The Secret to Happiness, page 12
The ten-minute drive home in silence felt three times that long.
Karen texted her best friend, Jemma, to make sure it was okay to stop by. Jemma replied immediately to say it would be great to see her. Even if she hadn’t, Karen would have gone out anyway. She didn’t know what was going on with Ryan at the moment but, whatever it was, she needed some space from it. Right now.
21
Karen
‘I love what you’ve done with the dining room,’ Karen said, returning to Jemma’s lounge and sitting down on the sofa.
Jemma laughed. ‘But that’s not why you came round tonight, is it?’
‘It is. And to see you, of course.’
Jemma raised an eyebrow. ‘How long have we been friends?’
Karen smiled ruefully. Best friends since starting senior school together, Jemma had always been able to read Karen like a book. ‘I needed some time away from Ryan.’
‘Really? Last time I saw you, weren’t you moaning that you barely get any time together?’
‘We don’t. And any time we do get together seems to end in an argument.’
‘But you two never argue.’
‘We never used to. It seems to be all we do at the moment.’
‘Grub’s up.’ Jemma’s partner, Sam, placed a tray of sandwiches and a bowl of crisps on the coffee table. ‘I’ve got some work to do so I’ll leave you to it.’
Between bites, Karen told Jemma about the Dirty Dancing fantasy fail, the altercation on the seafront earlier, and the anonymous texts. She passed Jemma her phone.
‘What do you make of them?’ Karen asked when Jemma had scrolled through the texts.
‘I don’t know. He or she obviously knows you both. You say you haven’t told anyone about the Dirty Dancing thing?’
‘You’re the first.’
‘So it has to be someone Ryan’s told.’
Karen nodded. ‘But who and why?’
‘And, more importantly, what did they mean about Ryan being guilty and that first text about you being… what was it?’
‘Open-minded,’ Karen said.
‘Any ideas what that could mean?’
Karen picked up a cushion and cuddled it to her chest. ‘I really want to say no, but there’s one thing that keeps springing to mind.’
‘No! Ryan wouldn’t do that to you.’
‘Wouldn’t he? A few weeks ago I’d have said he’d never forget our anniversary, yet he did.’
‘Once in thirteen years, Karen. And he made it up to you. And he only forgot because he was setting up a new arm to the business, giving you both more security for the future.’
Karen covered her face with the cushion. ‘I’m making too much of it, aren’t I?’ She lowered the cushion and smiled at Jemma nodding enthusiastically.
‘About the anniversary? Yes. About the texts? No. I’d be disturbed by those, but I’m sure it’s just someone being malicious and there’s nothing in it. I hate to say it, but could it be Steff? She has got form.’
‘It’s not Steff. She wouldn’t do that. She’s my friend.’
Jemma raised an eyebrow again and Karen laughed.
‘Okay, she’s maybe not a great friend but we get on fine and we got past all that silliness years ago.’ Karen scrunched her fingers into the cushion as she mulled over the idea that it could be Steff again. No. She wouldn’t.
They’d all met studying Sports and Leisure at the TEC. Ryan and Steff had been best friends since school and Karen found their in-jokes and childish banter too much. At the end of the first year, she worked with Ryan at a sports summer school. Without Steff by his side, giggling and nudging him, Karen discovered a caring, thoughtful individual who she actually liked. A lot.
Returning to college for the second year, Karen started receiving anonymous notes telling her to back off and making out that Ryan hated her. When Ryan caught Steff slipping a note into Karen’s bag, they had a huge bust-up. Whilst she didn’t condone Steff’s behaviour, Karen could see how gutted Ryan was at the loss of his best friend. She met up with Steff one evening to try and fix things. Steff confessed that she was gay and had made the decision over the summer to come out at the start of term. She’d been relying on Ryan – the only person who knew about her sexuality – to be there for her if anyone reacted negatively. She’d convinced herself that Ryan’s newfound friendship with Karen meant he wouldn’t be there for her so she’d kept quiet about her sexuality and hated feeling she couldn’t be true to herself.
With their friendship back on track, it was Steff who finally pushed Ryan and Karen together at the end-of-college party, declaring that it was obvious they both fancied the pants off each other and it was about time they did something about it.
‘I really think this is just a blip,’ Jemma said. ‘You’ve had thirteen happy years so far. During that time, you’ve put yourselves under huge financial and emotional pressure by packing in your jobs and setting up a business together. That could have broken some couples but it made you stronger.’
‘I know, but now it’s tearing us apart. Like I said earlier, we never see each other and, when we do, we argue.’
‘Then you have to find a compromise. I’m not saying the running club has to go, but something has to.’
‘I know. But I don’t know what. It worked before and it doesn’t work now and that’s the only thing that’s different. My mid-morning bootcamp is new but that’s part of a normal working day. Ryan does PT then.’
Jemma grimaced. ‘Then maybe it does have to be the running club that goes.’
‘He won’t let it go. He’ll tell me to cut back on evening bootcamps or PT instead.’
‘At the risk of sounding like a stuck record…’ Jemma said.
‘Yeah, I know. Compromise.’ Karen ran her fingers through her hair and shook her head. ‘It’s such a mess. Oh well, I can’t hide here all night. I’d better get home and tell him about the texts.’
They both stood up.
‘Make sure you don’t accuse him of anything,’ Jemma said. ‘Just show him them and play the confused card.’
Karen hugged Jemma. ‘Thank you so much. I needed that.’
Jemma’s phone rang.
‘You get that. I’ll see myself out,’ Karen said.
Jemma gave her a thumbs-up as she answered the phone.
‘Bye, Sam,’ Karen called up the stairs when she’d closed the lounge door.
She’d stepped outside and was about to close the front door when Sam appeared. ‘Just a second.’ He stepped out onto the path. ‘While Jemma’s out of earshot, are you and Ryan free on the first Saturday in July? I want to throw a surprise housewarming party.’
‘We should be.’
‘If you’re not, let me know and I’ll change the date. It wouldn’t be right to have it without you.’
‘Aw, Sam. You’re so lovely.’ Karen gave him a quick hug. ‘I’ll check with Ryan and text you later.’
Karen drove home, rehearsing what to say to Ryan about the texts without sounding accusatory. She pulled onto the drive and dug out her phone. One more check on the wording of the texts before she went in. Her stomach swooped as she spotted another one had arrived:
* * *
✉︎ From Unknown
Well, well, well. Seems birds of a feather really do flock together. Can’t say I blame you, though. That blond guy in Little Sandby was pretty lush. I’d certainly give him one
* * *
‘I was being watched,’ she whispered, shaking uncontrollably. She twisted round in her seat. Where were they? Were they watching her now? Would they grab her when she opened the door?
‘Leave me alone.’ She sank down into the driver’s seat, too terrified to open the door. ‘Please leave me alone.’
22
Karen
‘Urgh! What was that?’ Karen handed the empty tumbler back to Ryan.
‘Jack Daniels. Whiskey’s meant to be good for shocks.’
Ryan had seen her pull onto the drive but, when she didn’t come inside, he’d come outside to check on her and found her rocking back and forth, pale-faced and shaking.
He sat down at the kitchen table opposite her. ‘We’d better change your number.’
‘I can’t do that. All my clients past and present have that number and it’s all over our fliers. I’m not changing it.’ Karen banged her fist down on the table. ‘And, even if I did, how’s that going to stop my stalker?’
‘You don’t know you’ve got a stalker.’
‘Did you not read that last message? The blond guy in Little Sandby? That’s Sam. Did you tell anyone I’d gone to Jemma’s?’
‘No.’
‘Then I have a stalker.’ Karen picked up her phone. ‘I should call the police.’
‘Why?’
‘Seriously?’ Karen unlocked her phone. ‘Because someone’s bloody well been following me.’
‘I know, but they haven’t threatened you.’ Ryan put his hand over hers. ‘I know you’re upset, and I would be too, but I don’t think the police will take a few texts seriously.’
‘They’re following me!’
‘Yes, I know, but it was only once.’
‘Which is one time too many.’
‘I know you’re scared. But look at the texts again. They’re rubbish. Probably just some kids mucking about.’
She was about to protest that it couldn’t be kids as the sender clearly knew things about them, but her head felt fuzzy and she didn’t have the energy to keep going around in circles. She put her phone down again. ‘Okay. No police yet, but if I get any more comments about my whereabouts…’
‘Then you’ll have my full support. I’ll even make the call.’
She slumped back against her chair. ‘You know I have to ask…?’
‘No, Kaz. Really?’ Ryan let go of her hand and pushed his chair back.
‘Ryan. Don’t be like that.’
He rose to his feet, shaking his head. ‘No, I don’t know who it is. No, I don’t think it’s Steff this time. No, I’m not seeing anyone else. No, I haven’t a clue what any of it means. Satisfied?’ Without waiting for her response, he stormed out of the kitchen. Moments later, the front door slammed and she heard his car start.
Slumping forward, she rested her head on her hands. ‘That went well.’ She sat like that for several minutes. Why was this happening to her? What sort of person sent texts like that? She grabbed her phone.
* * *
✉︎ To Unknown
What a sad little existence you must have if this is how you get your kicks
* * *
✉︎ From Unknown
You want to ask your boyfriend how he gets his kicks. I think the answer might surprise you! Not long now…
23
Alison
As soon as her alarm sounded on Tuesday morning, Alison grabbed her phone and checked for news from Danniella but there was nothing. Damn.
* * *
✉︎ To Danniella
Just got up. Hoping you’ll be at bootcamp this morning. If not, please text me to let me know you’re OK xx
* * *
After Dave left on Sunday, Alison received a grovelling phone call from her manager asking if there was any chance she could provide sickness cover. Unable to face a week of sitting at home, stewing about everything, she was happy to oblige, as long as they gave her the time off for bootcamp.
Going into work on Sunday afternoon for a late shift, she called Danniella on her break, but the call went straight to voicemail. She also called and texted on Monday morning before work and again during her break, but to no avail. And now she was getting worried.
Driving Dave’s van to North Bay, Alison pulled into a space on Sea View Drive. Danniella’s car was parked in the same place as it had been on Sunday. She hoped that Danniella hadn’t been cooped up in the flat, all alone, for two days solid.
Marching up to the front door of Cobalt House, she pressed the buzzer for number six. After a pause, she pressed it again, eager to hear her friend’s voice. Nothing. She hesitated, looking at the other buzzers. Should she ask a neighbour to let her in? Considering how fiercely Danniella seemed to protect her privacy, it was likely the other residents hadn’t even met her yet and, if they had, Danniella probably wouldn’t appreciate Alison dragging them into her business.
Turning away from the flat, she watched the activity on the seafront for a moment. It wasn’t particularly busy yet, probably thanks to the dark grey sky and the forecast for rain. The sky looked to be angry way out at sea but, with hardly any breeze, the downpour would hopefully stay out there at least until the end of bootcamp. A couple of joggers caught her eye. Could Danniella have gone down early for a run?
Alison made her way down the cliff path, muttering, ‘Please be there,’ over and over.
‘Good morning, Alison,’ Karen said, giving Alison a wide smile. ‘Did you have a good weekend?’
‘Eventful and dramatic but not good.’
‘Sorry to hear that.’ Karen pushed the flag into the sand then straightened up. ‘Must be contagious because that’s exactly how I’d describe mine.’
‘Really? Sorry.’
Karen shrugged. ‘Let’s hope this week is better for both of us.’
‘Fingers crossed. You haven’t seen Danniella, have you?’
‘Not yet. Is everything okay?’
‘I hope so. She wasn’t well on Sunday and I haven’t spoken to her since. I’m a bit worried about her.’
‘Let me check my phone.’ Karen took it out of her backpack. ‘No text to say she isn’t coming today.’
‘Hopefully she is, then. Sorry for turning up early when you’re trying to get organised. Can I make myself useful?’
‘You can, actually. Can you grab that stick and draw a circle on the sand over there, about four metres in diameter? Thank you.’
Alison obliged. A distraction was good. She could happily concentrate on drawing the perfect circle in the sand because that meant she didn’t have to picture Danniella’s traumatised expression, speculate on what tragedy she had experienced, worry about her all alone in her flat and what her emotional state of mind might have made her do. And she didn’t have to think about her own relationship mess. Dave had sent a text from the airport telling her she was still his favourite girl and he’d pull out all the stops to make it up to her when he got back. Then another one had arrived late that night telling her that the difficulties between them were her fault for wallowing in her family’s death. Wallowing? Wallowing? How dare he? Well, excuse her for being a bit upset about her entire family being killed. Excuse her for thinking about them on the anniversary of the crash. Excuse her for remembering them on their birthdays, missing them at Christmas, and basically wishing that they were still here.
‘I said draw a circle, not dig a trench,’ Karen called.
Alison looked down and dropped the stick. Yikes! ‘Sorry.’
Danniella didn’t turn up to bootcamp and she didn’t answer her door afterwards either. Alison tried phoning her once more, but hung up when it connected straight to voicemail again. Shoulders slumping, she reluctantly drove away. There wasn’t anything she could do except keep calling and keep texting, hoping that Danniella would finally respond.
24
Karen
Karen pulled the flag out of the sand then heaved her backpack onto her shoulder. She’d hoped to catch Alison but, as soon as the session finished, Alison shot off like a rocket with barely a goodbye. That ‘eventful and dramatic’ weekend she’d mentioned had clearly been as dire as Karen’s and it had obviously involved Danniella in some way. Had something happened to break their fledgling friendship already? She couldn’t imagine what.
She checked around her to make sure she hadn’t left anything on the beach, then set off towards North Bay Corner, wondering whether she was brave enough to check her phone.
‘Karen!’
She looked up, startled to hear her name. ‘Steff? What are you doing here?’
Steff dropped down from the wall onto the sand. She flicked her long blonde hair over her shoulder and walked the few paces towards Karen. Taller and slimmer than Karen, but with a larger bust and curvier hips, Steff wouldn’t have looked out of place in a lingerie or swimwear catalogue.
‘I wanted to see you before bootcamp tonight,’ Steff said. ‘Ryan told me about the texts.’
‘I thought he might.’
‘I wanted you to know it isn’t me. I know I sent you those notes in college but—’
Karen raised her hand to stop Steff. ‘I didn’t think it was you.’
‘But Ryan said—’
‘Ryan didn’t listen to me. I tried to ask him about the content of the texts and whether there was anything I needed to know about, but he cut me off, saying that he didn’t know who sent them and that he didn’t think it was you. Then he stormed out and presumably stayed over at yours and I haven’t seen him since.’
Steff nodded. ‘He only stayed on Saturday, though.’
‘And I stayed at my mum’s last night.’
‘Karen! You can’t keep avoiding each other.’
‘I wasn’t. Is that what he told you? My mum was away at a conference and I was looking after Eden. It was booked ages ago.’
‘Okay. Sorry. I don’t want to get involved. As long as it doesn’t affect our business, the pair of you can do what you like. I just wanted to make sure you know I’ve got nothing to do with those texts.’
‘I know that, so you’re exonerated. Feel better now?’ She winced at the sarcasm and the shocked look on Steff’s face but what did she expect, turning up like that and making it all about her?
