She let out a laugh. ‘Unless you have someone elseinmind?’
Dan scoffed. The chance would be a fine thing. The only other woman he’d had any contact with lately was Annabel and, thanks to her issues, she seemed more unsuitable than his mother’s friend’s daughter. He couldn’t deny they’d shared a connection, but she was still too wrapped up in her deceased husband for them to be anything more than just friends. Something, in an odd sort of way, he’d like to think they’d become over the last fewweeks.
He thought back to the kindness she’d shown him when he’d first found out his mum was sick. Considering what she’d been through, it must have been difficult for her; yet, she still took the time to listen.Friends,he thought to himself, unable to completely deny his sense of disappointment.Just two friends supporting each other and in the most bizarre way possible. He pondered their arrangement. Sometimes it felt like total madness, but, in spite of that, he supposed they both had theirreasons.
He looked at his mum, flicking through her travel guide. Dan thought about his own childhood, with all the love, care, and fun she’d provided over the years, he knew she’d make a fabulous grandparent. And, for a moment, he felt tempted to tell her what he and Annabel were up to. He quickly realised he couldn’t, of course. He’d promised Annabel he’d keep schtum until absolutely necessary. Just like he’d promised his mum he’d find himself a wife. He sighed at the weight of his predicament and wondered where to go from here. Despite his reservations, he couldn’t help but think that Maeve had been the answer all along. In giving things with her a chance, at least he’d be able to keep his word when it came to theothertwo.
As if feeling his stare, his mum looked up. ‘What?’ sheasked.
‘Alright, alright,’ he said. ‘Give Missyacall.’
‘Really?’ said hismother.
The look on her face waspriceless.
‘Really,’saidDan.
He watched her jump up from her seat and race towards him. She planted a great, big kiss on his cheek and then rushed to the phone, no doubt, to schedule a meeting before he could change his mind. He shook his head. Anyone would think Christmas had come early. He certainly seemed to have just given her the best present possible and, regardless of still feeling unsure on the Maeve front, he had to confess her response wasworthit.
He left the room to get his coat after deciding to leave his mum to it. She was bound to completely embarrass him in one way or another and, as she could read him like a book, he didn’t want her knowing that he wasn’t going into this one hundred percent. Besides, there was something he wanted to do. Something he’d been meaning to dofordays.
When Dan reappeared he signaled to his mother that he was going out, but she was already too deep in animated conversation to notice. He listened for a moment. Judging by the squeals on the other end of the phone line, it was clear she wasn’t the only one getting all worked up. Her friend sounded equally asthrilled.
He wondered what Maeve would say when she found out that he’d agreed to meet her. If she’d feel just as daunted by this as he did? She might even flat out refuse to see him and who could blame her? The girl had to have the same concernsashim.
Dan continued to take in his mother’s delight; he just had to hope that come any date, the two of them actually liked each other. After all, with both his mum and Missy involved in proceedings, this would be a bugger to get out of if theydidn’t.
11
Annabel flickedthrough the TV channels, but couldn’t find anything worth watching. Programme after programme; everything seemed to be either a repeat or the dullest of viewings imaginable. She wondered what was wrong with her. Normally, she’d be quite happy to lounge on the sofa, losing herself in some mind-numbing show whether she’d seen it before or not. Lately though, she just feltrestless.
As much as she tried to deny it, Annabel knew she only had herself to blame. She’d been naïve to think that if she moved on in one aspect of her life, the rest of it could stay the same. She might not have anticipated it, but, even the most tentative step back out into the big, wide world was bound to have its impact, enough to show her there was more to life than these four walls and work. Why hadn’t she listened to Katy and gone for an anonymous donor? If she had, her naivety might have stood a better chance. She sighed. It was just like her to be clever and go down the unconventionalroute.
Typical really, she thought. Out of all the men in the pub that night she had to pick the one going through the biggest crisis of his life. And who better to empathise than a woman who’d experienced the death of a loved one first hand? No wonder Dan didn’t remain a mere sperm donor for very long; it would have been inhuman of Annabel not to see him as an individual with feelings and fears in his own right. Then he had to introduce her to things like Bucket Lists and posh frocks for no reason, reminders of how it felt to be living rather than existing. Under circumstances like that, was it any wonder things were gettingcomplicated?
Of course, it wasn’t enough that she felt for the guy, she had to make matters worse. Dan’s and her lips might not have actually met, but for Annabel that wasn’t really the point. They may as well have done. She shrank inside, yet again questioning what the hell had come over her. What had she been thinking, especially when she’d been the one to lay down all the ground rules. There was to be no physical contact between her and her donor, she wanted a baby and nothing more. Yet despite all this, she’d still seen fit to more or less throw herself at him.Talk about being a tease. Dan must hate merightnow.
She hoped not. Although to be fair to him, it wouldn’t have surprised her if she never clapped eyes on himagain.
‘Maybe it’s for the best,’ she said, particularly as Dan wasn’t her only dilemma. She had her husband to think about in all of this as well, and if she were in his shoes, she had to admit she probably wouldn’t be too pleased. Annabel had never forgotten their conversation and the promise she’d made. In fact, she could remember it verbatim. At the time, Tom had laughed and called her silly. But she’d meant every word of it. She still did. She looked up to the heavens, praying to God he hadn’t been looking down to witness the whole event. ‘I really am sorry, Tom,’ she said, ‘All I can tell you is it won’t happenagain.’
Frustrated, Annabel didn’t want to think about it anymore and she tossed the remote to one side and glanced around the room. Her eyes settled on the book case and she considered losing herself in a good old yarn. It seemed ages since she’d done any reading; and getting engrossed in someone else’s problems would certainly help her forget her own. One look at the titles on offer though and she knew her heart wasn’t in it. Reading took too much concentration. Annabel turned her attention to the clock; she supposed that only left an early bath and bed. It might only be 7pm, but it wasn’t as if she had anything better to do. Besides, she hadn’t been sleeping properly as of late, so the extra few hours rest would dohergood.
Annabel heard the doorbell ring.Strange, she thought.I’m not expecting any visitors. She trudged out into the hallway, curious as to whom it could be and knowing her luck, she’d be about to greet some religious group out to recruit new members. Then again, she scoffed, joining a convent-like sect might be just what she needed right now. After all, becoming a nun was one way of ensuring she kept to her marriage vows. She opened the door, ready to tell them she’d join whatever cult was on offer. Caught off guard, her heart skippedabeat.
‘Oh,’ she said, almost lost for words. ‘Hello.’
Annabel felt awkward as well as surprised. Having not heard from Dan since that fateful night she wasn’t prepared. She’d just been thinking she’d never see him again, yet here he was, large as life. Being a polite chap, doubtless, only to tell her the whole baby thingwasoff.
‘Hello,’ hereplied.
Annabel braced herself for the inevitable; she took in his casual yet smart attire and looked down at her cosy sweatpants. If she’d known he was coming, she’d have at least tidied herself upabit.
‘For you,’saidDan.
Dan produced a gift from behind his back, Annabel felt confused. She’d always assumed men didn’t like rejection, but this one had come bearinggifts.
‘I was going to save it until Wednesday and then I thought what the heck. You don’t mind me turning up like this,doyou?’
