Page 31 of Lost in Love
Chapter 8
Katherine extracted herself from the shower and dried herself with a plush towel. Large, fluffy towels were one of her must-haves in life. She detested hotels where their offering was a thin, rough, miniscule towel that she couldn’t wrap around her. It was part of the reason she always booked a five-star.
As she entered the bedroom, her phone lit up and vibrated against the bedside table. It was late for Rebecca to be calling. When she examined it, though, “Anna” flashed up on the display instead. She answered it quickly.
“Katherine, it’s Anna. I’m sorry to ring so late, but you said any time.”
“Of course. Is Harry okay?”
“What? Yes, Dad’s fine. He’s in bed. There’s an emergency up at the abbey, and I’m on call.”
Katherine walked to the window and looked out. Her bedroom only afforded a view over the back end of the abbey site, but she couldn’t see anything other than darkness.
“I have to go. Could you come over in case Dad wakes up? I don’t want him to find himself alone.”
“Oh, yes, of course. I’ll come straight away.”
“Thank you.”
Katherine hung up and redressed. It had only been a few hours since they had parted company after Anna’s tour, but little else had occupied her mind since.
The front door was ajar when she reached Anna’s cottage. She tapped lightly and pushed the door open.
Anna emerged from the kitchen, torch in hand.
“Thank you so much for doing this. I’m sorry to have to ask for help.”
“It’s fine. Honestly, I was only going to read in bed. Your sofa is as good a replacement as any.”
“I doubt that. I have seen your bed, remember?”
Katherine cleared her throat. “Well, you better get going.”
“Yes, help yourself to the kitchen. I’m sure you must know where everything is by now.”
“Thanks.”
Anna made her exit, leaving Katherine in the sitting room. She placed her book on the coffee table and looked around. She didn’t like to pry, but on one of her book-reading visits to Harry, she’d noticed a photograph on the windowsill that she wanted to inspect more closely. It was a photograph of Anna and her parents on holiday; Anna must have been about twelve. It was nice to put a face to her mum, but it was one she’d seen already — it was Anna’s face looking back at her. It must have been hard for Harry to see his wife’s face in his daughter’s every day, but perhaps it was soothing seeing her live on in someone else.
Katherine collapsed onto the sofa and picked up her book.
* * *
Katherine felt something stroke her face and opened her eyes to see Anna crouched beside her.
“You looked so peaceful. I didn’t want to wake you, but I’m not sure you’d ever walk again if you spent the night on that sofa.”
Katherine stretched and yawned. “I must have dozed off,” she replied, sitting up.
‘Thanks again for coming over. You’re a lifesaver.”
“As I said before, I’m here for you.”
“Thanks, it means a lot. I’m going to make a hot chocolate; do you fancy one?” Anna asked as she walked into the kitchen.
“Please.” Katherine followed her; she wasn’t in a hurry to leave Anna’s company even if it was late. “Is everything sorted at the abbey?”
“It was a break-in. They’ve secured the site, and the investigators will be back in daylight to assess any damage. It looks like some kids got in with their car. I’m surprised you didn’t hear anything.”
