After that they spent a happy few hours at the park, kicking a ball about, pushing him on the swings and watching him trying to master the monkey bars.
As they ate pizza later, Anna felt a bubble of happiness explode in her chest as she watched father and son laughing together. This was what it was all about, spending time with loved ones. And with tears in her eyes, she realised that she loved Ben almost as much as she loved his dad. She would remember this moment for the rest of her life.
* * *
Anna was packing her bag to take more photographs in Chester when the doorbell rang. Puzzled, she went to answer it. Daniel had taken Ben out and, as far as she knew, he wasn’t expecting anyone. She hoped whoever it was wouldn’t keep her too long, or she’d miss the bus into town. She almost gasped in surprise when she opened the door to see Lucinda standing on the doorstep, looking as immaculate as ever in cropped trousers, a white linen shirt and pristine white trainers.
‘Oh, hello.’ Anna was hardly able to mask her surprise. ‘If you’re looking for Daniel, he’s taken Ben out.’
‘That’s okay. It’s you I’ve come to see.’
‘Oh?’
Lucinda raised her eyebrows. ‘May I come in?’
‘Yes, of course.’ Anna’s face flushed as she opened the door wider to allow Lucinda inside. When she’d closed the door behind them she led the way into the kitchen, her mind furiously trying to work out what Lucinda wanted. She hoped she wasn’t here to cause trouble. Lucinda hopped herself on a bar stool, as though she was perfectly at home.
‘Can I offer you a drink? Tea? Coffee?’
‘Thanks, I’d love a latte.’
Silently Anna reached into the cupboard for a tall latte glass and pushed a pod into the Nespresso machine. She handed the coffee to Lucinda, who raised her eyebrows in what was becoming a familiar gesture.
‘You not having one?’ Lucinda asked.
‘No, I was just about to go out actually.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry, I should have phoned you first, but I thought you’d probably refuse to see me.’
‘I . . .’ Anna wasn’t sure what to say. Her instinct was to agree.
‘I think we got off on the wrong foot,’ Lucinda said.
‘Did we?’
‘Yes. I’m afraid I’m very protective of Ben and wary of anyone who comes into his life.’
‘That’s perfectly natural,’ Anna replied. ‘I’m sure I’d be the same.’
‘And Daniel was very quick to introduce you to our son.’
‘As a work colleague, yes,’ Anna said defensively. She sighed as she said it. She was getting sick of defending her and Daniel’s relationship. They were two consenting adults, neither of whom had been involved with anyone else when they’d got together.
‘But you’re together now and that does affect my son.’
‘As does you being with Axel,’ Anna said, still on the defensive. ‘It’s not just Ben you’re protective over, though, is it?’
Lucinda shrugged and held her hands up. ‘Yes, you’ve got me there.’
‘I don’t mean to be rude, but I do have work to do, so could we get to the point of why you’re here?’
‘Yes, of course. I seem to be rubbing you up the wrong way.’
Anna was silent, refusing to deny something she knew was obvious.
‘I don’t mean to,’ Lucinda continued. ‘In fact, I come in peace.’
‘Really?’ Anna found that very difficult to believe. Only a week ago she’d been trying to get back with Daniel.
