Daisy reaches over and places her hand over mine. ‘If you think that might help, then ... maybe you should go. Put your mind at rest.’ Her words are encouraging, but her expression is still sceptical.
‘I honestly think I might be losing it,’ I whisper.
‘Don’t be daft. Course you’re not. You’ve just had a traumatic experience and it might take a while for things to get back to normal. Maybe you should talk to someone about it. Another psychologist or someone?’
I shrug. ‘Maybe.’ I don’t want to go to another psychologist, but I can’t think what else to do. Perhaps that really is my best option.
‘I know!’ Daisy fixes me with a triumphant look.
‘What?’ I’m not optimistic about whatever it is she’s excited about.
‘Why don’t you talk to Laurence?’
‘OurLaurence?’
‘Yeah, why not? He’s a counsellor, and he knows you. He’d be perfect.’
‘Would he be allowed to work with a friend?’
‘I don’t know, but if you asked him I’m sure he wouldn’t say no. If he did turn you down, I’d have to have a serious word with the boy. Why don’t I call him now? Set up a time for this weekend.’
My first instinct is to say no. I mean, it’sLaurence. It would be weird to spill my guts to a friend in his professional capacity rather than as mates having a heart-to-heart. But I’m so lost and scared right now that I can’t think of any better alternative.
‘Okay,’ I reply. ‘Do it.’
Chapter Fourteen
THEN
‘Table for six under the name Porter,’ Dad says to the dark-suited greeter at the nineteenth-century Manor House. Nestled in the forest on the outskirts of Ringwood, this fancy hotel and restaurant used to be an abandoned, fenced-off haunted house of a place, until a swanky hotel chain bought it up a few years ago and restored it to its former glory with the addition of a Michelin-starred chef.
It’s Graham and my sister’s one-year wedding anniversary so we’ve come out for a celebratory dinner – our parents’ treat. The only problem is that I can’t get hold of Seth. He should be arriving here any minute but I’m already getting déjà vu. I have a sick feeling in my stomach that something is going to prevent him from showing up, same as last time at our impromptu engagement party.
I smile distractedly as the rest of my family oohs and aahs at the beautiful hotel foyer decor. It’s been decked out for Christmas with fresh garlands of fir, holly and ivy, bowls of winter flowers, white twinkling lights, and a twenty-foot Christmas tree reaching up to the stained-glass domed ceiling. But all that is just a backdrop to my growing apprehension. I check my phone again, but there are no messages. Which is a good thing. At least Seth hasn’t cancelled, so this must mean he’s on his way.
We’re shown to a circular table set into a deep bay window that looks out over a floodlit ornamental garden. I let everyone else choose where to sit before taking a seat next to my sister. The chair to my right is conspicuously vacant. Next to Seth’s empty chair is Dad, then Mum, then Graham. Thankfully, I have a bird’s-eye view of the restaurant entrance, so I’ll be able to spot Seth as soon as he arrives.
‘Where’s this fiancé of yours?’ Dad asks bluntly. Loud enough to make the foursome at the next table turn to glance over at us briefly, curious.
‘On his way,’ I reply with a tight smile, hoping that’s truly the case. ‘You know what the traffic’s like on Fridays.’
‘Hmm,’ Dad replies, turning his attention to our server, a gorgeous twenty-something woman with red hair.
‘Hi, I’m Sienna. Would you like to see the wine list?’
‘We’re celebrating,’ Dad replies. ‘We’ll need champagne.’
‘Lovely,’ she replies with a smile. ‘What’s the occasion?’
‘Our wedding anniversary,’ Elizabeth says, grinning at Graham.
‘Our first year of marriage,’ Graham adds, kissing my sister on the cheek.
Sienna puts a hand over her heart. ‘Aw, congratulations. A bottle of the Veuve Clicquot?’
‘Lovely,’ Elizabeth replies.
‘Are we still waiting for one of your guests?’ Sienna asks, pointing to the empty chair. ‘Or shall I clear away this place setting?’
