‘I am. It’s so not like her. To go off without a word likethat. But losing Max really affected her... it sort of sendher spiralling down into a black hole, and I suppose I’m terrified she mighthave done something...’ She swallows, trailing off withoutspeaking her worst fear.
‘I suppose you’ve contacted all the people she knows...her friends and family?’
‘Oh, yes. That was the first thing I did when I startedgetting worried. But absolutely no one’s heard from her. I’ve been racking mybrains trying to think of anyone else she might have gone to see but my mind’sall over the place.’
‘I’m not surprised,’ I murmur. ‘It’s so horrible when youlose someone close like that. You try to tell yourself it’s okay and they’llturn up one day soon, when you’re least expecting it. But there’s this horriblefeeling of dread deep down that just won’t go away, no matter how many timesyou tell yourself you’re worrying for nothing and that everything will turn outfine.’
Dorothy looks up. ‘That’s exactly it. That feeling of dread.You... sound as if you’ve been through something like that yourself?’
Her question takes me by surprise. ‘Oh, well...no, no. I was just imagining how you must feel...’
We walk slowly back to the café, and we’re no sooner therethan a familiar face appears. A face I thought I might never see again.
Liam.
I can’t believe how pleased I am to see him.
‘Lottie.’ He looks relieved to see me, too. ‘I’ve beentrying to reach you. I hoped you might be here.’
‘Oh, right. Sorry. I’ve been helping out at the café and it gotso busy I switched off my phone.’
He shakes his head. ‘It’s fine. I just wanted to let youknow that Rich can get your wall down the day after tomorrow. If that suitsyou?’
‘Oh. Wonderful.’ I smile at him gratefully. ‘Yes, that suitsme perfectly. I can tackle the garden tomorrow and be there for when he comesthe next day.’
Liam turns as someone joins him at the door. ‘Sorry, Nat, Iwon’t be a minute.’
The girl called Nat gives him a wide smile. ‘No, it’s fine.I just wanted to see inside the café. I’ve passed it loads of times but nevergone in.’
‘Best café in the area. And apparently they have a new staffmember,’ says Liam, grinning at me.
I laugh. ‘Just for today.’
He nods. ‘Nat, this is Lottie. She’s in the process ofrenovating her house and my mate Rich is going to be helping.’
Nat smiles at me, her dark eyes dancing merrily. ‘Hi,Lottie. Pleased to meet you.’
We shake hands and Liam says, ‘Nat works with me at theradio station. She’s going to be my researcher.’
‘Yup. And I can’t wait!’
‘Well, congratulations on the new job!’ I smile at her,thinking she’s really very pretty with her dark curly hair, lively blue eyesand friendly personality.
‘Thank you!’ She touches Liam’s shoulder. ‘I’ll see you outin the car.’
‘Okay.’ He turns to me. ‘I’ll be coming over with Rich. I’vegot some time off and I said I’d help so we can get it done faster.’
My heart gives a funny little skip. ‘Right. That’s great.I’ll see you then.’
‘Bye.’ We exchange the sort of warm, lingering smile that makesmy foolish heart beat a little bit faster, and I find myself drawn to thewindow to watch his car drive away.
He and Nat seem to get on really well, which is lucky ifthey’re going to be working together...
After that, another few customers come in, talking abouthaving been to the fair, and we get back to work. It’s almost five by the timeEllie’s car drives past the window.
‘I quite enjoyed that,’ says Dorothy, as we get ready toleave. ‘You look as if you did, too.’
‘Do I?’
