The Lie She Told: All Kate wanted was a peaceful life, all Ryan wanted to do was destroy it. (Thornes series Book 1)

by Catherine Yaffe

  Back at Harbour Café, the place was packed to the rafters. Apart from the hiking group, it appeared that every parent in Gairloch had taken the chance to go out for lunch whilst the kids were away to Applecross. She looked around for Ryan but couldn’t see him anywhere. She headed into the kitchen, expecting to find him knee deep in orders. He was nowhere to be seen. The rear exit door was open a crack where the workmen had left so she popped her head out. Ryan was leaning up against the wall sharing a cigarette with Adam.

  “Ryan! What the hell...”

  “Ah you’re back. Just grabbing five with Adam here.”

  “Have you seen the café, it’s mobbed and there are people waiting.” Kate was on the verge of exploding. What the hell was wrong with him?

  “Aye, and I’ve no stopped since I got here. Keep your hair on.”

  Fuming, Kate went into the kitchen, threw an apron on, and headed into the fray. Within twenty minutes she felt like she was back in control. Ryan had finished his unofficial break and pulled his weight eventually, but Kate was still silently seething about the museum order. As she finally said goodbye to the last customers, she closed the door and sat heavily in a nearby chair.

  “Wow, that was a busy one.”

  Kate looked at him and shook her head. “I’ve never known it be so busy. Thanks for all your help.” She was grateful, and she didn’t want to piss him off by accusing him of not passing on the catering order, but she had to mention it. “Did you take an order last week?” she ventured tentatively.

  “Erm, nope don’t think so,” he replied as he carried two cups of tea over to the table and joined her.

  “It’s just that Morag mentioned she gave you the order?”

  “Me? No, she must have it wrong.”

  “Really? She seemed quite certain it was you she passed it to.”

  “I’ve said No Kate, I don’t know what else to tell you.”

  Kate didn’t want to push it any further. She was tired, her feet were aching and all she wanted was take a shower and sit down before she had to collect Joe from the school gates.

  “Yeah, maybe, -” she said. They drank the rest of their tea in silence. “Well, I’m heading upstairs for a shower and change of clothes before Joe gets back.” She was hoping that Ryan would take it as his cue to leave. Instead, he walked round to her side of the table and started massaging her neck and shoulders. She felt a tingle down her spine and relaxed into the feeling. Despite her initial resistance Ryan had wormed his way into her affections over the last few weeks, and she hated to admit it but those old feelings for him had resurfaced. He reached down and took her hand, leading her upstairs into the flat.

  “What the hell,” she thought. “It’s another hour before I need to pick Joe up.” And she let herself be led away.

  16

  “Did you have a good day then?” Jack asked Joe as they walked from the school gates.

  “Aye, it was amazing. We saw all sorts, there was a boat trip and everything...”

  Joe continued with tales of the day as Jack walked alongside him. Jack had no idea where Kate was which was most unlike her. She had encouraged Jack to take the day off, so he’d taken the chance to visit Len in hospital. Len had been pleased to see his old pal and they’d spent a happy couple of hours catching up and playing cards. Len was due home in a few days, something to do with his irregular heartbeat had kept him in longer than expected. Len had quizzed him about Ryan but Jack really didn’t have much to tell him. Ryan had been spending a lot of time at the café and although Jack tried to avoid him, Kate was clearly enjoying his company. Jack figured it was her business so he’d kept out of it. He’d been to The Kingfisher a couple of times but Janice had the place running like clockwork so he had filled Len in on the pub antics rather than the developing relationship between Ryan and Kate. Where Kate was right now, he had no idea. He’d been walking to the café when the coach had pulled up and the school kids had tumbled out. He looked around but hadn’t seen Kate anywhere so took it upon himself to collect Joe.

  “I’m staaaarving,” bemoaned Joe as they reached the café steps. All the lights were out, and when Jack tried the door it was locked. He dug around in his pocket for his own key and let them both in. He flicked on the lights and looked around. The place was in disarray. Clearly it had been a busy day he thought to himself as he shouted for Kate. ‘Not like her to leave the place in a mess.’ Joe made his way into the kitchen at the rear but there was no plate of food waiting for him: just a pile of dirty plates and cups. Jack joined him and looked around. He was starting to get worried. This really wasn’t like Kate at all. He shouted again.

  “Kate!” No answer. He headed towards the door that led up to the flat, telling Joe to stay where he was, not knowing what he was going to find. “Kate?” he called as he reached the top step and opened the door to the flat.

  “Jack! Shit, what time is it?” Kate appeared looking dishevelled with her dressing gown wrapped around her, a flushed face and hair all over the place. “I was just...”

  “Hey Jack, we were just having a lay down.” Ryan appeared outside Kate’s bedroom door. Not knowing where to look, Jack backed away and started to head downstairs.

  “Wee Joe is back from his trip. He’s in the kitchen. I’ll fix him his supper.” He couldn’t get away quickly enough, embarrassed and more than a tad annoyed. As he descended the stairs he could hear giggling behind him.

  “Stop it.” A soft noise of a hand being slapped away. “Thanks Jack, I’ll be down in a minute,” Kate shouted after him but he’d already closed the door.

  Fifteen minutes later Kate came into the kitchen just as Jack was plating up Joe’s supper.

  “Sorry about that Jack, we were just...” blustered Kate, clearly uncomfortable.

  “Nothing to do with me,” came the reply.

  “It’s just that it’s been such a busy day, what with Gill being off and the museum order, then the hiking group wanted lunch and you weren’t here so...”

  “I wasn’t here because you talked me into taking a day off. And it’s a good job I was passing the school when I did.” He paused, trying to keep his voice level.

  “Thank you Jack. I’m really grateful.” She went to squeeze Jack’s hand in a thank-you gesture but he’d turned away. Ignoring the slight, she carried on waffling. “And Ryan has been such a help. I don’t know what I would have done without him.”

  “You should have called me. I would have come in.”

  “I know, but it didn’t seem fair, and you’ve been getting over that cold and everything...”

  “It’s about priorities Kate. I would have come in.” He hadn’t meant for his words to be so cutting but Kate almost flinched with their sharpness. An atmosphere developed between them just as Ryan walked into the kitchen. He ignored Jack and went over to where Joe was eating.

  “Alright wee man, have a good day did you?” he asked.

  “Aye,” said Joe with a mouthful.

  Ryan turned and spoke to Kate. “Right, I’ll be off then.” He leaned over and kissed her fully on the lips. Jack turned away, embarrassed by the show of affection.

  “OK, I’ll see you tomorrow?” she asked.

  “Maybe, I’ll call you.”

  Kate turned back to Jack, “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to collect Joe.”

  “Aye well, no harm done I guess,” Jack answered gruffly as he started to clear the dirty pots and pans from the work surfaces.

  Kate joined him. “You don’t have to do this Jack, I’ll clear up.”

  “It’s no bother.” Another gruff response.

  They spent the next hour clearing up and wiping down until the café and the kitchen were spotless. Joe had finished his tea and Kate had roped him in to help, hoping it would lift the mood. No such luck. Jack had carried on in silence and no matter how hard Kate tried she couldn’t coax a smile out of him.

  “Will you join me for a cup of tea Jack?” she asked as Joe headed upstairs to watch cartoons before be
d.

  “No, I’ll get off.”

  “Please Jack. I’d like to talk to you.”

  Reluctantly Jack sat down and let Kate pour him a cup of tea. After a few awkward minutes Kate started talking, trying to explain her relationship with Ryan but Jack cut in.

  “It’s none of my business hen, you’ve got your own life to live.”

  “But I don’t understand what you have against Ryan. He’s been so helpful of late and we’ve grown quite close.”

  “Aye, I can see that.” Jack fiddled with the spoon at the side of his cup, wanting the conversation to end.

  “So what is wrong then?”

  “He’s bad news Kate. Always has been.”

  “But that’s when he was a kid. He’s changed Jack.”

  Jack huffed. He couldn’t say anything else. Kate was right. Ryan seemed to be helping and he had definitely put a smile on Kate’s face, but all Jack had right now was feelings of wrongdoing. He couldn’t put his finger on it or start making accusations.

  “Please Jack, just give him a chance?” pleaded Kate. She couldn’t bear the thought of upsetting Jack when things were going so well with Ryan. She knew Jack felt a responsibility for herself and Joe. “And I can look after myself you know.” She reached over and placed her hand on top of Jack’s. Jack sighed heavily.

  “Aye hen, you’re right. I’m just looking out for you both, that’s all.” He finished his tea and took his cup into the kitchen. Kate followed him, feeling a little better.

  “Right, I’ll be away then. See ye after wee man,” he called upstairs to Joe as he headed to the door. Joe waved after him.

  “And thanks again Jack for you know, school and everything.”

  Jack nodded and closed the door behind him. How could he get Kate to see sense he wondered, or was he overreacting? He rubbed his bristly chin and headed home. That was enough for one day he thought.

  17

  Ryan was pissed off, thoroughly pissed off. The hospital had phoned and Len was due home. He knew that once his father was back in the pub he’d end up playing nursemaid and he’d had enough of running around after other people. Over the last week Kate had seemed to think that he was at her beck and call. He was all for keeping her sweet but she was starting to take the piss. He seemed to have become some sort of childminder for young Joe, which wasn’t that bad to be fair but he was knackered. Why couldn’t he just get on with his own plans and fuck everyone else and their needs?

  He kicked the barn door that stood at the rear of the pub, someway off the entrance and tucked away around the corner. It had stood there for as long as he could remember. Years ago his dad has used it for storage, and at one point as a garage, but the building was so dilapidated Len had been convinced it would collapse at any moment and stopped parking his car there.

  The wood splintered where Ryan had kicked it but didn’t give way. He removed the rusty old padlock easily by breaking the door handle it was connected to and heaved it open. After much pushing and shoving it finally gave way. Once inside Ryan could see why he’d had so much difficulty. Years of neglect had left part of the wooden roof beams to collapse and they’d fallen just behind the door, leaving the inside entrance open to the elements. Leaves, branches, and debris had made their way inside and collected behind it. He kicked the crap out of the way and looked around. The first thing he noticed was the smell; a dank, musty smell of rotting leaves and animal faeces, probably rats. He walked over to the interior wall and gave it a kick: solid. He did the same on the other three and apart from loose bits of timber falling in, the structure was sound. Right at the back there were three stalls that once upon a time had stabled horses or cattle, not that he could ever remember. He pulled one of the doors and the top half fell off its hinges, the weight dragging the rest of the door with it. He jumped backwards out of the way as the whole thing crashed at his feet. Moving onto the next one he tried the same, ready this time for any falling debris. The door was purposely split in two, so the top half could be opened separately, allowing horses to poke their heads out. He unfastened the bolt that was holding it closed and with a bit of force it finally moved from its resting place. Swinging the door wide, he peered inside. The smell was foul. The leaking roof had encouraged rain to create a constant puddle and the stench of stale, stagnant water was overpowering. Covering his nose and mouth with the crook of his elbow, he moved onto the third stable. There was only the lower half of the stable door on, and at first glance it appeared to have avoided the neglect of the others, being reasonably dry and draft-free. Clearly someone else had thought so at some point as there were the remnants of a sleeping bag and empty tins of Tennants lager strewn across the chalky floor. Ryan walked in and kicked the stuff to one side. A rat ran right across his foot, giving him a fright and only just missing out on getting a kick up its arse. He looked up and saw that the roof was more or less intact in this stable. The sleeping bag was covered with dust and cobwebs, and he tentatively picked up one corner, shaking it out. Relieved that no rodents had made their home there he stuffed it into a corner, kicking the empty beer cans alongside it. He double-checked the half door again, pulling and pushing it closed a few times from the inside. Certain that it would suit his needs, he did the same from the other side and saw that, although the bolt was rusty, it still worked and held fast when pushed into place.

  ‘Hmm, maybe a padlock as well,’ he pondered. He walked back through the barn, noting the abandoned pieces of worthless brewery machinery; long-forgotten empty barrels and broken pumps. Nothing he could sell or use he thought. He walked outside and closed the huge entrance door behind him, this time much easier than before without the collection of nature stopping it.

  “Definitely need a new padlock on this,” he muttered. Just as he turned to leave his mobile rang. Fishing it out of his pocket he looked at the caller ID. Kate. ‘What now?’ he thought, wondering whether to answer it or not. He reluctantly accepted the call.

  “Hey.”

  “Ryan, hey. Oh thank God you answered. It’s Joe. He’s missing.” Came the frantic voice of Kate on the other end.

  Ryan’s heart skipped a few beats and it was a few seconds before he answered. He fleetingly wondered if Daz had double-crossed him. “What do you mean ‘missing’?”

  “Just that. I had a call from Miss Watson just after lunchtime. Joe didn’t go back to class after lunchbreak and no one can find him.”

  “OK, OK. Calm down. Tell me exactly what happened.”

  Kate explained that once Joe hadn’t turned up for afternoon registration his teacher had sent the school caretaker to check the playground and playing fields to see if there was any sign of him. One of the other children had said they’d seen Joe wandering off towards the school gates so it was assumed that Joe had a dentist or doctor’s appointment and his mum had forgotten to collect him again so he’d set off home on his own.

  “Only he hadn’t, and now no one knows where he is.” Kate was in tears.

  Ryan could hear a commotion in the background. “Where are you?”

  Sniff. “I’m at the café. Jack sent me back here in case he shows up. Ryan, please help. I don’t know what I’d do...”

  “OK, I’m on way. I’ll see you soon.”

  As Ryan drove towards Harbour Café he could see hordes of locals out searching for Joe. Some had sticks and were poking the gorse bushes that bordered the road. Every so often he’d hear a call of “Joe.” “Joe.” He pulled up just outside the café as Joe’s schoolteacher arrived.

  “Have you found him?” he asked Miss Watson abruptly.

  “No. No. Not yet. I was just on my way to see Kate.”

  “You had better hope nothing’s happened to that wee boy,” he spat, seeing all his own plans fading by the second. They walked into the café together. Kate was sat with Mr Wheeler who was doing his best to comfort her and force tea on her. She stood when she saw Ryan and fell into his arms, sobbing on his shoulder.

  “Oh Ryan, what if something’s h
appened to him?” She lifted her head, searching his face for answers.

  “It will be OK, we’ll find him. I promise.” He led her back to the table and asked Mr Wheeler about the search efforts. He mentioned that the whole of the small community had been rallied and were out searching.

  “I don’t understand why he would have run away. It doesn’t make sense.” Kate was desperate for answers.

  Miss Watson finally spoke up quietly from her position by the door, “I think I might know why.”

  Kate noticed her for the first time. “Oh, often lose pupils do you?” Miss Watson flinched at the remark, feeling it was somewhat out of order considering.

  “I understand you’re upset with me and you’ve every right to be, but I think I know why he might have taken off.”

  “Go on,” said Kate, arms folded defensively across her chest.

  “Some money went missing from school last week, the day before the trip to Applecross. It was part of the collection box that we’ve had in the classroom. I asked the children about it, but they said they didn’t know anything. It was only afterwards, when we arrived back at school, that I thought about it and realised that Joe had been buying his friends ice creams and he bought books from the gift shop.” She looked at Kate. “It wasn’t a lot of money that was taken, about ten pounds, but as you know we only allow the children to take two pounds on any school trip. Joe seemed to have more money than most so the next day I asked him about it.”

  “You did what?” exclaimed Kate. “Why didn’t you speak to me?”

  “I was certain it was a misunderstanding. I asked him if you had given him more than two pounds. He said no but couldn’t give me a reason why he had so much money on him. Kate, I’m sorry. This is all my fault. I should have spoken to you first.” Miss Watson stood wringing her hands, tears forming in the corner of her eyes.