Page 20 of Lost in Love
This time she was keen to get there herself. She was dying to get her hands on some of the local history books so she could really get to grips with the history of the abbey. Although she had already delved into the history for her current tour, now they wanted double its time, so she’d need a lot of extra material to fill it out.
She’d already filled her dad in on her promotion. He was, as she’d expected, pleased for her. He hadn’t questioned whether it would involve more hours or time away from home. Anna knew she’d never given him a reason to believe she wouldn’t be there for him when he needed her.
As they entered the small library, Anna inhaled the air; there was a familiar scent to it.
Katherine’s perfume.
“Hello, Anna. Hello, Mr Walker,” Katherine said, appearing from behind a shelf laden with books.
“Call me Harry, won’t you, doc?”
“Of course. As long as you stop calling me ‘doc’.”
“Agreed, but I can’t promise I’ll remember tomorrow. It’s likeGroundhog Dayup here,” he said, tapping his head.
Anna and Katherine exchanged a glance. For the first time, Anna felt awkward around Katherine. The atmosphere felt different between them since Katherine insisted on handing over her phone number — that, and them both knowing the other liked the ladies. It felt charged. It seemed they were into the first awkward stage of friendship where neither party really knew how to be around the other.
“You have a look around, Dad, whilst I check these back in,” Anna said, patting the large bag slung over her shoulder.
Her father nodded. “I’ll leave you ladies to it. Anna, you can tell her all about your promotion.”
Anna could have strangled him.
“Promotion?” Katherine enquired, eyebrows raised.
“Before you start about me managing — ”
“I wouldn’t dare,” Katherine interrupted with a sly smile.
“It’s the same hours.”
“More responsibility?”
“Yes, but good responsibility. I’ll have two tour guides to help once I’ve trained them up. They also want me to write an Abbey guidebook.”
“I’m pleased for you; honestly, you deserve it. Hopefully it will be a load off you, which is what we’re aiming for.”
“Thanks,” Anna replied, reeling from just talking about her news. It hadn’t escaped her that Katherine had used the wordweagain. “Did you know they are planning on expanding the visitor centre? It’s very early stages.”
“I didn’t, no.”
“Well, I’m here for local history books,” Anna said after a choked silence. “The tour is expanding to forty minutes, and I need material to fill it.”
Katherine nodded, and Anna headed over to the history section. She pulled book after book into her arms, pleased that there wasn’t a lack of resources. A quick check of her watch applied some unwanted pressure. She looked around for her dad, only to spot him chatting with Katherine.
“Come on, Dad, we need to get going. I’ve got to get back to work.”
“Sorry, I’ve kept him talking,” Katherine said. “It appears we are both fans of spy fiction, and we were just comparing notes. If you need to go, Anna, I can walk him home. I’ve nothing on this afternoon.”
“I can’t ask you to do that,” Anna replied.
“You didn’t ask; I offered.” Katherine stared her down with a look clearly meant to remind Anna to rely on others more.
“You can stop for a cup of tea,” Harry offered, blissfully unaware of the tension.
“He means you can make him a cup of tea,” Anna added.
Harry grinned. “She’s most welcome to stop for one too. I’d enjoy the company.”
