“Feeling lonely again. So, when I go home to Norfolk, I need to get out there instead of shutting myself away.” Dorothy smiled. “In the short time I’ve been here, thanks to you and Mel and Liv, I’ve learnt that I don’t need to be in a couple to make new friends. I don’t have to sit at home talking to four walls if I don’t want to. I can build the semblance of a life without Denis.”
“Of course you can.”
“And you, young lady, must open your heart to at least the possibility of finding love.” Dorothy fell pensive for a moment. “That’s what I admire most about Mel. She knew people would judge if she built a meaningful relationship with a chap she’d never even seen, never mind met. But she’d taken that risk anyway. And who can say, it might still pay off.”
Hannah scoffed, doubting that very much.
“And look at Liv. She’s considering travelling to Africa to build schools from the ground up with a man she hasn’t known for two minutes. How’s that for a leap into the unknown?” Dorothy reached up and put her hand against Hannah’s cheek. “I wantyouto have adventures of the heart like Mel and Liv, Hannah. I know it’s scary, but from one who knows, find the right man and it’s worth it.” She let her hand drop. “But like I said, you have to force yourself.”
Hannah filled her cheeks with air and exhaled, not sure she could do it.
CHAPTER41
Hannah was impressed as she tried to identify Gabe’s house. With a green open space on one side of the road and a row of little cottages on the other, his street was a hidden gem that sat on the edge of town. One that she hadn’t even known existed. “What number does it say?” she asked as she continued to admire the rose gardened properties.
Aunt Dorothy glanced at the sheet of paper. “Number 7.”
Hannah slowed, so her aunt could check out the digits on each door.
Dorothy squinted. “This is it,” she suddenly said.
Pulling over, Hannah took in the windy stone paved pathway that led to a cute little front door. She couldn’t help but picture Gabe having to duck every time he entered and exited. Ivy climbed around the windows, under which sat pots of colourful flowers. Everything she saw was a complete surprise. She’d had Gabe down as a centre of town loft apartment kind of guy.
As Hannah and Dorothy got out of the car and approached the house, Gabe appeared at the cottage door. He wore faded jeans, a white T-shirt and a navy shirt he’d left unbuttoned. His hair was wet as if he’d not long stepped out of the shower. Seeing him, Hannah’s chest suddenly felt light, and she took a deep breath hoping it would settle the fluttering in her tummy.
“Please,” Gabe said. “Come in.” Stepping to one side, he welcomed Hannah and Dorothy into his home. “Dad’s in the kitchen.” Leading the way, Gabe lowered his head to avoid it hitting the beams.
Hannah glanced around as she went. A pale blue throw covered the arm of a comfy-looking cream sofa, in front of which sat a simple glass coffee table. A pale yellow checked armchair sat by the hearth, home to an open fire. A floral rug partially covered the bare floorboards. To say two men lived there, the cottage felt like it wasn’t short of a woman’s touch.
The kitchen was just as sweet, Hannah considered. With its wooden beams, three white-washed walls, and one of exposed stonework, it had a Belfast sink and traditional solid fuel range. Thanks to its navy-blue units and white granite worktops the room was a perfect mix of old and new. But just like the lounge, it had a feminine feel.
“This is lovely,” Dorothy said, glancing around. “And something does smell good.”
Roger beamed. “I hope you’re hungry, because if not you’re taking home a doggy bag.”
“Starving,” Dorothy replied. “I’ve been saving myself all day.”
“Shall we leave them to it?” Gabe asked.
Hannah looked to Dorothy. The last thing she wanted was to leave her aunt in a strange house if she wasn’t properly comfortable.
Dorothy discreetly nodded, indicating that all was well.
“You’ve got my number,” Hannah said. Not that she got a response. Before Hannah and Gabe had got to the front door Dorothy and Roger were chatting like old friends. Expecting to jump back in her car, Hannah fumbled in her pocket for her keys.
“You don’t need those,” Gabe said, as they stepped outside. “There’s a place around the corner that does a great range in coffees.”
Tucking the keys away again, Hannah breathed in the fresh air as she observed the park users. Families played cricket, dogs chased balls, and young couples sat on blankets chatting. At 7pm it was still early, and Hannah couldn’t blame them for making the most of the evening sun.
Hannah’s arm brushed against Gabe’s as they strolled side by side, causing Hannah’s nerves to tingle. Scolding herself, she insisted they were simply going for a coffee to talk running tactics. They were in no way out on a date.
Acknowledging the silence between them, Hannah tried to think of something to say. She and Gabe didn’t usually struggle to converse and the longer the quiet went on, the more self-conscious Hannah felt.
“Here we are,” Gabe said, as they turned the corner. “In or out?”
Hannah glanced over at the traditional pub and thanks to its small and, no doubt, deep-sill original windows, didn’t fancy sitting in a darkened room. She much preferred the wooden picnic tables that sat on the gravelled patio. “Out,” Hannah said. “It’d be a shame to miss the last of the sunshine.”
While Hannah sat down, Gabe headed inside, and glancing around, Hannah continued to feel awkward. Love-struck couples held hands across their tables. Others were sat next to each other so they could share in-jokes and whisper sweet nothings. Women played with their hair as their partners gazed into their eyes.
