“Mr. Heath, Mrs. Heath,” she acknowledged the elderly couple walking toward her. They didn’t look like they’d aged much. Walt still had a shock of white hair, and Lizzie was dressed in capris and a collared shirt.
“Walt and Lizzie, dear.”
“Ah, sure,” Hope said, wondering why suddenly she was on first-name terms with the elderly people of this town.
“We know we’re old, dear, we don’t need to be reminded,” Lizzie added.
“Doing a bit of shopping, girl?”
Hope nodded to Walt. These two were loved by everyone in Howling, especially the children who had sat at their table eating homemade cookies. She and Ryan had been no exception, spending a lot of time in their household.
“Still dancing, dear?”
“I haven’t taken a class for a few months now, Mrs. Heath. But I try to fit one in wherever I am.”
They’d taught her to dance, and the surprise had been that Hope was good at it. She’d never stopped, and danced where she could find somewhere to do so. It was her secret pleasure, the thing she did that was solely for her. Well, when she wasn’t drunk and dancing on chairs that was. The freedom she felt from the music always rejuvenated her.
“Well then, you come on over whenever you want to. Walt and I dance most days. But you know where the key is. Let yourself into the studio, the music is there.”
“I may take you up on that. Thanks so much.”
“Lizzie’s just made a batch of those cookies you like, Hope. Come over later, and we’ll share a few.”
“Thank you. I’ll do that,” Hope said, surprised that she was actually contemplating doing just that.
She went into the pharmacy and bought what was on her mother’s list, and added a few things of her own. Hope then fielded several more questions about how long she’d be in town, before managing to escape. She wandered along the street, making sure not to make eye contact with too many people, and tried to work out her next move. Work meant money, and she needed that, but it also meant staying in Howling. Could she do that?
She watched two silver vans roll by and then pull up in front of the Howler, where you could get accommodation, food, and drink. It was the main watering hole for locals.
The passenger door opened, and it was the man who got out that had every muscle in her body tightening.
Jay was here! She watched others get out of the vans and found the rest of the Wildlife staff that until recently she’d been a part of.
Christ!
She turned away from them so quickly she stumbled, then righted herself and hurried down the street.
“Hey, are you okay?”
Buster Griffin appeared before her. Horrified that it was him of all people, especially considering the history between them, she simply nodded and tried to leave. She needed to put some distance between herself and the Wildlife team. Couldn’t allow them to see her here. Searching her memory, she didn’t think she’d mentioned Howling at all. So it was likely no one knew this was her hometown. Why were they here?
“Come in and have a coffee. You look like you need one, Hope.”
“What?” Buster was walking beside her as Hope hurried in the opposite direction to Jay and the others. The rage at seeing him so soon after her photos in that magazine was making her want to punch something. But nothing would be gained by a confrontation now… or ever. No one would believe her story.
“You’re pale, and shaking. Come and have a coffee.”
“Oh, no… really, I’m fine.” His fingers held her still as she tried to leave.
Buster Griffin was well-built, with soft green eyes, thick black lashes, and short-cropped dark hair. He’d terrified Hope in school. Then she’d ruined his life and avoided him ever since.
“Get in here.” He took her arm. “We going to have this thing between us forever?”
“What thing?”
The cafe was busy, but he found a table, and pulled out a chair.
“You know very well what thing. Now sit.”
