Annabel flicked through the TV channels, but couldn’t find anything worth watching. Programme after programme; everything seemed to be either a repeat or the dullest of viewings imaginable. She wondered what was wrong with her. Normally, she’d be quite happy to lounge on the sofa, losing herself in some mind-numbing show whether she’d seen it before or not. Lately though, she just felt restless.

As much as she tried to deny it, Annabel knew she only had herself to blame. She’d been naïve to think that if she moved on in one aspect of her life, the rest of it could stay the same. She might not have anticipated it, but, even the most tentative step back out into the big, wide world was bound to have its impact, enough to show her there was more to life than these four walls and work. Why hadn’t she listened to Katy and gone for an anonymous donor? If she had, her naivety might have stood a better chance. She sighed. It was just like her to be clever and go down the unconventional route.

Typical really, she thought. Out of all the men in the pub that night she had to pick the one going through the biggest crisis of his life. And who better to empathise than a woman who’d experienced the death of a loved one first hand? No wonder Dan didn’t remain a mere sperm donor for very long; it would have been inhuman of Annabel not to see him as an individual with feelings and fears in his own right. Then he had to introduce her to things like Bucket Lists and posh frocks for no reason, reminders of how it felt to be living rather than existing. Under circumstances like that, was it any wonder things were getting complicated?

Of course, it wasn’t enough that she felt for the guy, she had to make matters worse. Dan’s and her lips might not have actually met, but for Annabel that wasn’t really the point. They may as well have done. She shrank inside, yet again questioning what the hell had come over her. What had she been thinking, especially when she’d been the one to lay down all the ground rules. There was to be no physical contact between her and her donor, she wanted a baby and nothing more. Yet despite all this, she’d still seen fit to more or less throw herself at him. Talk about being a tease. Dan must hate me right now.

She hoped not. Although to be fair to him, it wouldn’t have surprised her if she never clapped eyes on him again.

‘Maybe it’s for the best,’ she said, particularly as Dan wasn’t her only dilemma. She had her husband to think about in all of this as well, and if she were in his shoes, she had to admit she probably wouldn’t be too pleased. Annabel had never forgotten their conversation and the promise she’d made. In fact, she could remember it verbatim. At the time, Tom had laughed and called her silly. But she’d meant every word of it. She still did. She looked up to the heavens, praying to God he hadn’t been looking down to witness the whole event. ‘I really am sorry, Tom,’ she said, ‘All I can tell you is it won’t happen again.’

Frustrated, Annabel didn’t want to think about it anymore and she tossed the remote to one side and glanced around the room. Her eyes settled on the book case and she considered losing herself in a good old yarn. It seemed ages since she’d done any reading; and getting engrossed in someone else’s problems would certainly help her forget her own. One look at the titles on offer though and she knew her heart wasn’t in it. Reading took too much concentration. Annabel turned her attention to the clock; she supposed that only left an early bath and bed. It might only be 7pm, but it wasn’t as if she had anything better to do. Besides, she hadn’t been sleeping properly as of late, so the extra few hours rest would do her good.

Annabel heard the doorbell ring. Strange, she thought. I’m not expecting any visitors. She trudged out into the hallway, curious as to whom it could be and knowing her luck, she’d be about to greet some religious group out to recruit new members. Then again, she scoffed, joining a convent-like sect might be just what she needed right now. After all, becoming a nun was one way of ensuring she kept to her marriage vows. She opened the door, ready to tell them she’d join whatever cult was on offer. Caught off guard, her heart skipped a beat.

‘Oh,’ she said, almost lost for words. ‘Hello.’

Annabel felt awkward as well as surprised. Having not heard from Dan since that fateful night she wasn’t prepared. She’d just been thinking she’d never see him again, yet here he was, large as life. Being a polite chap, doubtless, only to tell her the whole baby thing was off.

‘Hello,’ he replied.

Annabel braced herself for the inevitable; she took in his casual yet smart attire and looked down at her cosy sweatpants. If she’d known he was coming, she’d have at least tidied herself up a bit.

‘For you,’ said Dan.

Dan produced a gift from behind his back, Annabel felt confused. She’d always assumed men didn’t like rejection, but this one had come bearing gifts.

‘I was going to save it until Wednesday and then I thought what the heck. You don’t mind me turning up like this, do you?’

‘Not at all,’ replied Annabel, although if truth be known she didn’t know what to think. Things had been decidedly uncomfortable come the end of his last visit. ‘But … ‘ She fell silent, not sure how to continue.

‘Look,’ said Dan. ‘If you’re worried about the other night, then don’t be. We both have a lot going on and these things happen.’

Annabel shifted from one foot to the other. ‘Not to me they don’t,’ she said.

He smiled. ‘Annabel, we didn’t do anything. Remember?’

She looked into his eyes, his sincerity making her blush.

‘And our arrangement?’ she tentatively asked.

He seemed to find her question unnecessary. ‘Well I’m still game if you are?’

Annabel felt torn. Dan might be correct in his assertion that nothing had actually taken place between them, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t wanted it to—a want that continued to scare the hell out of her. On the other hand, she desperately wanted a child too and there was no way she could face having to go out and find another donor.

She told herself that she was being ridiculous, that surely she could pretend nothing had happened if he could.

‘As long as you’re sure,’ she replied. ‘Because … ‘

‘I’m sure,’ said Dan, before she could finish. He held out his gift. ‘Call it a peace offering.’

Finally, Annabel allowed herself to relax. ‘Thank you,’ she said.

In spite of its wrapping, there was no disguising what the gift was. Annabel ripped open the paper, she couldn’t help but laugh. ‘And what am I supposed to do with this?’ she asked. It had to be the scruffiest skateboard she’d ever seen.

‘Sorry about the state of it,’ said Dan. ‘It’s been in the shed for years.’

‘You mean it’s yours?’

‘It certainly is. I got it when I was about eight. A birthday present from Mum.’

Annabel remembered what had been said during their Bucket List conversation and she felt touched that he’d remembered too.

‘It’s about time it came out of retirement,’ said Dan. ‘So … ‘ He took a step back. ‘When you’re ready.’

‘What? You want me to get on it now?’

Annabel stood there aghast. It was all very nice of him to think of her like this, but he couldn’t really expect her to jump on it straight away, could he? Not only was she a complete novice, she wasn’t prepared. She needed time to psych herself up.

‘Unless you’ve got better things to do,’ said Dan.

Annabel thought about the alternative, the choice between crap TV or an early night. If it was anybody else, she knew it would be a no brainer. Looking from the tatty, old skateboard to him and back again, she had to admit she felt tempted as she tried to remember the last time she’d done something so spur of the moment.

A little voice told her she was on dangerous ground, but looking him in the eye again, there seemed to be something about this man. He certainly had the ability to bring out the worst in her. Or could that be the best? Annabel wasn’t sure anymore.

Bugger it, she thought. Why not?

Annabel kicked off her slippers and swapped them with a pair of trainers, she smiled. ‘So where to?’ she asked. After stepping outside, she shut the door behind her.

‘We don’t have to go anywhere,’ said Dan. ‘We have the perfect practice road here.’

Much to Annabel’s horror, he indicated to her front street. ‘You’ve got to be kidding me?’

‘No, of course not. I mean look at it. It’s sloping without being too severe, just right for someone who’s never had the pleasure before.’

Annabel looked around at the surrounding houses, pleasure not being quite the word she’d have chosen. ‘In front of the neighbours, you mean?’ Knowing them, she’d have been surprised if the curtains weren’t twitching already.

Dan ignored her concerns and just laughed. ‘Do you want me to show you how it’s done? Or would you prefer to dive straight in?’

She looked at the skateboard; the mere prospect of getting on that thing was enough to make her feel anxious. And thanks to their location, she knew she was about to show herself up; something she thought best delayed for as long as possible. ‘After you,’ she said, easily handing it over.

Annabel watched him head up the road and, ready for action, put one foot on the board before pushing off. She couldn’t help but giggle as he slowly rolled towards her. Arms outstretched, he did nothing but wobble. Despite making it clear that he hadn’t done this in a while, Annabel had still assumed he’d be a bit more capable than this. Compared to her, he was meant to be the expert.

‘How cool is that?’ said Dan, suddenly jumping off the board.

The man clearly didn’t know what he looked like.

‘Your turn,’ he said.

Having just seen Dan’s efforts, Annabel told herself that she couldn’t be any worse and, took up her position in the road. With one foot on the skateboard she took a deep breath to steady her nerves. It reminded her of the first time she’d ridden a bike. Having never been a physical child that had filled her with fear too. Until she realised how easy it was. Using her other foot, she propelled herself forward, before instinctively placing it flat behind the other. Using her arms for balance, she seemed to get the hang of it and her face, at last, relaxed into a smile.

‘I’m doing it! I’m doing it!’ she excitedly called out.

While gradually making her way down the road, she dared to turn her head towards a cheering Dan as she passed him by. This had to be the most fun she’d had in years.

Annabel felt freer than she’d felt in a long time; even more so when the board began to pick up pace thanks to a sudden incline. A rush of adrenaline coursed through her veins and Annabel wondered if this was how those adrenaline junkies felt.

As she began to go even faster, Annabel thought she’d better slow down. ‘What do I do now?’ she shouted to Dan, after realising that she didn’t know how to. Her adrenaline reverted to downright nervousness, as he shouted something back. But the noise of the wheels on the road’s surface drowned him out, leaving Annabel no choice but to just keep going. The skateboard continued to gather momentum, she told herself not to panic. Advice she couldn’t help but ignore when a car suddenly turned the corner, only to head in her direction. ‘Shit!’ she screamed. ‘Dan! Dan!’

As the vehicle got nearer and nearer, everything seemed to move in slow motion and Annabel realised if she didn’t want to hit it head on she had to jump. With her heart racing and no time to think, she spotted an up and coming garden hedge. ‘That’ll do,’ she told herself. With one eye on the car and one on the greenery, she desperately held her nerve until just the right second and suddenly leapt off of the board, eyes tight shut. As she flew through the air, all she could hear was the sound of screeching brakes, then nothing as she suddenly landed face down in the foliage.

Confused and dazed, she felt someone suddenly upon her.

‘Annabel! Annabel! Are you alright?’ asked a frantic Dan. ‘Annabel, talk to me.’

Flat out in the shrubbery, and with Dan’s help, she managed to roll onto her back. Her eyes locked onto his for a moment, as it began to dawn on her what had just happened. She began to smile. ‘That’s the most fun I’ve had in years,’ she said.

‘Jesus,’ said Dan, slumping down beside her. ‘Thank God you’re alright.’

A vehicle door opened and slammed shut. ‘Of all the stupid things,’ said the female car driver.

Annabel listened as footsteps angrily marched over.

‘Do you want to get yourself killed?’

‘Oh, fuck,’ said Annabel. Now she was in for it.

‘Annabel?’ said Rebecca, the car driver.