Anna spent a lovely day on Saturday wandering around Chester city centre. Whereas last time she’d taken in the sights that were iconic to the city, today she wandered round the back streets, focussing on the lesser-known architecture. She was fascinated by the city and thought it had been a day well spent. She was exhausted by the time she returned to Daniel’s house and was more than happy to play board games with Ben while Daniel cooked dinner. She found it hard not to touch Daniel while she was here, used to the familiarity of each other when they were in London, but she knew he wasn’t ready to reveal their relationship to Ben. Not being able to touch him during the day was a price she was willing to pay just to be here.
‘So, the weather forecast looks good for tomorrow,’ Daniel said as he served up dinner. ‘Who fancies going to the zoo?’
‘Yeah!’ Ben shouted. ‘I love going there!’
‘I haven’t been to a zoo for ages,’ Anna said. ‘So that’s good for me too. Might get some photo opportunities as well.’
‘I’m going to take my camera!’ Ben said enthusiastically.
‘So you’re a photographer too?’ Anna asked, surprised.
‘Yes, I love it. Dad bought me a camera and showed me how to use it properly.’
Daniel grinned. ‘And he’s pretty good.’
‘Must be in the genes.’ Anna smiled at them both.
‘Must be,’ Daniel replied.
‘Why don’t you take some photos as well, Dad? Then we can have a competition to see who takes the best.’
Anna nodded. ‘That sounds like a really good idea.’
Daniel groaned. ‘Sounds more like a busman’s holiday to me, but yes, count me in.’
* * *
As predicted, the weather was sunny the next morning. Daniel and Anna were up bright and early to pack a picnicbefore they left. She was so happy that she felt like singing as she worked. She liked spending time with Daniel on her own, but she realised that time with him and Ben was just as special. Although she didn’t feel she had any right to it, she thought they made a proper family unit.
* * *
Daniel watched with pride as Anna and Ben oohed and ahhed at the animals in competition with each other. He hung back, letting them get the best shots, happy to watch how well they got on together. Anna’s enthusiasm was incredible — the fact that they both seemed at ease in each other’s company was extremely important to him. The only real fly in the ointment was Lucinda. She’d been pretty scathing about Anna when he’d gone to pick up Ben, had instantly guessed their relationship was a lot deeper than he’d been letting on. And judging by the catty remarks she’d made about Anna, he wouldn’t be surprised if she was the tiniest bit jealous. Not that she had any right to be, as she had Axel. But he suspected that, while she didn’t want him for herself, she didn’t want anyone else to have him either. She’d just have to get used to the idea. Anna was in his life and that was the way it was going to stay.
Later that afternoon, as a roast chicken cooked in the oven, they judged the photographs they’d all taken that day. Ben won of course, as he’d taken some amazing photographs, which made Daniel incredibly proud. Ben had many hobbies, but it gave Daniel a special buzz to think that he was following in his own footsteps. He would never dictate what Ben should do with his future — Daniel would always encourage his son to follow his heart — but he was glad they had a shared interest. They spent so little time together.
* * *
Back in London, having returned from their time in Cheshire, Anna’s phone rang with an unknown number.
‘Hi, is that Anna?’
‘Yes,’ she answered cautiously.
‘I’m Eva, I don’t know if you remember me?’
‘Eva, from the fashion show?’
‘That’s right.’
‘Of course I remember you. How are you?’
Eva gave a small laugh. ‘Well, let’s just say I’ve been better.’
‘Are you still in hospital?’
‘Yes, I’m going to be here for a while.’ Her voice cracked. ‘They had to amputate my leg.’
‘Oh!’ Anna cried out. ‘I’m so sorry. I could see that it was in a bad way. I put a tourniquet around the top of your leg — you were losing a lot of blood.’
