The Secret to Happiness, page 13
‘Look, I need to get to a PT session,’ Karen said, her tone gentle again.
‘Okay. I won’t keep you much longer. You know, I sat on that wall and planned what to say to you and none of the variations started with me pleading my innocence.’
‘What did they start with?’
‘Me asking if you were okay and if I could do anything to support you.’
‘That might have gone better,’ Karen admitted.
Steff nodded. ‘Can we erase the last five minutes and pretend I didn’t barge in and make it all about me?’ She took a couple of steps back, shook herself, then stepped forward again. ‘Hi Karen, I heard about the texts. Are you okay? Can I do anything?’
Karen smiled weakly. ‘I’m fine, thanks. Upset, shaken and a little bit scared.’ She swept her arm towards the promenade. ‘Someone could be along there right now watching me. Or they might be waiting in the car park ready to follow me to my next client.’ A shiver rippled down her spine.
‘Ryan says you’re not going to the police.’
‘I wanted to but Ryan talked me out of it. I suppose he’s right. Realistically what can they do about a few anonymous texts? I hate the thought of wasting their time.’
‘I don’t think they’d see it like that,’ Steff said. ‘There’s helplines, you know. If I were you, I’d call one and see what they say.’
Karen glanced at her watch. ‘Sorry, Steff. I’ve got to go or I’ll be late. A helpline’s a good idea, though. I’ll do that. Thank you.’
‘Can I walk you to your car?’
‘If you want. I’m next to the park. Are you going to be my bodyguard?’ Karen smiled and gave Steff a playful nudge. ‘Put that karate black belt to good use?’
‘Now there’s an idea. I could definitely be up for a bit of stalker ass-kicking.’
They walked in silence for a moment.
‘Why were you so certain it wasn’t me?’ Steff asked.
‘Because I trust you, and I honestly don’t think you’d ever hurt me like that. Those notes in college were thirteen years ago.’
They continued in silence.
‘I’m sorry we’re not as close as we could be,’ Steff said. ‘I know that’s my fault—’
‘It takes two,’ Karen assured her.
‘We both know it’s me who’s kept you at arm’s length and it’s been stupid of me. If you want to talk, shout, scream, I’m here for you. And if you want me to give Ryan an ass-kicking, I can do that too.’
Karen laughed. ‘It’s tempting.’
‘He’d deserve it. He’s doing my head in at the moment.’
Karen stopped and frowned at Steff. ‘In what way?’
‘He’s moody, snappy, always criticising me. I’ve no idea what’s going on with him.’
‘No. Me neither. He’s the same at home. He even got jealous when he saw me laughing with a male PT client on Sunday.’
Steff sighed. ‘That’s not like Ryan at all. I want my best friend back, and I bet you want your fiancé back too.’
‘I do. Very much.’ But she had a horrible feeling that he wasn’t going to come back. Something had happened to change him and she needed to find out what it was because there was no way they could continue like this.
25
Karen
‘You’re really worried about her, aren’t you? Karen asked Alison as they untangled some skipping ropes on Thursday morning. Alison had appeared extra early again for bootcamp and the frequent anxious glances back along the promenade suggested she was on the lookout.
‘I can’t help it,’ Alison said. ‘I haven’t heard from her since Sunday.’
‘Do you want me to give her a call?’ Karen suggested.
‘Would you mind?’
‘Not at all. Here, you finish untangling this one.’ She handed Alison a rope and stepped away with her phone, returning a few moments later, shaking her head. ‘Sorry. Voicemail.’
‘Yeah, that’s what I keep getting,’ Alison said. ‘Thanks for trying, though.’ She looked as though she was about to burst into tears.
‘I’ve got her email address. I can’t give you it without her permission, but I don’t mind forwarding her an email from you.’
Alison nodded eagerly. ‘I never thought about emailing. Anything’s worth a try. Thank you. I’ll email you when I get home.’
‘I’ll text her again now,’ Karen said. ‘Just in case.’
* * *
✉︎ To Danniella
Hope all’s well with you. Got a great bootcamp planned using skipping ropes. Just need to untangle them first! Hope to see you shortly
* * *
‘Do you want to talk about it?’ Karen asked. ‘I promise I’m the soul of discretion.’
Alison leaned against the beach wall, still working on the knots. ‘Long story short. My boyfriend, Dave, and I were meant to be spending this week re-fitting our kitchen only he’s bogged off to Ibiza with his mates and I’ve ended up working. He only dropped the Ibiza bombshell on Saturday and, to put it mildly, I wasn’t impressed. Danniella let me stay the night at hers because I couldn’t bear to be under the same roof as him.’
‘Completely understandable,’ Karen said. What was wrong with people? Where was the respect in relationships?
‘Danniella let me have a right good moan about Dave on Saturday, even though she had work to do, and she asked me why I stayed with him. I danced around it a bit and, on Sunday morning, I decided to tell her the real reason.’ Alison took a deep breath and shook her head. ‘I haven’t talked about this in years and now I’m saying it twice in the same week. You’re from around here originally, yeah?’
Karen nodded. ‘Whitsborough Bay born and bred.’
‘In that case, you’ll probably remember a crash from fifteen years ago. A lorry had brake failure going down Branning Bank and crashed into a car, killing the family in it.’
‘Was that really fifteen years ago? Yes, it would be. I was… Oh my God! Alison! Was that your family?’
Alison nodded. ‘Please don’t be nice to me or I’ll start crying.’ She took another deep breath. ‘Anyway, I told Danniella about my family and… you promise this won’t go further?’
‘Promise.’
‘She had a funny turn,’ Alison continued. ‘I had to help her back to the flat and into bed. There’s no way my family tragedy caused that reaction but I think the story triggered something in her. I know she’s recently moved to the area and I know from experience she won’t talk about her past…’ She shrugged. ‘Maybe I’m letting my imagination run away with me.’
‘I’m sure she’s fine,’ Karen said gently. ‘What about you, though?’
‘Mostly okay. It was a long time ago and, as they say, life does go on. Super cliché but it’s true. Weirdly, they’ve now been out my life longer than they were in it although it seriously messed with my head when I realised that a couple of years back.’
‘I can imagine.’
‘I don’t find it easy to make friends.’ Alison picked up another skipping rope to detangle. ‘Kids at school didn’t know how to deal with the orphaned kid so I got used to my own company. Doesn’t mean I don’t miss having a close friend. There was this immediate connection with Danniella and I wonder now if it was the traumatised recognising the traumatised.’
‘I don’t think—’
‘Morning campers,’ chirped Dawn.
‘We’ll talk later,’ Karen mouthed to Alison before turning round to welcome Dawn and Hailey. ‘Good morning everyone.’
As the bootcamp got underway, Karen watched Alison in awe. She was always so bubbly, she’d never have guessed she’d had such a traumatic childhood. How would you even start rebuilding your life after a tragedy like that? And what must Alison’s boyfriend be like if he took off on a lads’ holiday like that with a day’s notice? It certainly put a few cryptic texts and a couple of niggles with Ryan into perspective. It all seemed so insignificant compared to what Alison and perhaps Danniella were going through.
‘Have a great weekend, everyone,’ Karen called when the bootcamp was over and she’d taken the Awesome Award photo.
As the others headed off the beach, Alison picked up a skipping rope and started folding it.
‘You definitely think something’s happened in Danniella’s past?’ Karen asked.
‘Convinced of it and I think she keeps running away from it.’
Karen frowned. ‘Could she have left Whitsborough Bay?’
‘Her car’s still outside her flat so I don’t think so. I’m parked up there and I’ve tried the door several times.’
‘Other than the email, I don’t know what to suggest.’
‘Thanks anyway.’ Alison handed Karen the folded rope. ‘I’d better get home and get that email done before work. You’re sure you’re happy to forward it on?’
‘It’s the least I can do. Actually, let me just check my phone before you go.’ Karen checked for messages or voicemails. ‘Still nothing.’
‘I’ll see you on Tuesday, then,’ Alison said. ‘Hopefully with Danniella.’
‘Fingers crossed. Let me know what happens, won’t you? And if you ever want to talk, I’m a good listener.’
Alison looked genuinely touched. ‘See you later and thanks for your help.’
‘I’m not sure I was much help.’
‘You were. More than you realise.’ Alison smiled and ran up the steps off the beach.
‘Have you been doing your counselling bit again?’ said a voice.
‘Oh my God, Jay!’ Karen clapped her hand across her heart. ‘You scared me.’
‘Sorry for coming down early, but I’ve got a proposition for you.’
Karen picked up the flag with one hand and the bag of ropes with the other. ‘Sounds intriguing but I need to dump this lot in the car before your PT session so you can either wait for me or come with me and proposition me on the way.’
Jay started laughing. ‘I’m not sure Ryan or Sophie would be too impressed if I did that.’
Karen laughed as she thrust the bright orange flag at him. ‘Here. Your punishment for scaring me is to be the flag-bearer.’
‘It’s a bit subtle,’ he said. ‘I think you should have gone for something brighter.’
‘You’re hilarious. So what’s your proposition?’
They set off towards the car park.
‘I run a Scout group and we had the summer term planned out, but something’s fallen through. I wondered whether you could save the day and run a bootcamp for us.’
‘You’re a Scout leader?’
He nodded. ‘It’s what got me into geography. I joined as a Cub and never left.’
‘Sophie doesn’t mind you doing that?’ Karen bit her lip. That was a bit naughty, but she couldn’t help herself.
‘She hates it, but I’m not packing it in. She spends Tuesdays – my Scout night – at her sister’s which works out great for me because I’m not her sister’s biggest fan.’
Karen smiled. ‘Good for you.’ She’d been worried that Jay was a pushover when it came to Sophie, but she liked this feisty side of him, refusing to let go of something he was passionate about. She’d assumed he’d let go of everything he loved, but it looked like there’d been a compromise after all. Ryan could learn a thing or two from Jay.
‘I’ve really enjoyed it this morning,’ Jay said after they’d stretched out. ‘Not that I haven’t enjoyed the other two sessions,’ he hastily added. ‘It’s the conversation. It’s been good getting to know you better.’
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as Jay smiled at her, his intense blue eyes fixed on hers. What was that all about? ‘And you, Jay. I’m liking the Scouting bootcamp idea but planning it will mean meeting up outside a PT session which means time away from Sophie. Would I be right in thinking you still haven’t told her?’
Jay was silent for a moment. ‘I tried to but I messed up. I stupidly approached it in a roundabout way. She thought I wanted to start hiking again so we had an argument and I haven’t broached it since.’
‘Oops. I’m sorry.’
‘She’s fiery. It’s one of the things I love about her. She knows what she likes and what she wants and she gets really passionate about things, unlike me. I’m a bit laidback and indecisive so it’s good that she challenges me.’
Challenges? Orders, more like. ‘I don’t know you well enough to comment on how laidback or indecisive you are but you can’t tell me you’re not passionate about things, Jay.’
Jay stopped and turned to face her. ‘You think so?’
‘Oh my God, yes! Everything we’ve talked about this morning… teaching, Scouting… there was passion flowing from every idea. Don’t ever let anyone take that away from you.’
They stared at each other. Karen’s pulse raced, her stomach whirred and she felt like she was on a precipice about to jump.
The sound of a text arriving drew her gaze from Jay. ‘Sorry. I thought I’d switched that off.’ She took it out of her backpack and went to switch it to silent, but the word ‘unknown’ leapt from the screen.
‘No! Not again.’
‘What’s up?’
Almost as though in a trance, Karen clicked into the text.
✉︎ From Unknown
You really don’t have a type, do you? Personally, I think you should stick to the blond. Your new one’s a bit podgy
* * *
Pulse racing, Karen clutched the phone as she spun around, looking at the beach, the beach huts, the promenade. Who was it? But nobody was looking at them. Nobody was acting suspiciously. Nobody was holding up a placard declaring ‘I’m your stalker’.
Another beep from her mobile made her heart thump uncontrollably.
* * *
✉︎ From Unknown
What would Ryan think if he saw this?
* * *
A photo appeared of Karen and Jay on the edge of Hearnshaw Park holding on to each other, looking into each other’s eyes and laughing. Completely innocent yet that particular image managed to look so intimate.
‘Is that us?’
Karen hadn’t even registered Jay beside her. Numbly, she handed him her phone and allowed him to scroll through the texts. ‘Someone hates me,’ she whispered.
‘Someone’s stalking you,’ he cried. ‘Are you okay? Do you know who it is?’
Feeling very shaky, Karen made her way to the wall at the bottom of the huts and sat down. Jay sat beside her.
‘I don’t know who it is,’ she said. ‘I don’t why or what they want but it terrifies me. Someone was watching us earlier, Jay.’ Karen’s voice cracked and Jay immediately put his arm round her and pulled her to his side.
‘Have you been to the police?’ he asked.
‘Ryan didn’t think they’d take a few texts seriously.’
‘Someone’s watching you and taking photos. I’m sure they take stuff like that very seriously.’
There was another beep. Jay, who was still holding the phone, glanced down at it then leapt up and spun in a circle just like Karen had done earlier.
‘What is it?’ She grabbed the phone off him.
* * *
✉︎ From Unknown
Aw, how sweet. Did the photo scare you? You play a great damsel in distress. The podgy one will be snogging you next
26
Alison
Hello Friday. Alison sighed. Physically, she felt exhausted, aching from bootcamp and from working instead of taking a much-needed holiday. Emotionally, she was also drained too: worried about Danniella, uncertain of the future of her relationship, and from re-opening old wounds about the crash. Yet would sleep come? Would it, heck. If she could find a way to switch off her mind, she might have stood a chance, but it was like a meme she’d seen on Facebook earlier in the week: My brain has too many tabs open. So true.
Tab one had been a text from Dave, sent just before she finished her shift at 10 p.m.:
* * *
✉︎ From Dave
I messed up. I should never have come on holiday without you. You’d like it here. It’s not just pubs and clubs. Our holiday in Corfu was better than being with the lads. Should have re-lived that with you like you said. Missing my favourite girl xxx
* * *
When she read it, a fuzzy ‘aw’ moment swiftly gave way to anger and she’d nearly hurled her phone across the staffroom. Stupid arse. That opportunity had been offered to him on a plate and he’d turned her down flat. She hoped he was having a miserable time. She hoped he was lonely. Her fingers had hovered over the keypad to tap in a reply but she stopped herself. How could she respond to a text like that? She certainly wasn’t in the right frame of mind to send him a ‘missing you too’ text but she equally didn’t have the energy to start an argument with someone in Spain.
Returning home to an empty house, she’d felt wide awake and twitchy. She tried to watch something on TV but couldn’t seem to sit still. A bath perhaps? It might relax her and help her sleep, particularly if she used some lavender bubbles.
Tab two opened while she lay back in the bubbles, trying to empty her mind. She couldn’t stop thinking about Danniella, and panic gripped her. What if she’d done something stupid? She clambered out of the bath and, still dripping, and rushed into the bedroom to call her again. No response. No texts. No emails.
There was a missed call from Dave, though, and listening to the voicemail opened yet another tab. He was obviously in a bar or club because she could barely hear him for the background music, chatter and laughter. ‘Where the bloody hell are you? You’re with that bloke again, aren’t you? That one you stayed with on Saturday? Well screw you, Ali. Two can play at that game.’
