Hannah flashed him her best dirty look.
“Although it could also have been worse,” Gabe added, clearly opting for damage limitation.
“Never mind that,” Liv said. “You’ll both get over it.”
Hannah wasn’t so sure.
“Aunt Dorothy’s come up with a great suggestion as to what we should do,” Liv continued. “Although I must warn you, it’s going to be tricky to organise.”
“I’m sure between us we can find a way,” Dorothy said. “This is not a team of quitters.”
Gabe snickered and Hannah threw him another glower. If looks could kill, he’d have been on the floor.
Dorothy’s delight faltered. “Is everything okay, Hannah? I thought you’d be pleased. You seemed keen this morning.”
Hannah knew she was being childish, but she was still bitter about the beasting Gabe had given her. “Apart from the fact thathejust tried to kill me and while I’m upstairs recovering, you’re all socialising with a wannabe murderer, you mean?”
“Stop exaggerating,” Dorothy said, not even attempting to hide her amusement.
It was all right for her. She wasn’t the one who’d spent the morning being marched from street to street to street, all the while begging for mercy.
“I did tell you it’s all in the breathing,” Mel said, while Liv sucked in her lips clearly trying not to laugh.
“And I was only doing my job,” Gabe said.
“Only doing your job? You saw the state of me.” Hannah recalled the mess she was in when they’d landed back. With her hair stuck to her forehead and sweat dripping down her beetroot red face, she’d been on the verge of passing out. Be it through a lack of oxygen or overheating, neither would have been a good way to go. She didn’t know how she’d found the energy to climb the stairs to the bathroom. “You still haven’t told me why you’re here.”
Mel beamed. “He’s here because he’s part of the team.”
Hannah looked to the rest of the group. “Since when?” She wondered if it was too late to veto his membership.
“Since ten minutes ago,” Liv said. “As well as working with you, Gabe has kindly agreed to organise some group training sessions. At the sports centre in town. And for free considering we’re running this race for charity.”
Not intent on one victim, Gabe was obviously a serial killer. “Very civic,” Hannah said.
Dorothy stood to give Hannah her chair. “Come and sit down. I’ll make you a cuppa.” She shook her head in continued hilarity as she proceeded to the kettle.
“Can I have some sympathy with that tea, please?” Hannah asked, taking a seat as instructed. “So, what’s this bonding idea you’ve come up with?”
“Let’s just say it involves Danny Parkes.”
Hannah raised an eyebrow. “As in the singer?”
Dorothy swooned. “The one and only.”
She wore the same expression Beth did whenever she heard his name.
“Aunt Dorothy thinks we should all go to his gig,” Mel said. “And I have to say, I agree.”
Gabe straightened up in his seat. “If it’s okay with you lot, I think I’ll pass.”
Hannah could see why he wouldn’t be up for the concert. He didn’t match the Danny Parkes fan base. But after what Gabe had put her through that morning, Hannah immediately jumped on the chance to pay him back. She put on her best innocent face. “Like Aunt Dorothy said, Gabe. Thisisa team bonding activity. You’re one of us now. I’m afraid you’ve no choice.”
“Of course you don’t have to come, Gabe,” Liv said. “Ignore her.” She turned to Hannah, amused. “What’s got into you today?”
Hannah ignored the question. “Actually, I don’t think any of us can go,” she said instead. “We’ll have to think of something else.” Hannah recalled Beth’s devastation when she learned Danny’s concert had sold out in minutes. That was the only reason Beth had happily gone to the South of France. “There are no tickets available.”
“Hence, its trickiness,” Liv said. “Surely with a bit of ingenuity, we can sort something out.”
