The Secret To Happiness. Jessica Redland

as they raced to pick up the marker discs. Considering they’d only just met, they looked like a strong friendship in the making. How lovely that her bootcamp had the power to bring strangers together and create bonds. There probably weren’t many people who could say that about their jobs.

      As she walked up the beach with the two women, chatting about the exercises they’d liked the most, and joking about sand in every crack and crevice, Karen sighed contentedly. It had definitely been the right decision to set up the mid-morning bootcamp and this small cosy atmosphere was exactly what she’d had in mind. Bollocks to Ryan.

      Back in the car park, Karen placed her kit in the boot and was preparing to drive off for a PT session when her phone beeped with a text. It was from a private number but that wasn’t unusual because her mobile number was displayed on the Bay Fitness website and on social media.

      ✉︎ From Unknown

      I’m impressed. You’re certainly very open-minded

      She laughed. Okay. Strange. Obviously a wrong number, though.

      ✉︎ To Unknown

      Sorry but I think you’ve got the wrong number

      ✉︎ From Unknown

      No. It’s meant for you, Karen

      Karen’s heart raced. What?

      ✉︎ To Unknown

      Who is this?

      ✉︎ From Unknown

      Wouldn’t you like to know?

      ✉︎ To Unknown

      Yes. That’s why I asked! I’ve no idea what your message means

      ✉︎ From Unknown

      Didn’t think you would. But you will. Soon

      Karen shuddered, her heart thumping rapidly. What the hell was that all about? Who was it? They obviously knew her, but the message made no sense. Open-minded? About what? She shook her head. She should just ignore it. It was somebody playing silly games. She didn’t know who, she didn’t know why, but she did know they weren’t worth it. Switching the phone to silent, she zipped it into her pocket and drove across town for her 11.30 a.m. PT client.

      All the way through the session, though, it felt like the phone was burning a hole in her pocket. As soon as she got back to her car, she checked it but there was nothing: no more texts, no mysterious phone calls. It was just a stupid prank, it meant nothing, and she needed to forget about it.

      But something deep down in the pit of her stomach told her that it wasn’t nothing. It wasn’t nothing at all.

      14

      Karen

      Two days later, Karen sat down on the edge of the bed, smiling, as she listened to Ryan singing in the shower. Ed Sheeran he wasn’t, but it still warmed her heart to hear him sing the wrong words out of key because that meant things were back on track. Ryan never sang when he was stressed and she hadn’t heard his warbling for quite some time.

      Bending down, she pulled on her socks. Much as she’d love to strip off again, return to the shower, and give him even more to sing about, she had to work.

      ‘I’m off,’ she called through the door of the wet room. ‘Are you going to tell me where you’re taking me tonight?’

      ‘No,’ Ryan called back. ‘It’s a surprise. See you after bootcamp.’

      Karen ran down the stairs and headed out to the car. She wasn’t a fan of surprises but Ryan had promised her she’d love this one so she’d have to go with the flow.

      Driving to Hearnshaw Park to meet her first PT client, Karen couldn’t stop speculating about her evening. Where could Ryan be taking her? She’d asked him what she should wear but he’d said her outfit would be waiting for her when she got home. Most intriguing. She shook her head. She needed to forget about it or she’d be distracted all day.