She stood up when she spotted me and smiled. ‘Lovely café you’ve got here.’
I returned her smile as I thanked her, but I still had no idea who she was. ‘You wanted to see me?’
‘Yes, and I’m sorry for catching you on a break. You don’t recognise me, do you?’
There was something familiar about her but I really couldn’t place it. I winced and shook my head. ‘Sorry.’
‘No need to apologise, Tamara. It has been a long time.’
Tamara. My stomach plummeted to the floor. Nobody round here knew me as Tamara. That name represented my old life – the one I’d fled from. And suddenly I knew who she was. She’d ditched the fake nails, heavy make-up and designer clothes but this was Garth and Leanne’s friend, Krystal Bonham-Tythe. The woman who I’d been forced to spend time with at a spa just after my twenty-second birthday. The woman who’d been a diversion from what Garth and Leanne were up to.
My heart pounded but I managed to keep my voice calm as I said, ‘I’ve got nothing to say to you.’
She nodded. ‘I had a feeling you’d say that and I understand but I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important.’
‘If it’s about Leanne, I don’t want to know.’
‘Please. All I ask is five minutes of your time and then I promise I’ll leave you alone. It’s critical.’
Critical.Notimportantbutcritical. The choice of words piqued my interest and I sighed.
‘Okay, but not here.’ The last thing I wanted was to drag my past into my beautiful café and make a scene in front of my staff and customers. ‘Turn left out the door andwait for me in the small park at the end of the street. I need to get my coat and tell my team where I am.’
‘Thank you. I really appreciate it.’
A thought struck me. ‘Is Leanne with you?’
‘No. It’s just me.’
‘If you’re lying and she appears, the conversation’s done.’
‘I’m not lying. I swear it’s just me.’
She looked sincere but so had Leanne and Garth so that didn’t necessarily mean anything. As Krystal left The Chocolate Pot and turned left towards Castle Park, I braced my arms on the table, lowered my head and closed my eyes for a moment, trying to calm the butterflies swooping inside my stomach. A blast from the past was the last thing I needed.
As I reached the end of Castle Street and waited to cross the road, I spotted Krystal sitting on a bench, gazing out at the sea. I watched her for a moment, thrown by how different she looked. Her hair hung in loose waves and the top section had been pulled back into a messy bun as opposed to the sleek poker-straight look that had been her trademark style all those years ago. Back then I couldn’t imagine her being seen dead in the dungarees, Dr. Martens and baggy knitted cardigan she was wearing now yet somehow she looked so comfortable in that attire, as though she’d finally found her style.
I took a deep breath and crossed the road, sitting down at the opposite end of the bench from her.
‘I don’t bite,’ she said, her voice gently teasing.
‘But your friends do. Probably turns them on.’
‘That’s a fair comment. How are you?’
I shook my head. ‘Can we not do that? I’d rather you say your piece and leave.’
She took a deep breath and I wondered if she was preparing to spew out some sarcastic comments like the Krystal I’d known would, proving that the radically changed appearance was merely to lull me into a false sense of security, but the inhale was followed by a nod and a gentle smile.
‘Also a fair comment. I owe you an apology but I hear what you’re saying so I’ll get straight to the point. I need your help. I know you’re back in touch with Kirsten and Tim and that they’re living in this area. Leanne desperately needs to speak to them and they won’t take her calls. She knows how badly she’s hurt them and she understands why they don’t want to talk to her but there’s something she needs to tell them.’
‘And this is my problem why?’
‘Because I’d like you to speak to them, convince them to hear her out.’
I stared at her, hardly able to believe what she was asking me. ‘Why on earth would I want to do that?’
‘Because you’re a good person and I know you’ll want to do the right thing.’
