She set about makingsometea.
‘Call it a silly question,’ said Dan. ‘But iseverythingokay?’
Annabel stopped what she was doing and turned to face him. After the way Rebecca had just behaved, she supposed she should explain. She pictured her sister holding up the offending material and suddenly realised it wasn’t just any porn magazine on display, buthisporn magazine. Again, she found herself lost for words. After deciding an explanation was no longer necessary, Annabel simply smiled. ‘Everything’s fine,’shesaid.
He furrowed his brow as if waiting for her to tell thetruth.
She continued smiling, determined to maintain her silence. It was all to noavail.
‘Okay, okay,’ she said, holding her hands up in defeat. ‘That was my sister, if youmustknow.’
‘Ah,’ saidDan. ‘And?’
As far as Annabel was concerned, it was one thing sharing their favourite colours for the baby’s sake, but quite another revealing family squabbles. ‘Andnothing.’
Dan clearly didn’t believe her, which was hardlysurprising.
‘She just doesn’t agree with what I’m doing, that’s all. Or should I say, with whatwe’redoing.’
‘I can understand that,’ Danreplied.
‘Youcan?’
Dan laughed. ‘Well it’s not exactly the norm,isit?’
Annabel had to admit he had a point. She got back to makingthetea.
‘So how are things with you?’ she asked. ‘How are youbearingup?’
‘As well as can be expected, I suppose,’ hereplied.
As he left it at that, Annabel turned to face him again. Fixing him with a knowing stare, Rebecca might have refused a listening ear, but she wasn’t going to let him get away with it too. In any case, he started this sharing is caringmalarky.
Her unwaveringness paid off and he seemed torelax.
‘I’m fine,’ he said. ‘Thank- you forasking.’
‘Mum’s still being Mum, of course,’ he added. ‘Trying to pretend she isn’t sick. Although, I have just left her writing out her Bucket List, like she hasn’t packed enough inalready.’
‘A Bucket List? That’s agreatidea.’
‘Yes, well, you don’t know my mother. I dread to think what she’s comingupwith.’
Annabel laughed. She may not have met the woman, but she couldn’t help butlikeher.
‘It’s not funny,’ said Dan. ‘You know, I actually thought she’d died the other day. I walked into the living room and there she was, flat out on the sofa with her arms crossed over her chest. I honestly froze. I didn’t know what to do. Of course, I jumped out of my skin when she opened her eyes and smiled at me. Turns out she was practicing for when the time reallycomes.’
‘Oh, Dan.’ Annabel pictured the scenario and wondered if it was wrong of her to find it amusing. ‘I don’t know whattosay.’
‘Yes, well, a few choice words came out of my mouth, I can tell you. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear she’s trying to take me with her.’ He fell silent for a moment. ‘So tell me, what would you put on your Bucket List?’ he asked. ‘If you were towriteone.’
Annabel noted how smoothly he moved the conversation away from himself and put the onus on her. Still, at least he was talking and she supposed any exchange was betterthannone.
She thought for a moment. His question would’ve been easier to answer if he’d asked her what her list wouldn’t include. She assumed most people would want to do a bungee jump or leap out of an aeroplane, things she most definitely wouldn’t consider. ‘Oh I don’t know,’ she said, trying to come up with something even remotely exciting. ‘Maybe learning to skate board, something like that. There’s a group of kids down the road who make it look so easy. And I suppose, like everyone else, I’d like to travel; although given the chance I haven’t a clue whereI’dgo.’
Annabel listened to herself; she knew how dull she sounded. For someone who knew how short life can be, she certainly hadn’t been making the most of her own. ‘She’s a smart lady, your mum,’ said Annabel. ‘Life is for living, no matter how much time we have left.’ She couldn’t help but laugh at the hypocrisy of her own words. For the last three years it had just been her and her memories; three years of existing, nothing more nothing less. ‘Listen to me,’ she said. ‘Anyone would think I know what I’m talkingabout.’
‘Oh come on,’ said Dan. ‘Things can’t bethatbad.’
