‘That’s better.’ Her father ignored how ungraciously Jack had said the words. ‘We’re family and we need to stick together. No point in us falling out with each other.’
‘I’m glad you said that, Dad, because you might not like what I’ve got to tell you.’
‘What’s that then?’
She took a deep breath and then splurged straight into it. ‘I’ve got to work this weekend.’
‘I don’t believe this! That man’s taking advantage of you.’
‘He’s not. But the fact is, we’ve got an urgent job on and the deadline is Monday morning. There’s not much he can do about it. And I’m sure he’ll give me time off in the week.’
‘He’d better.’
‘There’s something else, though. He’s got to be in Cheshire this weekend, so I’ll need to go with him.’
‘What!’ Andrew exclaimed.
But Jack laughed. ‘I knew it! I knew you were doing the boss. I have to hand it to you, Anna, you’re a quick worker.’
‘Jack! Take that back!’ her father said. ‘That’s a terrible thing to say.’
Jack smirked but didn’t apologise.
‘Mind you, I can’t say I’m happy about you going to Cheshire with him.’ Her father ignored Jack’s silence.
‘Dad, I’m a grown-up and I can handle myself. Besides, it’s all completely above board.’ While Anna was furious with Jack for his snide comment, now was not the time to confront him. It would only exacerbate an already volatile situation. ‘I’ve stocked up the freezer so you won’t go hungry. All you’ll need to do is take something out in the morning to defrost, then heat it through in the microwave.’
‘You want us to eat microwaved crap!’ Jack said.
Anna gritted her teeth. ‘No, it’s home-cooked food that has been frozen — nothing to turn your nose up at. And if you don’tlike it you can always get a takeaway.’ She turned to her father. ‘I’ve done the shopping so there’s plenty of food in the fridge too, and all your washing is in clean piles outside your rooms. I doubt you’ll even notice I’m away.’
‘I’m sure we will,’ he said. ‘And thanks for doing that, love. I do appreciate what you do, even though I don’t always tell you. We all should.’
‘Thanks, Dad. But I meant what I said last night. The best way you could show your appreciation is by you all helping out a bit more.’
Jack scoffed, but her father said, ‘Yes, maybe you’re right. You deserve to have a life too.’
Anna was elated. Maybe her point of view had been understood after all. ‘Well, I’ve got an early start in the morning and need to pack, so I’ll go to my room now.’
Her father got up and gave her a hug and a peck on the cheek. ‘You take care now. And don’t let that man take advantage of you.’
‘I won’t.’
‘And if there’s anything you don’t like, you get on a train straight away and come home.’
‘I will, Dad,’ Anna said, although she didn’t for one minute think she’d need to.
* * *
Thankfully the shoot went much better the next day and, as Daniel headed towards the motorway in his white Range Rover, Anna had a quick look at the camera roll.
‘Oh, these are much better,’ she said. ‘There’s a number we could use just by a quick look at them.’
‘That’s a relief,’ Daniel said. ‘We can make a start on them tonight if that’s okay with you? Ben will be exhausted after his competition and he’s a good sleeper, so he’ll be out like a light.’
‘Right, okay then.’ She wondered where she’d be staying.
‘You don’t sound too sure. I can always make a start myself and you can carry on tomorrow morning while I look after Ben. He’s got a party in Chester in the afternoon so I won’t be around then, but if we can break the back of it by tomorrow afternoon, we can both have a bit of time off.’
