Page 26 of The Best Friend
I chuckle, picturing Joe’s face, his eyes shining with excitement.
‘So…’ Darcy opens her notebook where she’s written out some kind of schedule. ‘The party starts at ten, but I thought you and I should get there at about nine thirty to check the place out, set up the birthday cakes on the table, that kind of thing, okay?’
‘Sounds good,’ I say. ‘Do you want me to bring anything?’
‘Maybe some balloons or streamers?’ she says. ‘To decorate the room where they’ll be eating afterwards.’
‘Great. And we’re bringing our own cakes, right?’
‘Yes.’
‘And how about party bags,’ I say. ‘I know you said you had them covered, but do you want me to add anything to them?’
‘No, honestly, they’re done. All named and set out in boxes.’
‘You’re so organised,’ I say as Flora returns with our coffees. She puts them on the table along with a plate of fresh pastries that smell heavenly.
‘Wow,’ I say. ‘Those look great.’
‘Freshly baked,’ Flora says with a wink. ‘Enjoy, ladies.’ She leaves to take someone else’s order.
‘Try one of the maple and pecan twists,’ Darcy says. ‘They’re to die for.’
I break a piece off. The pastry is warm, flaky and light. I put it in my mouth and sigh with pleasure. ‘Oh my God, that is the best thing I’ve ever tasted.’
‘Told you.’ She pushes the plate towards me.
‘Aren’t you having any?’ I ask.
‘Gosh, no. I try not to eat sweet stuff – it’s terrible for my weight.’
I wipe a few crumbs from my mouth. I really want to finish the pastry, but then Darcy will think I’m a gluttonous hog.
I see someone out of the corner of my eye. All other thoughts jolt out of my head. It’s him. Again. I can’t believe it. My nails press into my lips as my stomach clenches. He’s pretending to study the menu in the window, but now he catches my eye, holding my gaze for a moment, making me gasp. He lowers his head once more. What should I do? I can’t pass this off as a series of coincidences. Not any more. This man is everywhere. Wherever I go. I’ll have to report him to the police, and I’ll have to tell Jared.
‘Louisa?’ I realise Darcy is talking to me. Staring from my shocked face to the man standing outside.
‘Hm?’ I say. ‘Sorry, I was miles away.’ I drop my hand from my mouth and give myself a shake.
‘You’re white,’ she says. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Uh, nothing, nothing. I’m fine.’
‘You don’t look fine.’ She lays her pen on the table. ‘Tell me what’s wrong. Who’s that man you’re looking at?’
I wasn’t planning on telling Darcy anything about my stalker – it sounds so dramatic. But now we’re here, and the man is still there, my worries come spilling out. ‘He’s… I think he’s been following me.’
‘That man at the window’s been following you?’ she asks. ‘The one in the corduroy coat? With the beard? Are you sure?’
I nod. ‘Don’t stare,’ I say, my voice dropping to a whisper.
‘How do you know? Maybe he just happens to be in the same place at the same time.’ She looks sceptical and I can’t blame her.
‘That’s what I thought, at first,’ I say. ‘But, Darcy, he’s everywhere.’ My voice is becoming shrill so I make an attempt to lower it again. ‘I see him wherever I go – on the school run, when I’m shopping, near my house. He was even at Poole Quay yesterday when Jared and I were at the offices. It’s really been freaking me out. What if he’s dangerous?’
‘What does Jared say?’
‘I… I haven’t told him.’
