‘Shit, Annabel, that does sound dodgy. Maybe you should go to the police? Justincase.’
Annabel put the menu back down and scoffed. ‘And say what? That first I ask a man to impregnate me and then I happen to see him in the street. I mean who’s the real balm pot here?’ She paused to drink another mouthful of coffee. ‘I hate to say it, Katy, but I think you were right. Getting a complete stranger to father my child like this was aridiculousidea.’
‘Hallelujah!’ said Katy, throwing herself back in her seat. ‘And abouttimetoo.’
Annabel suddenly felt hurt. She knew how idiotic she’d been, that she should’ve thought to consider her own personal safety; especially when she’d managed to analyse every other aspect of her plan. But while she understood her friend’s relief, after all, the consequences of having a madman for a sperm donor didn’t bear thinking about, did Katy really have to be thisblunt?
Thankfully for Annabel, Katy seemed to realise how harsh shesounded.
‘Look, I’m sorry. That was unnecessary,’ she said. ‘This plan of yours just seems soout there, I can’t help but worryaboutit.’
‘I know. I just wanted a baby so much,’ Annabel replied. ‘Istilldo.’
‘But don’t you think if it’s meant to happen, it’ll happen? With or without someonelikeDan?’
After walking into him like that, Annabel didn’t know what to thinkanymore.
She tried to hide her disappointment on the baby front. ‘Short of having an immaculate conception,’ she said. ‘I can’tseehow.’
5
With a take-away pizzabox in hand, Annabel let herself into the house and dropping her keys down on the sideboard, headed straight for the kitchen. She didn’t just feel hungry; her stomach insisted her throat had been cut. Unlike the lucky individuals who lost their appetite when they were stressed or worried about something, for her, life’s trials and tribulations had the opposite effect. Turning to food for comfort was all well and good for those who could burn off the extra calories, which she couldn’t. This was the very reason she’d gained a few extra pounds after Tom had died. She looked down at her mid-riff and frowned. Pounds which she doubted she’d evershift.
Annabel grabbed a slice of pizza and knew that she should be laying the table instead of eating straight from the box. But it was so easy, with just one for dinner, to let civilities like that slide; and being honest, she simply couldn’t be bothered. Savouring every mouthful of gooey melted cheese, juicy tomato, and spicy peperoni, she wondered if there was any point in cooking at all with just her to cater for, particularly when food like this tastedsogood.
Annabel began to mull over the day’s incident with Dan. She didn’t really believe him to be a stalker. Even so, bumping into him like that had been enough to bring her to her senses. She supposed she’d just have to find another way to get pregnant, although, thanks to her finances, goodnessknewhow.
If all else failed, she knew she still had the adoption route to consider. Although, the reason she’d discarded it to start with was because she didn’t hold out much hope. In her view, if her own doctor deemed her unsuitable when it came to motherhood, why would Social Services be any different? Naturally they had their checks to do, children couldn’t be awarded to just anyone. However, jumping through every hoop imaginable felt a tad scary, especially when the odds were stacked against her. Annabel thought it sad; all those children out there, just as desperate for a home as she was to givethemone.
She stuffed the last of her pizza slice into her mouth, ready to make herself a cup of coffee. With so much going on in her head, it was as if her brain began to hurt and she didn’t want to think about itanymore.
Her ears pricked at the sound of her mobile ringing, giving her just the diversion she needed. She rummaged in her handbag in an attempt to find it. Pulling out her phone, she checked the number on display but didn’t recognise who it belonged to. ‘Probably a salesman,’ she said. Talking to some stranger about double glazing or why she should change electricity companies wasn’t quite the relief Annabel had been hoping for; putting the handset to one side, she decided to let itringout.
Surprisingly, the phone bleeped indicating a voicemail. Her eyes narrowed as she took in the flashing light. In Annabel’s experience, sales people never left messages and curious as to the caller’s identity, she reached for her phone once more. As she clicked to listen, there seemed to be a slight pause in the recording before a male voice began to speak, and even then its owner sounded unsure. Annabel’s eyes widened and her stomach lurched as, a few words in, it dawned on her who the voice actually belonged to.Shit! What do I do now?she thought, this being the last person she expected tohearfrom.
‘Are you mad?’ a woman suddenlycalledout.
Bugger!Much to her frustration, she recognised thisvoicetoo.
Footsteps marched down the hall and, cursing her sister’s not so impeccable timing, she told herself there was nothing she could do about the message now; she’d have to deal with itlater.
‘What kind of question is that?’ she replied, shutting her phone down just as Rebecca barged intotheroom.
‘Well?’ said Rebecca, adamantly awaiting aresponse.
Despite being caught off guard, Annabel was more than accustomed to Rebecca letting herself in. She often dropped by for a cuppa. Unfortunately, she was also acquainted with her occasional outbursts. However, taking in her sister’s annoyed expression, Annabel had to admit they weren’t usually as extreme as this. ‘And I thought it customary to say hello when you entered someone else’s house?’shesaid.
‘Don’t you play the innocent with me,’ her sistercarriedon.
Having no clue as to what she was referring to, Annabel couldn’t help but sigh. Out of the two of them, Rebecca had always been the more hot-blooded. Lately though, her moodiness had been taking over. Whatever was going on, Annabel wished she’d just sort it out; after the day she’d had, she felt way too tired to play thesegames.
‘Tea? Coffee?’ she asked, refusing to get drawn in. ‘The kettle’s justboiled.’
Annabel got on with making the drinks, giving her sister a minute to calm down. Coffee poured, she handed her a cup and indicated to the table, suggesting that they take a seat. Annabel could see from Rebecca’s pursed lips that she still wasn’t happy. Then again, she never did like being told what to do. Still, hanging her bag on the back of a chair, at least she did as instructed; even if it wasreluctantly.
‘So do you want to tell me what all this is about?’ said Annabel, sitting opposite. ‘Or am I toguess?’
‘I saw Katy earlier,’ she began. ‘She told me about this ridiculous idea ofyours.’
