‘I was thinking of it, yes, but I didn’t want to make a decision until I’d spoken to you first. Would that be all right?’
‘Of course it is.’
‘Great, I’ll get the train up on Friday afternoon then?’
‘Perfect. I’ll meet the train. There is one thing, though. I’ve been asked to MC at a charity event on Saturday night.’
‘Oh, that’s posh. I wouldn’t have thought it would be your kind of thing.’
‘It’s not really. I’ve been kind of press-ganged into it. It’s a charity I’ve been involved with for years. Well, actually, it’s more Lucinda. She hosts an annual event and the MC has let her down, so she’s pushed me into doing it.’
‘Oh, I see. Well, that’s not a problem. I don’t mind staying in on Saturday.’
‘I’d rather you came with me.’
‘You would?’
‘Yes, of course I would.’
‘But won’t you be otherwise engaged?’
‘Only for some of the time. There’ll be plenty of time for us to be together, and it will be a much better evening if you’re with me.’
‘Then of course I’ll come.’ He couldn’t help noticing the hesitation in her voice.
‘Let me know what time your train is on Friday and I’ll pick you up.’
As he ended the call, the world seemed a much brighter place. He’d missed Anna so much and he couldn’t wait to see her in a few days’ time. When they were apart the doubts began to creep in, but at least while she was here they could talk about the future face to face. Beyond everything, he knew with certainty that he wanted to make it work between them. Whatever it took.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Anna laid the phone down on the desk with a shaking hand. She was relieved that Daniel had made it clear he wanted to be with her. She’d been worrying that Lucinda might be trying to manipulate herself back into his life, so she’d been making herself extra busy to stop herself from dwelling on it. Sometimes that meant she had missed his calls. But she realised if they were going to spend so much time apart, she was going to have to get over these silly insecurities. Though the thought of going to a posh charity do hosted by Lucinda filled her with dread. She wouldn’t know anyone and she’d be completely out of her depth. But he wanted to go to the ball with her, which was a plus. The only problem now was: what on earth was she going to wear?
She poured out her problem to Eva the following day. Eva was doing well with her physio and was due to go home shortly. First, though, her home had to be adapted and Anna had come to pick up her keys so that she could let the workmen in. Then she was going to take some photos for both the book, and Instagram, as the adaptations were put in place. For a good while yet Eva would need a wheelchair, so the doors needed to be widened and bars fitted for her to pull herself up when she was strong enough to stand.
Eva smiled when Anna talked about her dilemma.
‘What? It’s not funny. I haven’t got a clue what the dress code is, Daniel didn’t say and, even if I did, I’d have to go and buy something because I don’t own anything remotely suitable.’
‘Oh, don’t worry about that. What did you say the charity was?’
When Anna told her, Eva typed rapidly into her phone and turned the screen towards her. ‘Here are some pictures from last year’s event.’
Anna gasped. All the women were impossibly glamorous and their outfits were definitely designer.
‘I haven’t got the kind of money to spend on something like that. At least not for a one-off event.’
Once again Eva smiled. ‘Never fear, Eva is here.’
‘What?’
‘You might not have a dress, but I’ve got a wardrobe full of them. You’re going to be at mine tomorrow. Have a shufty through them. I’m sure you’ll find something that fits — we’re a similar size. In fact, I’ve got a Stella McCartney little black number.It’s in a dark-green suit bag in my far-left wardrobe. I think it would be perfect.’
Anna breathed a sigh of relief and thanked her lucky stars that she had a friend who was used to this sort of glamour.
* * *
Anna was nervous on the train journey up to Cheshire, but as soon as she saw Daniel and he gathered her into his arms, all her fears melted away. Feeling his solid arms around her, breathing in his familiar citrus aftershave, made her feel like she’d come home.
