I’d tried calling Bessy on my way to work that morning to tell her I wouldn’t be able to make it to the warehouse after my shift, only there was no answer on her house phone. It was times like these that I wished she’d start using the mobile phone I’d bought her last Christmas, which she had turned her nose up at and refused to even switch on. “We didn’t need these retched things back in my days. In my day we spoke to people face to face, not through a darn text thing, or whatever you kids call it.” Granted, it wasn’t often that I couldn’t get a hold of her, but on those rare occasions I couldn’t, I always tended to worry myself sick. Mostly there really wasn’t any need. Bessy usually made an appearance as though I hadn’t just spent the better part of a day searching for her. I knew she’d likely go crazy if she knew I was worrying about her. But someone had to. With Arthur no longer there to watch over her—not that he was much use when he was living at home—she had no one but the old lady next door who was as deaf as a doorknob, and the young couple on the opposite side, who barely spoke a word of English. So really, all she had was me. I hated knowing she was alone and that something could have happened to her, with me being none the wiser. That thought alone made the blood drain from my face, causing me to shiver with the unpleasant thought that she was seriously hurt, or worse… alone and hurt.

Closing my eyes, I pushed away any negative thoughts and finished arranging the new bags and purses on the round display table. I stepped back, giving it a once-over. Leanne was good at her job, and I had no doubt that she would take over Lillie’s once her mother retired, but when it came to displaying items, the girl was, without a doubt, useless. It was almost as if she’d made a bet with herself that morning to see how many items she could fit on one table. Really, it looked cluttered and out of place, like something you would see at a jumble sale with very limited room. I preferred the minimalistic look. Tasteful, classy, without being too over the top. I’d made a note to change it whenever Leanne left the store to get some milk.

When I was satisfied with how it looked, I dusted off my hands and glanced down at the Rolex watch my father had brought back from one of his many trips to the states. In twenty minutes, I would be able to call Bessy again, and if she didn’t answer I would drive over there. When Arthur had gone into the nursing home, I’d insisted Bessy give me a spare key, just in case of emergencies. She argued that I was fussing too much and that I should worry more about myself rather than her. Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen, so I refused to leave until I had that key in my hand. Half an hour later, and growing increasingly tired of my nagging, Bessy eventually handed the key over. Touch wood, I hadn’t needed to use it yet, but I felt comfort in knowing that I at least had a way of getting inside the house when I felt it was necessary.

Just as I was getting ready to go on lunch, I spotted Jake out the front. He pointed to the watch on his wrist and I smiled. Jake often made a point of texting me whilst I was on lunch. He knew I couldn’t answer while I was working. He'd never shown up to take me to lunch before, though. I secretly loved knowing he had.

I nodded and grabbed my purse from behind the counter, waving to Jessica on my way out.

“Hey.” He grinned when I stepped outside.

His strong arms curled around my waist and pulled me against him. “Careful,” I giggled as his mouth went straight to my neck. As much as I loved his mouth on me, I knew it was dangerous. We were outside the store. Anyone could see us. “Not here,” I breathed out when the sensation of his tongue against my skin became too much.

Jake pulled back and frowned. “Why?”

He looked offended and I reached for his hand and gave it a light squeeze. “Someone might see.”

“So? Who cares?” He shrugged, flashing a glimpse of the dimple in his right cheek.

“Leanne will if she catches us together,” I pointed out.

“She’s going to find out sooner or later. I’m not hiding it from her. Or anyone, for that matter.”

I grinned, happy in knowing that he wanted the more he’d been intent on denying me before. After last night a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders when it came to Jake. We’d needed to get everything out in the open in order to move on. Knowing that he’d cared about me back then made me feel happy.

“You’re right,” I said. “Who cares if she finds out?” Slipping my arms around his neck, I sighed. His big brown eyes stared down at me as I threaded my fingers through his thick, dark hair, pulled his mouth down to mine and kissed him. His hands ran down my waist and stopped at the small of my back.

When his tongue met mine, I knew I needed to pull away before things got too heated. “Did you come all the way here to take me to lunch?”

“I came for Leanne, but I guess you’ll do.” He smirked.

“Arse,” I said, digging my fingers into his ribs.

“I’m just kidding, babe. Of course I came for you.”

“Good to know.” I smirked back and pulled away so I could reach inside my purse for my phone. “I would love to go to lunch, but there’s actually something I need to do.”

“Oh?” Jake’s brows rose in question.

“I tried to call Bessy this morning but she didn’t answer. I’m worried something might have happened to her.”

Jake nodded and grabbed my wrist. “Come on. I’ll drive you over there now.”

My heart melted knowing he cared about some old lady he barely even knew. But this was Jake and one of the things I loved about him was how much he cared for others. It was something I never fully understood, considering who his brother and father were. “Let me try and call her first. She’ll go mad if I barge in there and it turns out there’s nothing wrong.”

He released the grip on my wrist and nodded. “If you’re sure.”

“I am,” I assured him and hit the call button on my phone. Pressing the phone to my ear, I silently prayed she would answer. But after hanging up and calling again, there was still nothing.

“Right, come on, we’re going over.” He was just as worried as I was.

I followed Jake as he began walking towards the car park and tried to calm down as my mind swarmed with all kinds of scenarios as to what could be wrong with her. That was it. I would make sure she used her mobile phone from now on. She said it wasn’t needed but she was wrong.

“Melanie? Where are you going?” I looked up, almost bumping into Leanne as we both rounded the corner at the same time.

I sighed. “I’m on lunch. Jessica’s watching the store until you get back. I’ve gotta go.”

Jake sidled up next to me and pulled my hand in his. I glanced down in horror and frowned. Now wasn’t the time to prove a point.

“You can’t go. I need you to sort out the invoices for Carters. They need to be done today,” she whined.

“Can’t they wait until I get back? It’s really important that I be somewhere.” The exasperated tone in my voice wasn’t enough, though.

Leanne shook her head and said, “More important than your job?” Her brows shot up in challenge.

I blew out a breath. “Actually, yes.”

“Fine. Go. But don’t bother coming back.” Her eyes flicked to Jake, then down to where our hands were joined.

“You’re firing me? You can’t be serious.”

“Oh, I’m deadly serious.” She smirked and strutted off down the street.

I pulled free of Jake and ran both hands over my face. I couldn’t believe she would sack me for taking a lunch break. It wasn’t like I hadn’t earned the forty-five minutes we were allowed.

Jake took my face in his hands and smiled reassuringly. “Go. I’ll check on Bessy for you.”

“I can’t expect you to do that, Jake. It should be me.”

“Mel, it’s fine. Honestly. I promise I’ll call as soon as I find out anything.”

I closed my eyes and blinked them open. “Thank you.”

“Text me the address before you go back in.”

“I will do, thank you. And Jake...” I dug in my purse for the spare key and slipped it in his hand. “If there’s no answer, use this. I’m the only one with a spare key, so if she’s there she’ll know it’s me. I’ll try her again.”

Jake pulled my head against his chest and kissed the top of my head. “She’s okay, Mel. I’m sure of it.”

I bit my lip and nodded. He was right. She was going to be absolutely fine. I was panicking over nothing.

I typed out Bessy’s address and sent it to Jake. With another failed attempt at calling, I made my way back inside, furious that Leanne would try to pull this shit, today of all days.

“You made the right decision.” She smirked as I headed back around to the desk and chucked my purse down.

“Bite me.” I smirked back, hoping she would fall on her arse.