We arrived at the boathouse to find Agnes snoozing on the sofa, a book resting on her lap. After more tea, more cake and a lot more conversation, Gideon drove to a nearby restaurant, Scarlett’s, to pick up what he promised was the best takeaway pizza I’d ever eat, and we settled in to watch a film. Halfway through, Agnes decided she’d had enough and went to bed, so Gideon took her place on the sofa, putting his arm around my shoulders.
‘Okay? Is this being patient enough?’
I rested back against his chest, eyes closing in contentment. ‘Yes. That’s more than okay.’
If those pesky thoughts about how this would all end had stopped interrupting, it would have been perfect.
* * *
Monday morning, I was supposed to be meeting Hattie to spend more time on the project. She’d spent Saturday resting and Sunday in the studio, so I’d caught up on some washing, finished a book and, after exchanging a ridiculous number of messages, given up and gone to hang out with Gideon and Agnes at the boathouse for a few hours, returning to Riverbend after an evening meal.
However, before I’d had a chance to meet Hattie as planned, I found her in the woods, bent double on a fallen log, Flapjack waiting patiently beside her until Muffin came to say hello.
‘Are you all right?’ I asked, although the answer was obvious.
‘Oh, Sophie.’ She did her best to straighten up, but her pallid face was covered in a sheen of sweat, and she clutched her stomach as if in agony. ‘I didn’t see you there.’
‘Can I help?’
‘Oh, it’s cramps. A menopause thing.’ She shook her head as if it were nothing. ‘I really need to up my HRT dose.’
‘Does it happen often?’ I really wanted to believe that the exhaustion, wobbly legs and lack of appetite were down to the menopause.
‘Often enough.’ She tried to laugh. ‘It’ll pass in a minute. Please, don’t keep Muffin waiting.’
Muffin was perfectly happy sniffing a clump of grass.
‘How about I take both the dogs for a quick run, and if you’re still struggling when I get back, I can help you to the house?’
‘Thank you, that’s very kind. But like I said, I’ll be fine by then. I could head back and make us both some brunch?’
I couldn’t help smiling, knowing that, for Hattie, making brunch would mean turning on the coffee machine, even if she wasn’t in the grip of stomach cramps.
‘Okay, we’ll see you in a bit.’
It was the shortest walk I could get away with without seeming too obvious, although the dogs spent so much time chasing each other that Muffin must have run twice as far as usual. As we made our way back up the path towards the house, I could see Hattie’s hunched frame heaving on the boot-room door as if it were made of solid lead, before semi-collapsing inside.
We spent another five minutes playing with a ball on the lawn, a few more wiping muddy paws off, and then found Hattie in the kitchen.
‘There you are.’ She beamed, tucking a stray curl into her headscarf. ‘That seemed like a quick walk.’
‘How are you feeling?’
‘Oh.’ She flapped a hand at me. ‘Like I said, an irritating cramp. I’m fine now.’
She opened the fridge and stared at the contents for a few seconds.
‘It might be worth speaking to your doctor, if it’s happening often.’
She closed the fridge again. ‘You’re right. I’ll get straight onto it on Monday, see if she can adjust my patches. Now, I don’t know about you but I’m dying for a coffee.’
We spent the rest of the morning avoiding the subject, although I found it impossible to avoid discreetly scrutinising Hattie for any further signs of pain or illness. She eagerly grilled me about Friday’s date while we ate bacon, eggs and avocado, and I did a sterling job of describing the walk while successfully omitting any mention of our conversation or kisses.
‘I’m so pleased you had a lovely day,’ she said, squeezing my hand. ‘It must have been a welcome relief from hearing about my wretched story.’
‘You’re sure you don’t mind me spending time with Gideon?’ I asked. ‘It’s not a conflict of interest, given the project?’
‘After our conversation about the NDA cleared up any confusion, I’m assuming I can trust you.’ Her eyes glittered like polished topaz.
