‘Just be careful.’
Anna frowned. ‘What do you mean?’ She’d hoped her best friend would be happy for her, not critical of her.
‘Just that you’re pinning all your hopes on one person, and he does have a bit of a reputation, you said so yourself.’
‘He was very lonely for a long time after his wife left, but he’s not been like that recently.’
‘Since he met you, you mean?’
Anna could clearly hear the sarcasm in Daisy’s voice. She chose to ignore it, smiling instead. ‘Maybe. And he absolutely adores his son. Surely that’s a good reflection on his character?’
‘Maybe, but doesn’t that mean his son will always come first?’
‘That’s as it should be.’
‘What about his ex-wife? Will she always come first?’
‘No, of course she won’t. There’s a reason why she’s his ex, you know?’
‘Okay, have it your way.’ Daisy sighed.
‘Honestly, Daise, I thought you’d be pleased for me.’
‘I am. I just don’t want you to get hurt, that’s all.’
‘I won’t.’ Anna smiled at her. ‘I know what I’m doing.’
Daisy’s returning smile was rather more hesitant. ‘I hope so Anna, I really do.’
* * *
The following weekend saw Anna heading back up to Cheshire with Daniel. She was looking forward to spending the weekend with both Daniel and Ben, as well as getting on with her project. They’d set off late, so instead of picking Ben up from school, Daniel drove straight to Lucinda’s. Anna sat in the car while Daniel rang the doorbell to Lucinda’s impressive home.
Anna thought about the wealth this family must have amassed between them, and she remembered the conversation she’d had with Daisy. She knew Daisy thought she was getting in too deep too soon, and she had to admit, albeit only to herself, sometimes she was afraid Daisy was right. Not that she doubted Daniel’s feelings for her. Ever since the night of the exhibition they’d spent almost all their spare time together. They still had a good working relationship, but now that had been extended. She enjoyed cooking for him and enjoyed it even more when he cooked for her. After their meal they’d curl up on the sofa together to watch television, but they rarely managed to watch anything to the end because they soon became engrossed in each other. She couldn’t get enough of their lovemaking — Daniel seemed to know exactly which buttons to press to send her to heights of passion she’d never known before.
And while they were in their little cocoon, she was content and at peace, confident in his love for her. It was only when they ventured out into the world that the doubts crept in. Watching Lucinda, her head bent close to Daniel’s as they spoke on the doorstep, Anna’s anxiety edged up a notch. Ex-model Lucinda was completely at ease in Daniel’s world, as she was in thismassive house in the country. She, Anna, was an East End girl, brought up in a small terraced house, who’d never experienced the wealth or lifestyle that came so naturally for these two. It made her wonder if she and Daniel had a long-term future or whether this was a happy dalliance that wouldn’t last. Lucinda looked up and stared at her, frowning, and then turned back to Daniel, gesticulating as she spoke. She noted that Daniel’s hands were clenched and his shoulders looked tense. He shook his head and she wondered what they were arguing about. Was it her? Then Ben appeared in the doorway and suddenly they were all smiles again. He was carrying a small weekend bag and kissed his mother goodbye, before heading confidently over to the car. He flung his bag onto the back seat.
‘Hi, Anna,’ he called out cheerily as he clambered in and did his seatbelt.
‘Hi, Ben, how are you?’
‘Good, thanks. Are you and Dad working this weekend?’
She knew that Daniel hadn’t told Ben about them yet, so she was careful in her answer. ‘Not your dad, no. But I’ve got some work to do in Chester, so your dad offered to put me up.’
‘That’s great. Will you be working all weekend?’
‘No, just Saturday, I think,’ she replied, keeping a careful eye on Daniel and Lucinda who had returned to their arguing stances. ‘It depends on how it goes really.’
‘Oh, that’s good. Do you think we might be able to go out together on Sunday, like we did before? I really enjoyed that.’
Anna smiled. Lucinda might not like her, but her son was a different matter. ‘I enjoyed it too. Maybe we can ask your dad. I don’t know what his plans are.’
‘Maybe we can ask him together? He won’t be able to say no if we both ask him.’
Anna laughed. ‘I think that’s a great idea.’
* * *
