Page 71 of Watch For Me By Candlelight

‘Not too bad. Sleep well?’

Tom nodded and yawned. ‘It’s all the exercise.’ He winked. ‘Not used to it.’

‘Yes, you are.’ She filled his cup up and pushed it across the bench to him.

‘Jenna’s a fun girl,’ he said, justifying it. ‘We had a laugh.’

‘I bet that’s not all you had — no! I don’t want to hear it.’ Kate cringed at the thought.

She sat down and studied him. He was a good-looking man. He had the height and the broad shoulders of their father, but the big brown eyes of their mother. It was a good combination on him.

‘Tom, why don’t you ever find a nice girl and stick with her?’

Tom slipped into the seat opposite and put his cup down. He gripped it with both hands and stared into the muddy depths. Her brother wasn’t a milky beverage type of guy; the murkier the better for him.

But he at least had the grace to look abashed. ‘I’m starting to think that ship sailed,’ he said, talking to the coffee cup. ‘Far too long ago. I doubt it’ll happen again.’

‘Oh?’ This was news to Kate. ‘Tell me more.’

Tom shook his head. ‘No. I’d rather not, thanks.’ He looked up and stared straight into her eyes. It unsettled her a bit. She wasn’t used to his direct gaze.

‘What?’ she asked, quailing beneath it.

Tom smiled a little and shrugged. ‘No. It’s not for me to tell you.’ He looked past her shoulder and stared out of the window, over the river and across to the woods beyond. ‘Just — don’t waste too much time Katie. If I had the chance again, well . . .’ He shrugged. ‘I wish I’d done it differently.’

Her stomach lurched. ‘Tom,’ she began slowly. ‘Is this a conversation we need to have in light of any particular recent events?’

‘Nope,’ he said lightly. ‘Not especially.’ He looked back at her and grinned, the moment lost; her annoying, wonderful, frustrating brother appearing again. ‘Too many cocktails, too much history in this place. Too much Hartsford air. I’ll be fine. I think I need my coffee. What’ll I do about locking up?’

He had changed the subject and it threw her. ‘Locking up? You mean the flat?’

He nodded. ‘Yep. I need to leave in a couple of hours. Just wondering what I should do for the best.’

‘Well if Jenna’s here, just pull the door closed behind you.’ Kate was still confused at the speed he had veered off track. ‘In fact, just do that anyway.’

‘Okay.’ He grinned. ‘Oh, and last night — I don’t think I told you. Your garden is amazing, little Sis. It’s like it’s all come out together. You need some more roses though. That would be nice.’

Kate’s mind drifted back to the vase of flowers she’d gathered for Cassie; to Millie’s dress in the portrait; to the rosebud in Millie’s photo album.

Oh, God. What was he really trying to tell her? ‘Tom, have you met someone? Somewhere? You’re not making much sense.’ She looked at Tom, desperate to ask him more questions.

But already he was draining his mug and getting up. ‘Mind if I do myself some toast? I’ve got a long drive ahead of me today. And no. I haven’t met anyone.’ He flashed a teasing grin at her, back to his normal self. ‘Unlike some of us, I’m still waiting to find my soulmate.’

* * *

By the time Theo arrived, smiling and bright-eyed and none the worse for their night of alcoholic excess (well, Kate’s night of alcoholic excess) she was dressed, her hair curled and her 1930’s make-up trowelled on her face.

She’d loved the weekend, and didn’t mind working the Monday at all — but good Lord, would she be happy to get her own clothes back on and have none of that greasy slap on her face for a while. Tom had shuffled off to get ready, and Kate had other things on her mind by that point. That “other thing” was standing out the front of the museum looking just the right balance between messy and sexy. And alive! Good grief, he was alive and she was so happy to see him like that. Poor Cat. Poor Will. Horrible situation.

‘Looking good.’ Theo grinned at her. She might have told him the same, but she restrained herself. Oblivious, he threw the van keys at her. ‘Race you up there.’

‘I’ll win,’ Kate said, unlocking the van and roaring off, leaving him transporting the last of her ice-cream at a much more sedate pace.

Kate didn’t want to waste any time. Finding the newspaper had fired her into action, and there was something she was desperate to do. The morning crowds could not disperse fast enough for her, and when they did and she got the opportunity to move from the Spa, she managed to speedily wheel her bicycle into the corner and pop a sign on it.

She’d hand-painted a piece of wood with the colours she’d had left over from the very literal upcycling, and it said, in very jolly vintage lettering: Back soon! I need more ice-cream!

It was a complete lie of course, but needs must as the Devil drives. Kate hurried into the Hall, conspicuous as part of the volunteer team by grace of her wide-legged trousers and matching belted blouse; not to mention the unnaturally wavy hair. She managed to zig-zag through the crowds and headed towards the private wing of the Hall.