Page 60 of The Twilight Garden

Gemma had promised herself she wouldn’t cry. She had also promised herself she wouldn’t blurt out everything that had happened the minute she spoke to Cat, but as soon as she saw the look on her friend’s face, both of those things happened.

Cat’s arms went around her in a heartbeat, not easy to do in the cramped confines of the car, but she held onto her as best she could while Gemma blubbed and hiccupped her way through her story.

‘So you’ve left?’ asked Cat when she had finished. ‘As in left left? Not going back?’

‘I can’t. How would I even look them in the eye? And I’m sorry, I know I should have called, but it all happened so suddenly and— Cat, I don’t know what to do. I don’t think I can bear to be away from the farm, but I’ve ruined everything. And worse, now that I’m here, it feels as if I’ve run away and left them to flounder, when that’s the opposite of what I want to do. I want to help. I’d do anything to make it better, but I doubt they’d even let me try.’

‘But you weren’t to know what would happen. This Ashley woman sounds like a right piece of work, and even if she hadn’t used you to get what she wanted, she’d have found another way. People like that always do.’

‘I let myself be taken in by her, because she was a friendly face and I felt sorry for her. Her grandmother made it sound as if she was a nancy no-mates, and that was all part of the act as well. And I fell for it like the idiot I am.’

‘Compassion is never idiocy. And the real idiots are the ones who turn compassion into a weakness and use it for their own ends. And speaking of ends, I am so going to pray she comes to a very sticky one – naked incantations by moonlight, whatever it takes.’

Gemma smiled in spite of herself. ‘I’ll come and join you,’ she said. ‘There’s nothing I’d like better.’

‘Good. Now, to more pressing matters…’ She bent down to fish something from her bag. It was a bunch of keys. ‘You’re obviously going to stay with me until we get you sorted. And no arguments – you’re not staying in some shitty hotel on your own.’

‘But won’t Joe mind?’

‘Don’t be daft, he’d love to see you. He’s out with his gym buddies tonight anyway, so it’ll be just like old times – you, me, a pizza and something covered in chocolate.’

She twisted a key from the bunch and gave it to Gemma. ‘I won’t be back until half sixish so, until then, make yourself at home. Have a shower, whatever you want. And try not to dwell on what’s happened.’ She checked her phone again. ‘Right, I’m starving. Let’s go to the Pit Stop, my treat. I can fill you full of caffeine and carbohydrates. That will make you feel better.’ She held out her hand. ‘Come on.’

‘But won’t you need to get back?’

‘Probably, but Abby owes me one – owes me several, actually. And besides, things are a little different from when you left.’

Wiping her face for the umpteenth time that day, Gemma gave a wan smile and tried to smooth down her hair. Then she climbed out of the car on shaking legs and followed Cat out of the car park.

The Pit Stop was the place to go if you wanted to look the part – the successful professional who knew exactly what was on trend and, indeed, were one of the people who helped sustain those trends. It was dimly lit and sleek, black and shiny and, at one time, having a business meeting there made Gemma feel just that teeny bit more important than she had before. It was also very busy.

They were greeted on the door by a young woman who looked sleek and shiny herself.

‘Hi, Sable,’ said Cat, looking around. ‘I don’t suppose there’s any chance you could squeeze us in, is there?’

There was a list pinned to a lectern in front of her which Sable studied at length. Eventually, she smiled.

‘You’re in luck, I can… make a few adjustments. Follow me.’

Cat rolled her eyes as Sable led them to a table in a far corner. ‘Nice and private, will this be okay?’

Cat took a seat. ‘Thank you, you’re an absolute star.’

Gemma joined her, slightly bemused. ‘Things have changed,’ she said. ‘Who are you, and what have you done with my friend?’

‘Oh, don’t… Some days I get home and my face is stuck in this expression.’ She gave a sappy smile. ‘My jaw aches from grinning so much, and having to be this gracious all the time makes me want to heave. I’m not sure whether it’s a good thing that I’m getting more used to it, but don’t worry, the old Cat is right here, ready to gossip and swear like a trooper just like she always did.’ She slid the menu across the table. ‘Let’s order quickly, because I want to know the details, not just the headlines.’ She sat back in her chair and checked her phone. ‘I can recommend the Hot Honey Chicken Smash Burgers.’

Gemma studied the card in front of her. Had food always been this complicated?

She waited until a member of the serving staff had taken their order before inhaling a deep breath and trying on a smile.

‘So what’s been happening while I’ve been away then?’ she asked.

A wide grin split Cat’s face. ‘Oh, all sorts of things. The most important of which, from your point of view, is that Shiny Rachel is no more – kaboom. Which is, of course, the reason why I asked you to call me this afternoon. Because with spectacular timing, girlfriend, you’ve returned at just the right time. Abby wants to offer you a job.’ She grinned even wider, if that were possible. ‘I told you everything would be okay.’

23

Gemma was exhausted, and one look at the comfy bed in Cat’s spare room was enough to make her want to crawl under the duvet and stay there, but she resisted the temptation and made herself a drink instead. Then she sat at Cat’s breakfast bar and stared at the wall while she tried to reconcile what Cat had told her.