A smirk played at the corner of James’s lips. ‘One hour,’ he said. ‘And please don’t be late. We have a lot to talk about. Old friends always do.’
Kitty gave a curt nod, staring at his departing back as he strode across the field.
‘Miss! Miss! I want a muffin!’
She forced her attention to the children in front of her, but she couldn’t focus. When she’d messed up four orders in a row, Sam placed a hand on her arm.
‘Take five minutes,’ she said. ‘You look like you need a break. Was he who I think he was?’ She gestured to the space James had occupied moments before.
Kitty nodded, unable to speak.
‘OK, you definitely need a break. Go, walk down to the beach, take five minutes and come back when you’re feeling calmer.’
‘What if he… what if he’s on the beach?’ said Kitty.
‘You’re right,’ said Sam. ‘Wait in the classroom.’
‘I can’t leave you here by yourself.’
‘I’ll be fine,’ said Sam. ‘Honestly, Kitty, you’ll be more use gone than you will here.’
‘OK,’ she said. ‘I’ll bring another tray of cakes.’
‘That would be helpful,’ said Sam, ‘but wait until you’re ready. You’ve had a massive shock.’
‘All right,’ said Kitty. ‘Thank you. And I’m sorry.’
‘You’ve nothing to apologise for,’ said Sam. ‘Just go.’
Kitty walked to the school, struggling to put one foot in front of the other. From the corner of her eye, she saw Nick wave at her again. She didn’t respond, concentrating on getting her trembling legs to move.
A tiny part of her was relieved James had finally turned up in person. The not knowing, the waiting, the agonising over each unfamiliar car, jumping at shadows, had been unbearable. By far the greatest emotion weighing on her was fear. She’d escaped him once. She didn’t think she’d have the strength to do it again.
Kitty fumbled with the handle on the classroom door and stumbled inside. She didn’t make it as far as the chair. She collapsed on a cushion in the reading corner, pulled her knees up to her chin, and rocked back and forth.
She had to calm down. She couldn’t lose it in front of all these parents, all these children.
Kitty closed her eyes and practised the breathing technique her counsellor had taught her. While her heart rate slowed, the bubble of fear stayed, lurking deep inside. She wiped the back of her hand across her eyes, smoothed down her hair, and climbed to her feet. She rolled her shoulders and took a deep breath.
She would fetch another tray of cakes. She would walk to the stall. She would put a smile on her face and pretend nothing was wrong. And in an hour’s time, she would hold her head high and prepare to meet her fate.
Was she walking into a conversation or a trap? Whatever it was, she couldn’t keep running.
Chapter 51
‘Where did Kitty go?’ Nick was helping Sam pack up for the day. He’d had enough of having sponges hurled at him. His jeans had gone from dry to wet so many times they’d taken on a crusty texture, and he longed to get home and change into something clean. When he tried to run his fingers through his hair, they became tangled in his matted locks.
Sam gave Nick an inscrutable look and chewed on the corner of her lip. She bent down to tie up the rubbish bag at her feet.
‘What is it?’ asked Nick.
‘Kitty had a visitor,’ said Sam, straightening up and looking him in the eye.
‘A visitor? Who?’
‘I’m pretty sure it was her ex. And she didn’t look thrilled about his turning up here. She arranged to meet him later to talk.’
Nick stared. His pulse pounded. ‘What the…? Sam, she shouldn’t go anywhere near that man. He’s bad news, dangerous. What were you thinking letting her do something so stupid?’
