Thunder in the Clouds by Belinda Crowther

I spotted him alone in the forest standing with a rucksack on his bag.  Typical student, I mused.  I wondered where he was going. 
I passed him twice.  My sat nav was sending me round in circles through the dense forest.   
I suddenly felt guilty about not stopping.  The sky was overcast and he might get soaked.  I screeched to a halt and reversed up to him.  I opened the driver’s window. 
 ‘Where are you going?’ I asked. 
‘Oxford Uni’ he replied, stooping his gangly frame to peer through the window, his tawny brown eyes twinkling. 
‘Hop in,’ I said. 
‘Good of you to stop,’ he said. 
‘No problem,’ I said as he fastened his seat belt with slim bronzed hands.  I noticed his short clean finger nails. 
‘Most women won’t stop,’ he said, peering out as a brightly plumed pheasant bustled into the trees. 
I shuddered involuntarily and turned down the air conditioning, wishing my cardigan wasn’t in the boot. 
‘I trust you’re not a mad axe murderer?’ I quipped. 
‘No, I’m Josh,’ he smiled. 
‘M-Mandy,’ I replied. 
‘Just hitching a ride back to uni,’ he said. 
‘My girlfriend was supposed to give me a lift,’ he added sheepishly. 
‘Oh?’ I replied. 
‘But we had a bit of a ruck,’ he said flirtatiously. 
‘Oh, why?’ I asked lightly. 
‘Oh, you know … playing away and all that.’ 
‘Yes, I suppose you’ve lots of opportunities at uni,’ I said, gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly. 
His deep voice and cocky manner were unsettling.  I could smell traces of sandalwood aftershave which were chillingly familiar.  Perhaps I had made a mistake picking him up.  I could feel my chest tighten.  He reminded me too much of Theo. 
‘Where are you going?’ he asked. 
‘Oh, a reunion with some of my friends,’ I said evasively.  ‘I’ve been away for a while.’ 
‘You look vaguely familiar,’ he said, scrutinizing my skinny frame and pony tailed blonde hair which needed its roots touching – the crows’ feet around my eyes showing my age. 
He quietly scrolled through his cell phone as I navigated the tight country lanes. 
‘Do I know you?’ he said with a slight tremor in his voice. 
I didn’t answer.  I think he knew. 
‘There was something in the papers?  Y-you were sent to prison.’ 
I could feel that thunderous feeling in my brain, triggering my anger. 
‘Yes,’ I murmured. 
‘What were you in for?’ he asked. 
‘Murder,’ I said. 
He gulped. 
‘He deserved it – my cheating husband,’ I said. 
‘Don’t worry, I’ve served my time,’ I said coldly as I locked the doors. 
‘Er, M-Mandy, the turning was back there,’ he said. 
‘I thought we might take a little detour Josh,’ I said, my blue eyes steely with resolve as there was a sudden flash of lightening followed by a low rumbling in the clouds. 
Josh gulped, his brown eyes wide with terror as I pressed my wedged sandal hard down on the accelerator.