‘I should have told you,’ Cat said, stroking his back gently. ‘There were issues with her at the hotel.’
‘What sort of issues?’ Luke pushed himself upright, frowning.
‘She didn’t get on with the other girls. She was arrogant, kept bragging about this luxury life she’d left behind in Poland and how she was going to bag herself a rich husband over here. Everyone just laughed. And then when she began seeing Jordan she boasted all the time; the places he took her, the clothes he bought her. If it’s any consolation, I tried to give her advice too, but she simply laughed and told me about the diamond engagement ring he was going to buy her.’
‘I got so fed up with the situation I began deleting her calls, and then I blocked her mobile,’ Luke continued, hands in his lap, staring out to sea. ‘She must have got hold of another phone because she texted last night and asked me to meet her. I agreed because I wanted to end it all. To tell her I’d had enough andthreaten to go to the police about harassment if she didn’t stop bothering me. I knew she’d lose her temper but at least then I could walk away, but …’
‘What happened?’ Cat asked cautiously. ‘What did you do?’
‘By the time I got there she was really wound up. Demanded I get Jordan to come down to the beach and talk to her. Said she was pregnant, told me he couldn’t leave her. I …’ His voice trailed away and he hesitated for a moment as if gathering his thoughts.
‘Go on,’ Cat encouraged, ‘I know you didn’t kill her. So I know what you’re about to tell me can’t be that bad.’
‘Oh, it is, Cat. It’s about as bad as it can get. I called her bluff. Said I’d had enough. I decided not to mention calling the police. I thought that would only enflame the situation. She was in an absolute rage, totally out of control. She began to shout abuse at me and then she attacked me, and her nails caught my face.’
Time seemed to stand still as Cat raised her eyes to look at the two livid scratches, which ran along his jawline. Marks left by Marika, not a gorse bush.
‘Have you told the police all this?’
‘Yes.’ He gave a small shrug. ‘There was no point in lying. They would have found out anyway with the DNA test everyone’s being required to give.’ He drew in a shallow breath. ‘And there’s something else.’ He fell silent and Cat watched him as he tried to gather his thoughts.
‘Come on, tell me,’ she said quietly as she reached for his hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze.
‘Well, this morning when I checked my phone I found another text from her.’ His eyes met hers and she recognised the despair in their depths. ‘She wanted me to meet her at Arcadia. Said if I didn’t she’d tell you I was having an affair with her. That’s where I was, waiting for her. It didn’t occur to me before but they’ll be able to trace any communication we’ve had. Don’tyou think that message and the damage to my face is enough for them to charge me?’
Cat sat there for a moment, staring out to sea, her head spinning as she tried to digest all Luke had just told her. While it appeared the evidence was damming she knew he couldn’t have possibly done it. He was kind and caring, ready to lend a hand to anyone in trouble. Carrenporth was full of people eager to sing his praises for the support he’d given them. How ironic then that his good nature had got him into all this trouble.
‘I guess you’d better run me home.’ She heard him say as he got to his feet. ‘I’m really sorry for the way I’ve ruined everything between us.’ She looked up at him as he reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. ‘It’s time to say goodbye, Cat. We can’t stay together, not after this.’
‘What do you mean?’ She stared up at him, confused. ‘I’m not going anywhere.’
‘You have to. I can’t drag you into this mess. I’m their prime suspect. Do you realise what that will mean for you? Rosalind Myers and her spiteful little crew will make your life hell.’
‘Yes, I’m aware of that, and I don’t give a damn,’ Cat said as she got to her feet and faced him, her heart pounding, emotion threatening to overwhelm her. ‘I love you and I refuse to let you face this alone.’
‘Oh, Cat.’ He drew out a long breath, his face filled with surprise, amazement? She wasn’t sure which, maybe both. She felt his hands cup her shoulders as he leaned forward gently touching his forehead with hers. ‘I had no idea … I never thought ….’ She felt his body tremble slightly and as they broke away she could see his eyes were bright with tears. ‘Do you realise how long I’ve wanted to say those same words to you? But I didn’t dare. I wasn’t sure. Yes,’ he said to her astonished expression, ‘I love you too. In fact I think I always have.’
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. A hard, deep passionate kiss, which left her under no illusions about the depth of his feeling for her.
‘There is one thing, though,’ she warned quietly, when they eventually broke apart. ‘I want you to promise you’ll never lie to me again. And if there is still anything in your life I should know about which may affect our future together, you need to tell me now.’
He thought for a moment before shaking his head. ‘Honestly there is nothing else,’ he said, stepping back to place his hand over his heart. ‘And I swear, I will never lie to you or keep anything from you again.’
Cat closed the space between them, her arms lacing around his neck to seal his promise with another kiss. Whatever the future held they would face it together.
After dropping Luke off, Cat returned to the hotel. She closed her office door, leaned against it and drew in a deep breath. She knew how dire the situation was but, until the police made any move, as far as she was concerned Luke still had a chance. Back behind her desk she checked her answerphone and turned on her computer. She needed to immerse herself in work; to filter out her concerns over the terrible situation he was in. She decided to spend some time making sure her projects were up to speed. As she was in the middle of checking through the last file, her mobile buzzed. It was Jodie.
‘Have you had the third degree yet?’
‘Yes, first thing this morning. You?’
‘Yep, not that I could tell them a lot. I hear Jordan has a watertight alibi.’
‘Yes, they were asking where I was and what I saw between ten and eleven. Jordan was definitely out dancingwith Chantelle, something I’m sure a lot of others will have corroborated.’
‘Who could it be, Cat? I mean, she was a complete pain in the arse, but who would do something like that to her?’
‘I know; it’s scary, Jodie, isn’t it?’
