Page 50 of A Summer House on Arran
‘Are you trying to scare me to death, sneaking around like that?’ she cried.
‘Sorry,’ said Kitty sheepishly. ‘I didn’t mean to scare you. I did call out a few times, but I guess you didn’t hear as you had your earbuds in.’ She put her shopping bags down and shook her hood off. ‘It’s horrid out there.’
‘I thought you were still in bed. I didn’t hear you go out.’ Olivia poured the water into the cafetière, stirred it and plungeddown the lid. ‘And I’m sorry for snapping. I just always feel so on edge. I wonder if that feeling will ever go.’
Kitty went to hang her jacket at the back door and started putting the groceries away. ‘Logan is coming for dinner tonight,’ she said, in way of explanation for all the food she’d bought.
‘Ah, of course. And how many people are you planning to feed?’
‘I wasn’t sure what to get,’ she wailed. ‘I’ve not done any of this stuff for years. I can’t remember the last time I made dinner for a man who wasn’t a relative or a friend of Cameron’s.’
Olivia looked at her. ‘So you decided to buy the whole store?’
‘I know,’ she said. ‘You’re right. But I didn’t know what to make. Lasagne or casserole or steak. I’ve probably gone overboard, but then I thought you might like to join us?’
Olivia was absent-mindedly tugging at the chord of her hoodie. ‘No way am I third-wheeling with you guys. I’ll make myself scarce.’
‘Don’t on my account,’ said Kitty pleadingly. ‘I could do with the moral support.’
Olivia chuckled. ‘I’m sure you’ll manage.’
‘But what will you do? Where will you go?’
Olivia chewed her lip. ‘I’m sure I’ll find something to do. Don’t you worry about me. Coffee?’
‘Please, I’m dying for one.’
She handed a steaming mug to Kitty.
‘Ta. I’m so sorry for scaring you like that. How are you doing?’
‘Fine,’ she said quickly.
‘How are youreally?’
Olivia met Kitty’s eyes and sighed. ‘I’m terrified that he’ll show up. I know it’s unlikely, but I don’t want to keep looking over my shoulder every two minutes. Every time the doorbell goes, I’m on edge and, well, you saw what happened there whenyou walked into the kitchen. I feel like I’ll end up driving myself mad . . . It’s like he’s still here in my head.’
Kitty nodded in sympathy. ‘I think that’s all normal.’
Olivia shuddered. ‘It just doesn’t feel that way right now.’
‘You’re doing amazing. You came here knowing nobody, and now you’re making a positive impact on the kids here. You didn’t need to do that, especially after the time that you’ve had.’
Olivia considered that, then nodded. ‘When you put it like that then yes, I guess I’ve done more than okay.’
‘I hope you don’t mind, but can I make a suggestion?’
She put her mug down on the table. ‘Sure.’
Kitty’s brow was knotted in concern. ‘Have you thought about speaking to someone about all of this?’
‘What, like a shrink?’
Kitty nodded. ‘I think it might help.’
‘I can’t really just pretend none of this happened, can I?’
Kitty shook her head and smiled gently.
