“But that doesn’t make sense. How long have you known I’m here?”
“Only a couple of days. I heard some regulars at the pub talking about a Yorkshire woman taking over Harbour Café, and though it was chance in a million I asked a couple of questions and thought it might be you. I saw Joe coming out of school and it all just clicked into place.”
“You’ve been watching me?” Kate was incredulous.
“Not watching exactly. I just wanted to make sure it was you.”
Kate pulled her hand away. “So you planned this?”
“No. Not like this I promise.” Ryan took her hand again. “I promise Kate, but once I knew it was you, I couldn’t just walk away. You know what we had together. Wasn’t it you that always talked about signs?”
Kate was slowly pulling herself together using the now-ratty tissue to wipe away the remaining tears. She looked up at Ryan, searching his face for... she didn’t know what.
“Look, why don’t we start again?” he said earnestly. “Why don’t you drop me in the village and I’ll give you my number? That way you can contact me in your own time, whenever you feel ready?” Ryan rooted round in his pocket and pulled out a scrap of paper that had miraculously stayed dry despite his jacket being soaked. He passed the piece of paper over to Kate and reluctantly she took it from him.
Without looking at what was written on it she shoved it into the back pocket of her jeans, restarted the engine and didn’t speak another word.
5
Kate pulled into the allocated parking space opposite the café and got out of the car. She’d dropped Ryan off in the village and her head was still spinning. She had so many questions, and a complete mix of emotions. She could see through the café window that the lights were still on and Jack was inside. She couldn’t face anyone just yet. She had to get a grip on herself and process what had just happened with Ryan.
She felt claustrophobic which, considering she was sat on a bench facing the vast expanse of the loch, made no sense but she could feel it. That familiar feeling; knot in her stomach, clenched fists, toes curling inside fur-lined boots. She tugged her hood up over her beanie hat and leaned forward, breathing deeply. The rain had abated to a steady icy drizzle, each drop feeling like a needle point on her face. The bench she sat on had been damp and her bum felt wet and numb. The wind still whirled around her, finding gaps in her coat, sending shivers down her spine. She shifted her position, turning her back to the café. Behind her, crunching footsteps approached and she knew who it was. Jack sat down alongside her, completely ignorant as to whether he was welcome or not. In truth, Jack wouldn’t have cared. They sat in silence for a few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts. After a while Jack made to move.
“Are you coming inside hen? You’ll catch your death if you stay out here.”
“Just five minutes Jack and I’ll be in. Just need to clear my head.” She was touched by her friend’s concern.
Jack slowly stood up, the icy wind playing hell with his arthritic joints. He gently placed a hand on Kate’s shoulder as he turned to walk away. “Whatever you’re looking for lassie, you’ll no find it out there.” He trudged back up to the café and Kate heard the door close behind him.
Jack pondered Kate’s mood. It was strange for her to be so distant with him. He admired Kate. She was a determined young woman who clearly adored her son. He didn’t know what had happened in Kate’s past, and it wasn’t really any of his business. She had made it clear that it wasn’t up for discussion and he respected that. Kate was a hard worker and he had never regretted offering her a job and subsequent share of the café. He knew she wouldn’t let him down. Offering her the upstairs flat had done them both a favour. A pub was no place to raise a young boy in his opinion and he’d been debating what to do with the place for a while so it had all worked out well. It helped that Jack thoroughly enjoyed the company of young Joe and he had found himself getting more attached as time went on. The three of them had formed a close bond and Jack felt protective of them both.
He shrugged out of his coat just as Kate re-entered the café. “Ah, there you are.” He helped Kate with her coat and took her over to meet the stranger standing at the counter with a tape measure. “Kate, this is Adam,” Jack introduced the two.
“Hi Kate,” said Adam. “I think we’ve met before at The Kingfisher.” He reached forward to shake Kate’s hand. She started at the mention of the pub and felt the colour drain from her face.
“Ah, right. I thought you looked familiar,” she managed to reply.
“Me and Adam have been going through your list and he reckons it will only take a couple of weeks,” said Jack.
“Aye, there isnae much that needs doing though the electrics need a bit of an update. When do you want me to start?” He addressed the question to Kate but received no reply. He looked over at Jack. Jack shook his head. Kate had wandered over to the window. “Kate?”
“What? Oh sorry, I was miles away. What did you say?”
“When would you like me to start the work?” Adam asked again.
“Oh, erm... Monday?” She looked over at Jack for acknowledgment that was OK with him.
“Aye,” answered Jack. “That’s fine with me. Just let me know if you need anything.” He walked Adam to the door and they said their goodbyes. Jack went to stand by Kate at the window. “Not having second thoughts are you hen?”
“No. God no, not at all.” Kate felt guilty for not giving Jack her full attention. “I’ve just had a bit of a shock that’s all.”
“Oh right. Anything I can help with?” Jack wasn’t sure what or how he might be able to help but he was always willing to lend an ear.
“No, not really but thank you. I bumped into an old friend today and it’s taken me back a little. I’m not sure what to do or think.”
“An old friend? Around here? I thought you didn’t know anyone around here?”
“No, I don’t. He’s here helping out in the family business for a short time. I did know he was from around here but I never imagined for second I’d bump into him.” Kate sighed and sat on the nearest chair. “It’s just a bit of a shock that’s all.”
“And what’s he doing in Gairloch you say?”
“He’s helping out in his dad’s pub, The Kingfisher?”
“Oh, he’s Len Albright’s boy then is he?” Jack knew Len from way back, and used to be a frequent visitor to the pub.
“Erm... I think that’s his surname. We weren’t particularly close friends or anything to be honest.” Kate wanted to play down her friendship with Ryan in case it raised too many questions. “Well, anyway.” Kate stood up and put her coat back on. “I need to go collect Joe. Thanks for sorting things out with Adam.”
Jack took that as his cue to leave also and collected his own jacket from where he’d thrown it over the table earlier. “Right you are then. See you tomorrow,” he called cheerily as he left the café.
As he took the short walk back to his cottage he couldn’t help but feel something wasn’t quite right. He ‘had a feeling’ as his Annie used to say. He thought back and could remember stories about Ryan Albright. Of course, Ryan had only been a kid back then, but Jack remembered the youngster was a bit of a troublemaker who’d been kicked out of school at 15 and had left for England shortly afterwards. And now he’d turned up in Gairloch and there was no doubt that Kate was thrown with his reappearance. As he trudged along he decided to give it some more thought but he felt unsettled and hoped it was nothing more than coincidence.