Harry?’
‘Yeah. If you’re looking for Mum, she’s not very well. She and Alex have gone back to bed.’
‘Are you okay?’
‘Not too bad. I went out for a walk this morning and it cleared my head. But it’s so stuffy in here...’ The lad shrugged, standing back from the doorway and eyeing Jack. ‘I heard all about you...’
