“What kind of ingenuity?” Hannah asked. “We’re not just talking about one or two people getting in. There are five of us.”
“Whatever we do we need to go big,” Liv said. “Because one of us isn’t going to be around for much longer.”
Hannah’s eyes widened in horror. She looked from Liv to Dorothy and back again. “I hope you’re referring to the fact that Aunt Dorothy lives in Norfolk.”
Liv let out a laugh. “Why?”
“Because Aunt Dorothy might be in her seventies, but she’s fit and healthy.” Hannah turned to face her aunt. “You’ve got years left in you, haven’t you?”
“I certainly hope so,” Dorothy said, laughing.
“I’m not talking about Aunt Dorothy, Hannah,” Liv explained. “I’m talking about me.”
“What do you mean?” Hannah felt a sudden panic. “You’re not sick, are you?”
“Of course not.” Liv looked at Hannah aghast. “Whatever gave you that idea?”
Hannah’s relief was palpable. “Your rubbish choice of words might have something to do with it.”
Liv tilted her head. “I meant Mel’s not the only one with relationship news.” She took a deep breath. “I wasn’t planning on saying anything just yet, but…” Liv paused, obviously for dramatic effect.
An engagement, moving in together, buying a dog… Hannah wished Liv would just tell them.
Liv’s smiled. “Quentin’s asked me to go to Africa with him.”
“He’s done what?” Hannah asked, hoping she’d misheard.
“And are you going to?” Mel asked.
“I’m thinking about it,” Liv replied.
Hannah didn’t know what to say. Liv and Quentin, Mel and Russel, Carl and Monica… She was pleased for them, of course. It was the fact that everyone was moving on in their lives while she remained static that unsettled her. Shocked, Hannah turned to Gabe. “Did you know about this?”
He shrugged; an action Hannah took to mean yes.
Hannah returned her attention to Liv. Out of all the relationship news her friend could have shared, Hannah didn’t expect that.
CHAPTER26
TWO WEEKS UNTIL RACE DAY
Raising her legs slightly, Hannah wiggled her heels to make sure the plasters covering them stayed securely in place. Satisfied they weren’t going anywhere, the last thing she needed were yet more blisters. “I don’t see whyIcan’t drive us there,” Hannah said, carefully putting on her socks and trainers. Another thing Hannah didn’t need was to be stuck in a car with Gabe. She’d still not fully forgiven him for what he’d put her through during their one-to-one training session. Or for not giving her the heads up on Liv’s potential trip to Africa.
“Maybe he wants to make sure you turn up,” Dorothy said, her expression mischievous. “Perhaps he saw it as a chance for you both to get better acquainted? Flowers, coffee date. He probably thinks third time lucky.”
“What are you talking about?” Hannah asked.
“It’s obvious the man likes you.”
Not to Hannah it wasn’t. “Is that why he’s trying to kill me?”
“For once, it would be nice for him to see the real you,” Dorothy said.
“Ah, but that’s where you’re going wrong, Aunt Dorothy. Every time I’ve met Gabe, he’s seen the real me. And if you think he’s interested after that, then you have to think the man’s a sadist.”
Dorothy shook her head. “You are funny.”
Hannah eyed her aunt, suspicious. “You asked him for a lift, didn’t you?”
