‘I’m not sure I know what I want to do,’ she added, the panic clear in her voice.
‘I’ve decided to do business studies.’
‘Do you think it will be hard?’
‘Probably, but I suppose I’ll do nothing for the first six months and then everything for the last few. I always leave revising to the last panicking minute.
‘I’m Chloe, by the way,’ she added with a smile, realising she might have made a friend already.
‘I’m Fran. Do you think there’ll be two places left?’
Chloe shrugged her shoulders. ‘I don’t know that either, the course starts next week. Shall we go and find out?’
Lily straightened up, wincing as a pain ran up the full length of her spine. She knew she shouldn’t have sat in the armchair for so long with Rosie but she’d been so engrossed in watching Gene Kelly dancing on and off the kerb in a rerun of Singing in the Rain.
‘Are you all right?’ Kate asked, looking up from the magazine she was reading to see that Lily had gone pale again.
‘I’m fine.’ Lily forged a smile as she willed away the pain. ‘It’s my arthritis playing up. My doctor says it’s better in the summer when it’s warmer, but I can’t tell the difference at any time of the year.’ She moved herself around in the chair and lifted her feet on to her foot stool.
‘You sit there and rest.’ Kate put down her sandwich. ‘I’ll get you a cold drink.’
‘No, please finish off your lunch. I’ll be fine once my tablets start to take affect.’
‘It’s okay, it won’t take a minute.’
Lily laid back her head, realising she’d overdone things again. When Kate returned with her drink a few minutes later, she was asleep.
‘Keep an eye on her for me,’ she told Rosie who had snuggled up next to her.
‘Hello, you,’ Kate greeted Will with a huge grin as he came through the front door into the coffee shop an hour later. She kissed him lightly on the cheek. ‘I didn’t know you were in town today.’
‘It’s only a whirlwind visit, I’m afraid.’ Will handed her a brochure. ‘I’ve picked out a hotel in Manchester, wondered what you think.’
Kate took the brochure from him.
‘It’s on page seventeen. How’s Lily, by the way? You said she was ill again the other day.’
‘She’s still a little under the weather. We’ve banned her from the shop, but if I know Lily, she’ll be back downstairs soon.’
Will gave a half smile before pointing to the brochure. ‘What do you think?’
Kate eyed the photographs with glee. The hotel looked fabulous. Four poster beds, eight acres of gardens, indoor heated pool and Jacuzzi.
She kissed him again. ‘I can’t wait.’
He pulled her closer. ‘No, neither can I.’
‘Yuck,’ said Chloe, walking past. ‘Put him down.’
‘Don’t want to,’ said Kate. ‘Have you time for a coffee?’
‘No, I’ve got to go. I’m late for my next appointment already. I’ll call you later. Bye, Chloe.’
Minutes later, Chloe noticed he’d forgotten his file. Seeing the hotel brochure peeping out of it, she pulled it out. Wow, she sighed, wishing she might be that special to a fella one day. The place looked amazing. She stared closer at the photograph and imagined herself sitting in the grand hall, in front of a roaring log fire with a man who loved her deeply.
As she closed the folder again and went to put it behind the counter, the contents slipped out and onto the floor. Chloe bent to retrieve them. As well as the hotel brochure there were a set of drawings, plans. Curiosity getting the better of her, she unfolded it to see more. She frowned. The plans were of Church Square but hang on…where was the –
‘God, I’m sure I’d forget my head if it wasn’t attached to my shoulders.’
Chloe jumped as she saw Will walking back across the room. Hastily, she shoved the plans into the folder and gave it to him.
‘I was just going to let Kate know,’ she replied.
‘Thanks, but I need the brochure so that I can book the room.’ His eyes rested upon hers as he rubbed his hand back and forth across his chin.
Chloe felt the colour in her cheeks rising as he continued to stare. Ohmigod! Had he seen her looking at the plans?
Then just as quickly, Will’s eyes began to twinkle and he grinned. ‘Don’t tell her but I’m going to book champagne and arrange for us to have dinner in the room.’
Chloe began to breathe normally as she watched him go again. Trying to recall everything she’d seen, she wished she’d had time to look a little closer. But every time she came to the same conclusion. And it wasn’t good.
After a fitful sleep, Chloe was up early the next morning, still wondering what to do for the best. She couldn’t believe that Will wasn’t who he said he was. He had tricked Kate. He’d tricked them all, really. Should she say something to her or let him explain himself?
But just then, she heard Kate coming out of her room and then walking across the landing. Hearing the bathroom door open and shut shortly afterwards, Chloe dashed into her bedroom. Her eyes roamed around until she found what she was looking for. She grabbed Kate’s mobile phone and, with a quick glance over her shoulder, flicked through the contacts list. Finding the number she was after, she wrote it down quickly, put back the phone and without anyone seeing her ran back to her room. Once she’d heard Kate go downstairs, she sent a text message. As she had predicted, her mobile began to ring straight afterwards.
‘You got my message then.’
‘Who is this?’
‘It’s Chloe. Who else do you think would know your little secret?’
Silence.
‘I am right, aren’t I?’ she broke into it.
A pause. ‘Yes, but it’s not what it –’
‘My god, Will, you piece of lowlife. You sly, conniving, evil…how could you do that to Kate? She’s my friend. She’s going to be destroyed when she finds out.’
‘If I could just explain!’
‘I don’t think it’s me you should be explaining to.’
‘I know that, but –’
‘Look, I’m no good at keeping secrets. And this is one which I don’t want to keep from Kate. So, either you tell her tonight, before you plan on seducing her at the weekend, or else I will.’
‘Chloe! I can’t just –’
‘Tonight, Will. If she doesn’t know by tomorrow morning, I will tell her.’
Chloe snapped her phone shut before he could answer.
Later that morning, Kate slipped into Lily’s bedroom and, finding her asleep, left her a glass of orange juice on the bedside cabinet before tiptoeing out of the room.
‘How is she doing?’ Lucy asked after taking an order from an elderly couple who had just walked in.
‘Okay, I think,’ Kate replied, ‘although you never can tell with Lily.’
Lucy reached for a saucer and clattered a cup onto it. ‘I could do more hours, if it helps.’
‘I’ve already asked you to cover when Chloe is at college.’
‘So?’ Lucy moved behind Kate and popped a chocolate muffin onto a plate. ‘Before I started to work here I used to sit at home all day, waiting for Karl to come in, moaning when he was late. Now, I don’t know, it sounds stupid saying this, but I feel like I belong, like I’ve got a routine to my life. And Chloe and I are getting on better now, so it’s much more fun.’
‘What did go on between you two?’ Kate was curious to know as she tidied up the counter.
‘Nothing really.’ Lucy felt her cheeks burning as she thought back to how juvenile she’d been. ‘I suppose I was jealous of her. She’s so full of life. But since that night in Rembrandt’s, we’ve got to know each other better. I really like her now. I don’t know why I didn’t give her a chance in the first place. I’m a bit like that though. It’s insecurity I think. I have a terrible time with Karl because I think he’s too good for me.’
‘I’m just glad that you worked
things out.’
‘Well, I think working here has made me realise that I don’t need to have everyone’s undivided attention. People like me for me. I don’t have to impress people by dressing in the latest designer gear, or going to the best holiday resort or going on about where I live. I’m just lucky, that’s all.’
‘Ooh, hark at you with your ‘big woman’ speech.’
Lucy gnawed at her bottom lip. ‘I’m sorry if I caused you any problems, Kate.’
Kate laughed. ‘Lucy, you didn’t give me problems, you gave me nightmares! Still, if you’re up for it, I’ll sort out a new rota.’
‘Great. So are you looking forward to your night of passion in the fancy hotel this weekend?’
Kate grinned. ‘I most certainly am. But I can’t believe how nervous I am.’
‘Oh, don’t be.’ Lucy slid the order onto a tray and picked it up. ‘It’ll be exciting…and so romantic. There’s nothing better than being treated to a dirty weekend. I hope you’ve treated yourself to some new underwear too?’
Kate nodded, thinking of the chocolate brown and cream lacy set that was packed in her overnight bag ready for the occasion.
‘Where’s he taking you tonight?’
‘We’re just going to a wine bar for a drink. He’s picking me up at eight. Quite a nice surprise, actually. I didn’t think he was down this way today.’
At eight thirty, Kate sat in a booth waiting for Will who was getting their drinks at the bar. Being a cold and windy night, the room was fairly empty. But that wasn’t the only thing that was chilly. Will had been so quiet since he’d picked her up. There had been no usual happy to see you embrace when she’d got into his truck. Instead, he’d started the engine and driven off. It was as if he wanted to get here as soon as possible.
‘Did you get salt and vinegar flavour?’ Kate asked when he finally joined her. Will handed her a bag of crisps followed by a glass of wine. ‘I know you men are terrible at remembering the little things.’
Will’s expression remained unchanged. Kate noticed him gulp as he sat down across from her. She frowned, looking into his eyes but they didn’t hold any clues.
Then he began to speak. ‘Kate, there’s something I need to tell you.’
‘Please don’t tell me that you’re married and have three children. I’m not going to share you, you know,’ she joked, hoping to lighten the ominous atmosphere that had descended over them.
‘What is it?’ she added into the uncomfortable silence that followed.
Will gnawed on his bottom lip. ‘You’re going to hate me.’
Kate stared at him with genuine concern when he looked back again. ‘Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?’ she said.
Will cleared his throat. ‘Do you remember when you first opened The Coffee Stop and I was back and forth at the solicitors a few doors away?’
Kate nodded, recalling how she used to look forward to his visits.
‘Well, I was there to buy up the land at the back of Church Square.’
Kate didn’t understand. ‘But I thought you were a computer engineer. That’s what you told me you were.’
Will shook his head. ‘I’m a property developer. I’ve had plans drawn up to knock everything down and build a new shopping centre.’
Suddenly Kate understood. ‘And The Coffee Stop doesn’t feature in those plans, does it?’ she asked quietly.
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
‘I’m sorry,’ said Will. ‘This isn’t exactly the sort of thing I can spring on you. I was going to tell you this weekend.’
‘Was that before or after you slept with me?’
Will flinched. ‘Look, when I put the bid in for the land, the coffee shop wasn’t open. It didn’t feature as part of the original plans so I thought I’d scope it out to see if it had potential.’
Kate stood up and slung her handbag over her shoulder. ‘If you wanted to find out about the coffee shop, you could have asked Lily. There was absolutely no need to string me along, making me think that you liked me.’
‘But I do! It’s just that –’
‘You tricked me!’
‘I never meant –’ Will slid out of the booth as Kate moved across the floor. He reached for her hand when he caught up with her, but she snatched it away.
‘How could you?’ she asked, feeling the tears welling in her eyes and begging them not to spill until she got home.
‘Under any other circumstances, I’d be happy to let you into every secret of mine. But it’s like,’ Will raised his hands in the air, narrowly missing a bar man with a full tray of glasses, ‘all the times I’ve watched a film and the guy loses the girl because he falls for her after some stupid bet he’s taken up. I knew you’d react like –’
‘Like what exactly?’
‘Like this.’
Somewhere, through all the confusion and chaos, Kate started to understand what he was trying to say. No, she wouldn’t have been happy whenever he’d chosen to reveal his identity. But that didn’t let him off the hook.
‘All that time I thought you were coming in to see the coffee shop, you were sizing up the joint. Seeing whether to feature it in your new development or…’ she paused. “You are going to keep it going, aren’t you?’
‘I –’
Kate held up her hand to silence him before walking off. ‘Do you know what, Will? I’ve heard enough.’
‘Wait!’ he shouted after her. ‘You’ve got it all wrong.’
Not sure if the noise she could hear was her heart beating loudly or her heels clicking on the flooring, in the middle of the half empty room Will twirled Kate around to face him.
‘I didn’t mean to hurt you,’ he said.
‘Why didn’t you tell me who you really were?’
‘The timing wasn’t right. It never would have been right. Can’t you see?’
‘So what was tonight all about? And this weekend away? Is that it, now your little secret is out? You could have done all that without involving me.’
‘Precisely!’ Will relaxed his shoulders, only now aware of people turning to stare. He lowered his voice before continuing. ‘The only reason I’m with you is because I want to be. But I thought that, if I left it any longer, it would seem worse when I eventually told you. Look, I’ve messed up but if Chloe hadn’t found out, I would have told you this weekend. I’m sorry. Please come and –’
‘Wait!’ Kate held up her hand. ‘You’re telling me that Chloe knew as well?’
Will sighed. ‘Yes, though I don’t know how. She said that if I didn’t tell you tonight, then she would.’
Kate gasped. ‘You’ve discussed it with her?’
‘Not in so many words. I spoke to her on the phone. She –’
Kate couldn’t believe what she was hearing. One minute she was looking forward to a weekend away with a man who she thought cared about her. The next she was staring at a liar, a cheat, a man who had used her to get insider knowledge about how well the coffee shop was doing. How could everything go so wrong in such a short space of time?
‘So I’m the last one to know,’ she whispered.
Will frowned, knowing exactly how it looked. ‘Please, come and sit down again,’ he begged. ‘Let me try to explain.’
Kate shook her head. ‘Not now. I need some time alone. I’m going to call a taxi.’
Chloe sat in her pyjamas, her left leg hooked over the arm of the settee. She tried to concentrate on her magazine but all she could think about was Kate. Would Will tell Kate what he planned to do or would he bottle out? She knew if he hadn’t told her that she would go through with her threat. There was no way she was going to let him lead Kate on. But she had thought Will was a decent guy until she’d seen those plans. And he certainly thought a lot of Kate now. Chloe could see that from the way his eyes lit up whenever he saw her. No, she’d been right to give him a chance to explain first. And either way, she’d be there for Kate.
‘What’s on your mind, Chloe?’
Chlo
e flinched. The last thing she wanted was to slip up and let Lily find out before Kate as well. So she said the first thing that came into her head.
‘Lily, do you think a man of forty three is too old for me?’
Lily raised her eyebrows in surprise. ‘I would say so, yes.’
‘Forty three isn’t that old.’
‘It is when you’re barely eighteen.’
Rosie jumped off the chair and onto Chloe’s lap. Chloe shuffled round to make room for her.
‘Have you met someone?’ Lily probed.
Chloe nodded, thinking back to her first encounter with Jack Ryan. Seeing him in the college canteen had made the start of the new term even more exciting for her. When she’d first seen him, he’d had his back towards her, but when he’d turned and given her a bird’s eye view, she’d been smitten. Dressed in jeans and a checked shirt, it had been hard to put an age to him. He had dark hair, cut short with a trim goatee beard. As he wasn’t in any of her lectures, Chloe had hardly caught his eye, so it’d been time for pathetic tactics.
‘Oh, I am sorry,’ she apologised after colliding intentionally with him. Books crashed to the floor, papers floated through the air. While she let him retrieve her things, she took a closer look. By the amount of laughter lines visible, and a few grey hairs appearing here and there, she realised he was a lot older than she’d originally thought. And taller too which, as well as suiting her, went great with his toned physique. He indulged her with a smile while he handed everything back.
‘Thanks,’ she murmured and looked away in embarrassment – well, that’s what she wanted him to think, but she wasn’t embarrassed at all. It was just a practised look that always worked. Today had been no exception.
‘If you wanted me to buy you a coffee, you only had to ask.’ He flashed a smile that had her skin flushing in seconds. ‘You needn’t have gone to so much trouble.’
‘It wasn’t any trouble,’ Chloe assured him. Ten minutes later, they were chatting like old friends.
Stirred with Love Page 22