She hurried around to the front of the counter, ushering the girl out. ‘It’s free.’ As she nudged the girl out of the door, she slammed it and turned the sign around to show that the shop was now closed. She couldn’t talk to Kate, not yet. She’d barely got her head around what she’d heard, let alone found out if there was any substance to it. Now wasn’t the right time.
Cody stepped off his boat and the man began chatting with him. Kate turns around and her gaze meets Natalie’s. Without a moment’s hesitation, Kate leaves her family and is running towards the shop. Her face is almost pressed on the glass of the door as Natalie ducked behind the counter.
‘Can I come in? I just want to speak to you.’
‘Sorry, we’re closed,’ Natalie shouted. She turned away, not wanting to see Kate’s disappointment, then she scurried around the back, closing that door too. She clasped her trembling hands together. It was ridiculous. She should have spoken to the woman.
The constant knocking rang through her ears but she wouldn’t go out there. She couldn’t face her. First she needed to speak to Archie, if it was at all possible.
She glanced at her phone to check the booking. The visit was booked for six that evening, after the residents had eaten their supper. The banging reverberated through her head.
‘Just go away,’ she whispered as she held her hands over her ears. After several minutes, she removed her hands and peered into the shop. Kate had gone back to her family. Cody glanced over, trying to look into the shop but Natalie stayed back.
She pressed Laura’s number on her phone. ‘Laura, I need to speak to you.’ Natalie hoped that Laura could forgive her for the horrible accusations, after all, they used to be best friends and Natalie missed her. Maybe that shepherd’s pie was her way of reaching out. Natalie hoped so.
‘Has she been to your shop, too?’ Laura’s voice was shaky.
‘She has. I closed it up and didn’t speak to her. I don’t know what to say.’
‘That looks suspicious, doesn’t it? You don’t know any more than we do. You should have just told the truth.’
‘But that’s not the truth.’
Laura paused. ‘What are you trying to say, Nat?’
‘Exactly what it sounds like. I heard something, Laura, and I can’t let it go. I can’t prove anything so I can’t help the woman, but I need to do something first.’
‘Are you in trouble, Nat?’
‘I don’t know, maybe. What was the name of that copper or detective that came around, following up on a duff lead a couple of years ago?’
She heard Laura swallowing down the line. ‘Err, Spokes, I think. I still have her card beside the till at the shop. Can’t remember her title off hand. What’s happened? You can talk to me, you know you can. We were good friends. At least I hope we are still friends, that is.’
‘I’m surprised that you can forgive me. I didn’t mean to go off like that. It’s just—’
‘Natalie, it’s okay.’
‘I know, I feel awful.’ Exhaling, Natalie wondered if she could share what she knew with Laura. She didn’t want to be wrong about what she heard and saw on the night in question as she had been about Laura and Alan. ‘I’m confused, so confused about it all. Can we meet up?’
‘Of course. I’d love to. I’ve missed our friendship.’
‘How do you fancy coming with me to visit Archie? I’m booked in to see him at six this evening.’
‘Archie. I haven’t heard how he’s doing for years but, yes, of course I’ll come. Are you going to give me a hint as to what this is all about?’
Natalie bit her bottom lip, pondering whether to say anything but she thought better of it. What she’d heard that night about the red hat on the pier all those years ago? That same red hat that was found floating in the harbour hours after the baby fell into the sea. Maybe Mary had been speaking to Laura. No, Natalie shook her head. Laura would never keep a secret like that for all these years. She was better than that.
‘That baby didn’t just fall into the harbour. There was someone involved. I can’t say too much as I don’t have proof yet.’ She’d already said too much. A part of her felt that she should let it lie and forget everything. After all, the baby did go into the sea, just not where everyone thought she had. Natalie couldn’t forget what she’d heard. She wasn’t stone cold like Mary was, or some of the others she knew. Too sensitive for her own good – that’s what her dear old dad used to say. ‘We have to get proof.’
‘Who said that, about the baby?’
‘I can’t say. Not yet.’
Laura cleared her throat. ‘Was it Mary?’
‘Why would it be Mary?’
‘Look, Natalie. I know about Alan and Mary. She didn’t love Alan and he didn’t love her. Kyle didn’t care because he’s been as unfaithful as she has.’
