“So, as you can imagine, when Denis died, not only was I dealing with the loss of someone I loved, I also had to unlearn the simplest of tasks, if that makes sense.”
Hannah reached out with a comforting hand. “It does.”
“I’m sure there are those who expect me to get over it. As if there’s a time limit on grieving and at some point, I should just snap out of it. If only it was that easy, eh? I can’t tell you how mad I am at Denis for not letting me go first.”
Hannah sympathised. “I’m sure no one expects you to snap out of anything, Aunt Dorothy.”
“When he first passed. I hardly got a minute to myself. I had to organise his send-off which meant lots of dealings with the undertaker and whatnot. Everyone rallied round. Friends and neighbours were always checking in on me and the phone didn’t stop ringing with people offering their condolences.” She sipped her tea. “Then came the day of the funeral.” She became pensive for a moment as if picturing it. “After that people stopped coming.”
Thinking about it, Hannah supposed funerals were a sort of closure. Yes, everyone grieved differently but funerals gave mourners the opportunity to say goodbye to their loved ones and ultimately, gain a sense of acceptance. However, while this enabled many people to move on in the grieving process, Hannah supposed it meant those like Dorothy suddenly found themselves isolated. “That must have been difficult,” Hannah said.
“Don’t get me wrong, I understood why. Life goes on, as they say. And the last thing I wanted was to be a burden. But to go from everyone to no one. It was hard. Of course, that left me with the choice of either talking to the walls or talking to Denis. I’ve always been chatty, Hannah.” Dorothy glanced over at Denis’s urn. “And thanks to that green pot, I still can be.”
“I understand. And please, you carry on with your chatting… to me and Denis. And also know, not only are you welcome here for as long as you like, after hurting my foot, I don’t know what I’d have done without you.”
“You’d have managed.”
“I would. But it’s been nice not having to for once.”
A sudden loud knock at the front door interrupted their conversation and Hannah looked to Dorothy, surprised. “It’s a bit early for visitors, don’t you think?”
CHAPTER16
Leaving Aunt Dorothy at the table, Hannah got up from her seat and went to answer the door. Her eyes widened when she saw a delivery woman standing there with a huge bouquet of flowers. Made up of a summery cocktail of pink roses, purple alliums, magenta germini, and pink phlox, it was finished with purple mint and soft pink berries.
The delivery woman gave Hannah a huge smile. “Someone’s a lucky girl,” she said, handing them over.
Hannah tried to tell her she must have the wrong address, but before she could get the words out, the delivery woman was back at her van and climbing in.
Hannah searched the flora and fauna for a card and pulling it free saw her name written on the little envelope.Strange, she thought.It’s not my birthday.She let out a little squeal.Then again, even if it was, no one would ever think to send me flowers.
Intrigued as to who had sent them, Hannah carried them into the kitchen and placed them on the table.
“Special occasion or special someone?” Dorothy asked.
As Hannah opened the envelope and read the message, her pulse quickened. A dreamy image of Gabe, wearing nothing but his chiton as he prepared to declare his undying love for her, sprang into Hannah’s head. She looked to Dorothy. “Neither.” She swallowed hard. “They’re from Gabe. You know, the cyclist who ran into me.”
“Once seen never forgotten,” Dorothy said, followed by a naughty laugh. “Wouldn’t you say?”
Unable to disagree, Hannah would say that, but didn’t.
“Is there a telephone number included?”
Hannah’s pulse sped up even more as she stared at the digits. As far as she was concerned, men as good looking as Gabe could have any woman they wanted and ergo, weren’t usually in the habit of pursuing single mothers of teenage children. “Nope.” Insisting the flowers were simply an apology, Hannah slipped the card into her pocket. “Just his name.”
Dorothy’s shoulders slumped.
Hannah hated lying to her aunt, but she knew if she told Dorothy the truth, she’d only keep on until Hannah rang the number. Besides, it was probably only there because the florist had mistakenly added it.
Hannah’s phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket. Pulling it out, Beth’s name flashed up. “It’s the kids.” Her eyes brightened. “Two surprises in one day and it’s not even 11am.” She looked to Dorothy. “Do you mind if I take it?”
“Of course not.” Dorothy picked up the bouquet of flowers. “You go ahead. I’ll find something to put these in.”
CHAPTER17
Leaving Aunt Dorothy to her cooking, Hannah clicked to answer Beth and Archie’s call as she made her way into the lounge.
Their gleeful faces appeared on screen. “Hi, Mum,” they both said.
