A smile replaced the hesitation that had shadowed his eyes. ‘Well, I’m glad to hear that. It’s very good to see you too, Annie. I’ve missed you.’
Annabel’s insides somersaulted.
‘I really hope I’m not intruding. I hope you don’t mind me coming?’
She smiled at him and shook her head.
James sighed. ‘I just wanted to be here for you, Annie, that’s all. That is, if you’d like me to be?’ The uncertain look was back.
‘Yes.’ She beamed, reaching for his hand. ‘I’d like you to be here, very much indeed.’
The relief in his face was visible and he stepped forward and wrapped her in his arms, holding her close. Annabel breathed in the scent of his cologne and felt the usual sense of peaceful calm wash over her. This was where she wanted to be, safe in his arms.
‘It was awful not saying a proper goodbye,’ he said, breathing into her hair. ‘I’ve spent the past three weeks trying to put you out of my mind, but failing miserably. I landed in London last night and drove down first thing this morning. It’s Jessica’s birthday on Tuesday, so I’ll head up to Oxford to see her in a couple of days. But I’ve been having a long, hard look at things and I think it’s time to make some changes.’
She stepped back from him and looked up into his dark eyes. ‘Oh? What are you thinking?’
‘I don’t want to be a long-distance dad, only seeing my daughter a handful of times a year. She deserves more thanthat. I need to be closer. So I’ve decided it’s time to move back to the UK.’
Annabel smiled. ‘Oh!’ was all she managed.
James tilted his head and continued mysteriously, ‘And the thing is, there’s another special lady I’d like to spend more time with.’
‘Oh really?’ she asked, feigning innocence. ‘She must be pretty special to make you move halfway around the world?’
He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her close so that they were face to face, and chuckled. ‘Oh yes, she isveryspecial indeed!’ He stroked her cheek then bent down to kiss her lightly on the lips. Her insides melted at his touch.
‘So what’s the plan?’ she asked.
‘Well, I put in for a transfer back to London,’ he said. ‘And it’s been approved. Hopefully in the next couple of months.’
‘That’s great news.’ Annabel beamed up at him, a warm feeling spreading through her.
‘It’s not going to be without its complications, Annie. But someone very wise reminded me recently that we’re not eighteen anymore. We all have our baggage, but we deserve to be happy.’
Annabel grinned, remembering the words she had spoken back in Singapore.
‘And I think that spending more time with you would make me very happy.’ He smiled shyly. ‘If you’d like to, that is?’
‘Yes James, I would like that very much.’ She reached up and kissed him.
‘Oh, I nearly forgot, I have something for you.’ He rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a small, purple artificial flower.
‘An orchid?’ Annabel said, taking it from him. ‘From Singapore? It’s beautiful! Is it for me?’
‘For Dotty,’ he said.
‘Thank you, James.’ She smiled through her tears. ‘It’s perfect.’
Then he gave her his arm and escorted her into the church. It was time to say goodbye to her grandmother.
Epilogue
Cornwall
One week later
Seagulls squawked overhead as Annabel and James walked hand in hand across the golden sand of Smugglers Cove. It was a perfect summer’s day; the sky was the deep, Cornish blue that Annabel so loved and the sun felt warm on her skin. She enjoyed the feel of the soft sand between her toes and the scent of the salty sea air. Monty trotted along beside them, barking his reply to the noisy birds above.
