‘I’m sure I’ve seen that woman before.’ I point her out to Paloma. ‘But I can’t for the life of me think where, can you?’
‘Sorry?’ Paloma seems miles away.
‘That woman. Do you know her?’
She frowns and looks where I’m pointing. ‘It’s little Harry’s mum. The one we saw on TV, who we’re all raising money for today.’
‘Of course. How much do they need to get to America? Do you know?’
When she doesn’t reply, I glance at her worriedly. ‘Are you okay? Has something happened?’
She looks at me vacantly. Then she shakes her head. ‘No, everything’s fine.’
‘You sure?’
‘Yes. Absolutely. So I hear Jason and Lucy have broken up for good?’ She grins. ‘I couldn’t help noticing the two of you getting very close back there. Something I should know about?’
‘Maybe.’ I give a mischievous smile. ‘Rest assured, you’ll be the first to know if there’s anything to report. We’re going out for dinner, though.’
‘Nice.’ She nods vaguely, back in her own little world.
After a while, I slow right down. ‘Look, if you don’t mind, I’m going to pace myself. Don’t want to run out of steam and not be able to finish the course!’ She slows down with me, but I shoo her on. ‘I don’t want to hold you up.’
‘Okay. See you at the finishing line.’
I set off behind, watching her speed away.
There’s something she’s not telling me, but what? An image of her brand-new gear and chic hairstyle flashes into my mind. Her more upbeat manner. Is it all in an effort to move on after discovering the horrible truth about her birth mother? Or is it something more than that? She’s been so secretive about this ‘important client’ of hers …
I’m so deep in thought, I almost don’t notice the figure leaning against a tree up ahead. But as I approach, the person – a woman – slides to the ground and buries her face in her arms. It’s the woman from the TV. Harry’s mum.
She glances up, startled, as I jog by – almost as if she’s forgotten she’s taking part in the run – and I see that she’s dabbing at her eyes. Maybe she’s not feeling well?
‘Are you all right?’ I ask, stopping. ‘Do you need anything?’
She sniffs and gives me a sad little smile. ‘Three thousand pounds should do it.’
‘Sorry?’
She shakes her head. ‘No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Just ignore me; I’m having one of those days.’ She gets to her feet. ‘Actually, I’m not feeling so great. I think I’ll just head back. I’ve lost my enthusiasm for the run all of a sudden.’
I stare at her, puzzled. This run is all for her and little Harry’s benefit. What’s happened that would make her feel like this on such an important day?
‘Is it to do with Lucy?’ I ask. ‘Has she upset you?’
She nods, her smile freezing. A single tear slides down her face and drips off her chin onto the grass.
‘I’m Twilight, by the way.’
Her eyes widen. ‘Twilight? Lovely name. I’m Jane.’
‘So what happened, Jane?’
Her face falls. ‘Lucy’s changed her mind about helping us financially. I sold our house to pay for the treatment, and friends and family managed to raise the money for the flights to America. But we’re going to be living there for six months while Harry undergoes his treatment, so we need living expenses. Lucy said …’ She trails off, her voice choking with misery.
I nod. ‘I saw you on TV. Lucy was going to donate the proceeds of this run and a percentage of her takings from the café. So what happened? Why has she gone back on her word?’
Jane shrugs helplessly. ‘I asked her when the money would be in my account because I need it to pay a deposit on the little flat we were going to be staying in over there. But she just said sorry, things had changed and she couldn’t do it any more, and ran on.’
‘No explanation?’
She shakes her head.
‘But millions of people heard her make her promise on national TV! She can’t just cash in on the publicity then decide she’s not going to give you the money after all. That’s not the way it works.’
Poor Jane is white-faced, leaning against the tree as if she could barely remain standing otherwise. It’s clear the shock has knocked her sideways, and thinking of how desperate she must be to get her son this vital treatment, I feel a surge of hot rage at Lucy’s careless, selfish attitude.
How dare she dash this woman’s hopes and dreams without even explaining why! What if it was Dad going over there for life-saving treatment and then he couldn’t go in the end because someone reneged on their promise to help? I’d be absolutely devastated.
‘Look, don’t worry. You’ll have those funds, even if I have to organise a sponsored run myself! Will you be all right to walk back, or shall I come with you?’ I pass Jane a clean paper hanky and she takes it gratefully, giving her nose a noisy blow.
‘No, I’ll be fine, really. It was a shock, that’s all. But thank you so much.’
‘It’s fine. Honestly. How long since Lucy left?’
‘Oh, only about five minutes.’
I glance at the route ahead. ‘Right. I’m going to get to the bottom of this. I’ll see you later, Jane.’
She waves me off, a surprised look on her face, then I quickly double back and she fishes around to find a pen and paper to give me her mobile number.
‘Great. I’ll phone you and let you know what happens,’ I call back, waving the piece of paper and pounding off after Lucy, suddenly very glad of all the training I’ve been doing lately.
My blood feels like it’s boiling in my veins. How could she do this to Jane and Harry? Does she never think of the far-reaching and devastating consequences her nasty, selfish actions have on innocent people’s lives?
Well, she’d better have a good explanation for this …
Chapter 31
I pound along the path through the
