Looking Out by Fiona McCallum

Author:Fiona McCallum
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQ Fiction
Published: 2024-02-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-two

Natasha was glad Anastasia had insisted on handing back her keys to the shop personally on Monday morning rather than dropping them into her letterbox as she had originally suggested. It meant that she could debrief with her friend, which she felt badly in need of, since this topic was off limits for discussion with Mitchell and, quite possibly, every other one of her friends.

While not entirely surprised, Natasha had been a little taken aback to realise this was probably the first serious topic she and Mitchell wouldn’t be discussing at length together. A sadness rolled through her. Until he’d spoken last night, she would probably have forced the point. But his firmness when saying he wouldn’t discuss it had unsettled her. She thought she knew her husband, inside out, but perhaps she didn’t know him very well after all. Or perhaps he’d changed. Though she doubted that – just couldn’t seem to picture her steadfast, grounded and calm Mitchell being anything but. She was perhaps taking him for granted – it was difficult not to when they knew each other so well. Though she did still wonder if he’d become even quieter and more withdrawn recently than he’d always been. And, of course, this might be a form of projection on her part, given Jesse, with his exuberance, was in the picture – he had as good as held up a mirror to Mitchell and his differences.

As she stood outside her shop holding two mugs, waiting for Anastasia to appear with her keys, Natasha wondered if she should get a second set cut. It might be a good idea if getaways were to become more frequent. She hoped they would.

She chuckled to herself, remembering Bianca in the cafe raising her eyebrows at her order of two lattes. Feeling playful, Natasha had responded with her own show of arched brows and cheeky grin. Let the woman wonder. A little intrigue and teasing were fun – they certainly were when it came to her and Jesse. They sparked joy, not just fun. No doubt Bianca, if she happened to be keeping an eye on the shop door, would see Anastasia arrive and her query would be answered.

‘So sorry I’m late,’ Anastasia called from the middle of the street, where she was checking both ways before hurrying across.

‘You’re not. Not at all,’ Natasha said. ‘I’m early.’

Anastasia held out the bunch of keys before realising Natasha had her hands full and then set forth to unlock the door, which she held open with her hip for Natasha to enter after her.

‘Sorry, this feels a bit presumptuous of me, given it’s your shop,’ Anastasia said, cringing, though she went ahead and turned the sign on the door around and flicked the switches to bathe the shop with light.

‘Come on, Anastasia, I’m not that precious. And I really appreciate you taking care of things. Here, I got you a latte – I hope that’s still your morning beverage of choice,’ she said, putting it down on the little table.

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