‘Oh, thank goodness for that. If you’d have said no I’d have had to move to a different country just to avoid you,’ he said.
‘Well, why do you think I said yes? I couldn’t put poor Annabelle through that.’
He grinned and it took a few seconds for me to realise his hand was still on my arm. I moved it away, and shoved my hand in my pocket. I was aware of a few mums glancing at us as they passed and I didn’t particularly want to be the subject of school-gate gossip.
‘So where would you like to go?’ he said.
‘It’s been so long since I’ve been anywhere, I’m open to suggestions,’ I replied.
‘Well then leave it with me. Friday night good?’
‘Friday night is perfect,’ I said. There was no point in pretending I had a busy social life when it was obvious I didn’t.
Now, though, I was feeling less certain of myself. Why had I even agreed to this? I didn’t go on dates, and there was good reason for that. It was hardly fair to lead someone on when, assuming my plan to save him had worked, I was hoping to find Nick in a couple of years’ time.
I ran down the stairs in my underwear and stood in the doorway to the living room where Flynn was lying down with his eyes closed and there was a Rachel-sized bulge in the curtains. Flynn’s eyes flew open.
‘Go away, Mummy, we’re playing hide and seek,’ he hissed. I held my hands up in surrender. ‘Sorry little man. I was looking for Aunty Rachel.’
Flynn rolled his eyes. ‘She’shiding, Mummy.’
I grinned, my eyes flicking over to Rachel’s terrible hiding place. ‘Of course, sorry. Well, when you find her would you please tell her that she can go home because I’ve changed my mind about going out tonight?’
Two things happened simultaneously: Flynn groaned, and the curtain was whipped back and Rachel’s face appeared. She didn’t look impressed.
‘I absolutely willnotbe going home, because you are going out,’ she said, unfolding herself to her full height.
‘I’m just not sure it’s a good idea,’ I said.
‘But, Mummy, I don’t want Aunty Rachel to go home,’ Flynn said, his voice a whine.
‘You see? Flynn has spoken. You’re going out. Now go on, go and get dressed before you’re ridiculously late.’
I hesitated for a moment trying to decide whether to argue back, then let out a sigh. ‘Fine,’ I said, and ran back upstairs. I could hear them giggling behind me and I rolled my eyes. Since when had Flynn learned to be so manipulative?
I pulled my favourite trousers and a fitted jumper out of the wardrobe and got dressed quickly, put some make-up on, and studied myself in the mirror. I usually wore my red hair tied back but I’d left it loose tonight and it looked good. It was the first time I’d thought about the way I looked in forever, and it didn’t feel too bad.
‘Right, you two, be good, and don’t let him eat any more ice cream,’ I said to Rachel.
‘As if I would,’ Rachel said, giving Flynn a huge wink. I rolled my eyes as I bent down to give Flynn a kiss.
‘Now be a good boy for Aunty Rachel won’t you?’
‘Of course, Mummy. And be a good girl for Annabelle’s daddy.’
‘I will,’ I said, solemnly, ignoring Rachel’s snort in the background.
And then before I could change my mind, I left.
‘So I take it Flynn’s dad isn’t on the scene?’ Oliver said, taking a bite of bread and chewing slowly.
I froze, unsure how to answer. I had to say something. Oliver had just told me all about his divorce, about his wife running offwith another man and starting another family and how he had full custody because she hadn’t shown much interest in seeing Annabelle.
‘I have no idea how anyone could do that,’ I’d told him, my heart contracting at the mere thought of walking away from Flynn and never seeing him again.
‘Me neither. But it made life easier, in the end, for me at least.’ Oliver shook his head. ‘I just have to hope it doesn’t affect Annabelle too much, long term.’
It was only natural that he would ask me about Flynn’s dad, and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t really planned what to say.
