Yesterday’s worry rushed back. ‘What do you think we should do?’ asked Nick. ‘The last time I spoke to Kitty, she made it clear she didn’t want me interfering.’
‘I’ve already left messages for her asking her to text me, and if she doesn’t, I’ll go around again later,’ said Alice. ‘If by tomorrow we still can’t get hold of her, we should call the police.’
‘Call the police?’ scoffed Nick. ‘You’ll have to do that. Won’t look good coming from me, given she told me to get lost. Yeah, I can see that going down well.’ He stepped aside to let a woman with a toddler pass, and said, ‘Listen, I need to get home to Emily. Carla’s coming to collect her the day after tomorrow. I want to make the most of the time I have left with my daughter.’
‘Fair enough.’ Alice smiled. ‘You’ll miss her.’ She grabbed the handles of her shopping bag, asking, ‘Shall I call you later with any news of Kitty?’
Nick considered the question. He had problems of his own to worry about, and Kitty had made it clear that anything between them was over, but he couldn’t switch off his feelings towards her.
‘Yeah,’ he said eventually. ‘Call me.’ The problem with love, Nick realised, was it was only one side of a coin, the other side being hurt. He had a nasty feeling he was about to be hurt on multiple fronts.
Chapter 56
Kitty couldn’t believe she’d been so stupid. How could she have fallen for it again?
She carried a slice of cake through to James, who sat with his feet up on the sofa with the air of one who owned the place.
He’d been there one night, and already talk of rushing back to Rae, his tears over his inability to visit his sick daughter, had faded. ‘These things can’t be helped,’ he’d said with a shrug and sadness in his eyes. ‘I’m grateful for your hospitality, Catherine.’
Now, the gratitude too had waned. Kitty stood by the door, steeling herself.
‘I need to go to the next rehearsal,’ she said. ‘They’re relying on me, and we’ve already had goodness knows how many people knock on the door after I missed the last one.’
‘Relying on you?’ he said. ‘Don’t be such an idiot, Catherine. Can’t you see what a fool you’re making of yourself?’
‘I’m not.’ She grasped for the sweet memory of doing something well.
James laughed. ‘You’re not what? You think you’re any good? Prancing around, playing Juliet?’ He took a bite of cake, chewed,and swallowed. ‘I’m saving you from yourself here, Catherine. Can’t you see? Why do you always have to make me out to be the bad guy? You’re fully aware your acting is rubbish, but you keep going back to your old ways.’
Kitty experienced a rush of doubt. She’d been telling herself he was manipulating her again, but what if he was right? What if shewasmaking a fool of herself? What if her feelings for Nick had obscured some true view of herself? What if everyone in Saffron Bay was laughing at her?
‘I can see it in your face,’ said James. ‘You know I’m right.’
‘But…’ said Kitty.
‘Don’t,’ said James. ‘Don’t try to justify your behaviour. It’s ridiculous.’
‘Yes,’ said Kitty, her voice small.
‘You understand why they gave you the part in the play in the first place?’
‘Why?’ A glint of defiance sparked, ready for his humiliating answer.
‘Because whatever bloke they’ve got playing Romeo, no doubt wants to sleep with you.’
‘No.’ The glint of defiance died. It was true. Nick did want to sleep with her. Was it all an act? The play, everything, simply to get her into bed?No, she told herself. No, ‘That wasn’t it at all.’ Defiance flamed, weak, but there.
‘Oh, you’re so naïve,’ said James. ‘I thought I’d done better at teaching you these last few years. You haven’t listened to a word I’ve said, have you? We’re going to have to go right back to the start.’
‘The start?’ Kitty’s heart set up a pitter-patter, it was hard to breathe. ‘What do you mean?’
‘I’m here now,’ said James. ‘We’re together again. Everything’s going to be all right.’
Together?Panic fluttered in Kitty’s chest, and she steadied herself on the door frame.
‘You look ill,’ said James, finishing his cake and setting the plate on the floor. ‘Village life doesn’t suit you. The sooner we get you to London, where you belong, the better.’
‘I… I can’t leave,’ said Kitty. ‘I’ve got a job here.’
