Chapter Seventeen
Seventeen
Fortunately for Kate, she was able to get a cab, and she had booked one for as soon as possible. The storm had blown itself out during the night, not that she had noticed. She was too engrossed with Raff to notice anything other than the hours of intense pleasure she was experiencing.
Raff had left the room while she got dressed and their good bye had been quick when the cab had arrived. Yet, at the same time, it had been exceedingly painful for Kate and she had almost run to him to beg him to ignore everything she had said and to take her in his arms again and never let her go.
But she knew she couldn’t do that.
She had never been so relieved to arrive at Granny Viv’s but she wasn’t ready to face the inevitable grilling she would get from her gran, so she rushed inside, shouted, ‘Hello!’ and fled upstairs and into the shower.
She had hoped that she could wash away all the memories of her time with Raff, but not even Niagara Falls had enough water to do that.
‘Good morning, darling!’ Granny Viv had beamed at her when she had entered the sitting room, as had Millicent. Kate had forgotten that Millie had spent the night.
‘Good morning, Gran. Good morning, Millie.’
‘Oh dear,’ Granny Viv continued. ‘For someone who has spent the night with an exceedingly handsome and lovely man, you are looking decidedly pale, depressed, and, I have to say, utterly miserable. What on earth has happened, sweetheart?’
‘Nothing. Everything’s fine. I’m just tired, that’s all.
And more than a little hungover. I had far too much to drink last night.
I didn’t get much sleep because … the storm kept me awake so I feel a bit like death warmed over this morning.
I hope you two are okay. And Rufus? Where is Rufus? ’ Her gaze darted around the room.
‘Don’t panic. He’s in the kitchen eating his breakfast.’
‘Oh, thank heavens for that. I’ll take him for a walk once his food has settled.’
‘So … other than the storm and too much alcohol, did anything else keep you awake last night?’ Granny Viv persisted.
‘No. Nothing. And before you ask, yes. I did have a good time. And no. I won’t be seeing him again.’
‘Oh? Why not? Does he have us all fooled? Isn’t he as nice as we all think he is? Surely that can’t be right?’
‘He’s nice. He’s very nice. But as I explained, I’m not looking for a man in my life.
I know you want me to have one, Gran, but this is my life, not yours, and I really wish you would respect that fact and stop trying to set me up with men who …
who will only bring chaos and hurt and pain. Please stop.’
‘Golly gosh. Well, darling, if you feel that strongly about it then of course I’ll stop.
Far be it for me to think I know better than you what would make you truly happy.
Even if it’s as plain as the nose on my face.
No, no. I hear you. I won’t mention Raff Gale again.
I mean, obviously I can’t ignore him. He’ll be moving down here soon and it would be rude not to invite him here occasionally.
I’ll treat him and his parents the same way I treat everyone else in this village.
But as for trying to get the two of you to see that Fate clearly intends you to be together, no.
I won’t do that at all. If he’s The One for you, which I believe he is, Destiny will do what Destiny does best. Without any help from me. ’
‘Okay, Gran. That’s enough, thank you.’
‘You must know, Kate,’ said Millie, ‘that Viv didn’t have a hand in the two of you meeting yesterday. Or arranging your dinner date last night. And she certainly couldn’t have predicted that storm.’
‘I realise that. And it wasn’t a date. But please can we drop the subject? As I said, I have a hangover. In fact, as the weather is so calm now, I might go for a quick wander in Prince’s Wood and see what damage the storm did. Then I’ll come back and take Rufus out for his walk.’
Kate was out of the door before her gran could stop her.
She hadn’t gone far when her phone rang and, with her heart in her mouth, in case it was a call from Raff, she gingerly looked at her screen.
Oh what joy! It was Beth.
‘Hello, darling. How are you? You have no idea how pleased I am to … oh. Are you okay, sweetheart? You look … a little unwell.’
‘I’m fine, Mum.’ Beth’s smile was clearly forced. ‘Now, please don’t worry or get upset, because I really am okay. And Avery is here. Look.’ Beth turned the screen so that Kate could see him.
‘Is that … is that a hospital room!’ Kate’s shriek literally scared the birds from the trees, and for a second Kate couldn’t hear her daughter’s reply.
‘It is, Mum. But honestly, I’m okay. I had a tiny accident this morning and it seems I have broken my leg.
It’s not serious and the doctor says it’s a straightforward break so I don’t need any surgery or anything.
But I will need a cast, apparently, and to rest as much as possible for about eight to ten weeks. And I’ll have crutches.’
Kate was having trouble taking this in. ‘What? How did this happen? I’ll get the first flight I can. Where are you? I mean where’s the hospital?’
‘Mum. Calm down. It was just one of those freak accidents. I honestly don’t know what happened.
One minute I was walking towards Avery’s car, and the next minute I was flat on the floor.
I must’ve slipped on some ice or something.
Anyway, Avery jumped out of the car, and a friend of his who happens to be a doctor and was nearby, came running over to help.
And here we are. There’s no need for you to come, Mum.
I’m fine. Avery will take good care of me.
Unless … unless you want to that is. But then who would look after Rufus?
Granny Viv can’t. And neither can Millie.
And Nanna and Frank can’t just get a flight home.
Besides, I’d rather not bother them with this. They deserve a holiday.’
‘Don’t worry about Rufus, darling. We’ll sort something out. I want to be with you. If it’s okay with Avery.’
‘Absolutely,’ said Avery in the background.
Beth smiled, genuinely this time. ‘Oh, Mum. I was hoping you’d say that. Avery has been wonderful. He really has but … I know I shouldn’t say this at my age, but I feel I need my mum right now.’
‘Of course you do. And I need to be with you. I know you’re in good hands with Avery, but I still need to see for myself that you’re okay.’
Avery’s head popped into view. ‘I’ll arrange a seat on a private jet, Kate, and a car to pick you up and take you to the airport, and someone to meet you this end.
I don’t want to leave Beth, so it won’t be me, but it’ll be someone I trust. Let me know when you want to leave and I’ll get it all organised and call you back with the details. ’
‘Right now,’ she said, and then, feeling a little more relieved, she laughed. ‘As soon as possible, please. Thank you so much, Avery.’
‘No thanks needed. I’ll sort it right now and get back to you in about fifteen minutes.’
‘Thanks, Mum,’ said Beth. ‘I hope I’m not spoiling your holiday.’
‘You could never spoil anything,’ said Kate. ‘I love you so much, sweetheart. I’ll be there as soon as I can.’