The car sped through the quiet country roads. It was a black Audi, still shiningly new but the woman drove it as though she'd been part of it for her whole life, effortlessly taking it at speed through the twisty corners, gripping the corners like a professional racing driver. They'd driven like this ever since they'd left the railway station, the woman's car waiting for her in the car park there.
Fast driving like this usually scared Jen, ever since a teenaged boyfriend had nearly killed them both when his showing off had almost resulted in a collision with a lorry, but now she felt totally safe sitting in the passenger seat with her hands folded demurely in her lap. Everything about this woman made her feel different to how she had before she'd got on that train, and this was no exception. She looked over at her occasionally and saw how her focus on the road mirrored the total focus she had shown towards Jen on the train, her concentration seeming to bend the road to her will as it had claimed Jen.
'You should call your friend now and tell her you've been delayed.' The woman said, not taking her eyes off the road.
'What should I tell her?' Jen replied, taking her mobile phone out of her bag. She wondered what Kelly's reaction would be to being told that she'd met a beautiful stranger who'd captivated and seduced her on the train and was now taking her back to her place, wherever that may be.
'Tell her you've been delayed, but don't tell her why, and let her know you'll be there tomorrow. That's all she needs to know.'
She made the call and got Kelly's voicemail, her phone obviously turned off. She was glad about that, not sure if she'd have been able to explain it to Kelly in person. unsure of how she'd have answered the inevitable questions. Now, that could wait until tomorrow. She kept her voice as steady as possible when leaving a message. 'Hi Kelly, it's me. Look, I'm really sorry but something's come up and I can't make it up today but I'll be there tomorrow, I promise, OK? See you then.'
'Good.' The woman said. 'Now turn off the phone and put it in the glove compartment. You won't need it for now.' Jen did as she was told, ignoring the part of her mind that tried to protest, and sat back in her demure position. She looked over at the woman next to her and watched her lick her lips slowly as she concentrated on driving.