Another crack of thunder, closer this time. James glanced at the bruised sky. ‘Do you know anyone I could borrow a tent from?’
‘No,’ she said. ‘And you’re not sleeping on the beach in this weather. The last thing Rae needs is you turning up with hypothermia. You can sleep on the sofa.’
‘You don’t have to…’
‘Two nights, James, that’s all I’m offering, and this is for Rae, not you.’
‘I understand.’ He smiled, reached for his sodden case, stepped into the hall and closed the door behind him.
Chapter 55
Nick stopped pacing and made a decision. Yes, he had annoyed Kitty, but she wasn’t the sort of woman to hold a grudge, and she would never miss a rehearsal out of spite.
They’d waited an hour for her the previous evening before giving up and promising to reschedule. Every call they’d made, every message had gone unanswered, and now Nick was wondering if something was seriously wrong.
It couldn’t be James. According to Rita, he’d checked out of The Ship and as far as Nick was aware, the piece of work had returned to London with his tail between his legs. Maybe Kitty was ill?
Nick grabbed his coat. ‘Emily, we need to pop into the village. Come on.’
Nick walked as quickly as Emily’s short legs would allow. As usual, she was full of questions, and as usual, he didn’t have the answers to most of them. He was distracted, picturing all the terrible scenarios he might find Kitty in. It was a relief when they arrived at the Bayside Café and stepped inside.
‘Margot, do you mind watching Emily for half an hour?’
‘Not at all,’ said Margot. ‘I’d be delighted. In fact, I’m in the middle of whipping up a new selection of chocolate chip and banana muffins. Do you think you could help me with some baking, Emily?’
Emily jumped up and down on the spot. ‘Can I be your taste tester?’
‘Of course you can. And the chef gets to lick the bowl.’
Emily ran into the kitchen.
‘Thank you,’ said Nick. ‘I won’t be long. I need to check Kitty’s alright.’
‘Oh,’ said Margot, ‘you as well?’
‘What do you mean?’ Unease crept up Nick’s spine.
‘Alice was in here looking for her earlier. Apparently, Kitty messaged her last night asking her to pop round, but when Alice went over there, no one answered the door.’
‘I need to go,’ said Nick. ‘Are you sure you’re OK to keep Emily here for a bit? I’m not sure how long I’ll be.’
‘It’s fine,’ said Margot. ‘We’re never that busy on Sundays. You can leave Emily here as long as you need.’
‘Thanks, Margot. You’re a star.’
‘I am,’ said Margot, grinning and shooing him away.
As Nick reached the gate of Kitty’s cottage, his phone rang, Carla’s name flashing up on the screen. He was torn – Kitty or Carla? He ended the call, deciding Kitty was his priority, but his phone immediately rang again. Carla wouldn’t be ringing unless it were important. With a frustrated sigh, he answered.
‘Hi. Is everything all right?’
‘No, no, it’s not,’ said Carla, choking out words between sobs.
‘Is it your dad?’ Nick asked, leaning against Kitty’s garden wall.
‘Yeah, he passed away this morning.’
‘Oh, Carla, I’m so sorry.’
