The Chain (A Catherine Diary) - Stamfield. Complete

Chapter 36

36

'I don't know', I said, hoping they weren't laying the blame at my feet. 'I only just met the guy. It could be, I guess'.

Although something in me said it wasn't. He was a nice guy, genuine and kind, well spoken and polite. Okay, he was obnoxious, a flirt and slightly inconsiderate when it came to flirting, but I couldn't see him as a thief.

'Will you be seeing him soon?', Carla asked and I could hear the pleading in her voice.

I hadn't intended on doing so, but how could I let Carla down.

'Yeah, we're meeting up after this. We were invited to some sort of party', I could feel the girl's lean forward, waiting for me to provide more information. 'It's not what it sounds, it's his ex-girlfriend's party'.

That sounded bad, I knew it as soon as the words flowed out.

'I hope he doesn't intend on using you, to get his ex back', Pat said, but I could see that it was exactly what she wanted, 'I mean.... he is fit and I was so happy for you when Carla told us he wanted to walk you home, I just wouldn't like to see you get hurt'.

The other girls nodded.

I had to wonder why it was, that I was the only one who could see how fake Pat was. Or maybe I was imagining it.

'Anyway, I have to give him a ring, let him know what time to meet me', I said pulling out my mobile phone and turning to get some privacy.

'Just remember this is a spy mission', Jane said lifting a plate from behind her back, filled with slices of cakes and cream buns.

'Yeah, that thought will help you stay detached from him', Pat added and I wanted to scratch a line down her smooth cream skin.

I nodded, holding my tongue and gritting my teeth.

'Oh, Catherine', Gemma said gently. I turned to her, her calming voice relieving the tension that had build up due to Pat being Pat, 'you haven't told us what happened yesterday, when he walked you home'.

'I'll tell you later', I answered, but the truth was, the only person I was willing to tell was Gemma, but when the two of us were alone.

Before the mobile phones could come back out, I made my way back inside the house to call Jack privately, weaving my way though Gemma's extended family and close friends.