She left the room and headed back down stairs, surprised to find Dan still standing in the hallway. ‘You could have gone through, you know.’ She gestured the way to thekitchen.
As she followed him in, she could tell by the aroma trailing behind that his aftershave was expensive. ‘Lucky lady,’shesaid.
‘Sorry?’ hereplied.
Annabel squirmed, mortified at having just thought that, let alone said it. ‘What? I didn’t say anything.’ It was a lie he thankfully seemed to accept and she quickly moved the conversation on. ‘Can I get you a drink?’ she asked. ‘Cup of tea or a glass of wine?’ She looked down at her attire. ‘A mug of hotchocolate?’
He didn’t appear to get the joke. Then again, looking at him he didn’t seem his usual self at all. In Annabel’s experience, there should have been at least one wise crack from him by now, but instead he had this serious air about him. As if he had something importanttosay.
He shook his head, declining her offer. ‘I can’t stay long,’hesaid.
Oh God,thought Annabel. Try as she might, she couldn’t understand his demeanour.What if it’s his mother? What if she’s dead?She felt terrible at the thought of her trying to be funny when he could be on his way to the Chapel of Rest, a visit that would certainly explain theattire.
‘Is everything okay, Dan?’ she tentatively asked. ‘It’s not your mum,isit?’
Strangely, her question seemed enough for him to relax a little. He smiled. ‘No, it’s not Mum. But thank you forasking.’
‘That’s a relief,’ said Annabel. Although why he’d be thanking her for thinking the poor woman was dead was anyone’s guess. ‘So what can I do for you then?’ sheasked.
Her mobile phone suddenly beeped, a text had come through. She decided that it could wait and sheignoredit.
‘Well?’ she said. ‘You’re herebecause?’
She watched him nervously run a hand through his hair. Whatever he had on his mind it must beimportant.
‘I’ve been thinking. About ourarrangement.’
Annabel’s heart skipped a beat. Glad not to be the one to have to broach the subject, he’d obviously come to the same conclusion as her, that once a week wasn’t getting themanywhere.
‘Don’t worry,’ she said. ‘I know what you’re going to say and, to be honest, I’ve been thinking the samething.’
‘You have?’ asked Dan. He seemed relieved tohearit.
‘Of course. It’s not as if these Wednesday nights have been working, is it? If they had, I’d be pregnant by now.’ She let out a littlelaugh.
‘There is that, I suppose,’ hereplied.
‘So it’s only sensible we up our chances. Now, it’s understandable you might want to keep your weekends free, but that still gives us five other days to choose from.’ She knew she was rabbiting on, but she couldn’t help herself. ‘In fact, how about we forget the middle of the week altogether, and go for Mondays andThursdays?’
Judging by his silence, she could see Dan hadn’t expected her to be one step aheadofhim.
‘Well,’ she said. Annabel smiled as she waited for his answer. ‘What do youthink?’
He seemed to pause for a second, but just as he was about to speak, her mobile began to ring. Irritated, she picked it up and looked at the screen. ‘Sorry,’ she said. Annabel recognised the caller and knew she had to answer. ‘It’s mysister.’
As he indicated for her to go ahead, she clicked to take the call. ‘Rebecca, thank goodness. You do know I’ve been trying to get a hold of you, don’t you? Is everythingalright?’
She turned to Dan and mouthed anotherapology.
‘What?’ she suddenly said, her attention immediately back to her sister. ‘Just stay where you are. I’ll be right over. I mean it, Rebecca, don’t do anythingsilly.’
Annabel frantically ended the call. ‘Sorry, Dan, but this will have to wait.’ She began searching for her handbag. ‘I’ve got togoout.’
18
As she andDan stepped outside, Annabel slammed the door behind them. She fumbled in her bag for her keys as she hastily made her way tothecar.
‘What’s happened?’ asked Dan, hot on her heels. ‘Iseverythingokay?’
