Page 87 of The Shape of Your Heart
‘She probably didn’t know at that point.’ Diana’s clearly worried. ‘Maybe she’s gone on her own.’
I know how much this trip means to Callie, but going alone is a whole different kind of challenge. ‘All I know is how much she was looking forward to doing this with Sasha. But I’ll pop over to her house later and see if she’s there.’
As the call ends, I stand there for a moment, before deciding I’ll go over there now. If Callie has cancelled the trip, there’s no question she’ll be upset. Picking up my keys, I pull on a jacket and go out to my car.
On the way over there, I’m half-hoping to see her, while at the same time, knowing how important it is, I’m hoping she’s doing the walk regardless. When I reach her house, my heart lifts involuntarily as I see her car parked outside, in front of another car I don’t recognise.
Getting out, I knock on the door. Seconds later, it opens.
‘Hi.’ A girl with long strawberry-blond hair stands there. ‘Can I help you?’
‘Is Callie here?’
‘No.’ She frowns. ‘You are?’
‘I’m Nathan.’
‘Ah.’ A look of recognition dawns across her face. ‘The guy with the garden.’
‘That’s me.’ I look at her.
‘I’m Tanith.’ She holds out a hand on which the nails are painted multiple different shades. ‘You want to come in?’
‘Thanks.’ Then the penny drops. ‘Tanith as in the Graveyard Groupies?’
‘One and the same.’ She smiles. ‘Like a beer?’
‘Please.’
She seems very at home as she goes to the fridge. Passing a bottle to me, as a crash came from upstairs, she rolls her eyes. ‘My boys. We’re staying while Callie’s away. She needed someone to water her plants, and I was desperate to get away from my mother. I live with my parents. It’s a long story I won’t bore you with.’ She chinks her bottle of beer against mine. ‘Cheers.’
I was taken by surprise. ‘So Callie’s gone?’
She nods. ‘I took her to the station this morning.’ She glances at the clock on the wall. ‘She’ll probably be waiting for the ferry by now.’ She looks stricken. ‘She asked me to call her parents to tell them she was on the train. I completely forgot. I’d better call them now.’
‘Hold on a moment.’ I try to slow her down. ‘Did she tell you about Sasha?’ When I fill Tanith in, she looks shocked.
‘Why on earth didn’t she tell me?’ she demands.
‘I’m guessing she didn’t want anyone talking her out of it. I mean, it’s a long trip to do on your own.’
‘She’ll be absolutely fine.’ Tanith was matter-of-fact. ‘I mean, I’m not saying it isn’t a big deal. But she seemed to know what she was doing.’
After another beer and an introduction to Tanith’s lively children, she calls Callie’s parents, apologising profusely before trying to reassure them.
‘I feel terrible.’ Coming back into the kitchen, she shakes her head.
‘Don’t. They know now, and that’s what matters.’ I pause. ‘So how long are you here?’
‘Until Callie comes back.’ She rolls her eyes. ‘To be honest, it’s a godsend. I’ve been living with my parents since my husband died – long boring story. Anyway, I can’t afford my own house – and this is the first time in ages we’ve had some space – just for the three of us.’
‘What will you do when Callie’s back?’
A shadow crosses her face. ‘Move back in with my folks. To be honest, I don’t have much choice.’
‘It’s a real dilemma around here, isn’t it? Affordable housing?’
‘You could say.’ She drinks some more beer. ‘And it isn’t just housing. It’s affordable childcare. What’s someone like me supposed to do when the kids are on holiday?’
