‘Oh, has he forgotten again that he doesn’t live here any more?’
‘I said pretty much the same thing.’ Tess gave a wry smile. ‘No, he thought you might be at home. He wanted to see how you were doing. If there was anything he could do to help. He does love you, you know.’
‘Huh,’ Hannah grunted, helping herself to a roll and pulling it apart between her fingers. She reached for the butter dish and dipped the knife in, spreading it thickly over the bread, before taking a decisive bite. ‘Well, he has a funny way of showing it. I don’t want to have to schedule time to spend with my dad. It isn’t natural. And it means I have to see Melody as well, which I have no desire to do,’ she said airily. ‘Besides, I know he doesn’t approve of my recent life choices. Although to be fair, I don’t approve of his.’ She gave a nonchalant shrug, and tore off another chunk of bread, chomping on it enthusiastically.
Tess received the message loud and clear. That particular topic of conversation was well and truly over.
‘How’s work?’ Tess asked, trying a different tack.
‘I’m loving it,’ she said, her face lighting up. ‘Gina is giving me the creative freedom to set up a social-media presence, which she’s not really had up until now. Already, we’re seeing a positive response to the posts and reels, and it’s great that Gina trusts me to come up with the content. It’s given me something to focus on and the best thing is that I can go into work and forget about everything else that has been going on.’
‘That’s brilliant, but don’t feel you have to put a brave face on. You are allowed to be sad, you know.’
‘No, I’m not.’ She lifted her gaze from her bowl of pasta to look at her mum. ‘Honestly, I would never have wished for any of that stuff to happen, but it did and now, well, it’s like it happened to someone else. The worst thing is dealing with everyone else’s pity, seeing that look in their eyes as though I might break down into tears at any moment. Drives me mad. Honestly, I’m ready to move on. I wish everyone else was too.’
‘Give it time,’ said Tess with a kindly smile. ‘It will be old news very soon. And everyone will find something else to gossip about. I’m just glad you’re here and we get to spend this time together.’ She reached across the table and squeezed her daughter’s hand tight. Tess was aware of the days and weeks ticking by, how everything could change in an instant, so she took nothing for granted. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.
‘I guess.’ Hannah gave a wry smile. ‘It’s been a mad year, though, for both of us, hasn’t it? I worried about you so much while I was away when I discovered what Dad had done. I hated the idea of you being on your own.’
‘I would have thought the same thing too before it happened, but it’s funny how you quickly adjust to a new situation. Not that I had any choice in the matter. I just had to get on with it. That was the reason I tried to keep as much from you as possible. I didn’t want you worrying about what was going on at home when you were supposed to be having the time of your life in Australia.’
‘Well, I did have the time of my life, despite everything that happened here and over there. I met some amazing people and made memories that will last me a lifetime. All that other stuff, the not-so-good stuff, well, I’m not going to dwell on that.’
‘Exactly! It’s the only way,’ Tess said decisively, pleased that Hannah was adopting such a positive attitude. They were both on the cusp of exciting new phases in their respective lives. The past might have shaped them, but it didn’t have to define their future. She lifted the bottle of white wine from the cooler and topped up their glasses, listening attentively as Hannah chatted away about her day and her plans for the weekend. Just hearing her sing-song voice and seeing the smile on her face reassured Tess that everything would be okay. Hannah was strong and determined and would overcome her recent setbacks.
After finishing their meal, Tess went to collect the fruit tart, serving up slices with a dollop of mascarpone on the side. Hannah dug in heartily, sucked on her lips and closed her eyes in an expression of delight.
‘Honestly, this is delicious but I dread to think what it’s doing to my waistline. I should probably start going to the gym now that I’m not doing so much walking.’ Hannah finished her last mouthful and put down her spoon. ‘Still I’m not complaining. I missed your amazing cooking when I was away – and being looked after, I suppose,’ she said with a sheepish grin.
‘And I missed not having someone to cook for. If I’m on my own, I might make do with a sandwich or a jacket potato so it’s nice to have a reason to cook a proper meal.’ Although what surprised Tess was how she appreciated the spontaneity of her life these days, and whether she was catering for just herself, feeding the two of them, entertaining a group of her friends over a casual supper, or preparing a romantic dinner for Rob, she was relishing each moment, making the most of the opportunities as they presented themselves. She certainly didn’t miss cooking for Charles night in, night out, realising what a rut they’d carved out for themselves.
Hannah stretched her arms high above her head.
‘I’m so tired. Working for a living is exhausting,’ she said with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. ‘I might take a long, leisurely soak in the bath, paint my toenails and then have an early night. Do you mind? I’ll help you with these dirty plates first, though.’ Hannah stood up and started clearing the table.
‘Of course I don’t mind. You go up, darling. I’m perfectly happy to do this.’
‘Are you sure?’ Hannah asked, her face lighting up in relief at the suggestion, making Tess laugh.
‘Absolutely. Go and unwind, have a good night’s sleep and I’ll see you in the morning.’
With Barney padding alongside her, ever hopeful that he might be first in line for any leftovers, Tess wandered out to the kitchen with the used plates and popped them into the dishwasher, before running a cloth over the worktops. She switched on the kettle and made herself a mug of tea before wandering out to the orangery, where she usually found herself at the end of the day, nestled in the wicker chair, enjoying the peace and solitude, looking out over the garden, which took on a magical quality at night. The shapes and forms of the shrubs and flowers were accentuated in the soft glow from the solar lights, and if she ventured outside with Barney, the fragrances from the flowers wafted in the still night air.
Tonight though, she was keen to get back to her latest book: an absorbing crime thriller that had transported her to the cobblestones of Prague’s old town. She had only just opened her Kindle and had barely read the first sentence when she heard the doorbell ring. Reluctantly, she put her e-reader to one side. She wasn’t expecting any visitors, so she wondered if it might be Dilly from next door, pushing away a vague hope that it could be Rob, knowing she would only end up disappointed when that idea was inevitably dashed.
Any disappointment she might have been expecting was quickly replaced by a whole raft of other emotions when she saw who it was standing at her door. At first, she experienced a moment’s incomprehension seeing the young man who she vaguely recognised, but couldn’t quite place, but it took only a moment before realisation dawned. It was the distinctive blond hair that gave it away, as he stood there, hands behind his back, looking at her expectantly. The last time she’d seen him was on a video call when his hair had been longer and messier, and he’d been rocking a surf-dude vibe. Now his hair was shorter, accentuating the cut of his jawline and a set of compelling brown eyes. Any lingering doubt she may have had about who it was was quickly dispelled as soon as he opened his mouth.
‘Hello, Mrs Alexander, I’m Billy. I’m pleased to meet you at last.’ These words were delivered with a disarming smile and a soft Irish accent. ‘I was hoping that Hannah would be here.’
Tess felt wrong-footed. She was immediately taken by Billy’s easy charm, as she had been on those video calls when they’d chatted briefly before, but quickly, she remembered how this young man had broken her daughter’s heart, and immediately felt defensive. What was he doing here now? What could he possibly want?
‘Was Hannah expecting you?’ Tess asked, already knowing the answer to that question. Hannah would most definitely have mentioned an upcoming visit from her ex, but it gave her at least a bit of thinking time.
‘No, I thought I’d surprise her,’ he said with a quirk of his mouth, having the good grace to look apologetic.
‘You’ll certainly do that,’ she said coolly. ‘Look I’m not entirely sure Hannah is available right now. I would need to go and check. Can you wait a few minutes?’
‘Sure,’ he said, ‘I can wait as long as it takes.’
