Page 85 of Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop
‘Just that I’ll be visiting my family when my contract finishes.’
‘You’ve told Lily this?’
My stomach lurched. ‘No. And…’ I felt sick as I thought about the rest of that conversation. ‘Oh, God! I talked about my plans to explore the Nordic region but the thing is, they’re not actual plans. They’re travel dreams. I don’t even have a confirmed date to go to Húsavík.’
I glanced at Danika, who was wincing. ‘Didn’t you tell me something about her ex-boyfriends abandoning her?’
‘I did and now she thinks I’m about to do the same when it’s the exact opposite. I want to takeherto Iceland. A Nordic adventure would be meaningless without her. But I didn’t say any of that to Flo so all Lily would have heard was that history was about to repeat itself.’
Danika squeezed my arm. ‘I think we’ve solved the mystery. I’ve got to get back to work but good luck and you know where I am if you need to talk.’
* * *
When I got home, I rang Lily once more, unsurprised when it connected to voicemail. Maybe just as well as this was an in-person conversation and I couldn’t do that when she wasn’t even in Whitsborough Bay. But I knew where she was. Snatching up my car keys, I left the house and set off to Everdene, intending to ask Marcus for Kadence’s address, but, partway there, I pulled over. Turning up at Lily’s parents’ house was a terrible idea. Marcus would immediately know something was wrong between us and he was hardly going to hand over his other daughter’s address without permission from her or Lily. Also, while Lily was exceptionally close to her parents, she didn’t always confide in them about her emotional problems. I knew she hadn’t told them everything that had happened with her exes or with Justin, so she might not appreciate me dragging her dad into our relationship issues.
Cassie would have returned from Switzerland last night and be on the lunchtime shift in the shop today. She was a far better option for getting a message to Lily. I drove into town and killed some time wandering aimlessly until the end of her shift.
‘Lars! What are you doing here?’ Cassie asked when she emerged from Bay Books shortly after half two to find me loitering by the door. The tone of voice was surprise rather than annoyance, which made me think Lily hadn’t told her what she’d overheard.
‘I need to talk to you about Lily. I’m worried about her.’
‘I’m on my way to the school pick-up so you’re going to need to walk me to my car if you want to talk. Although I’m not sure why you’d be worried. She’s just having a few days off cos she’s knackered.’
‘But I haven’t heard from her since the shop closed on Saturday.’
Cassie stopped dead and stared at me, frowning, before picking up her pace again.
‘That’s weird, but I don’t know anything about it. I called her yesterday to let her know I was home and she said she was having a rest at her sister’s and would be back at work on Friday. Admittedly, I thought all that time off was a little odd because Lily’s usually all over Christmas at the shop – can’t get enough of it – but I figured she’s had a tough year and it had probably caught up with her.’
Conscious we’d reach Cassie’s car soon, I briefly outlined my conversation with Flo.
‘Overhearing that would definitely have sent her into a tailspin,’ Cassie said.
‘But why run to her sister’s? Why not just ask me about it?’
She stopped and turned to me with a sigh. ‘Lars, Lars, Lars, have you learned nothing about our Lily during your time together? If she overheard that conversation, she’ll think you’re leaving her – rejecting her just like the others did.’
‘I realise that, but it doesn’t answer my question.’
‘It does.’ We set off walking once more. ‘Rejection is Lily’s worst fear and what do most people do about fears and phobias? They avoid them. Lily’s shattered from all the hours she’s worked recently and, even though she put on a brave face, the incident with the customer whose kids trashed the books devastated her. That was swiftly followed by the Justin drama and, despite her putting a positive spin on it – being relieved he’s out of her life – what he did to her floored her and drained her. I guarantee she wouldn’t have had the strength to fight for you and you know what they say. It’s fight or?—’
‘Flight,’ I finished for her.
‘Exactly. So Lily flew to somewhere she knew she’d have support but far enough away to give her the space she needed to sort her head out.’
We’d reached Cassie’s car and she opened the driver’s door.
‘Everything you’ve just said makes perfect sense, but I’m out of my depth here. When she won’t accept my calls, what can I do to convince her I’ve forever regretted what I did to her at school and I’d never, ever reject her again?’
Cassie placed her hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. ‘Hop in. You’re going to have to come on the school run with me if you want my advice.’
46
LILY
‘Get that down you.’ Kadence placed a steaming bowl of carrot and coriander soup in front of me on Thursday lunchtime and pushed a basket of warm bread buns across the table.
I pushed them back. ‘I’m not hungry.’
