Chapter 2 Kayla
KAYLA
The whirl of the industrial dishwasher is strangely comforting, probably because it signals I’m almost at the end of my shift. With the last of the dishes being washed, I grab the broom, humming as I sweep the floor.
The bell above the door jingles, and I look up to see Mira waddling in the door.
Her cheeks are flushed red, and one hand holds her enormous belly.
“Shouldn’t you be resting?”
I don’t know much about pregnancy, but I know when you’re as round as Mira is, it’s almost time to get to the hospital.
She waves a hand dismissively. “I’ve still got another three weeks to go. How are you getting on?”
I’ve only been at the job for two weeks and I’ve already formed a connection with Mira, the owner of the Something Fishy Cafe and my new boss.
“We had a group tour in for lunch today and they ate us out of crab.”
Mira nods. “Sean will drop some off when his boat gets in tomorrow morning.”
Mira’s husband’s a local fisherman, and he keeps the cafe well supplied.
“And how are you sleeping? Not too quiet here for you?”
The accommodation upstairs came with the job.
Not only is Mira my boss, she’s also my landlady.
She looks concerned, as if I might find Temptation Bay too dull and run off back to Portland.
As if. I came for a change, for a break from the city, and Temptation Bay with its sleepy marina and one row of shops is perfect.
“It’s fine. Thanks.”
And it is. The two-bedroom apartment is small and basic, a world away from the plush, three-story home I grew up in, but that’s why I love it. I needed to get out on my own, and this place is perfect.
Mira rubs her belly, and an uncomfortable look crosses her face.
“I’m supposed to have another three weeks, but with the way this one is kicking, I’d be surprised if he lasts that long.”
She eases herself into a seat, and I grab her a glass of water.
“Do you want me to call Sean?”
Her husband is a quiet man, but the way he looks at Mira, and the way he’s always got one arm around her protectively and a look that says he’ll kill anyone who gets to close, makes me think he wouldn’t be too happy that she’s out and about.
She shakes her head.
“Please don’t. Sean would have had me at home in bed for the last six months if he could. He’s more anxious about this pregnancy than I am.”
She smiles as she says it, and a warm look comes over her face. I feel a pang of yearning, wondering if I’ll ever meet a man that’s as fiercely protective of me as Sean is of Mira.
While Mira finishes her water, I sweep up the last of the trash and put the bins out back. Then I hang my apron up and grab my purse.
“You gonna hang around, or can I lock up?”
Mira pulls herself out of her chair. “Lock up. I’m going home before Sean comes looking for me. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay with everything.”
I know Mira is worried about her business and what will happen when she has the baby. I give her my most reassuring smile.
“It’s all fine. I’ve got it under control.”
She looks relieved, and I’m thankful that Dad insisted that me and my sister get part-time jobs even though he could afford to give us everything we need. My dad is a self-made man, and he values hard work. He didn’t want to give us the easy life.
I got a weekend job at the local cafe when I was sixteen and was duty manager a few years later. It means I’ve got the experience to handle things here for Mira.
I lock up and say goodbye to Mira. She waddles off to her car, and I take a walk along the waterfront.
“There you are, Mr. Red.”
A seagull watches me from his perch on one of the wooden bollards. I take the bag of bread crusts out of my purse and throw a handful to the ground.
Mr. Red regards me for a moment as if deciding whether the crumbs are worth his time, then there’s the beating of wings, and he flies down to snatch up the crumbs by my feet.
He’s joined by some of his friends, and they fight over the bits of bread.
“There’s enough for everyone,” I tell the noisy gulls.
I take a seat on a bench overlooking the water and scatter the last of the breadcrumbs for the birds.
The cawing noise blends with the gentle breaking of the waves against the shore. The late afternoon sun hits my face, and I close my eyes and tilt my head up to catch the warmth of the sun’s rays.
At moments like this, I feel happy to be here. Happy to be in the fresh air, away from the city. Away from everything that happened.
My mind wanders to my father and his visit yesterday.
He worries about me, of course he does, especially after what happened to Jo. But he didn’t try to take me home.
Dad understands I need to do this. I need time away from my family, time to be on my own and to find myself. He’s a self-made man, so he knows the importance of independence.
I don’t know how long I’ll stay in Temptation Bay. I don’t know if I’ll move on somewhere else or if I’ll go back home.
I don’t have to think about that now. I just have to close my eyes and enjoy the sun. That’s all I have to do.