“I can’t believe that.” Dorothy paused as if trying to conjure up the right words. “Is there a Mrs Gabe on the scene at all?”
Hannah’s ears pricked and her eyes widened. Wondering what her aunt was playing at, she couldn’t believe the direction in which Dorothy had steered their conversation. Having insisted Gabe liked Hannah from the start, the woman was evidently on a fishing expedition. Even worse, Dorothy couldn’t have been less subtle if she tried. Hannah cringed and sliding down in her seat, willed her aunt to please shut up.
Gabe looked at Hannah through his rear-view mirror. Just like her, he clearly knew what Dorothy was up to. “No.” He smiled and gave Hannah a wink. “There’s no Mrs Gabe.”
Hannah blushed, and ignoring the little flutter in her chest, indignantly insisted his relationship status had nothing to do with her.
“Oh, that is good,” Dorothy said, adding to Hannah’s discomfort.
As Gabe drove onto Hannah’s street, Hannah looked forward to a soak in the bath. One, so she could wash away her embarrassment. And two, so she could ease her pain. Despite the majority of the group’s claim that the night’s training session was a success, for Hannah it felt anything but. She was knackered, her feet hurt, and because she’d failed to master the correct breathing technique, so did her throat.
Hannah had known from the start she’d have to work to bring her fitness level up. However, she hadn’t realised just how out of shape she’d become. As team members went, it was clear Hannah was the weakest link.
“I hope you’re coming in for a cup of tea?” Dorothy asked Gabe, as he pulled up outside the house. “That’s okay with you, isn’t it, Hannah?”
Despite wanting to, Hannah didn’t have the energy to protest. “That’s fine with me.” After all, she’d be soothing her muscles in the bath anyway. A little voice wondered if it really was such a good idea to leave them to it, but Hannah reminded herself that ignorance was bliss. Dorothy would say what she wanted whether Hannah was there or not, and that car journey alone had proved it was better to be out of earshot.
As they pulled up outside the house, Hannah grabbed Dorothy’s provisions bag that sat next to her. She got out of the car and dragging her feet as she went, made her way up the garden path to unlock the door. Heading straight for the kitchen, with Dorothy and Gabe close behind, she dumped the bag down. She was about to go straight upstairs when Dorothy suddenly seemed to remember something important.
“I’ve just realised,” Dorothy said. With a glint in her eye, she put a hand up to her chest in an exaggerated fashion. “I haven’t spoken to your mum recently.”
Hannah’s heart sank. Dorothy had clearly pre-empted Hannah’s plan to disappear, and this was her way of making sure Hannah and Gabe had time alone.
“I know she’s been busy with the builders, but I wouldn’t want Janice thinking I’m ignoring her. You’re okay to put the kettle on, aren’t you, Hannah, while I give her a quick call?” Without waiting for an answer, Dorothy headed out of the room.
When it came to fabricating an emergency, Hannah thought Dorothy could have at least tried to be a bit more creative. Hannah turned to Gabe and with no other choice, decided to deal with her aunt’s behaviour head on. “I’m sorry. She’s got it into her head we’d make a great couple.”
“And you don’t think we would?”
Hannah took in Gabe’s earnest expression, not quite sure what to say. Despite his composure, he had to be teasing. “Why? Do you?”
“I asked first.” Gabe raised an eyebrow as if waiting for an answer.
Holding his gaze, Hannah tried to figure out what was really going on in that head of his, but she felt too flustered. As if her heart hadn’t had enough exercise thanks to all the walking-come-jogging she’d done that evening, her pulse raced. She turned to busy herself making the tea. “Sugar?” she asked, her voice cracking.
“Yes, please,” Gabe said. “And milk.”
Hearing Gabe take a seat at the table, Hannah told herself he wasn’t really interested in her, he was only being playful. Granted it was a strange kind of playful, one that didn’t involve laughter or banter or any kind of joke… Realising her brain was going into mentally rambling overdrive, she breathed deeply to compose herself before joining him with two mugs.
“Don’t worry about Aunt Dorothy,” Gabe said. “I’ve been getting the same from Dad. He’s forever nagging me to start dating again.”
Hannah noted the wordagainand wondered what lay behind it.
“In fact…” Gabe paused, as if deciding whether to continue or not.
“In fact, what?”
Gabe glanced over at the dresser, his gaze settling on the pink flowers that just about clung to life. “I didn’t actually send those.” He wrinkled his nose. “Dad did.”
Gabe’s admission was the perfect icebreaker to lift the atmosphere. Hannah couldn’t help but let out a laugh. “You’re kidding me.”
“I wish I was.”
“How did he know my address?”
“As soon as I mentioned the lion at the door, he knew exactly which house was yours. Apparently you say hello to each other when he’s on his way to the cemetery to see Mum.”
Hannah thought for a moment and a picture of Roger began to form. “A dapper chap? Always suited and booted? With a great head of hair?”
