Page 96 of Twin Flames

The door slammed. George appeared welded to the spot.

‘Is it truly you?’

Cara raced to him and threw herself into his arms. They held each other in silence. Neither of them moved, not wanting the embrace to end.

He held her at arm’s length and examined her face. ‘I feared I’d never see you again. How clever of you to come disguised as my mother,’ he whispered. ‘I should have guessed.’

‘You’re so thin, my darling. I brought you something to eat.’

George pulled her back into his arms and squeezed her as if he didn’t believe she was real.

‘I can’t breathe.’ She laughed but didn’t pull away. It was the most beautiful feeling in the world to be in his arms again.

‘I don’t think I can eat. You get used to not eating much after a while. I’ve no appetite.’

Cara broke off a small piece of the hunk of bread and cheese and handed it to him. ‘Please try and eat. You must keep your strength up.’

He nibbled the bread and looked at Cara. Her presence lifted his spirits more than any food.

Cara tried to hold back her tears as she looked at his tired face. His eyes were haunted, and his skin sallow. The sight of him tore at her heartstrings. She thought it must be the most awful thing in the world to love someone more than you love yourself, but be powerless to save them.

The hard bread stuck in his throat, and he began coughing.

‘How are Thomas and May?’ he managed to wheeze, conscious that the minutes were passing.

‘They’re fine. Hancock collected them and took them home to Willow Manor. They both sent you their love. They will be safe there.’

‘That’s good. Well done.’ He paused and then said, ‘I saw you when you were released, you know.’

‘Yes, I saw you too. I knew you were watching over us. My guardian angel.’ She squeezed his hand.

He lowered his voice to a whisper. ‘But weren’t you supposed to go too? Swifty told me the agreement with the king was that you all return to York.’

‘Yes, that’s right. Hence, my disguise. I thought even Cromwell wouldn’t be so cold-hearted as to refuse your mother access, after banishing your wife.’

‘You must be careful. If you’re recognised by Henry’s spies, who knows what he’ll do to you? He is irascible when crossed.’

‘Don’t worry. I’m staying in lodgings with Edward where no one has any idea who we are.’

‘That’s good. I do worry. There’s not much to do in here but think, which inevitably turns to worry.’

‘I worry about you too. I think of you all the time. You’re the one locked in this godforsaken tower. I wish I were in here with you. I had a vivid dream the other night; it was as though you were calling to me. I walked over here in the middle of the night to be near you.’

George looked startled. ‘I did call out your name the other night. It was the strangest thing; I could feel your presence soothing me. I can’t remember exactly when it was—the days blend into one another. Perhaps it was the same night.’

Tears spilt down Cara’s cheeks. George pulled her close and buried his face in her soft, scented hair. She mustn’t see him cry.

‘I will have to go soon, my darling. Our ten minutes must be almost up.’

‘Yes, I know.’ He increased the pressure as he held her small hand in his large one, wishing they could stay like that forever.

She leaned in towards his ear. ‘We think there’s a high chance of you being pardoned by the king. I don’t want to risk breaking you out now, in case it’s true. It would only make matters worse if we don’t succeed. What do you think? If you want us to break you out, we will put the plan in motion immediately. Just tell me what you want me to do. You know the king’s mind better than I.’

They heard the guard shuffling outside the door.

Cara stared at George, beseeching him for an answer. She needed his guidance. He shook his head, unsure what to say.

They held each other tightly for one last moment.