Page 82 of Watch For Me By Candlelight

Kate couldn’t even speak for a few moments. Things were shifting and changing in ways she had never anticipated. He had a daughter. He really had a daughter. And that daughter had a mother.

‘So, do we need to talk about what happens next?’ Theo’s voice was quiet, trying she knew, to keep his emotions in check.

‘Whatever that will be, is up to you.’ Kate looked up at Theo, her voice equally unsteady. She turned her attention back to the stone beneath her feet. ‘He really did love Cat, you know. And she,’ she looked up at him again, ‘loved him. She still does. I think.’

More silence. Then he apparently lost his resolve. He reached out, and drew her towards him. This time, she didn’t resist as he pulled her closer and leaned his forehead on hers.

‘I guess,’ he said quietly, ‘it’s a start?’

‘I can’t promise you anything. Like I said, it’s up to you. Someone once told me they didn’t like sharing. I can share some things. I can share a little girl’s life, but I can’t share the man I think I love with her mother. You have to decide what you really want, Theo. It’s more important than ever, because now you do have a daughter. It’s got to be me and Poppy. Or Lori and Poppy.’

Then she bit her lip, and broke away.

* * *

He watched her walk out of the churchyard. He knew that time was running out and he had to go back to Derbyshire; his van was packed and he had a life up there which didn’t involve Hartsford.

He had Poppy to think about and Lori — what the hell was he supposed to do about Lori? He had a feeling this new development would send her hurtling back to him in some way, begging forgiveness and wanting to try again and promising the earth. But he didn’t want her. Not at all.

Kate’s face came back into his mind; her warm touches, her soft kisses, her laughter. The way he knew exactly where he was with her; the fact that he wasn’t on edge when he was with her. With Lori, there was only incessant worry. The constant thought that she’d do something crazy; that if he left Poppy with her, Poppy would be dragged into it all. Poppy deserved so much more. She was only two.

He stared around the churchyard and looked down at the memorial stone. There was a feeling like something was starting up again; as if the gears in some giant clock were creaking back into use.

He shivered and pushed the thought away. He cast a glance at the church door where he’d seen her coming out in a white dress and catching his eye.

He wasn’t sure if he’d seen the past, the present or the future. But he very much hoped it was the latter.

* * *

Kate hurried back to the Folk Museum, the back way, of course, trying not to catch sight of Cassie or Elodie or anyone she knew — she didn’t want to go into why she was a snotty, soggy mess. Which made it worse when she actually did get to the museum and Jenna was there, in reception, looking guilty as hell.

‘Oh!’ Kate pulled up short and Jenna stared at her.

Jenna tossed something in the bin, then folded her arms defensively. ‘Junk mail. My last duty in this shit-hole. You’re welcome.’ She nodded her head briefly.

‘Last duty? Please — tell me that’s the truth?’ Kate didn’t care how awful that sounded. She really was in no mood to cross swords with Jenna today. In fact — ‘What the hell are you doing here anyway? We’re closed.’

‘Yes. I’m returning the key.’ She tossed it onto the bench where it landed with a metallic clatter. ‘And handing this in. My resignation. You’re welcome,’ she repeated.

‘Well, thank the Lord for small mercies.’ Kate snatched it from her and scanned it. She looked up at her. ‘This says the date you’re leaving is today?’

‘Yes.’ Jenna inspected her fingernails. ‘You probably owe me holiday.’

‘I do not.’

‘Then I’m exercising my right not to work my notice.’

Kate wasn’t exactly sure if there was a right for that or not. She left all the HR stuff to, well, the HR people and the Board. Whatever.

Instead, she nodded briefly. ‘Resignation accepted.’

‘Good. Because you haven’t got a say in it really. Daddy says I’ve done enough. I’ve paid him back for that stupid holiday, which I couldn’t go on anyway, because I was in this fucking pit.’

Kate was in no mood to entertain the girl’s petty whines either. And because this was possibly going to be her last chance to find out a few things, she had to ask. ‘Jenna, did you ever sleep with my brother.’

‘God, yes, of course.’ An eye-roll, implying that Kate really was as stupid as she looked.

‘And Chris?’ Kate thought she knew that answer, but she needed to hear it. She remembered again all the times he’d disappeared early and Jenna had come in late . . . now it made sense.