‘Nice job with this team event, Anna, I’m impressed.’
‘Thanks.’ Anna was quickly buoyed by a little praise.
‘I’ve just found out about you and Liam. I’m not sure what to say. Obviously, he didn’t mention it otherwise I would have objected.’
‘So, you didn’t hire him?’ said Anna, her left eye twitching slightly.
Roberta shook her head. ‘No, this has come from on high. But I’m fully supportive obviously.’ She gave an expression that said she wasn’t.
‘Obviously. Thanks for the heads-up, I’ll make sure he only sees what he needs to but to be honest I think Hudson and I are working far better together now than we were. There are no holes for him to pick on the project.’
‘If you want something done, ask a woman. That’s what the late, great Margaret Thatcher told us,’ said Roberta. She straightened her dress and went to speak to someone else.
Hudson sauntered over and made sure his bicep brushed Anna’s shoulder. ‘Hey, girlfriend, how you doing?’
‘Really?’ said Anna in a mocking tone but the truth was she was enjoying their play-acting. She was seeing a whole new side to Hudson and it was one she liked.
‘I forgot I don’t need to try to win you over, you’re already dating me.’ He gave her another nudge.
‘Careful or you’ll be filed in the same section as Karl.’ They both watched as he chased after Priya whilst swinging his wet T-shirt around his head. Roberta was looking unimpressed.
‘I was wondering if you fancied grabbing something to eat?’ he said. Anna stared at the hot dog she was holding. Hudson seemed to go a little pink. ‘I figured we’d be hungry again later and I’d like to hatch a plan of attack now we have Liam snooping around the project.’
‘Good call. And it’d be a chance to get our whole girlfriend, boyfriend story straight. I’m not sure I feel like going out though.’ Anna was looking forward to a shower and an early night but Hudson’s suggestion made sense and she liked to be on the front foot. ‘How about a takeaway at mine?’
‘Takeout? Great. About seven thirty?’
‘Perfect. Here’s my address,’ she said pulling a Post-it Note pad and pen from her bag and jotting it down.
‘Always prepared. You’d have made an excellent Scout.’
A few hours later Hudson and Anna were sitting at her small dining table munching pizza. They had drawn up a list of everything they needed to check to ensure Liam couldn’t find fault with the project governance and had now moved on to their fake relationship.
‘We know how we met,’ said Hudson.
‘At work. Very clichéd but also very common.’
Hudson nodded. ‘I asked you out and—’
‘I could have asked you out.’ Anna was slightly put out because she wasn’t keen on gender stereotypes.
Hudson’s mouth tweaked at one corner. ‘Okay, but I warn you, I play hard to get. How would you have got me to say yes?’
Anna’s smile reached her eyes. She liked him challenging her. ‘There’s my cute British accent.’ She started to tick things off on her fingers.
He screwed up his nose. ‘Everyone here has one of those. Even Karl.’
‘Fair enough.’ Anna had a think. ‘You were missing America and I invited you to a breakfast meeting with … Pop Tarts, bagels and syrup.’
Hudson was giving her an odd look. ‘It’s a nice thought but Pop Tarts?’
‘Yes. Pop Tarts, you thought it was adorable and we laughed about it and I promised to make you a proper breakfast next time we went out.’ She gave him her best flirty expression.
Hudson nearly choked on his drink. ‘You floozy. But you’ve got yourself a date.’
This was fun – all the flirting with none of the consequences. She thought to herself that she should probably date gay guys more often. They clinked glasses and got back to demolishing the pizza. Anna put a few more turns of black pepper on hers.
‘You like black pepper huh?’
‘On everything.’
‘I make a mean pepper sauce to go with steak.’
‘Mmm, sounds good. Old family recipe?’
‘Err, yes and no. My ex’s old family recipe actually.’ Hudson broke eye contact and seemed to be studying her laminate flooring in great detail. The mood had changed quickly.
‘Bad break-up?’ She had to ask.
‘You could say that. I got unceremoniously dumped by someone I thought was the one.’
It was oddly reassuring that he too had been in Anna’s situation – both dumped by a man. ‘You want to talk about it?’
He pursed his lips and shook his head. ‘All water over the dam now.’
‘Still hurts though, doesn’t it?’ She reached across and gave his arm a squeeze.
‘Sure does. Now tell me about this Bert character, he sounds awesome.’ And just like that the smiles were back.
After the meal Hudson dutifully helped her clear the table and they settled on the sofa with coffees. The door swung open and in marched Maurice. He loved to make an entrance.
‘Are you okay with cats?’ she asked as Maurice made a beeline for Hudson.
‘I love cats,’ he said. ‘And aren’t you a beauty?’ he added, turning his attention to Maurice who responded by swishing his tail in a diva-ish manner.
‘The rescue centre think he’s a …’ She had to think of what breed they’d called him. ‘A Maine Coon I think.’
‘He looks like it. We used to have one when I was a kid. You know they’re an American breed, right?’
Anna rolled her eyes. ‘I’m surrounded.’
Hudson gave a cheeky smile. ‘You’re a lucky lady.’
‘I think Maurice is officially a Brummy now. You’ve got a bit further to go.’ Maurice jumped up and made himself comfortable stretched out on Hudson’s lap, staring up at him adoringly. Goodness, was nobody immune to his charms?
‘Anything I should know to avoid Liam catching me out?’ asked Hudson as he fussed Maurice and Maurice lapped it up.
Anna had a think. University shot into her mind and she instantly dismissed it. ‘You know about my black pepper addiction.’
He nodded sagely. ‘And I know you’re a control freak.’
‘You say it like it’s a bad thing.’
‘Not at all. What else?’
‘I’m afraid of heights and I don’t like mustard.’ She pulled a face like she could taste it burning her tongue.
‘Any brothers or sisters?’
Anna nearly gave her automatic answer but something stopped her. Her spine stiffened. ‘I had a sister.’ Hudson appeared shocked and intuitively reached out and laid his hand on hers. It was a tender and emotionally intelligent gesture. ‘Her name was Lynsey.’
‘I’m sorry, Anna.’ She could see the genuine concern in his eyes.
‘She was fourteen when she had a seizure. It was undiagnosed epilepsy …’ Anna started to tremble. This was something she was sure she had dealt with years ago but right now it didn’t feel that way at all.
She could sense Hudson’s empathy. ‘I can’t imagine how awful that was for you and your folks.’
Anna tried hard to be positive. ‘I think it brought us closer together. Makes you realise how precious the people you love really are.’ She was surprised to hear her voice crack. It had also made her feel a great responsibility to do well in life but he didn’t need to know that.
Hudson reached for her hand. ‘I’m sure there are easier ways to find that out.’ Anna nodded; she was scared of disintegrating into full-on blubbing mode.
‘We’ve all moved on.’ He removed his hand and Anna was keen to push the spotlight off her. ‘What about you?’
She didn’t expect to be questioned at length by Liam – she wasn’t applying for a green card – but just in case it happened she didn’t want the humiliation of getting caught out. Anna also realised their fake relationship was a great way to satisfy her curiosity and find out more about him.
‘No siblings
. Nothing much to tell.’
‘Come on, Hudson. What do you like?’
‘I run – a lot. Not like I used to but I try to keep my fitness levels up. I love music. Justin Bieber’s my favourite, which is why I got the tattoo.’
‘Okay …’ She had to admit she was surprised, but she wasn’t going to judge.
A grin spread across his face. ‘I’m jerking around. I like a mix of stuff from Bowie to Red Hot Chili Peppers to Bruno Mars. Not Bieber.’
‘Very eclectic.’
‘How about you?’ He leaned forward and watched her closely.
She thought for a moment and sipped her coffee. ‘I like old films.’
‘What are your favourites?’
She had a think. ‘I love the Ealing Comedies.’
Hudson pulled a face. ‘Never heard of them.’
‘They’re black and white, classic comedies. Very British, like me. You’d love them.’
‘What other films do you like?’
‘Léon.’ She noted his nod of approval. ‘And I absolutely love You’ve Got Mail.’
‘One of my favourites too.’
‘You’re winding me up again.’
He shook his head.
‘Really?’
‘Yeah. Joe Fox is my all-time hero. All his references to The Godfather. Sure, it’s classified as a chick flick, but it’s a great film.’ He was full of surprises.
Chapter Thirteen
Sophie came back to find her home ransacked by marauding savages, or worse still it appeared the children had managed to cover every surface with unidentifiable sticky substances. Anna didn’t have to put up with this; she only had herself to think about and Sophie envied her. She could barely remember a time when she hadn’t been running around after someone else. Sophie meandered through the house surveying the devastation. She’d only been gone for forty-eight hours. Hurricanes did less damage than her children. She retrieved a Peppa Pig sock from the goldfish bowl, pushed the pizza box to the floor and slumped onto the sofa and crumpled into tears. This was her reality – her life – and she didn’t want it any more.
An hour later her distress had morphed into fury and with the children occupied by the television she was washing the kitchen floor with vigour. She didn’t know what Anna was doing right now but she knew she wouldn’t be washing a kitchen floor that looked like the England rugby team had been wrestling in treacle on it. She reckoned Anna was most likely mulling over all the men she had to choose from. She had Liam virtually begging her to take him back, she had a fake relationship with the most gorgeously sexy man on the planet and a mysterious texting admirer. Life wasn’t fair. A key turned in the door and her hackles rose.
‘Hiya, Sophe,’ came Dave’s familiarly jolly call. ‘You won’t believe the day I’ve had …’ he began as he flung his coat on the stairs and Sophie met him in the hall, Marigold-clad hands held aloft like a surgeon.
‘There’s a hook for that,’ said Sophie, pointing into the downstairs loo. She cringed at the thought of what she’d found in there earlier.
Dave twitched before giving her a fleeting kiss on the cheek. ‘You okay?’
‘I’m a bit plucked off to be honest. Did you not notice the state of the house before you went to work?’
Dave threw up his hands. ‘Come on, Sophe. I’ve been a single parent for the past few days. Trying to keep ahead of the devil monkeys is really hard.’ He actually looked serious, like he was telling her something she didn’t already know.
‘One night. It was just one night! I have the terror tots twenty-four seven. How do you think I cope?’ She could feel temper bubbling up inside her.
Dave was pulling a questioning face. ‘They’re at school and nursery most of the day so technically—’
Sophie’s exasperation level hitched up a notch. ‘Technically when they’re in school and nursery I’m at work, just like you. What do you think I do there? Curl up for a nice sleep?’
‘No, but you’re better at all this than I am.’ His expression changed to conciliatory. ‘It goes to show you how much we need you. We’re lost without you.’ He tried to pull her into a hug and she pushed him away, her expression stony. He wasn’t going to get around her that easily.
‘Dinner will be ten minutes.’ She could barely say the words for the tightness of her jaw.
‘Great, I’m starving. I couldn’t get Petal to eat anything while you were away but I think she may have eaten a sock. I couldn’t find it anywhere.’
‘Fish tank,’ said Sophie, and she went to check on the veg.
Anna had been for a run, done all her washing and ironing, caught up on her work emails and now she was very bored. Everyone else had a life and here she was treading water, waiting for what exactly? She had no idea. She knew she wasn’t making the most of the gloriously bright sunshine streaming through the flat. She could hear families having fun in the park and she wished she was part of it. It gave her an idea.
‘Hiya, Sophie. Have you got plans for this afternoon?’
‘There’s a football match on, which means Dave is busy.’ She huffed her frustration down the phone. ‘Me and the kids are going to make and ice cupcakes then we’re going on a wildflower hunt.’
Anna raised an eyebrow. ‘They don’t take much hunting.’
‘Ha, ha. We’ve got spotters’ sheets and we’re trying to tick off all the wildflowers, which should keep them out of mischief for a while. Why?’
‘Can I come too?’ asked Anna, feeling as pathetic as she sounded.
‘Err, of course. I mean it’s not exactly riveting. But I’d love the company.’
‘Great. Call for me. I’ll bring a picnic.’
Anna needed to be kept busy. She was the sort of person who struggled to relax. She liked her mind to be fully occupied. A quick trip to the local shop and she was making healthy snacks and rustling up homemade hummus.
Sophie knocked as planned and Anna bounded outside with a cool box and a picnic rug. Sophie had the look of the perpetually harassed about her.
‘Hiya, kids.’ Petal launched herself at Anna, puckering her lips for a kiss, and Anna obliged. Anna gave Arlo a kiss on his forehead and he rubbed it off quickly. ‘You okay?’ she asked Sophie.
‘We made cakes,’ she said by way of explanation.
‘Ah. With blue icing.’
‘How’d you know …’ began Sophie as Anna fished a lump of blue icing from Sophie’s hair and presented it to her.
‘Next time you need your kitchen redecorated invite my kids round to make cakes.’
Inside the park was a hive of activity with a group of teenagers playing a game of Frisbee up by the oak trees, a number of families picnicking on the benches and a variety of people and dogs all out enjoying the sunshine. But the park was so large everyone had plenty of space. They walked past the pond where a fisherman was packing up his tackle and a gang of small children were feeding a family of ducks.
They decided on a spot near the children’s swings, under the dappled shelter of a large tree, and set out their wares.
‘Cupcake!’ shouted Arlo.
‘Carrot stick,’ offered Anna and Arlo screwed up his nose.
Sophie gave him a bottle of bubble mixture and he and Petal began happily making and chasing the bubbles.
‘What’s up?’ asked Sophie, scooping up a dollop of hummus with a celery stick.
Anna took a deep breath, letting the tranquillity of their corner of the park engulf her. She watched Arlo and Petal chasing after bubbles before being distracted by trying to catch the tiny pink blossoms as a breeze tickled the trees. ‘I’m off plan and I don’t like it.’
She could see this had grabbed Sophie’s attention. ‘Off plan? I’d love to be free as a bird like you.’
Anna had seized her independence and was settling into life on her own terms but she was still very much outside her comfort zone. ‘I don’t want to moan but where am I going in life?’
‘Wherever the hell you want to. Anna, you n
eed to stop moping and give yourself a shake.’ Anna was taken aback. ‘I don’t mean to be unkind but lots of people would kill to be in your situation with no ties or responsibilities. You could literally do anything you want to.’ She pointed a celery stick at Anna. ‘Yes, you’ve had a shock with Liam messing everything up but much better to find out now than eight years and three kids down the road.’
‘You’re right.’ There was possibly a gentler way of saying it but whilst Sophie was blunt she was honest too. Anna narrowed her eyes. Was there another message in there somewhere? ‘Are you okay?’
‘Arlo! Don’t feed duck bread to your sister.’ She turned back to Anna. ‘I’m on a treadmill and I can’t get off but if I stay on it I’ll die of exhaustion anyway.’
‘Is it really that bad?’ asked Anna, watching Petal giggling as she chased after her brother.
‘Yes, it is. There’s no excitement in my life. When I was younger I was wild and free. I thought that side of me would always be there. But Dave has worn it down. I should have married someone like Hudson.’
‘He’s off the market for you in more ways than one.’
‘I said like Hudson. As in a non-gay, free and single version. Someone who makes my insides feel like stirred jelly with one look, who notices if I’ve made an effort and makes me feel special.’ Anna knew what she meant, although she didn’t like to admit it. ‘Is that too much to ask?’
‘No. It’s not.’ Anna had to agree that on occasion she’d felt the same. Hudson seemed to have that way about him. ‘But it doesn’t make Dave a bad person because he doesn’t do those things. And it doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you.’
‘Okay. Who would you pick? Dave or Hudson? Go on.’
Telling her she’d pick Hudson wasn’t going to help. ‘At least you have Dave. And he might not be exciting but he is reliable and he loves you. What do I have to come home to? An empty flat and a giant cat who thinks I’m his personal slave.’
A Budding Romance Page 2