‘Maybe they got abducted by aliens?’ Chloe suggested.
‘I’m definitely cancelling your Netflix subscription,’ Issy said with a laugh as she slung an arm around Chloe’s shoulders.
Kat laughed along with them and she felt something inside her relax. There would be an explanation – one that didn’t involve murder or aliens – she just needed to figure it out. ‘Standing here isn’t getting us anywhere. I’ll have to go back to the coffee shop because I can’t leave Debbie handling things on her own.’
‘What about your meeting this afternoon?’ Anya asked.
‘I’ll have to figure something out if they’re not back by then because I’m not missing it.’ That was a non-negotiable. Kat had made a promise to Harry and she would not let him down.
‘I wasn’t sure if I should mention it, but Harry’s asked Liam if he’ll go in your place,’ Issy told her.
The wind went out of her and Kat sank down on the arm of the sofa. ‘He thinks I’m going to let him down.’
Issy crouched beside her and placed a comforting hand on her knee. ‘I’m sure he’s just trying to give you the time you need to deal with all this.’
‘I promised him that I’d be there, though.’
And he hadn’t believed her.
Not that Kat could blame him when she’d given him no proper cause to. The way she’d dropped everything and come running to once again try and sort out whatever problems her parents were causing, it was no wonder he didn’t trust her.
‘He’ll understand,’ Anya said, coming over to place an arm around her shoulders. ‘He knows how things are with your mum and dad.’
Kat raised her eyes and looked at Chloe. ‘And what do you think?’
Chloe snorted. ‘You already know what I think. But I’ll say it if you really need me to.’
‘It’s not my problem.’
Chloe reached out and took both Kat’s hands in hers. ‘Exactly.’
33
‘I can’t believe he hasn’t contacted you,’ Debbie said for what must’ve been the tenth time later that morning. Kat had sent her friends back to their own jobs, because there really wasn’t anything else they could do until one of her parents got in touch, and returned to Java Brava in the hopes her father had shown up in the meantime. There was still no sign of him, and no word either.
Kat could believe it, but she didn’t bother saying so. ‘Look, if I don’t hear from him in the next half an hour, then I’m going to close the coffee shop for the rest of the day.’
Debbie’s eyes grew wide. ‘Close the shop? Oh, Kat, you don’t need to do that. I can handle things here if you need me to.’
Kat shook her head. ‘No, that’s not fair on you. And even if I was willing to leave you on your own, I can’t. Not because I don’t trust you or think you can’t handle it, but the shop shouldn’t be open without anyone at supervisory level on site. I shouldn’t have really left earlier, but I didn’t have any choice.’ She placed a hand on the other woman’s arm. ‘Don’t worry about missing any hours, I’ll make sure you’re paid for the whole day.’ Even if it had to come out of Kat’s pocket.
‘I’m not worried about that, for goodness’ sake, I’m only worried about you!’ Debbie gave her a quick hug then stepped back, shaking her head. ‘I can’t believe he’s left you in the lurch like this.’
Kat’s phone rang and she snatched it up. ‘Speak of the devil,’ she said to Debbie before turning on her heel and heading for the office. She jabbed at the answer button. ‘Where the hell are you?’
‘I’m sorry, Kat. I was driving and I couldn’t answer the phone earlier. I’ve just stopped for petrol and I got all your messages. I didn’t mean to worry you, but I didn’t have time to call you.’
There was always time to make a call, even in the worst of circumstances. ‘Where the hell are you?’ Kat demanded again as she marched into the office and slammed the door behind her. ‘What’s happened?’
‘Your mum’s gone.’
‘Gone? Gone where?’ Kat slumped down in the chair as the realisation hit her. ‘She’s left you for that over-tanned prat Warren, hasn’t she?’ She closed her eyes. ‘Oh, bloody hell, Dad. I thought you two were sorting things out.’
‘So did I.’ Her father went quiet for a moment and when he spoke again his voice was different, harder. ‘If you hadn’t pushed her, if you’d just left things well alone, everything would’ve been fine.’
‘You’re blaming me for this?’ Kat burst out. ‘Harry was right, you really are taking the piss! Where the hell are you, anyway? You still haven’t told me.’
‘I’m going to try and find her.’
