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All the way to the shop, I clutch my bag tightly to my body. I’m taking a huge risk walking around like this, but I don’t have a choice.
I call a greeting to Cole when I get inside the shop, and tell him I’ll be right down.
‘No problem,’ he says, as I rush past him and the young male customer he’s serving.
Upstairs in the staffroom, I pull out the money and slip it inside my locker, checking the door is locked several times before I leave the room. If there was a way to contact the man I’m handing it over to, I’d do it now, and get rid of the envelope before anything can happen to it.Just like the key card. AndTaylor’s phone.But I’m at this man’s whim, forced to wait until he decides to find me.
‘Is everything okay?’ Cole asks, when I get back to the shop floor. ‘I know it isn’t, but you know what I mean. I mean, how are you doing?’
‘I’ve been better. But I’m okay. At least I’ve got this place.’
‘And you’ve got good friends,’ Cole says. ‘Don’t forget that.’
‘I won’t.’
‘Speaking of which, I know you’re all sorted for a place to stay, but if you and Poppy want to then you’re welcome to stay with me. I know it’s not huge, but there are two bedrooms and two bathrooms so we wouldn’t be in each other’s way.’ He smiles. ‘Totally understand if you think it’s a bit much working together and living together, though. I know I’m not everyone’s cup of tea.’ He looks down, staring at his shoes.
‘If anyone thinks that, then you don’t need them in your life,’ I say.
He looks up, smiling. ‘It’s true what they say. Saying just one kind thing can make someone’s day. Anyway, I need to order in some things for the café. Oh, that reminds me. We need to start thinking about a replacement for Katy, don’t we? My niece Ella would be perfect. She’s a student and needs a part-time job. She’s just started at Roehampton uni, so she’ll just be round the corner. It’s ideal for all of us. And you’ve met her before – do you remember?’
I vaguely recall Cole introducing me to his sister and her teenage daughter in the shop a few years ago, but I wouldn’t recognise the girl if she was standing in front of me. All my focus was on Cole’s sister – how different she was from him. Confident and fashionably dressed. Easy-going and relaxed. ‘I guess that’s okay. Tell her to come in for a chat.’
Cole beams. ‘Will do. My sister will be pleased. Brownie points for me.’
When I pick Poppy up from school, she’s smiling as she walks out, hand in hand with Oscar, one of the boys she went to nursery with.
‘Hi, sweetie,’ I say, handing her an apple. ‘Hi, Oscar.’
‘Can Poppy come for a play date? My mum’s just over there.’ He points to a huddle of mums, and I recognise Andrea in the middle of them.
‘Um, maybe not today, but another time.’
‘Okay,’ he says. ‘Bye, Poppy.’
When he gallops off to his mum, I turn to Poppy. ‘Have you had a good day?’
‘Quite good,’ she says, her mouth full of apple.
‘Well, it’s about to get better. We’re off to Grandma’s for dinner. She said she’ll make us spaghetti bolognese – isn’t that great?’
‘Yay!’ she says, and for the first time in days I see a glimpse of the Poppy she was before Max and I turned her life upside down.
‘So that’s it then? Mum asks, as she’s dishing up dinner. ‘You’re just walking away.’
‘It’s for the best, Mum.’
This would be the time to tell her exactly what I told Sarah, to put an end to her questioning, her defending Max. But I won’t. Mum would know I’m not telling the whole truth, and she wouldn’t stop until she’s got it all out of me.
Silently, I take the plates through to the dining room, placing them on the table.
She follows me, taking my arm. ‘I know you, Hannah. There’s something going on. Please talk to me.’
‘I can’t right now. One day. Soon. But not right now. Can you just trust me?’
With a sigh, she nods, heading back to the kitchen for cutlery. ‘Poppy, dinner’s ready,’ she calls.
‘There is something, though, Mum. Nobody’s heard from Max for a while. He’s not at the house and isn’t answering the phone or replying to messages.’
