‘Don’t ask,’saidDan.
Intrigued, Annabel waited for him tocontinue.
‘Well if youmustknow…’
After listening to him recount the details of his mum’s arrest, Annabel tried to keep a straight face. Dan clearly didn’t see the funny side and the last thing she wanted to do was further upset him. She bit on her bottom lip in an attempt at quelling her giggles. But it was no good. She couldn’t keep them in and her straight face automatically contorted as she suddenly burst outlaughing.
‘Trust you to see the funny side,’ said Dan, still less thanamused.
Annabel couldn’t help it. His mother’s antics never failed to bring a smile toherface.
‘Next time you can get your own coffee,’ said Dan. ‘Which won’t taste half as good as this one, bytheway.’
‘I’m sorry,’ said Annabel, regaining her composure. ‘You’re right, I shouldn’t laugh.’ She picked up her cup, ready to take another drink. ‘And thanks again for this,’ she said, taking a sip of its contents. ‘It’s very nice of you to think of my caffeineintake.’
‘Isn’t that what friends are for?’askedDan.
Annabel smiled again.Friends,she thought to herself. She liked the sound of that. She watched him drink his own coffee, knowing that a short time ago she’d have freaked out at him turning up unannounced in this way. Now, she realised, she actually welcomed his presence. Having him around somehow feltnatural.
‘Speaking of difficult relatives,’ said Dan, interrupting her thoughts. ‘How’sRebecca?’
‘Are you trying to spoil my day?’ sheasked.
He raised an eyebrow, the man clearly expected a properanswer.
Annabel put her cup back down with a sigh. ‘I haven’t a clue,’ shereplied.
‘You mean you haven’t spokentoher?’
‘Nope.’ She recalled her sister’s fury over the skateboarding incident. ‘I thought it best to give her some time. You know, tocalmdown.’
‘Coward,’ said Dan,laughing.
Annabel didn’tdisagree.
‘And the baby thing?’ Dan carried on. ‘Has she got her head aroundthatyet?’
‘Not as far asIknow.’
‘And whataboutyou?’
‘Me?’ Annabel thought his question strange considering getting pregnant had been her idea in the firstplace.
‘Any sudden cravings for broccoli or baconsandwiches?’
Ah,thought Annabel. She immediately tensed up. ‘No, nocravings.’
With her voice suddenly sounding strange even to her own ears, she thought it reasonable that Dan’s face had turned quizzical. But she’d been determined to keep schtum until she was one hundred per cent sure. She hadn’t wanted to needlessly get her own hopes up, let alone anyoneelse’s.
Dan stared at her, as if waiting for her to continue and Annabel felt her whole body crumple as she realised she had no choice but to explain. She straightened herself up again, resolute in her desire to maintain that this was no big deal. ‘I’m late,’shesaid.
Annabel tried to read his expression, but his face was suddenly blank. Understandable under the circumstances, she considered. No wonder he appeared to swallow, beforespeaking.
‘You’re what?’ he finallyasked.
‘Late,’ Annabel repeated. ‘With myperiod.’
Again, Danswallowed.
