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“Is that what she told you, or what you assumed?”
Now Kate thought about it, Maddie hadn’t actually said it was a hangover. But why wouldn’t she have said anything? Why keep something like that from your best friend? Kate took several large gulps of her wine.
“I’m sorry, Joy, I have to go.”
“But you only just got here! Why are you rushing off home?”
“I’m not going home, I’m going to Bath.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
IT HAD TAKENa taxi driver prepared to break the speed limit, and a small fortune to get Kate on the direct train from Bodmin to Bath. She’d called the taxi on the way from Joy’s house and just had time to nip into her own for a change of clothes and her toothbrush. It felt like late evening but in reality, it was still only three p.m. It would be a rush to check in to the room Flo had arranged for her at The Sunbeam, and make it over to Maddie’s before it got too late.
Throughout the journey Kate played questions around her head on a loop. How many weeks gone was she? Why had she kept it a secret? Who was the father? Why hadn’t Kate met him? None of the answers Kate came up with were satisfactory. If Maddie was unsure of going ahead with the pregnancy, there’d be no reason not to share that burden with Kate. They may disagree on certain things, but Kate would never judge someone else’s choices. OK, maybe she’d expressed her disapproval over Maddie’s heavy drinking once or twice, but should be forgiven that given her background.
Lost in her own thoughts, the journey passed in a blur and Kate was shocked to find the train pulling into Bath Spa station. She walked the short distance from the station to The Sunbeam, to be greeted in typical fashion by Flo.
“You took your time. What’s it been, six months?”
“Not quite,” laughed Kate, pulling her friend into a hug.
“So, what’s the emergency? I’m guessing it must be an emergency for you to book in here. No time to find somewhere else, was it?”
“Actually, I wanted to be somewhere familiar, and see you. I promise I won’t leave my room in a mess.”
“You’d better not or I’ll make you clean it yourself. So, come on, spill the beans.”
“I can’t Flo, it’s a personal situation Maddie’s going through. Even I’m not supposed to know about it.”
“Oooh, trouble in paradise is there? You and Maddie going to have words?”
Kate noticed the glee on Flo’s face at the thought. “We’re not going to have words. I’m here to offer my support, that’s all.”
“OK. Well, don’t forget you have other friends here too.”
“I won’t. What time are you working tomorrow?”
“Ten.”
“Fancy meeting for an egg McMuffin at nine?”
“Are you paying?”
“Of course.”
“Count me in then.” Flo carried on chatting all the way to Kate’s room. Kate could’ve found the room blindfolded, but Flo was enjoying the chance to chat and take a few minutes break from her relentless work. “Alright, I can’t string this out any longer. I’d better get back. See you tomorrow at nine.”
“See you,” said Kate, letting herself in her room and thinking Flo more than made up for the crappy accommodation.
Kate checked her watch- seven p.m. Maddie should be back from the office by now. Kate could do with something to eat, but hopefully if she cleared the air with Maddie they could go out somewhere together. Unlike Bodmin, in Bath the sky was clear and Kate enjoyed strolling through the city, the rush hour traffic subsiding yet still seeming like the M25 compared to what she’d grown used to. There was no doubt Kate missed parts of her old life, the beauty of the city for starters.
It was only as she drew closer to Maddie’s house that Kate felt the first tingle of nerves. She pushed on, knocking on Maddie’s door before her nerve failed. Maddie opened the door so fast, Kate wondered if she had been waiting for someone. She looked even worse than she had at Christmas. Her skin was blotchy with a greasy sheen to it. She had scraped her hair back into an unflattering ponytail, and was wearing a pair of old joggers and food stained hoodie.
Maddie actually groaned when she saw it was Kate at the door. “Great,” she said shuffling towards her living room in the assumption Kate would follow.
“Lovely to see you too, old friend,” said Kate under her breath.
Maddie flopped down into one of her squishy armchairs and pulled a blanket over herself.
