Page 55 of Lost in Love

Chapter 16

Monday was a perfect morning, with a beautiful, blue sky stretched out above the abbey. Everyone gathered in the cafe area of the visitor centre awaiting Carrie for their weekly staff meeting.

Anna had spotted one of her new tour guides but couldn’t see the other one. She hoped she wasn’t going to be late as it would reflect badly on her.

Carrie appeared beside her. “Hey, Anna, just to give you the heads-up, Ellie quit this morning.”

Anna shook her head. “What? Why?”

“She said it had all been too nerve-wracking, and she’s decided on a new career path.”

“Great!” Anna exhaled loudly.

Carrie squished her face. “Are you able to cover the tours? I hate to ask.”

“I know. I’m sure I can sort something out. Katherine will help if I ask.”

“Things going well between you two then?”

“Better than well.” Anna fought back a childish smile.

“Good, I’m glad to see you with a twinkle in your eye.”

As Carrie stepped away, Anna’s pocket vibrated.

She extracted her phone to see a message from Katherine.

We need to talk. Can you pop in on your way home?

Anna’s heart pounded in her chest, and then panic overwhelmed her. It felt like a new sensation after the weeks of calm she’d enjoyed, but within seconds it all felt so familiar. Of course this was too good to be true. She shoved her phone back into her pocket and set about doing some quiet deep breathing.

We need to talk usually meant one thing. Had she done something wrong? Had Rebecca disapproved of her and persuaded Katherine to break things off? As much as Anna tried to push thoughts of Katherine’s message to the back of her mind, she couldn’t.

The end of the day couldn’t have come soon enough. She’d already lost her train of thought on a tour when the back of Abbey House came into view. She nearly cried when Virginia turned up for the afternoon tour and insisted on being carried the whole way around. The visitors had loved every minute of it and had assumed Virginia was part of the tour.

When five o’clock came, she sprinted over to Abbey House.

“Anna, come through.”

“Is everything okay? You’ve got me worried.”

Katherine remained silent until they got to the kitchen.

“Will you please tell me what’s wrong?” Anna said.

Katherine stopped and looked out over the garden. “I’m… I’m sorry, but I need to stop this.”

“Stop? Us?”

Katherine nodded. “Yes, I’m sorry. I’ve made a mistake. I thought I was ready, but I’m not. I hope you can understand.”

Anna furrowed her brow. She waited, hoping Katherine would turn it into a joke. She didn’t.

Katherine finally turned to face her. “I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you. It wasn’t my intention.”

“Is this Rebecca’s doing?”

“Rebecca?” Katherine frowned and shook her head. “Why would you say that?”