As frightening as it felt, Hannah couldn’t deny it was time to embrace a new future and although not quite there, if she could go from zero to 5k and see the race through in a total of four weeks, surely she could cope with a few changes.
The treadmill’s LCD screen beeped and seeing the timer start to flash, at last, Hannah’s thirty minutes were up. She slowed to a walk, almost tearful to note that she hadn’t only lasted timewise, at just over 2.5 kilometres, she’d more than gone the distance.
Hannah whipped off her headphones. “Aunt Dorothy, Gabe! I’ve only gone and thrashed it!”
Sodding her cool-down walk, as the two of them entered the room Hannah immediately stopped the treadmill and jumped off the conveyor belt. Whipping off her headphones, she hastened to give first Dorothy and then Gabe a hug. “I hope you both know I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You certainly could,” Dorothy said, having none of it. Her expression relaxed. “Oh, Hannah, I’m so proud of you.” She came over all excited. “Just think, this time next week you’ll have done 5k.”
“Well done, Hannah,” Gabe said.
Surprising Hannah, he pulled her close and squeezing her, kissed the top of her head. Even more surprising was the fact that she didn’t pull away. Enjoying the moment, she leant her head against his chest and breathing in his scent, wrapped her arms around him in return.
CHAPTER39
ONE WEEK UNTIL RACE DAY
With Aunt Dorothy in the passenger seat, Hannah pulled over to the kerb and switched off her car engine. She glanced around trying to spot Liv. “Looks like I’m the first to arrive for once.” Hannah reached for her phone. “I’m even on time.” She showed Dorothy the clock on her phone screen.
“That’s because you’re a good friend. Someone to count on in an emergency.” Dorothy cradled the casserole dish she had balanced on her lap. “Liv won’t be far behind.”
Hannah scrolled through her mobile to read Liv’s text again. Liv had messaged to say that like Hannah, she was worried about Mel. Not only had Mel continued with her radio silence, she’d also failed to turn up for work that day. Something that really got the alarm bells ringing. Mel never took time off. Leaving them no choice but to pay her a visit whether she wanted one or not.
Hannah clocked a car slowing to a standstill in her rear-view mirror and immediately recognised it as Liv’s. “She’s here,” Hannah said, stuffing her phone away, before she and Dorothy climbed out.
Alighting her vehicle, Liv held up a carrier bag. “I’ve brought chocolates.”
“Good call,” Hannah replied.
“And I’ve brought a stew,” Dorothy said, indicating her offering.
Hannah took a deep breath. “Are we all ready?”
Dorothy and Liv nodded, before following Hannah to Mel’s front door.
Liv rapped hard on the glass.
When Mel didn’t answer, Hannah moved to the lounge window and peered in. “I can’t see her…” She placed her ear against the glass. “But she’s definitely in. I can hear music.” She turned to the others. “Sad music.”
Liv crouched down and looked through the letter box. “We’re not going anywhere, Mel!” she shouted through. “So you may as well let us in.”
With no response Liv rose to her feet again. “What now?”
“It would seem we’re here for the long haul,” Hannah said.
Dorothy gave a definite nod. “I agree.”
After a few moments, Hannah heard a key turn in the latch. “At last.”
The door slowly opened to reveal a sorry-looking Mel.
Hannah immediately gave her friend a sympathetic smile and stepping forward, wrapped Mel in a huge bear hug. “You poor thing.”
Hannah, at last, let go. Taking in Mel’s appearance, it seemed she and Liv were right to be worried. Mel’s eyes weren’t just red, they appeared sore. Her nostrils were peeling and her hair clearly hadn’t seen a brush or a squirt of shampoo for days. A fresh pair of pyjamas wouldn’t have gone amiss either.
Without saying a word, Mel turned and traipsed into the lounge, leaving Hannah, Dorothy and Liv to let themselves in.
“It’s worse than I imagined,” Dorothy said, closing the door behind them.
