Page 94
It was Wanda, living and playing as though no one was watching, not even Uncle Ian.
Katie’s throat grew tight and the tears poured out.
She had, at least, got something right.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
‘We’re going on a New Year’s Eve fell walk up Catbells tomorrow. It’s a proper Wainwright, you know, even if it’s small. Erin says there’s a little scramble at the top which almost put me off but there’s five of us going, and I promise to be back for the festivities, whatever they are.’ Wanda paused for breath before rushing on.
‘As for those boots I bought in Keswick, I feel faint at the thought of how much they cost.’ Wanda winced and then giggled. ‘Erin said I absolutely have to have them and I cannot wait to tell Tyrone. He will never believe it. Nor will Ned! Shall I send him these photos you took of me?’
While Wanda scrolled through her phone, Jess exchanged a glance with Katie.
It was now late afternoon. Jess and Athene had arrived at the lakeside car park to collect Wanda after her swim. Along with Katie, they’d all felt obliged to join the wild swimmers at Firholme Café and then take Wanda into Keswick for her boots.
Katie had had no choice but to join both of them, trawling around the town in a surreal daze as she came to terms with having shattered Ned’s dreams for a second time even if he had put her in the position of having to do it.
When Arlo took them home, the launch seemed to be fine but he was clearly intent on making it to the Island House safely. Besides, he’d hardly been able to meet Katie’s eye.
He seemed to be regretting their brief moment of connection or he might be wondering if she and Ned had had some kind of last-minute reconciliation. Katie resolved to get him on his own to at least reassure him that a reunion hadn’t happened.
She went to draw the curtains on the gathering gloom outside, wondering if Ned was sitting in the dark, brooding and unhappy.
‘Damn!’ Wanda exclaimed. ‘The battery’s almost dead. I’m going up to put it on charge. I can send these while it’s plugged in.’ She giggled. ‘Ian used to say using the phone while it was on charge buggered up the battery but I don’t give a toss.’
Katie and Jess exchanged a smile and, as soon as Wanda had gone, Katie flopped down in the chair next to her with a sigh.
‘I won’t stop Wanda sending stuff to Ned. Just because we’re over, there’s no need for everyone else not to stay in contact with him.’
Jess could hardly look at Katie. ‘I think that it’s inevitable when a relationship ends, they lose all that person’s friends and family too. People take sides.’
‘You don’t need to,’ Katie said. ‘Though I think it would be better for everyone if I try not to be in touch with Ned unless essential.’
‘Was he – how did he take it?’ Jess asked.
‘He was very Ned, putting on a brave face. It’s hard to tell with Ned because he masks his feelings, and he has so many masks. Or maybe he only masks with me.’ Katie got up, her heart too full to say any more about it. ‘The one thing that would truly break my heart is if we didn’t stay in touch. If you felt you couldn’t show me your true feelings.’
‘I don’t think any two people stay friends this long by always showing their true feelings.’ Jess gave a wry smile.
Katie nodded. ‘That’s true. I think I need to up my game in the empathy department though. Oh, Jess, I wish things weren’t as they are, for you or Ned.’
Jess sighed. ‘Me too but I am determined they won’t stay like this. Ned will hardly be short of admirers, though I don’t think he’ll find it easy to get over you.’
Athene walked in. ‘Hello, campers,’ she declared with a broad smile on her face and a definite flush around the neck. ‘How are we all? Anyone decided on the plans for New Year’s Eve yet?’
‘Not really,’ Katie said. She knew one thing for sure, though: Arlo and Ned would definitely not be involved.
‘I have a confession,’ Athene said. ‘I’ve turned down an invitation on our behalf and I hope that’s OK. We could have gone out with the boys to the pub but I’ve said we’re all having a party at home. No matter how tempting, I don’t want them keeping sober for our benefit.’
‘Good idea,’ Jess said and Katie wholeheartedly agreed. She wanted their penultimate night at the Island House to be solely focused on her friends and family and to be drama-free, even if that meant sacrificing the opportunity to see in the new year with Arlo.
On New Year’s Eve, Wanda left early for her ramble with Erin’s group, Jess went to see a textile exhibition in Cockermouth and Athene headed to Grasmere on a Wordsworth ‘pilgrimage’. Katie was invited on all of these outings yet declined, wanting Jess and Athene to have their own space and claiming to Wanda that her leg wouldn’t be up to a six-mile fell walk with rock scrambling.
Arlo had offered Katie a lift into town and Katie said she’d get a taxi back to the jetty. After everyone accepted that he’d be transporting her and she’d be very happy in town, probably dropping in at the bookshop café to sign some stock, they were happy to go off on their outings.
Privately, she thought it would be good for them all to spend the day doing their own thing and then meet up in the afternoon to prepare for their New Year’s Eve party. Katie planned on buying some nice champagne as an extra treat to see the new year in with a bang.
Katie wasn’t sure how to broach the subject of Ned to Arlo, who had retreated into his taciturn self and seemed to have no desire to open up the conversation further, so any remarks were largely confined to the weather and his bookings for the season.
