I stand perfectly still to listen. And there it is again.Someone’s crying... a series of ragged gasps, as if they’retrying desperately to hold it in.
My heart in my mouth, I follow the sound to Ellie’s office.Her door is closed – she obviously doesn’t want to be disturbed – and I’m aboutto retreat when I hear another strangled sob. I knock gently, but there’s justsilence. Then I hear her blowing her nose before calling, ‘Come in?’
Feeling anxious, I pop my head round the door. ‘Are youokay?’
She pastes on a smile, looking as if she might deny that shewas crying. Then her face falls and her shoulders slump. ‘It’s nothing, Kenzie.Well, it’ssomething. But honestly, I’m fine.’ She stands up,straightening her top.
‘Is it Maisie? Because I know how trying eight-year-olds canbe sometimes.’
She shakes her head wearily. ‘No, Maisie’s just goingthrough a phase, I think. Seeing how far she can push the boundaries.’
I nod, not knowing what else to say.
‘Thank you for asking, Kenzie. But I’m fine. Really.’ Shegrins. ‘Well, except for the fact that this café keeps me running around likethe proverbial blue-arsed fly from dawn till dusk.’ She shrugs. ‘But hey, itwould be worse if we weren’t busy, wouldn’t it?’
She blows her nose again, smiles and heads back to the café.
I stare after her thoughtfully.
Why do I get the feeling that being too busy was just anexcuse?
*****
I’m at home in the kitchen later, when the doorbell rings,and I freeze.
Aidan?
What if he’s here now for the pottery lesson I promisedhim?
My heart starts pounding with a mix of horror and excitement.(Horror because I haven’t had a chance to make the living room ‘visitor friendly’.If he sees it, he’ll think I’m a porcelain mug short of a full set!)
I give my head a little shake my head. What’s wrong with me?
Ofcourseit can’t be Aidan.
He doesn’t know where I live. I haven’t told anyone myaddress since I moved here, not even my parents yet. Even the girls in the cafédon’t know exactly where my house is.
Maybe it’s a parcel for next-door?
I think for a second of ignoring it, but the lights in thehouse are blazing and it would look suspicious. Reluctantly, I head down thehallway and pull open the door.
‘Ellie?’ I must seem stunned because she looks instantlyapologetic.
‘Kenzie, hi. I hope you don’t mind me coming over?’
‘No, no. Not at all.’Of course. I had to give Ellie myaddress for the staff records.
Casting a quick glance behind me at the living room door,which is half-open, I paste on a bright smile.
‘I felt so bad about earlier,’ she’s saying, shaking herhead.
‘In your office? But why?’
‘Not just that. No, you made a fabulous suggestion thismorning... about the fete and raising money for the homeless?And I just dismissed it out of hand. And then I tore a strip off you for askingthat girl to leave the café.’ She gives a rueful shrug. ‘I felt terribleafterwards.’
‘It’s fine. Really.’
‘No, it’s not. I was rude. And I just wanted to say that ofcourseI’d like the café to be involved in the fete. I’ve thought of a few ideas...things we could maybe do as a team... and I wanted to talkthem over with you. But if you’re busy right now...?’ Shepeers down the hall as if she thinks I might be entertaining a lover or somesuch.
