Alice appeared, carrying a tray with water, tea, and slices of Victoria sponge. ‘May’s been baking,’ she said. ‘She’s got her A-level exams at the minute, and baking is one of the few things that helps de-stress her.’ She peered at Kitty. ‘I should save all her produce for the school summer fair next week, but you look like you could do with some cake.’
‘That cake does look amazing,’ said Kitty. ‘And I could do with a bit of sugar.’
‘You look like you’ve seen a ghost.’ Alice sat down and poured the tea.
‘In a way, I have.’
She pulled the card that had come with the flowers from her pocket and handed it to Alice, who read it with a frown. ‘Is this from your ex?’
Kitty grimaced. ‘I can’t be sure, but instinct tells me it’s from James.’ She stared unseeing at the tea. ‘I’ve no idea how he found me.’
Alice groaned. ‘I think I can guess.’
‘What?’ Kitty jumped to her feet. ‘The things I told you were in confidence. You promised no one would find me here. You said I’d be safe. Who have you told?’
‘Calm down,’ said Alice, gesturing to the vacated seat.
Her firm voice made Kitty sit, although she perched on the edge, tense with dread at what Alice might reveal.
Alice picked up her phone and started scrolling. ‘Here.’ She handed the phone to Kitty.
Kitty’s eyes widened at the social media post. The fact it named her wasn’t the problem. The problem was the photo of her and Nick sitting at the table in the community centre, deep in conversation. ‘What is this?’ she asked.
Alice hovered beside her, adjusting the screen.
‘It was Margot,’ said Kitty, shaking her head. ‘When was this taken?’
‘Judging by the date, it must have been at the rehearsal. She must have taken a photograph without you realising. Read the post.’
Kitty read the post, mumbling out loud: ‘Saffron Bay’s superheroes. I honestly can’t thank Kitty Brown and Nick Andrews enough for stepping in to save the day. When Jan Cully broke her hip, we thought the play that forms the centrepiece of Saffron Bay’s Summer Extravaganza was in doubt. Not anymore, thanks to these two. Our condensed Romeo and Juliet is on and will be better than ever before. Be sure to book your tickets – July 25th, 7 PM, Saffron Bay Community Centre. Be there or be square. This is awful.’
‘I agree,’ said Alice. ‘I had no idea until I saw Margot last night and she asked if I’d seen her post. Apparently, it’s been shared thousands of times, and she’s over the moon to have something online go viral.’
‘Go viral?’ said Kitty. ‘Why would anyone want to share this?’
‘Who knows,’ shrugged Alice. ‘People are weird. Could be the community angle. Could be the fact you’re squeezingRomeo and Julietinto half an hour? Could be the way you and Nick are gazing at each other so adoringly?’
‘Adoringly?’ said Kitty. ‘I didn’t even like him when that photo was taken.’
‘You could have fooled me.’
Alice zoomed in on the photo, and Kitty couldn’t deny chemistry spilled from it. Brilliant. ‘So,’ she said, pushing thenotion to the back of her mind for now, ‘you think James has seen this photo?’
‘Surely it’s the only explanation.’ Alice sat down and passed Kitty a piece of cake. ‘Eat this. It’ll help with the shock.’
Kitty was glad to have something to occupy her while she thought. The post didn’t explain how James had found her address, but then, he was resourceful. And it wouldn’t take many inquiries, once he’d learned which village she was in, for someone to give the information away. He could be charming when he needed to be.
‘So,’ said Alice, ‘have you thought about what you want to do? You’re welcome to come and stay with me for a while if you think he might come looking for you.’
Kitty looked up at Alice. ‘Really?’
‘Yes. I mean, it’s not like we have much room. It’d have to be the sofa bed, I’m afraid. You’re very welcome to use it.’
Kitty took another bite of her cake. ‘Part of me doesn’t want to run away. On the other hand, if he comes here…’
‘Stay with me,’ said Alice. ‘At least for a couple of days, till you’ve made a plan.’
‘If that’s all right,’ said Kitty. ‘It would help a lot.’
