Page 45 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

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Jane woke from another troubled night.

She couldn’t remember anything clearly, but it seemed she must have suffered with another nightmare as she felt barely rested at all.

Half expecting another repeat of the Logan and Loki swimming show, she was disappointed when the pool was empty.

Something small and bright caught her eye outside the front door.

She made her way over to find a lovely gift basket sitting on the ground containing a selection of breakfast muffins, waffles, and a bottle of fruit infused syrup with a Post-It note stuck to it.

Jane read over the message that had been left by Kitty, who had heard that she’d been upset yesterday. The breakfast foods were so she wouldn’t have to trouble herself with cooking in case she didn’t have the energy.

She felt a rush of gratitude. The woman really was a Godsend.

Carrying the basket into the kitchen, she nibbled on a blueberry muffin while sipping on coffee that she brewed. Wanting to give Jane her privacy, Kitty hadn’t come inside the pool house that morning.

She located the phone, only to notice another note from Kitty. This one helpfully explained that Jane had her own phone line here, what the number was, and how she could check her voicemail.

There was a message from Detective Summers that had come within the last hour. This surprised her. Had she been that exhausted she’d slept clear through it?

Summers didn’t have much to report. It seemed more a courtesy call, and her initial excitement at hearing his voice quickly dissipated. Jane thought back to the first moment she had woken on the beach. By her count, it had been just over a week since her new life had begun.

How could no one have reported her missing, still?

Didn’t she have anyone in the world who cared about her?

The thought struck her with a sudden terror. She glanced at her reflection in the polished steel of the table where the phone sat, wondering what had happened in her life to have led her to this moment.

Not wanting to start her day being so negative, she dialed ‘9’ as Kitty had instructed. Within three rings, the other woman picked up.

“Good morning, Jane, how are you feeling today?”

Her warm and familiar voice made her feel immediately better.

“Better for finding those treats on my door. Thank you, Kitty. You are so thoughtful.”

The other woman tutted, but sounded pleased. “It was nothing. Have you tried anything, yet?”

“The blueberry muffin was delicious.”

“Oh, that’s the one I like the most too. If there are any other flavors you prefer, you just let me know and I’ll remember it for the next time. Now, was there something I could help you with?”

“No,” Jane replied. “I really only called to say thank you.”

Kitty made a sound of delight. “You are very welcome.”

“I won’t keep you, I’m sure you must have a ton of things to do.” She wanted to speak with her longer, if only for some company, but she couldn’t occupy Kitty’s time like that.

“I do have a busy day today,” Kitty admitted. “But if you need anything, anything at all you just let me know. Call or come by the house if you prefer.”

Jane promised she would, hung up the call and went to take a quick shower. The pulsing hot water and the conversation — however short it was — had rejuvenated her spirits.

Her eyes slid over to the laptop, charging now, since she had used up the battery when she’d returned from the studio yesterday only to search through endless websites that had left her drained.

She couldn’t face another day of the same again.

What she needed was a day off. Something to take her mind off her troubles.

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