Chapter 33
TARA
There was no sign of Zoe for the rest of the week. Jim hadn’t seen her at The Hope Centre, although he hadn’t seen Griff there either. One of the library staff, Esther, often had lunch at The Chocolate Pot after she finished her Saturday-morning shift so I’d casually asked whether she knew Zoe.
‘Yes! Such a lovely young woman and what a voracious reader. I thought I read a lot but, my goodness, she practically inhales books. Fabulously eclectic reading tastes too.’
‘I don’t suppose you’ve seen her recently?’
‘Just this morning. She recommended an autobiography of a woman I’ve never heard of but she’s always spot on with her suggestions so I can’t wait to dive in.’
I couldn’t outwardly ask whether Zoe had any injuries but I couldn’t imagine Esther’s tone being quite so light if she was concerned about her, which put my mind at rest. For now anyway.
We weren’t any clearer about Ingrid’s plans.
Jed told me that Pam had phoned her on several more occasions but had only managed a conversation with her voicemail.
Ingrid had messaged to say she’d seen Declan a couple of times but had given no indication as to how that had gone or what it meant for the future.
My parents had been in touch to say they’d met with a building contractor who’d agreed to take on the refurbishment of Whispering Winds.
I loved hearing them talk so enthusiastically about their new home and, having already seen the stunning views from the garden, I couldn’t wait to see the inside myself.
‘Let me know when you’ve got a weekday off and I’ll see what I can get arranged,’ Dad said.
‘The estate agent doesn’t work on a Sunday and, even though we’re doing a quick purchase, it’s a little too soon for me to have a key but, other than the builder, I promise you’ll be the first person who sees it. ’
‘Good. I can’t wait.’
But then the conversation took its inevitable downturn.
‘We’ve had a couple more messages from Leanne,’ Dad said. ‘We haven’t spoken to her and I remain resolute that we won’t. Just keeping you in the loop.’
I noticed the use of I as opposed to we in remaining resolute and my stomach tightened.
I really hoped this wasn’t coming between them.
I’d never known them to argue but a difference of opinion on something so major had to be causing a strain between even the most devoted couple.
Another thing to go on Leanne’s rap sheet.
There’d been several dull, rainy days but, by Tuesday, the wind had dropped, the sun was shining and it felt like spring had arrived.
I’d selected yellow from my branded polo shirt collection and noticed that many of my customers had ditched the winter coats and opted for brighter-coloured clothes too.
The change in weather seemed to have brought everyone out of hibernation and we were full most of the day which was brilliant… except we were short-staffed.
One of my full-time team members, Ellen, was a single mum whose young son had come down with a stomach bug over the weekend and she’d needed to stay home with him.
We’d managed all right without her yesterday because it hadn’t been too busy but today was also Maria’s day off so the skeleton team I had in had barely stopped all day.
I made sure my team always got their breaks but I forfeited mine on days like this.
The flow of customers didn’t ease until 4 p.m. at which point I took a mug of soup and a bread bun up to the flat and sank down at the dining table, rolling my tense shoulders.
I’d nearly finished eating when my mobile rang showing Sheila’s name.
‘I’m so sorry to disturb you but there’s a woman down here asking for you and she’s very persistent.’
‘Did she give a name?’
‘She did and I’m afraid it’s gone in one ear and out the other.’
‘Was it Zoe?’ I asked.
‘No. I know who Zoe is. She’s a lot older than that. Long blonde hair.’
My stomach lurched. It couldn’t be! She wouldn’t dare to come to The Chocolate Pot, would she?
‘Leanne?’ It was a struggle to force the name out as my throat had gone very dry.
‘Definitely not that. Think it might have been Catherine or Christine or something like that. Should I just ask her again?’
‘No, it’s fine. I’ve no idea who that could be but tell her I’ll be down in two minutes.’
Sheila was clearing a table at the back of the café when I got downstairs.
‘It’s the woman at the table near the door in the dungarees and cream cardigan.’
I squinted down the shop and spotted who she meant but I didn’t recognise her. Thanking Sheila, I made my way towards my visitor.
She stood up when she spotted me and smiled. ‘Lovely café you’ve got here.’
I returned her smile as I thanked her, but I still had no idea who she was. ‘You wanted to see me?’
‘Yes, and I’m sorry for catching you on a break. You don’t recognise me, do you?’
There was something familiar about her but I really couldn’t place it. I winced and shook my head. ‘Sorry.’
‘No need to apologise, Tamara. It has been a long time.’
Tamara. My stomach plummeted to the floor.
Nobody round here knew me as Tamara. That name represented my old life – the one I’d fled from.
And suddenly I knew who she was. She’d ditched the fake nails, heavy make-up and designer clothes but this was Garth and Leanne’s friend, Krystal Bonham-Tythe.
The woman who I’d been forced to spend time with at a spa just after my twenty-second birthday.
The woman who’d been a diversion from what Garth and Leanne were up to.
My heart pounded but I managed to keep my voice calm as I said, ‘I’ve got nothing to say to you.’
She nodded. ‘I had a feeling you’d say that and I understand but I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important.’
‘If it’s about Leanne, I don’t want to know.’
‘Please. All I ask is five minutes of your time and then I promise I’ll leave you alone. It’s critical.’
Critical. Not important but critical. The choice of words piqued my interest and I sighed.
‘Okay, but not here.’ The last thing I wanted was to drag my past into my beautiful café and make a scene in front of my staff and customers. ‘Turn left out the door and wait for me in the small park at the end of the street. I need to get my coat and tell my team where I am.’
‘Thank you. I really appreciate it.’
A thought struck me. ‘Is Leanne with you?’
‘No. It’s just me.’
‘If you’re lying and she appears, the conversation’s done.’
‘I’m not lying. I swear it’s just me.’
She looked sincere but so had Leanne and Garth so that didn’t necessarily mean anything.
As Krystal left The Chocolate Pot and turned left towards Castle Park, I braced my arms on the table, lowered my head and closed my eyes for a moment, trying to calm the butterflies swooping inside my stomach.
A blast from the past was the last thing I needed.
As I reached the end of Castle Street and waited to cross the road, I spotted Krystal sitting on a bench, gazing out at the sea.
I watched her for a moment, thrown by how different she looked.
Her hair hung in loose waves and the top section had been pulled back into a messy bun as opposed to the sleek poker-straight look that had been her trademark style all those years ago.
Back then I couldn’t imagine her being seen dead in the dungarees, Dr. Martens and baggy knitted cardigan she was wearing now yet somehow she looked so comfortable in that attire, as though she’d finally found her style.
I took a deep breath and crossed the road, sitting down at the opposite end of the bench from her.
‘I don’t bite,’ she said, her voice gently teasing.
‘But your friends do. Probably turns them on.’
‘That’s a fair comment. How are you?’
I shook my head. ‘Can we not do that? I’d rather you say your piece and leave.’
She took a deep breath and I wondered if she was preparing to spew out some sarcastic comments like the Krystal I’d known would, proving that the radically changed appearance was merely to lull me into a false sense of security, but the inhale was followed by a nod and a gentle smile.
‘Also a fair comment. I owe you an apology but I hear what you’re saying so I’ll get straight to the point.
I need your help. I know you’re back in touch with Kirsten and Tim and that they’re living in this area.
Leanne desperately needs to speak to them and they won’t take her calls.
She knows how badly she’s hurt them and she understands why they don’t want to talk to her but there’s something she needs to tell them. ’
‘And this is my problem why?’
‘Because I’d like you to speak to them, convince them to hear her out.’
I stared at her, hardly able to believe what she was asking me. ‘Why on earth would I want to do that?’
‘Because you’re a good person and I know you’ll want to do the right thing.’
‘The right thing?’ The words came out far too loud and I lowered my voice. ‘The right thing? Are you for real? Leanne wouldn’t know the right thing if it bit her on the nose and, as far as I’m concerned, the right thing is to tell Kirsten and Tim to run for the hills and never look back.’
‘I understand why you’d feel that way, I really do. What Leanne and Garth did to you was deplorable. I’m so sorry. But this isn’t about that.’
‘I can’t do this.’ I stood up. ‘I want nothing to do with her. I’m not her messenger and I’m not getting involved. I hope they continue to ignore her because she’s bad news and she doesn’t deserve them.’
I’d only made it a few paces when Krystal said two words that stopped me in my tracks.
‘She’s pregnant.’
I closed my eyes and counted to three before turning round. ‘She’s what?’
‘Leanne’s pregnant. She knows she doesn’t deserve their forgiveness but this is their grandchild and it changes things. She accepts that they might not want anything to do with her but she doesn’t think it’s right that they don’t get a chance to know their grandchild.’
‘How do I know this isn’t another lie?’