Page 14 of Lost in Love
“Don’t forget to put your hair up and your glasses on. She won’t be able to — ”
Katherine hit the end call button before Rebecca could finish. The screen froze on Rebecca’s nostrils before turning black.
She stood and looked at herself in her full-length mirror. Maybe she did look like she was going to work, but she didn’t want to appear too casual. Just somewhere between the two would do.
She slipped out of her skirt and blouse, opting instead for a pair of blue jeans, a striped top, and a dark blue jumper to place around her shoulders. She admired herself in the mirror again. Much better.
She opened the top drawer of her dressing table and took out her band. She caught a look at herself in the mirror and questioned her motives. Did she really need the hairband?
She threw it back in the drawer.
Her intentions weren’t to seduce Anna. What had she been thinking? Probably reacting to Rebecca’s enthusiastic joshing. Katherine settled on the intention of making a good impression on someone she was trying to help, and that she felt perfectly dressed for.
Katherine entered the tearoom just before four. She thought the least she could do was take Anna a drink. She scanned the room and was pleased to see the twins weren’t there.
She looked at the menu as Gloria approached the counter.
“Afternoon, Gloria. Can you tell me what Anna usually orders?”
Gloria laughed. “Double espresso!” She folded her arms and narrowed her eyes at Katherine. “But she’s not been in so often as late. Has that got anything to do with you?”
Katherine grinned. Perhaps Anna had been taking note of her medical suggestions. “Patient confidentiality. Let’s make that a mint tea instead.”
Gloria laughed again. “You’re brave. She won’t thank you, you know.”
“Perhaps not, but one must try.”
Gloria eyed her. “What can I get you?”
“I’ll have the same, please.”
Gloria was probably right; Katherine wouldn’t get any thanks, but she certainly wasn’t going to indulge Anna’s bad habits. If making big changes in her life was impossible, Katherine could at least encourage her to make small ones. The first challenge, it seemed, was stopping her reliance on double espresso.
Gloria soon presented her with two takeaway cups. “Good luck to you, but I won’t hold my breath.”
Katherine turned to leave, but then a question came to mind. “Do you know Anna?” she asked. “Personally, I mean.”
“I used to babysit her when she was little. Knew her mum ever so well.”
“Did something happen to her mother?”
“Oh, I’m not one to gossip. You’ll have to ask her, or better still your colleagues.”
Katherine smiled and made a swift exit. She hoped Gloria wouldn’t say anything to Anna. She’d gleaned from Anna that the family had a problem trusting doctors, but at least she had an inkling now that it concerned her mother. If Anna’s mother was deceased, the records at the surgery would be closed, and she had no reason to request the password. She’d have to trust that Anna would tell her one day, though she couldn’t focus on that just yet; getting through to her today was going to be a challenge itself.
She took the short walk to the abbey and was greeted cordially by every member of staff that saw her. News must have got around about her purchasing a lifetime pass to the abbey. It was hardly a large cost, but she felt it was as worthy a cause as any. Just from her bedroom window, she could see the work that went into its upkeep. As it was an independent charity, she knew they needed all the help they could get.
She spotted Carrie at the desk and approached her.
“Dr Atkinson, how lovely to see you. You have a pass, so you don’t need to come to the desk. You are free to come and go as you please.”
“Thank you, but I was hoping to catch Anna. She has just finished a tour, correct?”
“Yes, she’ll be up at the far end.”
“Is it okay if I catch up with her? Just a quick check-in, you know.”
“Oh yes, please do.” Carrie nodded. “To be honest, I’ve been a bit worried about her since she fainted.”
