‘I hope you’re right.’ Alice’s words and embrace helped to reassure Kitty. She was glad she’d drawn her new friend into her confidence. And now there was another confidence she needed to share. ‘There’s something else, though,’ she said.
‘Oh no. Please tell me there’s not,’ groaned Alice, releasing Kitty to throw her hands in the air. ‘How many more skeletons can one woman have in her closet?’
Kitty gave her a playful punch on the arm. ‘Oi, you shouldn’t be joking about this.’
‘Sorry,’ said Alice, looking sheepish.
‘No, it’s probably for the best,’ said Kitty. ‘I’ve spent so many years being serious, and actually… I’ve had enough.’ She threw out her hands. ‘No, I want to talk to you about Nick.’
‘Nick?’ asked Alice. ‘What’s he got to do with any of this?’
‘I’m worried,’ said Kitty. ‘He might think I didn’t want to be in the play because of him.’
‘Oh.’ Alice nodded slowly. ‘To be honest, you might be right. Nick can come across as an arrogant tosser, but actually, he’s got no self-esteem and can sometimes be a little paranoid.’ She turned to Kitty. ‘Why don’t you go talk to him, if only to reassure him you weren’t repulsed by the thought of playing Juliet to his Romeo.’ She giggled.
‘Talk to him now?’ said Kitty. ‘Don’t you think it’s a bit late?’
‘Nah, he’ll be up for hours yet. Probably on the PlayStation right now, snacking on a big bag of crisps and sinking a few cans of beer.’
Kitty found herself bristling in Nick’s defence. ‘I don’t think so. He’s really stepping up into his new fatherhood role.’
‘Yes, I guess he has,’ said Alice. ‘It’s such a turn-up for the books, I can’t get used to the new improved Nick Andrews.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘It’s not that late. Go on, just go. All you have to do is tell him you’ll do the play, and leave it at that. It’ll put his mind at rest, and it’ll stop you worrying you might have offended him.’
‘Alright.’ It was the least she could do after her awful behaviour. ‘And, Alice,’ Kitty said as Alice stood and brushed sand off her jeans, ‘thank you for being a friend. I hadn’t realised how much I needed one.’
Alice crouched down and wrapped her arms around Kitty, pulling her into a tight hug.
‘We all need friends,’ she said. ‘I had to learn that lesson the hard way. If you ever need to talk, I’m here for you.’
Chapter 34
Nick switched on the TV. When a shadow appeared behind the bifold doors, he jumped out of his skin, grabbing the remote as if it would work as some sort of weapon. He crept towards the door, breathing a sigh of relief when he recognised the shape of the intruder.
The door slid open with a quiet hiss, and he stared at Kitty. ‘What are you doing here? You scared the life out of me.’ He studied her face, creased at the forehead. ‘Is everything OK?’
‘Sorry,’ said Kitty. ‘I needed to speak to you. I wanted to come and apologise.’
‘Apologise?’ He frowned and folded his arms.
‘Yes.’ Kitty looked at her feet, and Nick was sorry he’d doubted her.
‘Come in.’ He stepped aside so she could come through the door.
‘Thank you.’ Kitty stood in the middle of the living room, wringing her hands.
‘Can I get you something to drink? I’ve got beer in the fridge.’
Kitty laughed. ‘Of course you do.’
‘Not like that.’ Nick’s hackles rose. ‘I haven’t been drinking while I’m looking after Emily.’
Kitty smiled. ‘I wasn’t suggesting you had. Calm down. I’m not here to have a go at you. I’m here to apologise, like I said.’
‘All right. Do you want a beer?’
‘Yeah, I’d love one.’
Nick walked through to the kitchen, strangely nervous that Kitty was in his living room. He grabbed two beers from the fridge and carried them to her.
