Sighing, I said, “I know.” Lowering my voice, even though the bar was empty apart from the three of us, I admitted what I was struggling with the most. “He killed someone he loved. I don’t know how to deal with such a specific thing.”
Bill placed his hand on my arm, his fingers giving a gentle squeeze. “If he promised you himself, then you are a fool to turn your back on him. He is a man of integrity and what he craves is most likely everything you are, Jolie. His family manipulated him, used his love as a weapon, he wouldn’t do that to anyone else. If he loves someone, he loves them hard. Try, honey, because I don’t think he’d let you regret it for a single second.”
I smiled at Bill for saying all the right things. “He talks to you about me?”
“What if I told you he doesn’t need to? I have eyes in my head.” Clapping a hand on Carol’s shoulder, he winked again. “Now, ladies. It’s late, and it’s time to go home. Thanks for all your hard work, I really appreciate your efforts.”
“Cheers, Boss,” Carol chuckled. “My feet are definitely hurting tonight.”
“Make sure Trevor gets you to the Tube.”
“We need to worry?”
“No. We should have been doing it before. Yannick wants everything done right from here on in. This is his sole business now and we’re going to make sure it’s a place he can be proud of. So, Jolie, go on home and think about what you’re doing, but don’t take too long because Yannick is intending on being hands on in the bar and he won’t stay away forever, you’re going to have to face him some time.”
* * * * *
On my next day off I took a trip to the cat rescue. I’d got it in my head after my mother had died that a cat would be a pleasant companion. I’d always wanted one, mum never allowing it - they were dirty, hairy, weird, blah blah blah. My current flat allowed one pet, whereas the other hadn’t, so it was time, a decision I’d made on a whim. Kind of. The closer I got to the shelter, the more confident I felt I was doing the right thing. I wasn’t impulsive but getting the cat on this day felt positive and right.
The lady I met was wonderful, and when I admitted I’d never had a pet before, she took her time to advise and recommended things to read up on before taking me through to the actual shelter where the animals were. It was noisy and a little chaotic, and I fell in love with every single feline I stopped to look at.
“This is where I make the joke about crazy cat lady,” she laughed jovially.
She was possibly right. There was one little cat who absolutely stole my heart more than the others. Tinky, a peach coloured lady with the biggest yellow eyes I’d ever seen, had peered up at me and I’d melted on the spot. She was gorgeous, in nature too, and I made up my mind right there and then when she batted her head against my hand and purred loudly. So affectionate, I could definitely cuddle back.
“Can I take her picture?”
“Of course. If you give me your phone, you can take her out and I’ll snap a pic of you together. She has such a beautiful temperament.”
“Really?” I asked, already handing over my phone open on the camera app.
Tinky didn’t hesitate huddling in when I gently lifted her from the sheepskin mat she was lying on, she’d sealed the deal.
“Come back next week. I’ll put a reserved sign on her cage until then. Take some time to do your homework, you’d be surprised the amount of people who change their mind once they leave here. Cats are an immense responsibility and you need to be absolutely sure.”
“That’s a good idea,” I agreed. “I’m sure now but I appreciate your concern.”
Her smile was kind, yet wary. “We just like to be cautious. And she’s a house cat, so you would need to get things ready for her, line up a vet too and get her registered.”
“I will, and homework,” I promised, my grin stretching wide.
“I truly hope you come back and get her. They say cats pick their owners, not the other way around, and she certainly likes you.”
Reluctantly putting Tinky back into her cage, I gave her a little kiss on the head, totally smitten with her. Saying my goodbyes for now, I followed the owner back out to the front of the shelter and filled out the relevant paperwork. I was coming back for my spirit animal because I’d clicked with the beauty and I think she needed me as much as I needed her.
On the way home I stopped by the park, sitting on a bench with my head tipped toward the sky, the sun warm on my face. It was the first time I hadn’t been filled with turmoil in a while, my head not running away with itself. I’d had enough time to sort through the mess of emotions, the decision made. Chaos had given way to calm, and I saw clearly everything was meant for a reason. Keeping my distance from Yannick was doing nothing for either of us except shortening the future we were destined to have together.
An idea came to me, a silly one which made me giggle, because I was always, always going to see him again. I was always going to accept the man he had been because it had shaped him into the man he was now. Our future was one that promised everything, and I refused to walk away without at least trying.
Pulling up Yannick’s number on
