“Can we please stop talking about Gabe?” Hannah asked, surprising even herself with how loud she’d spoken.
Dorothy, Mel and Liv stared at Hannah, shocked.
“Okay then,” Dorothy said. “Putting on my team leader hat for a minute, I’m worried you’re not going to get to the end.” She gave Hannah a knowing look. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed your limp’s back.”
“Hannah, why would you risk injuring yourself again?” Mel sighed. “I bet you haven’t focused on your breathing either, have you?”
Hannah let out a laugh. “You and your bloody breathing.”
“It’s not funny,” Liv said. “The last thing we want is you getting hurt.”
It’s a bit late for that, Hannah thought but didn’t say.
“And neither has she taken any rest days,” Dorothy said. “Don’t think you’re running tomorrow, young lady. Not the day before the damn event proper.”
Hannah shook her head. As far as she was concerned, her aunt was worrying over nothing.
“In fact…” Dorothy threw her hands in the air. “You may as well give up now. Honestly, you’re not going to finish.”
“Of course I’m going to finish.”
“I don’t think you will,” Mel said.
“As much as it pains me to say it, I don’t think you will either,” Liv said. “Not the way you’re going.”
Hannah couldn’t believe what she was hearing. After all the work she’d put in, no way was she pulling out without trying. Insulted by the mere suggestion, they might not have much faith in her, but that didn’t stop Hannah having faith in herself. “I’ll bet you anything I cross that finishing line before either of you two.” She turned to Dorothy. “Take note, Team Leader.Anything.”
Dorothy sighed. “See what I mean. There’s no talking to her.”
“I don’t mind a bit of fighting talk,” Mel said, her competitive streak coming to the fore. “But when you say ‘anything’, I hope you’re a woman of your word.”
“Of course I am.” Hannah felt affrontedanyonewould think otherwise, let alone one of her best friends.
Dorothy, Mel and Liv shared a look, as if they were suddenly all thinking the same thing. They turned to Hannah, each of them wearing a mischievous smile.
“You’re on,” Dorothy said.
“If you don’t finish this race before me and Liv,” Mel said. “You’re to speak to Gabe and find out what the real story is behind this wife business.”
He was the last person Hannah wanted to converse with. She opened her mouth to protest, but Liv stopped her.
“And if things aren’t what they seem, you’re to go on a date with him.”
Realising she’d been set up, Hannah had to remind herself that a bet was a bet. She narrowed her eyes, and her gaze went from one woman to the next and to the next.
“A proper date,” all three of them said.
CHAPTER44
RACE DAY
Having woken early, Hannah had lain in the quiet for what felt like forever. She’d tried getting back to sleep, but her nerves over the day ahead wouldn’t let her. She grabbed her pillow, gave it a good plump, and threw her head back down for the millionth time. After a while, Hannah groaned, and whipping her duvet back, decided she may as well get up.
Grabbing her dressing gown, she retrieved her phone from the bedside cabinet, stuffing it into her pocket as she made her way downstairs. Tiptoeing as she went so as not to wake Dorothy, as Hannah entered the kitchen, she was surprised to find her aunt already sat there.
Hands wrapped around a mug, Dorothy looked up. “You couldn’t sleep either?”
Hannah headed for the kettle. “Fresh cup of tea?”
