‘So, how are you feeling and how are the wee dancers?’ asked Kitty.
‘They’re great, very excited. But my nerves are in shreds,’ she admitted. ‘The excessive amounts of coffee I’ve been drinking won’t be helping either. I’ll be going on a caffeine detox as soon as this is over.’
Kitty laughed. ‘I’ll hold you to that.’
‘One flat white,’ said Amy, handing Kitty a coffee. ‘Sorry, Olivia, if I’d known you were here, I’d have got you one too.’
Olivia shook her head. ‘Thanks, but if I drink any more I’ll be spinning on my head, and that’s definitely not part of the routine.’
Amy frowned and gestured to the crowd behind them. ‘There’s a bloke here who’s asking about you.’
Olivia felt her legs turn to jelly.
‘An American guy who says he knows you from home. What are the chances, eh?’
Olivia felt the colour drain from her face and her body start to tremble. She felt Kitty’s hand on her arm.
‘It’s okay. You’re not alone, Olivia. We’re all here.’
Amy looked worried. ‘Is there something wrong? Have I said something I shouldn’t have?’
‘I can’t believe he wouldactuallycome here,’ said Olivia in disbelief.
‘What do you need us to do?’ Kitty said gently and calmly.
Olivia glanced at her watch. ‘The kids are due on stage in about an hour. I can’t let them down. I need to sort this out so I can focus on the kids.’
‘Okay. Amy, if you don’t mind just keeping an eye on the dancers and making sure they get warmed up and have their costumes on, then that would be fab,’ said Kitty, taking charge. ‘Olivia, do you want to confront Patrick head-on?’
‘Who’s Patrick?’ asked Amy in confusion.
‘My toxic and abusive ex.’
‘Oh jeez,’ Amy muttered. ‘Let me go and brief James and Logan on the situation, then I’ll go and sort out things with the kids. Olivia, please don’t worry, we’re all here to help.’
Olivia threw her a grateful look and saw Kitty mouth her thanks too.
‘Don’t worry, I’m not leaving your side.’ Kitty gripped Olivia’s hand in solidarity. ‘Just remember to breathe and that you have donenothingwrong.’
The pipe band competition had started, and the sound of bagpipes filled the air. Olivia frantically scanned the crowd, looking for Patrick’s mop of black hair. She knew he would approach her in a stealth-like way, catching her unawares like he always had. Her breathing started to quicken, and she felt the ground start to swirl.
‘You’re okay, just breathe. I’m right beside you.’ Kitty squeezed her hand. ‘Do you want to walk around the field and find him? Or do you want to wait for him to find you?’
‘I’m not waiting any longer. He’s not controlling me anymore,’ she said firmly.
‘Okay,’ said Kitty, quickly scribbling aback in five minutessign. ‘Let’s go.’
Olivia gave herself a shake, about to take a step forward, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She froze.
‘There she is! Olivia Kennedy. Where have you been hiding?’
Chapter Forty-Three
‘Surprise!’ chorused the women in unison. ‘We’ve been looking for you for ages, so we have. Did you not hear us calling your name?’
Kitty watched in astonishment — Olivia’s face softened as she became surrounded by a trio of women, spanning the generations, dressed in an assortment of bright floral dresses.
Tears of joy started to roll down her face as she flung her arms around each of them. ‘Oh, it’s so good to see you all. I’m so glad you’re here! Please, meet my friend, Kitty. She’s the one I’ve been sharing the house with.’
