‘Because I can’t look out for myself?’
‘Well... it’s just that you’re verytrusting of people. That’s all I’m saying. And it’s not a bad thing...not at all.’
‘Except when it comes to Ryan wanting to meet up for a drinkfor old times’ sake?’ I snap.
And April deceiving me with her fake smiles andfriendliness in order to scam me good and proper.
Carrie has a point. It’s just I don’t enjoy her telling meI’m an idiot. ‘Look, I’m not going to see Ryan, so you don’t have to worryabout me, okay?’
‘Okay, love. Sorry for being so boring. It’s just...’
‘I know, I know. It’s just that you care. And I appreciateit, Sis. I really do.’
‘So are you looking forward to this afternoon?’ she says ina much cheerier tone. ‘Seeing that enormous number in your account? Because Iam. I’m so excited.’
‘I won’t actually believe it’s real until I see that screen.So... I guess you and Ronan are going out tonight tocelebrate?’
‘We are! I’ve booked The Buttery.’
‘The Buttery? Wow, good for you. I thought it would be fishand chips down the local café for Miss Cautious Pants. They don’t even haveprices on their menus at The Buttery. Are you sure you can handle the stress?’
‘Oh, ha ha!’
‘So when can you and I go out and celebrate?’
‘Shall I phone you tomorrow to arrange when we can goshopping and out for lunch?’
‘Sounds good. Have a great time tonight.’
‘We will.’
I end the call and flop back on the sofa. Lucky Carriehaving a lovely man to celebrate with. Still, there’s tomorrow to look forwardto... if I’m still in one piece by then.
Because who knows what will happen later, when I come faceto face with April Bentham again...
CHAPTEREIGHT
She never told me where she lived. Of course shedidn’t. Not that I ever thought about it at the time, when I first got to know Apriland was beguiled into thinking her a lovely person.
But while I might not be able to track her down at home, Ido know that she goes out running most evenings around seven, presumably onceshe gets back from ‘the office’.
Maybe she runs to beat the stress she feels at making aliving by kicking so many vulnerable people when they’re down. But somehow Idon’t think so...
I wait on a bench by a path in the park that I know is onher regular route. It’s an unseasonably cool evening in July, rain cloudsmassing overhead, and I’m just starting to think that maybe the forecast ofrain has kept her at home, when suddenly I see her, a lean figure in blacklycra, blonde hair caught in a bobbing ponytail, jogging along the path towardsme.
I tense for the coming conflict, holding myself uprightwhile my legs just want to carry me the hell out of there!
Recognising me, April slows to a stop, her hands on herhips, barely out of breath. Her gleaming red mouth twists in scornful disdain.‘Well, well, what a lovely surprise. How are you, Krystle? In desperate need ofanother loan?’
I snort and don’t bother to answer her. ‘I’ve got yourmoney. All of it. There you go.’ I hand over the envelope and she takes it andlooks inside. ‘There’s just short of two thousand in there. Everything I oweyou.’
She looks at me as if I’m mad. Then she laughs in my face.‘Everything you owe me? Um, I don’t think so, Krystle.’
My heart lurches. ‘What do you mean? It’s all there. Countit if you don’t believe me.’
She shakes her head sadly. ‘Poor Krystle. You really thinkthat’s all there is to it? That I’m going to accept this offering of yours andwalk out of your life for good?’
I swallow hard, lifting my chin with a confidence I’m farfrom feeling. ‘That’s the general idea, yes.’
