Annabel finished keying in her text and pressed the send button. She might have thanked Dan for all his help already, but she wanted him to know just how appreciative of his assistance she’d been. Going into that place fully dressed, let alone in her pyjamas, would have been bad enough, a message she’d tried, and somehow failed, to convey.

She thought back to the drive home. Despite her grateful wittering, he’d seemed unusually quiet. Almost as if he wasn’t listening. Of course, it had been an unusual night and come the end of it, he had to think she and her family were balm pots. Not that he actually said this out loud. In Annabel’s view, Dan was far too much of a gentleman for that. Most men would probably run a mile rather than get involved in someone else’s marital issues, and they definitely wouldn’t partake in a spot of breaking and entering. Her lips curled as she once again recalled his chivalry. When he handed her his jacket and rolled his shirt sleeves up, he’d made climbing that drainpipe look so easy. And he’d been right, there’s no way she could have managed it herself, with or without the pair of fluffy bunny slippers.

‘What are you smiling at?’ asked Rebecca.

‘I’m not,’ said Annabel. She put her phone down to one side. ‘Unlike you, I see.’ She took in her sister’s features, the woman didn’t just appear happy, she glowed. ‘You haven’t stopped grinning since getting here.’

‘I know. It’s like a great, big weight has been lifted off my shoulders.’ She let out a long sigh. ‘How could I have been so silly as to think Gavin would do something like that?’

‘Tell me about it,’ said Annabel. ‘I’ve never been one to say I told you so, but everyone knows how much that man loves you.’ She joined her sister at the table. ‘I suppose that’s what happens when people keep things from each other. They get the wrong end of the stick.’

‘It’s very romantic though, don’t you think?’

Annabel laughed. ‘What? Having to take a second job in some grotty old pub to make ends meet? If you say so.’

‘It’s not to make ends meet,’ said Rebecca. ‘He’s earning the extra cash for something special.’

‘For your up-and-coming wedding anniversary? You’ve said, numerous times.’

Her sister frowned. ‘You don’t have to be like that about it,’ she said. ‘I’ve also made it clear how sorry I am for dragging you into this. And all for nothing as it turns out.’

Annabel looked up to the heavens. ‘Rebecca, I’m teasing,’ she said. ‘And I don’t remember you dragging me into anything. We’re sisters, if you have a problem, it’s my problem too. I’m just glad you’re back to your old self.’ As she looked at her sister again, she noted it was good to see her so relaxed, to see her smiling for a change. ‘Better than your old self, in fact.’

‘I could say the same about you,’ said Rebecca.

Annabel narrowed her eyes. ‘Meaning?’

‘Meaning nothing.’

Frustratingly, her sister she refused to say anymore. She simply raised a knowing eyebrow before moving the conversation on.

‘I told Gavin about the baby,’ she said.

‘And?’

‘And he’s as ecstatic over this pregnancy as he was all the others.’

‘I’m pleased to hear it,’ said Annabel. She felt torn. On the one hand, she couldn’t be happier for Rebecca, on the other, she couldn’t be more disappointed for herself.

‘Are you? Because I’m not sure I could be quite so gracious in your shoes.’

Annabel appreciated her sister’s concern, but it was completely unnecessary. Despite her mixed feelings, she planned on supporting this pregnancy along with everyone else. ‘What kind of question is that?’ she replied. ‘Of course I am. I admit, I wasn’t as excited as I should have been in the beginning, but what would be the point in feeling resentful? If anyone knows life doesn’t always go according to plan, it’s me and so what if you’ve gotten in there first? It just means I get plenty of practice on your baby before I have one of my own.’

Thankfully, her reassurances appeared to have the desired effect and Rebecca seemed to relax.

‘Anyway, that’s enough about me,’ said Annabel, ready to talk about something else. ‘Tell me about this surprise gift Gavin’s saving for? What do you think it is?’

‘Oh I don’t know,’ said Rebecca. ‘I’m hoping it’s a holiday, to somewhere exotic, like the Caribbean. We always said we’d mark the Big Ten with something really special. Although if it is.’ She looked down at her stomach. ‘I’m going to look a right treat in a bikini.’

Annabel began to picture a clear blue sea, gently lapping the shore of a white sandy beach. She could almost feel the heat of the sun as she imagined herself, cocktail in hand, soaking up its rays. It had been years since she’d had a holiday. Her last break being her honeymoon and, although she and Tom had had a great time, it hadn’t been what anyone could call glamorous. The cost of the wedding itself, and the fact that she’d been setting up the Florist, hadn’t left enough money for anything fancy; a few days in Torquay was all that they could manage. Annabel sighed wistfully. Maybe the time had come to treat herself?

‘Speaking of special,’ she said. ‘Any idea what this is all about?’

‘I haven’t a clue,’ replied Rebecca. ‘Katy just said she had something important to tell us, and to get myself round here. All very cloak and dagger if you ask me.’

‘She’s probably about to announce she’s also with child.’

‘Annabel!’ said a shocked Rebecca. ‘How can you say that?’

She laughed. ‘Well, it would be just my bloody luck!’

‘I was thinking more along the lines of an engagement,’ said Rebecca. ‘This Oliver chap could have popped the question?’

‘No,’ said Annabel. ‘Surely not? We haven’t even had the pleasure of meeting him yet. And I wouldn’t have thought they’d been seeing each other long enough, would you?’ She thought for a moment. By Katy’s standards, this relationship did seem different to all the others and, in light of that, Rebecca’s suggestion definitely provided food for thought.

‘It would certainly explain all this palaver,’ added her sister. ‘And she does seem more committed.’

‘I know what you mean,’ said Annabel. ‘Before she was all love ‘em and leave ‘em.’

‘Whereas now …’

Annabel couldn’t help the grin spreading across her face. ‘You know, I think you might be right.’ Her ears pricked at the sound of the front door opening and closing; she made sure to lower her voice. ‘Talk of the Devil,’ she said. ‘At least now we’ll find out for sure.’

‘It’s only me,’ Katy called out. She exuded excitement as she burst into the room. ‘Thank goodness you’re both here,’ she said. ‘Have I got news for you?’

Annabel looked to Rebecca full of anticipation. She noted that her friend was carrying two bottles of champagne, it was clear that whatever the news Katy had, it was big. She discretely checked out Katy’s ring finger, but disappointingly couldn’t see any jewellery. Not that this necessarily meant anything, Annabel told herself. After all, to walk in with a diamond on show would only spoil the surprise.

‘So, what’s all this about?’ she asked. Annabel tried to sound casual, she didn’t want to ruin her friend’s moment.

‘First thing’s first,’ said Katy, with a giggle. ‘Glasses, please.’

As Rebecca began to protest that she, and the baby, would be fine without the alcohol, Annabel wasted no time in doing as instructed. In her mind, the quicker they got this bit over with, the quicker her friend could make her announcement.

‘One little mouthful isn’t going to hurt,’ said Katy to Rebecca, expertly popping the first of her champagne corks.

Annabel produced three champagne flutes and couldn’t fail to be impressed as her friend proceeded to fill them. Left to her, the stuff would have been everywhere and she wasn’t about to reveal her engagement.

‘Right, now we’re all ready,’ said Katy. She handed everyone a glass.

Here we go, thought Annabel.

Annabel was already imagining herself as Maid of Honour, she never dreamed she’d see the day. Totally against the whole boy meets girl and lives happily ever after scenario, Oliver must be one special guy for Katy to do such an about turn.

‘So,’ said Katy. ‘You know how Oliver and I have been getting pretty close of late.’

‘Yes,’ said Annabel.

‘Yes,’ said Rebecca.

‘And that our relationship has gotten quite serious?’

‘Yes,’ said Annabel.

‘Yes,’ said Rebecca.

‘Well last night, we decided to take things to the next level.’

Annabel could hardly contain herself. She willed Katy to get on with it, this build-up was killing her.

‘So much so, that last night he got down on one knee and gave me this.’

‘Oh my goodness,’ Annabel whispered to Rebecca. ‘We were right.’

She watched as her friend reached into her bag. Holding her breath, her eyes widened.

‘Ta daaa!’ said Katy, revealing all.

Looking from Katy’s hand to her face, Annabel froze, speechless.

‘It’s a key,’ said Rebecca.

‘I know,’ said Katy. ‘To his apartment. Of course, we’re not moving in together. That would be taking things a bit too far. But isn’t it exciting?’

Annabel watched on as Katy lovingly looked down at the shiny piece of metal in her hand, sighing at the heart shaped ring it was attached to.

‘So, Ladies,’ she said, back to giving them her full attention. ‘What do you think?’

Annabel knew she should say something. This might not be much of a step as far as she, herself, was concerned, but for Katy it was clearly something else. ‘I think it’s wonderful,’ she said. ‘Don’t you, Rebecca?’

‘Wonderful,’ her sister replied. She continued to stare at the key. ‘That’s one word for it.’

Katy narrowed her eyes, suspicious. ‘I’m getting the sense you’re both a little underwhelmed here,’ she said.

‘No, not at all,’ replied Annabel, images of this bridesmaid dress and that bridesmaid dress fast disappearing. ‘I wouldn’t say that, would you, Rebecca? It’s just come as a bit of a surprise.’ She could see her friend didn’t believe her. ‘I mean it’s such a big step,’ she carried on regardless. ‘You and Oliver haven’t been together very long, have you?’

‘You expected a ring, didn’t you?’

‘No,’ said Annabel. ‘Of course not. We didn’t expect anything of the sort, did we?’ She turned to her sister, willing her to play along.

‘Yes,’ said Rebecca, her tone as blunt as ever. ‘We did.’

Having just been dropped in it, Annabel fell silent. With the game up, she just hoped her friend wasn’t too offended.

Much to her relief, Katy suddenly burst out laughing.

‘Guys, it’s me we’re talking about,’ she said. ‘Sorry to be a drag, but this is as big as it gets, I’m afraid. You’ll be down the aisle long before me, Annabel, that’s for sure.’

Pleased to see her friend see the funny side, Annabel stepped forward to give her a hug. ‘No, we’re the ones who are sorry, Katy. We didn’t mean to spoil it for you.’

Annabel realised what her friend had just said and she suddenly pulled away again. ‘What are you talking about? I’ll be down the aisle long before you?’

She looked from Katy to Rebecca. It was clear the two of them had been gossip mongering and she waited for an explanation. They obviously knew something she didn’t.

‘Oh come on,’ said Katy.

‘I told you she’d deny it,’ said Rebecca.

‘Deny what?’ asked Annabel.

‘That there’s more to you and Dan than you’re admitting,’ said her friend.

Annabel almost spluttered.

‘Even a blind man can see he’s besotted with you,’ said her sister.

‘And don’t think we haven’t noticed the twinkle in your eyes too,’ Katy carried on.

‘Rubbish,’ said Annabel. ‘The two of you don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘Is it me?’ asked Katy. ‘Or does the lady protesteth too much?’

‘You know what,’ replied Rebecca. ‘I think she does.’

‘You don’t even like the man,’ said Annabel, to her sister. ‘And how did we go from your anniversary?’ She turned to Katy. ‘And your non-engagement, to me anyway?’

‘That was before last night,’ Rebecca replied, completely ignoring Annabel’s objections. ‘Having spent a little time with him, I now happen to think he’s perfect for you.’

‘Perfect for me?’ Annabel couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She felt hijacked into a conversation she didn’t want. ‘Now listen to me, you two,’ she said. ‘I’ve already had the love of my life and I think you’re both being very disrespectful.’ She thought about what she and Tom had shared in their short time together. How she’d vowed to never replace him, before, and after, his death. ‘And if you’re being disrespectful, to even try and go there again with someone else, well what would that make me?’

Her friend looked to Rebecca and, despite not saying a single word, Annabel could see they were still in agreement.

Both women turned their eyes directly on her.

‘Lucky!’ they said, in unison.

* * *

Dan poured the freshly blended mix of vegetables, herbs, and stock from the mixer back in to the pan. ‘Not bad,’ he said. ‘Even if I do say so myself.’ He breathed in the soup’s enticing aroma. No way would his mother be able to resist this.

He gave it a quick stir, and stopped to lean against the kitchen counter; he took his mobile from his pocket and, yet again, read the text from Annabel. Up until now, he’d been the only one to instigate contact outside of their usual appointment, so her message had come as a bit of a surprise. A nice surprise, he had to admit, especially when she’d expressed her gratitude already.

He smiled to himself, doubting she’d have shown any appreciation at all had she known he’d been half tempted to let her head off in search of Gavin herself. Considering her wardrobe, it would have been great entertainment value. Although she did look pretty cute in her PJs, he had to concede. Not quite as cute as when she opened the door in nothing but her dressing gown, of course. Now that was an image he’d never forget.

He almost laughed at how his mind actually went blank for a second, causing him to come out with some inane question about it not being a bad time. Obviously it wasn’t a good time. The woman had had to answer the door half-naked. He continued to picture her though and couldn’t help the words tom-ay-to and tom-ah-to springing to mind.

He snapped himself out of it, knowing it was exactly these kinds of thoughts that had gotten him into his current predicament.

What a mess, Dan thought to himself. Seeing her like that had left him unable to think straight, let alone remember why he was actually there. And by the time he’d pulled himself together it was too late to offer any explanation at all with regards to his impromptu visit, she was already on the phone to her sister. Why hadn’t he just said what he had to say and then left them both to it, instead of playing the knight in shining armour? If he had, he wouldn’t have heard about Rebecca’s pregnancy. But hear he did and now it felt cruel to tell Annabel their arrangement was off. The mere mention of Rebecca having a baby had struck him, so he could only guess at how Annabel must feel. She might put on a brave face, but whether she admitted it or not, it had to hurt.

‘Anyone I know?’ asked his mum, entering the room.

As she peeked over his shoulder, Dan quickly tucked his phone into his jeans pocket. ‘I shouldn’t think so,’ he said. He pushed anything and everything Annabel related to the back of his mind, it was something he’d have to deal with later.

He picked up the wooden spoon again and got back to his stirring. ‘I hope you’re hungry. This soup is to die for.’ Dan cringed. There were so many innocuous statements that, under normal circumstances, would go unnoticed. Now, however, they seemed to take on a whole new dimension. He turned to his mother. ‘Sorry. That came out wrong.’

Unusually quiet, she dismissed his comment with a wave of a hand. ‘This looks nice,’ she said, taking a seat.

He followed her gaze to the neatly laid table. His mum had always thought it important they eat together at least once a day. She viewed it as their time to catch up. Dan had to admit he hadn’t always agreed and sometimes he had managed to get out of it, but not very often. He thought back to his youth, he could still recall his frustration at not being able to come in from school and head straight for his room. Unlike his friends, he wasn’t allowed to shut himself away for hours on end. Instead, he’d have to sit and watch his mum prepare dinner, answering question after question about how his day had been, what he and his friends had been up to during break and did they have any plans for the weekend. Even after they’d eaten he still couldn’t escape. Under his mother’s watchful eye, he’d have to sit there doing his homework while she washed up and cleared everything away.

Now though, he understood why. The prospect of losing his mum had forced him to look at their relationship through fresh eyes. He’d come to realise their tea time routine, along with the incessant questions, had been her way of ascertaining what was going on in his head, rather than in his general day to day life. She’d simply been making sure she didn’t lose him to all the badness out there in the world – crime, drugs, peer pressure, all the things that can drive a wedge between parent and child if left unnoticed. This was her way of keeping him on the straight and narrow. What he’d give to go back to those days.

‘So what’s on your agenda for this week?’ asked his mum, interrupting his thoughts. ‘Anything exciting?’

Dan smiled; he thought to himself that some things never changed. Not only did his mother still employ the same tactics, she was as protective of him now as she’d ever been. He just wished he had more time left with her to appreciate it.

‘No plans to speak of,’ he replied. He carried the pan of soup over to the table and began filling their bowls. ‘What about you?’

His mum picked up her spoon. ‘I’ll be checking out the local hospice, but other than that nothing special.’

Dan stopped what he was doing. He knew that she hadn’t intended to sound so blasé, but he still felt like he’d been slapped in the face. Hospices were where people went to die. They weren’t something you casually dropped into a conversation.

‘Don’t look at me like that, Sweetie. We both know it’s coming and, as hard as it is to accept, we have to be organised and ready. These things have to be done.’ She paused as if thinking about the place in more detail. ‘I’m most looking forward to seeing the gardens. Apparently they’re gorgeous and, no matter the season, there’s always something in bloom. I imagine it’ll be quite comforting to be surrounded by beauty at the end.’

‘But I …’

‘What? Expected me to spend my last days here? I don’t think so, Dan. That would be too much for the both of us.’ She began to eat. ‘And just because I had to bathe you and get you dressed once of a day, that doesn’t mean I want you returning the favour. Surely you can see that?’

Dan didn’t know what to say. On the rare occasion he had allowed himself to think about his mother’s final days, she was right, he had automatically assumed they’d be spent here, with him, in their home. He’d assumed he’d be the one nursing her to the very end and not because of any sense of duty, but because he wanted to do it.

‘After I’m gone,’ his mum carried on. ‘I need you to remember all the fun we’ve had over the years. Not when you had to carry me down the stairs to the sofa, or worse to the toilet. I couldn’t bear it.’

No matter the explanation, Dan still felt hurt. ‘So you’d rather be surrounded by strangers?’

She gave him one of her stern don’t even go there looks and Dan realised there was no point arguing. The matter was in no way up for discussion. He shook his head and sighed. He might not like her decision, he might even want to return the favour as she put it, but he had to respect her wishes even if she couldn’t respect his. ‘Okay,’ he said. ‘We’ll do things your way.’

‘Thank you,’ his mum replied. ‘Now can we please talk about something positive? Tell me, how are things with Maeve?’

Dan fixed a smile on his face; he didn’t feel like talking about anything. ‘Fine,’ he simply said. ‘She’s a lovely girl.’

‘So things are progressing well then, are they?’

He shifted in his seat. Having stood her up last night, this was the one subject he especially didn’t want to get into. ‘As well as can be expected.’

While avoiding his mum’s gaze, he picked up his spoon and dipped it in his bowl. He was beginning to wish that he’d made himself a salad instead. Unable to admit how he really felt about Maeve, he’d never been any good at lying to his mother and with every nervous tick and twitch on show, at least with a salad he could have stuffed his cutlery full of lettuce leaves to hide behind. As it was, he had nothing.

‘I told you you’d like her, didn’t I?’ she said.

Dan suddenly got up from the table. ‘Water?’ he asked. His mum failed to answer, but he decided to get her a drink anyway and, after grabbing a couple of glasses from the cupboard, he headed for the sink.

‘And last night’s date?’ she carried on. ‘How did that go?’

Dan’s hand faltered on the tap. She couldn’t possibly know he’d stood Maeve up.

‘Why do you ask?’ he replied. He tried to sound equally as casual, but felt his body tense up as he waited for her answer.

‘No reason.’

Relieved to hear this, Dan felt himself relax.

‘It’s just that Missy called this morning.’

Shit! thought Dan. Of course she did.

His mother always did have her ways and means of finding out what he’d been up to, sometimes before he’d even done it. However, rather than confront him on any of his wrong doings, she much preferred giving him the opportunity to own up first.

While standing there, he felt like a naughty schoolboy as opposed to the grown man he was meant to be, although he supposed on this occasion he only had himself to blame. Too busy playing the hero on Annabel’s behalf, he should have realised his mum’s friend would have been straight on the phone.

‘She wondered if everything is alright,’ she continued. ‘I mean according to her, poor Maeve waited and waited for you to get there, but you didn’t actually turn up.’

Dan could feel her eyes boring into him as she held out for some sort of explanation. And just like when he was a kid, he knew his deceit would be written all over his face, one of the reasons he never could get away with anything. He returned to the table and frantically tried to come up with a suitable excuse. Maybe he could say his car had broken down or that he’d ran out of petrol. Or that he’d bumped into an old friend en route and gotten waylaid catching up.

‘So,’ his mum continued. ‘If you didn’t spend the evening with Maeve, the only question is who did you spend it with?’

Dan let out a long, hard sigh. The time had come to tell the truth.

‘Annabel,’ he said. ‘Her name’s Annabel.’