CHAPTER40
After Monday evening’s visit to see Mel, Hannah’s focus on her training had never been better. Such was her anger toward Russel, she’d thrashed every session she’d done on the treadmill. It was as if every step was anup yoursto the man. Hannah scoffed. Every cloud and all that.
As she finished that day’s cool-down walk, Hannah still couldn’t rid herself of Mel’s pain. She’d never understood how one human being could knowingly hurt another like that. Mel was such a kind-hearted individual. She deserved so much better.
“And you want me to start dating again?” Hannah said, of Beth and Archie.
Hannah couldn’t believe she’d begun to consider the fact that her children might be right. After seeing Mel’s distress, Hannah thought it no wonder she’d questioned their limited wisdom and was leaning towards staying single, after all. While at Mel’s house, not only had Hannah felt her friend’s pain at the hands of Russel, she’d relived some of the hurt she, herself, had experienced thanks to Carl.
Hannah took off her headphones and wiped her forehead down with the edge of her T-shirt. Desperate for a glass of water, she made her way through to the kitchen. “Gabe,” she said, surprised to see him sat at the table with Aunt Dorothy. “What are you doing here?”
“I had a break between clients, so I dropped in to see how the training’s going.”
“And to deliver an invitation,” Dorothy said.
Hannah’s eyes widened in interest.
“Roger has invited me over for dinner.” Dorothy waved a piece of paper. “He’s written down his address and apparently isn’t taking no for an answer.”
Hannah headed over to a cupboard. “Very nice.” Taking out a glass, she turned on the cold tap and filled it with water.
“He wants to cook me his Risotto alla Milanese, which–”
“According to legend,” Hannah jumped in. “Was invented by the workmen building the Milan Cathedral.”
“Was it?” Dorothy asked in amazement.
Hannah nodded, while Gabe seemed impressed.
“Iwas going to say it’s one of Roger’s specialities. Your point is far more interesting.”
“Apparently, they were using saffron to dye the stained-glass windows.” Hannah drank a mouthful of water. “And figured they’d also throw it into their rice.”
“Weren’t they worried it might make them sick?” Dorothy asked.
“Obviously not,” Hannah replied.
“I’m surprised I got an invite at all. I’d have thought Roger considered us all barmy. What with Liv’s arrest, Mel disappearing, and you, Hannah, spending most of the night like you had the world on your shoulders. Don’t get me wrong. I understand you were worried about Mel. But it wasn’t quite the team-building exercise we’d hoped for, eh.”
“How is Mel?” Gabe asked.
Meeting his gaze, Hannah sighed. “She’ll get there.” Forcing herself to look away, she turned her attention to her aunt. “So, when is this dinner of yours?”
“Tonight.”
“That’s a bit short notice.”
“Dad can be a bit spontaneous, shall we say.” Gabe opened his mouth to add something else but changed his mind.
“What?” Hannah asked. Waiting for him to speak, Gabe appeared nervous. It was a side of him that Hannah hadn’t seen before.
“I was just thinking, while they’re enjoying dinner, maybe we could grab that coffee we talked about.” He coughed as if clearing his throat a little. “If you’re up for it?”
Hannah hesitated. The way she was feeling thanks to Russel, she doubted she’d be very good company.
“To talk tactics, of course,” Gabe added. “The race is only a few days off.”
Hannah opened her mouth to explain, but Dorothy got in there first.
