Dean looked over at Vernon and Angel laughing as crushed iced spurted out from the refrigerator.
‘See, she’s being a doll and Vernon likes herandI finally got her to part with the dreadful Christmas book she made us read every December.’
‘I don’t have a problem with minding Angel, Hay; I’m just worried about you. I know you’re doing this for Angel but areyoureally ready for it?’ Dean asked.
Hayley sucked in a giant breath. She was trying to do everything but think about whethershewas ready for it or not. She just had to be. This wasn’t about her.
‘I don’t know. I wasn’t ready for the end ofSpooksbut I had to deal with it all the same.’
Dean was looking at her, seemingly scrutinising every nuance. She tried another smile and picked up her wine glass, sipping at the contents.
‘I don’t think you should go there on your own,’ Dean said.
‘I promise I won’t go off with any suspicious-looking characters and come back pregnant.’ Hayley held her hand up like she was committing to the Girl Guide promise.
‘That isn’t funny.’
‘No, I know but Iamdoing it for Angel.’ She sighed. ‘I have no secret yearning to see Michel again.’
Now Dean was eyeing her with suspicion.
‘Why are you looking at me like that?’
He sighed. ‘Well, how many boyfriends have you had since Michel?’
‘Come on, I’ve got a nine-year-old daughter.’ She looked over tothe kitchen. Vernon and Angel were making artwork out of the glass of Coke with a paper umbrella, straws and fruit.
‘So there’s been nobody?’
‘I’m not particularly comfortable having this conversation with my brother.’
‘Hayley…’
‘There’s been a few, OK. A couple of dinners and a couple of nights at their places.’ Her mind went to Greg. ‘A desperate colleague who wanted to iron out my creases and so much more.’
‘What?’
Hayley sighed. ‘There’s been no one special enough to meet Angel.’
‘Because?’
‘Not because I still hold out hope of reuniting with someone I knew for half an evening, one night and half a morning ten years ago.’ She huffed out a breath and dug her fork into a baby tomato.
‘Listen, don’t get me wrong, I think you’re right about focusing on Angel but—’ Dean began.
‘Look what Vernon made me!’ Angel held aloft the fluted glass of Coke festooned with every embellishment imaginable. Saved by the bell – read Coke.
‘We thought it went with Uncle Dean’s cushions,’ Vernon remarked, retaking his seat.
‘Funny guy,’ Dean said, a smile at his lips.
‘Do you like it, Mum?’ Angel asked, sitting back down and showing Hayley her glass.
‘I think it looks worthy of a nightclub,’ she answered, defiant eyes shifting to Dean.
19
DEAN WALKER’S APARTMENT, DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN
