Annabel finished keyingin her text and pressed the send button. She might have thanked Dan for all his help already, but she wanted him to know just how appreciative of his assistance she’d been. Going into that place fully dressed, let alone in her pyjamas, would have been bad enough, a message she’d tried, and somehow failed, toconvey.
She thought back to the drive home. Despite her grateful wittering, he’d seemed unusually quiet. Almost as if he wasn’t listening. Of course, it had been an unusual night and come the end of it, he had to think she and her family were balm pots. Not that he actually said this out loud. In Annabel’s view, Dan was far too much of a gentleman for that. Most men would probably run a mile rather than get involved in someone else’s marital issues, and they definitely wouldn’t partake in a spot of breaking and entering. Her lips curled as she once again recalled his chivalry. When he handed her his jacket and rolled his shirt sleeves up, he’d made climbing that drainpipe look so easy. And he’d been right, there’s no way she could have managed it herself, with or without the pair of fluffy bunnyslippers.
‘What are you smiling at?’ askedRebecca.
‘I’m not,’ said Annabel. She put her phone down to one side. ‘Unlike you, I see.’ She took in her sister’s features, the woman didn’t just appear happy, she glowed. ‘You haven’t stopped grinning sincegettinghere.’
‘I know. It’s like a great, big weight has been lifted off my shoulders.’ She let out a long sigh. ‘How could I have been so silly as to think Gavin would do somethinglikethat?’
‘Tell me about it,’ said Annabel. ‘I’ve never been one to say I told you so, but everyone knows how much that man loves you.’ She joined her sister at the table. ‘I suppose that’s what happens when people keep things from each other. They get the wrong end of thestick.’
‘It’s very romantic though, don’t youthink?’
Annabel laughed. ‘What? Having to take a second job in some grotty old pub to make ends meet? If yousayso.’
‘It’s not to make ends meet,’ said Rebecca. ‘He’s earning the extra cash for somethingspecial.’
‘For your up-and-coming wedding anniversary? You’ve said, numeroustimes.’
Her sister frowned. ‘You don’t have to be like that about it,’ she said. ‘I’ve also made it clear how sorry I am for dragging you into this. And all for nothing as itturnsout.’
Annabel looked up to the heavens. ‘Rebecca, I’m teasing,’ she said. ‘And I don’t remember you dragging me into anything. We’re sisters, if you have a problem, it’s my problem too. I’m just glad you’re back to your old self.’ As she looked at her sister again, she noted it was good to see her so relaxed, to see her smiling for a change. ‘Better than your old self,infact.’
‘I could say the same about you,’ saidRebecca.
Annabel narrowed her eyes. ‘Meaning?’
‘Meaningnothing.’
Frustratingly, her sister she refused to say anymore. She simply raised a knowing eyebrow before moving theconversationon.
‘I told Gavin about the baby,’shesaid.
‘And?’
‘And he’s as ecstatic over this pregnancy as he was all theothers.’
‘I’m pleased to hear it,’ said Annabel. She felt torn. On the one hand, she couldn’t be happier for Rebecca, on the other, she couldn’t be more disappointed forherself.
‘Are you? Because I’m not sure I could be quite so gracious in yourshoes.’
Annabel appreciated her sister’s concern, but it was completely unnecessary. Despite her mixed feelings, she planned on supporting this pregnancy along with everyone else. ‘What kind of question is that?’ she replied. ‘Of course I am. I admit, I wasn’t as excited as I should have been in the beginning, but what would be the point in feeling resentful? If anyone knows life doesn’t always go according to plan, it’s me and so what if you’ve gotten in there first? It just means I get plenty of practice on your baby before I have one ofmyown.’
Thankfully, her reassurances appeared to have the desired effect and Rebecca seemed torelax.
‘Anyway, that’s enough about me,’ said Annabel, ready to talk about something else. ‘Tell me about this surprise gift Gavin’s saving for? What do you thinkitis?’
‘Oh I don’t know,’ said Rebecca. ‘I’m hoping it’s a holiday, to somewhere exotic, like the Caribbean. We always said we’d mark the Big Ten with something really special. Although if it is.’ She looked down at her stomach. ‘I’m going to look a right treat in abikini.’
Annabel began to picture a clear blue sea, gently lapping the shore of a white sandy beach. She could almost feel the heat of the sun as she imagined herself, cocktail in hand, soaking up its rays. It had been years since she’d had a holiday. Her last break being her honeymoon and, although she and Tom had had a great time, it hadn’t been what anyone could call glamorous. The cost of the wedding itself, and the fact that she’d been setting up the Florist, hadn’t left enough money for anything fancy; a few days in Torquay was all that they could manage. Annabel sighed wistfully. Maybe the time had come to treatherself?
‘Speaking of special,’ she said. ‘Any idea what this is allabout?’
‘I haven’t a clue,’ replied Rebecca. ‘Katy just said she had something important to tell us, and to get myself round here. All very cloak and dagger if youaskme.’
‘She’s probably about to announce she’s also withchild.’
‘Annabel!’ said a shocked Rebecca. ‘How can yousaythat?’
