Despite being pleased for her friends, Hannah felt sad for herself. She had Dorothy for support, of course, but it would have been nice to have Beth and Archie there too. Consoling herself with the fact that they’d made a point of calling to wish her luck, Hannah just hoped they’d be as proud of her come the end of the race as they’d been at the beginning.
A picture of Gabe popped into her head and as angry as she was with the man, Hannah couldn’t one hundred per cent deny that his presence was also missed. She glanced around, secretly hoping she might experience her own romantic gesture. Deflated, Gabe was nowhere in sight. Hannah felt Dorothy’s, Liv’s and Quentin’s eyes on her. “What?” she asked, returning their stares.
“Makes you think, doesn’t it?” Dorothy said. “Seeing those two.”
Hannah snuck a peek at Mel and Russel. Talking over each other, they both seemed to be apologising for their part in the misunderstanding. Hannah’s situation with Gabe, however, was different. There was no misunderstanding. Not only was Gabe married, he hadn’t bothered to inform her of the fact. “Not really, no,” Hannah flatly replied.
“Who’s the red-haired geek?” Francesca asked. Appearing as if from nowhere, like Liv, she was dressed to win.
“If you’re talking about Russel,” Hannah replied. “That’s Mel’s boyfriend.”
“Mel has a boyfriend? Since when?” Shaking herself out of her confusion, Francesca spotted Quentin and came over all coy. “And who is this lovely gentleman?”
Recalling how Francesca had fluttered her lashes at Gabe, Hannah wondered if the woman had any shame.
Quentin stepped forward to shake Francesca’s hand. “Quentin.”
Francesca’s eyes lit up at his touch. “Pleased to meet you, I’m sure.”
Quentin let go and immediately put his arm around Liv’s shoulders. “Liv’sboyfriend.”
The more Hannah saw of Quentin, the more she liked him.
“Really?” Francesca let out a laugh as she looked straight at Liv. “How did you manage to pullhim?”
Liv opened her mouth to speak but was saved from herself when a voice spoke over a tannoy.
“Could all competitors please make your way to the starting line.”
Francesca flicked her ponytail. “Sounds like that’s our cue.”
Mel hastened over. “Aunt Dorothy, is it all right if Russel stays with you? It’s his first visit here and he doesn’t know anyone. This time he might really get lost.”
Hannah didn’t think she’d ever seen Mel’s smile so bright.
“Of course, it is,” Dorothy replied. “Once you’re off and running, we’ll head for the finishing line and wait for you there.” She turned to Russel. “Won’t we?”
Russel’s eyes widened as he looked around in awe. “I feel like an extra inChariots of Fire.”
“Oh, I love that film,” Dorothy said.
Mel gave Dorothy the biggest of hugs. “Thank you.”
“You’re coming too, aren’t you, Quentin?” Dorothy asked.
Quentin was too busy kissing Liv good luck to answer.
“Guys,” Hannah said. “Time to let go.”
Hannah handed Quentin her aunt’s deckchair. Leaving him, her aunt and Russel to head off, she felt nervous as she, Mel and Liv followed the crowd. Despite her prior confidence, Hannah hoped she’d done enough training to finish the race, let alone beat Mel and Liv.
At last coming to a standstill, it was clear the serious athletes had been given poll position at the front, something Hannah was glad about. The circuit was primarily through woodland and worried she’d stray off into the middle of nowhere, having someone to follow gave her a better chance of staying on track. Hannah took a deep breath and checking her watch, saw it was race time. “Good luck, ladies,” she said.
“You too,” Mel and Liv chorused.
“Luck has nothing to do with it,” Francesca said.
CHAPTER47
