When they reached the table, Hannah started to introduce them. “Layla, this is Joe. Joe, this is—”“We’ve already met,” said Joseph, extending his hand and smiling.“Have we?” asked Layla, baffled.“Have you?” said Hannah. This was news to her.“Yeah, we have,” continued Joseph. “A couple of hours ago. On the road into the village. You tried to kill me, remember?”“Kill you?” gasped Layla. “You’re the biker? The one I knocked over?”“You knocked him over?” repeated Hannah in horror.“I didn’t mean to,” explained Layla quickly. “It was an accident. I was going to tell you about it. I just haven’t had the chance yet.”Turning to Joseph, Hannah asked, “Are you okay? Are you hurt at all?”“Well,” he replied somberly, “apart from my right arm, which I’m not sure is going to be of much use to me ever again, I’m fine.”As Layla’s jaw dropped open, he added quickly, “I’m joking. Really, it’s just a joke. I’m fine.”“Right, well, in that case,” Hannah continued, “as I was saying, Layla, this is Joseph Scott. Joe, this is Layla Lewis, your would-be killer, next door neighbor, and my best friend. She’s house-sitting whilst Lenny’s in Scotland.”“Next door neighbor, huh?” replied Joseph, taking a swig from his pint glass. “That could prove interesting.
Shani Struthers, The Runaway Year
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