Page 77 of The Little Island Flower Stall
‘I’m not sure…I suppose so.’
Bella paused, her mind racing. It was such a strange thing to say. Unless…Rory was covering something up. He’d lied to this woman – whoever she was – about Bella. And the only reason he’d do that was if he was up to no good.
‘Yes,’ she said, not knowing what else to say, frantically trying to work out what was going on. ‘That’s exactly right. I’ve been helping him with his search.’
‘OK. I’ll tell him you called.’
‘Thanks.’
When Bella locked her phone she was calm. And then the rage hit like a brick falling from the sky. How had she been taken in by a man again? How could she have been so stupid? She wasn’t even angry at Rory – he’d seen game and he’d hunted it. Wasn’t that what they all did? She was furious with herself for being such a willing victim, once again. Would she never learn?
Pocketing her phone, she took a moment to compose herself and then went back into the house. Celestine was in the kitchen putting the finishing touches to their salad.
‘Everything all right?’ she asked without looking up.
‘Fine,’ Bella said.
‘Did you manage to reach him? What did he say?’
‘No, I didn’t reach him.’
‘Never mind. I expect he’ll call back when he can. Do you want this lettuce dressed or just as it is?’
Bella took a seat at the table. ‘Whatever you want is fine.’
Celestine brought two plates over to the table and peered more closely at Bella. ‘Are you sure you’re all right?’
‘Yes.’
‘Bella…’ Celestine frowned as she set the plates down.
Bella took a seat. ‘I’m fine. Supper looks good.’
‘Now then,’ Celestine said sternly, ‘we’ve been through enough together today for more honesty than that. I can tell you’re upset. You were there for me, and now I want to be there for you. What’s wrong?’
‘I’m not sure.’ Bella picked up a fork and stabbed aimlessly at her meal. ‘I don’t know what to think. I want to be mistaken, but I’m sure I’m right.’
‘I’m afraid you’re not making a lot of sense to me.’
‘I’m not making much sense to myself either. Nothing is making sense anymore.’ She looked up from her plate. ‘Do you think I’m stupid?’
‘No!’
‘Do I come across as gullible?’
‘Goodness no! What’s this about?’
Bella sighed. ‘Maybe it’s a man thing. Like I have some sign on my forehead that only men can see. A sign that says “Come, take the piss. I’ll totally swallow it.”’
‘What on earth has happened? Is this something to do with Sean? I thought you were trying to reach Rory.’
‘I was. But I got…I don’t know. A woman. His wife, probably. She didn’t say.’
‘She could have been anyone. What makes you think she’s his wife?’
‘I could tell.’ Bella paused. ‘I had a call from a woman earlier today too. Unknown number. I bet that was her. She’d seen a message from me on his phone, and she’d called to scope me out. And then she’d confronted him, and he’d told her I was helping him. As soon as I told her my name, she was like, oh, you’re his local knowledge person. Well that’s a strange way to refer to someone who’s a friend, isn’t it? More than a friend, in fact.’ Bella let out a groan. ‘There’s no other explanation.’
Celestine shook her head as she sprinkled salt onto her meal. ‘I’m so sorry. You are having rotten luck lately.’
