The Vow - Debbie Howells Page 0,108

I imagine Matt at Mrs Guthrie’s upstairs window, hidden in the shadows as he peered from behind the curtains. I picture his eyes on me as I walked up the lane. The more I think about it, the more certain I am that he’ll be wanting his painting back. I envisage his anger when he finds it isn’t there.

*

The next morning, I wake early, through the gap in the curtains, peering outside, edgy, constantly on the lookout. For Matt. When I go downstairs, Cath’s sitting at Zoe’s table, texting on her phone. When she hears me come in, she turns around. ‘Did you sleep OK in the end?’ Her voice is bright. ‘Have you heard anything from the police yet?’

‘No.’ But I’m sure if there’s any news, PC Page will keep me posted.

Cath gets up. ‘It’s a gorgeous day out there. Shall we go out for breakfast? My shout.’

‘I don’t know.’ She’s trying to cheer me up, and I don’t want to sound dismissive, but until I know what’s happening with my mother, I don’t really feel like going anywhere.

‘Go on, Jess. It’ll do us both good.’

Against my better judgement, I let her sway me. ‘I’ll just go upstairs and get my stuff.’ In my room, I brush my hair, then grab my phone, as Cath’s voice comes from her room. ‘You ready?’

‘Just coming.’ I open my door. ‘You’re right. It’s a good idea.’ I follow her downstairs. ‘Where are we going?’

‘There’s a place the east side of Hove – a diner. I thought as well as breakfast, some sea air would do us good. I was thinking, that if you haven’t heard anything by then, maybe you should call PC Page for an update?’

‘Yeah.’ With that in mind, I feel a little brighter.

But as we get into her car, I’m frowning, thinking back to a comment she made, a while back. About how she owed my mum. ‘What you said before … you said you owed Mum. What did you mean by that?’

Cath’s quiet for a moment. ‘She was always there for me when Oliver was at his worst. I felt it was my turn to do the same for her.’

‘Was there any other reason? To do with Matt?’ As I mention his name, her hands stiffen on the steering wheel. ‘It was just that you said he tried it on with you.’

‘There’s really not any more to say about it. At the time, I told him where to go. But I’ve wondered since, that if I’d told your mum at the time, she might have ended their relationship and none of this would have happened. But knowing the way Matt works, he’d have persuaded her to end our friendship, instead. To be honest, I’m embarrassed about the whole thing.’

When my phone rings, I glance at the screen, where a photo of Rik is flashing up. ‘Do you mind if I answer it? It’s Rik. He’s been worried about me.’

‘Sure, be my guest.’

‘Thanks. I’ll be quick.’ I pick up my phone. ‘Hey Rik, how are you?’ I’m silent for a moment, listening. ‘Can we catch up later on? I’m in the car at the moment. Cath’s taking me for breakfast at a diner along the seafront …’ I pause. ‘OK. I’ll let you know.’ Blowing a kiss at the phone, I hang up. ‘He’s going to call me later on.’ I pause. ‘Do you know when you’re going back to Bristol?’

‘I haven’t decided. I don’t want to go while this is still going on. Let’s take it as it comes. Hopefully, there’ll be some good news before too long. I was thinking maybe later you and I should go back to the house. Finish putting it straight and get rid of anything there to do with Matt.’

‘Maybe.’ I don’t tell her that knowing Matt might be around, even the thought of going there terrifies me. ‘Can we see what PC Page says?’ As the diner comes into view, Cath pulls over and parks at the side of the road. Getting out, I walk onto the shingle, standing there, looking out across the sea. The sun is low, the sea millpond flat, the breeze cold on my skin as Cath joins me. ‘Beautiful, isn’t it? The sea is the thing I love most about living in Falmouth.’

‘It is lovely.’ She’s quiet for a moment. ‘Shall we get some breakfast?’

Side by side we walk across the shingle towards the diner. Done up like an American beach shack, inside it’s light and