‘Oh, I’m so pleased to hear it. How is he?’
‘Gay. Thanks for the food.’
‘Right. OK. Um, have a good evening, and, um, good for him.’
Kate scuttled from the room and Sarah lay back against her pillows. She knew it was envy making her irritable. There was no evidence to suggest Kate was anything other than a decent human being, but Sarah found her too decent, too perfect, too pretty. The kindness she showed had to be an act, didn’t it? Sarah considered leaving the food, but hunger won out, and she ate so fast she gave herself indigestion.
After several hours of rubbish TV, Sarah turned off the light and tried to sleep. Her mind buzzed with thoughts of starting a new job. She ran through all the possibilities of what the on-site accommodation would be like. At best, it would be a little cottage tucked away somewhere, at worse, a log cabin with no running water. Then there was the job itself.
Frustration swept through her as she thought of all the events that had led her here. Less than a month ago, she’d been part of a happy family, living in a comfortable home, with a secure job. Now she was waitressing in the back of beyond. She was better than that. She deserved more. As her eyelids grew heavy, Sarah resolved to move onwards and upwards as quickly as she could.
Chapter 15
Sarahsatonthebathroom floor trying to take deep, steady breaths. This was the first time the panic had woken her, and she didn’t know what had caused it. Could it have been the messages from Cynthia? Or fear of the unknown?
Panic at night was nothing like panic during the day. During daylight hours, she could feel it creeping up and head it off at the pass. Being woken by panic was greeting it in its full-blown anger, too late to contain or control the painful squeezing in her chest, too late to breathe.
When she was sure the panic had receded, Sarah turned on the taps of the bath. It was too early to be running a bath above where Kate and Bob were sleeping, but Sarah needed to submerge herself to stay calm.
Sarah had been up for an hour before she heard any signs of life downstairs. Bob was singing along to the radio again. Did he not realise how loud his voice was? Perhaps she should leave a note to let him know before other guests complained?
By half past nine, Sarah was packed and ready to go. Her shift didn’t start till midday, but Hattie had messaged, suggesting she arrive early to settle in to her new accommodation. Sarah had replied, asking if Hattie would pay her for the extra hours but received no response.
‘There you are,’ said Bob. He walked through to the living room looking a very different man to the one she’d met the previous day. Instead of old, torn gardening clothes, he wore a shirt and tie, braces holding up his pressed trousers.
‘You look smart.’
Bob laughed, looking down at his clothes. ‘I’m taking Mum to church this morning. She’s old-fashioned and likes me to look the part.’
‘Right. Do you go every Sunday?’
‘Yes. Church, lunch, then off we go to visit Dad.’ Bob’s face creased in pain and his voice cracked with the mention of his dad. His expression piqued Sarah’s curiosity, but she needed to get a move on so, without further chatter, let herself out of the house and headed to Bob’s car.
Lost in his thoughts, Bob was quiet on the journey to the woods. For once, Sarah could have done with some inane chatter, the silence leaving her brain to fret over the day ahead. Sarah pushed down her annoyance as they reached the car park and Bob stayed in the car. Did he expect her to get her bag out by herself? She hovered by the car boot for a minute, then, realising he had no intention of moving, opened it and heaved her heavy bag out onto the ground.
‘See you,’ said Sarah.
‘Good luck. Remember, we’re only round the corner if you need anything.’
I needed a hand with my luggage, but that wasn’t forthcoming, thought Sarah, giving her best impression of a cheery wave goodbye.
Sarah reached the café only to find it closed. She banged on the door, to no response. She tried again, and again, and again, until a dishevelled Hattie appeared at the door.
‘Sorry,’ she said, brushing a strand of hair from her eye. ‘I overslept. I rarely sleep here but we had a bit of a sesh last night, so I slept on the sofa.’ Hattie laughed, while Sarah wondered what on earth aseshwas.
‘No problem. If you could show me to my accommodation, I’ll get settled in and be ready to start at twelve.’
‘Yes, of course. Come through. It’s easier if we go out the back.’
Sarah followed Hattie through the café and out to the garden beyond. At the far end, Hattie opened a gate and turned to Sarah. ‘You don’t have wellies, do you?’
‘No.’
‘Sorry, I should have told you to bring some. It can get pretty muddy out here. What size shoe are you?’
‘Six.’
‘We’ve got some spares kicking about somewhere. I’ll dig them out while you get settled in. Come on, it’s this way.’ Hattie walked Sarah out to a large grass area covered by a giant tipi. ‘This is where we hold our events. There’s often an extra shift to pick up at events.’
