‘Yes.’
‘But we spoke about this yesterday.’
‘I know, but I didn’t think it would all happen so quickly.’
He smiled at her. ‘I’m sorry, I’ve steamrollered you, haven’t I?’
‘A little bit.’
‘One of my traits, I’m afraid,’ he said. ‘When I get an idea I like to run with it straight away. And, besides, you’ve waited for this for a long time. There’s no point hanging around now.’
‘But will I be ready?’ she asked again.
‘Of course you will. We’ll do it together.’
She liked the sound of that, of someone holding her hand through this. Of Daniel holding her hand through this. She pushed that last thought away. He was her employer and mentor. Nothing more.
‘So, come on then, let’s get to work. Let’s sort out what we need for the shoot tomorrow and, if we have any time left over, we can run through some of my ideas for your exhibition.’
Anna smiled and shook her head. Daniel was incredibly dynamic when he put his mind to something. Even if it was rather scary, it was good that he was being dynamic about her. No one had ever championed her like this before and, although it was a strange feeling, she was going to try to live in the moment and enjoy it.
Chapter Fourteen
Anna felt as though she was floating in a bubble of happiness as she got off the train and headed home that evening. Even the thought of facing her family couldn’t dim her mood. If the worst came to the worst, she’d just retreat to her bedroom and ignore them as she worked on a list of photographs for the exhibition. But as she walked into the kitchen she was surprised to see her father standing in front of the sink, doing the washing-up.
‘Hello, love,’ he said pleasantly as she stopped in surprise.
‘Hello, Dad. What’s all this?’
‘Well, it wasn’t going to do it itself, was it? And to be honest it was starting to smell.’
She nodded as she noticed that all the kitchen windows were open. She picked up a tea towel. ‘I’ll dry then, make more room for the rest.’
‘You don’t have to do that. It’s not your mess.’
‘I know that. And neither should it be my punishment for going away. But as you’re showing willing, I will too.’
He frowned at her, holding a plate just above the water, his wrists dripping with soap suds. ‘What do you mean, punishment for going away?’
‘That’s what Jack said to Harry. That the mess was my punishment for going away, so I needed to clear it up.’
‘He said what!’ Andrew looked furious. ‘Are you sure?’
She nodded. ‘Ask Harry.’
‘No, I don’t need to.’ He shook his head. ‘I’m just shocked that he actually said that. Although I don’t know why I’m so surprised. He’s got out of hand recently and I’ve let him get away with it. I’m sorry. Not having you here this weekend, and the atmosphere since you came home, has made me realise how much we’ve taken you for granted.’
Anna was elated at his change in attitude. ‘It’s not that I mind doing things — most of the time I want the house to be nice, as Mum would have wanted it. I just wish we could pull together a bit more. It shouldn’t just be down to me.’
‘No, you’re right,’ he said, returning to the washing-up. ‘I do appreciate how much you’ve held this family together since Maggie died. I couldn’t cope, but you just got on with it. It should have been me being the strong one. Your mum would be so proud of you, love.’
Anna gulped, tears stinging her eyes. She turned away from him so that he wouldn’t see, and managed to say in a croaky voice, ‘Thanks, Dad.’ She reached out to give him a hug. ‘Everyone deals with grief differently. Mine was to keep busy, so perhaps that’s what worked for me. There’s no right or wrong way.’
‘No, but it’s time to stop burying my head in the sand. I’ll start tomorrow by speaking to Jack. No point trying to do it tonight — he’s out with his mates and by the time he gets back he’ll have had a skinful. And I’m going to call a family meeting. Tomorrow night, and we’re going to work out how we’re going to pull together. All of us.’
Anna grinned at him. Finally, he was listening. ‘That sounds like a good plan, Dad. What do you want for tea?’
* * *
