The Island Angel
Page 24
IT WAS EARLY Saturday morning, and it had started to rain. Anna pulled up the hood of her bright yellow weatherproof. The chickens pecked furiously at the feed she’d dumped from a bucket on the grass near their roost.
The night before, Anna had spoken at length to Abbie about her mother and how she’d been adopted. Anna had expected Abbie to react with anger and storm off. But Abbie just blinked and said it didn’t matter.
“I don’t remember any of that. You’re my mum.” Abbie had then asked, “What’s for dinner? I’m really hungry.”
“Anything you like, my princess.” Anna had hugged her for dear life and kissed her temple.
Thinking back, Anna couldn’t help but be proud of her daughter. Yes. My daughter. She’d bounced back with only a few nightmares.
The sound of a car pulling up caused Anna to drop her bucket and run into the farmyard. An old Saab had come to a halt near the kitchen door.
As soon as Jessica stepped out, Anna ploughed into her, grinning from ear to ear.
“You’re back!” Anna said, a little breathless.
“Yup.” Jessica’s fingers brushed Anna’s cheek. Their lips tangled in a deep kiss. When they separated, both panting. Jessica said, “I need to show you something.” She took Anna’s hand and led her to the passenger door. “Please get in for a sec.”
“All right, but why?”
“Please.”
Inside the car, Anna waited for her. Once Jessica was in the driver’s seat, Anna’s curiosity got the better of her. “So? Where are we going?”
“Nowhere.” A few seconds passed. Rain pattered on the canvas rooftop. “And everywhere, I hope,” Jessica whispered. The car was already starting to fog up.
“You know, we have a perfectly good bed we can make out in if that was your plan.”
Jessica took Anna’s hand. It had a slight tremor as she turned Anna’s palm upwards. “See?”
Anna knitted her brows together. “Not really.”
“You told me once…” Jessica’s fingers closed around Anna’s. “That no one would marry me because they would get a wet bum whenever they travelled in my car. Well, it’s raining and—”
“Oh, yes, you’ve fixed the leak.” Anna focused on Jessica’s different coloured eyes, which never ceased to captivate her. Jessica looked terribly nervous. Then Anna understood.
“Oh my God!” Anna cried as her heart leapt to one hundred miles an hour. “Jessica!” With her free hand over her mouth, she gasped when an antique diamond ring appeared between Jessica’s thumb and forefinger.
“Anna,” Jessica’s words were shaky, but Anna didn’t need to hear them perfectly, she already knew what her answer would be. She’d known after they first made love. “Will you marry me?”
Anna nodded slowly at first, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Yes, my angel. Yes!”
Epilogue
CLOSING THE BOOT, Anna asked, “So, what have we forgotten?”
“It’s impossible to remember what’s been forgotten,” Jessica said, leaning against the driver’s door. The top was down, and Abbie sat in the back seat surrounded by camping gear.
“I’m sure you have everything you need.” Nadia had wandered over, dressed in jeans and a navy T-shirt. “It looks like you’re going on a safari.”
It was a warm July morning without clouds and, to Anna, everything was right with the world. “You’re sure you’ll be okay running the treks while we’re away?”
Nadia laughed. “I’ve been doing that for weeks now. It’ll be fine. I’ve roped in David and Beth to help.”
Anna had been surprised when Nadia volunteered to work for them at the farm. She’d said she needed a change and that the Serious Fraud Office wasn’t quite ready for her. This Anna didn’t understand, but she was grateful since without her help they wouldn’t have been able to get her business off the ground. The other thing she didn’t understand but also didn’t care about, was John’s reaction when she told him of her engagement to Jessica. He had gone silent on the phone, before hanging up on her.
Anna glanced around. The yard was busy; a gang of kids were mucking out their ponies while Beth was brushing down the latest addition to the stable, a black Dartmoor.
“We better get going,” Jessica said, placing a hand on Anna’s shoulder.
Anna nodded. “You have my number, right?”
“Yes, Miss-soon-to-be-Mrs Cox,” Nadia said. She quirked a half smile.
Anna returned a smile. “All right, see you in five days.” She climbed into the passenger seat and looked back as they drove out of the yard.
“Everything will be fine,” Jessica assured her.
After a four-hour drive, they arrived at L Fest and managed to cart all their gear to the camping area, without dying in the afternoon heat. Anna made a mental note. Next time, less stuff!
It didn’t take long to erect their four-person tent, and they were soon heading towards the main stage.
The sun was still an hour away from dipping below the horizon as they sat on the grass listening to the first performances. Around them were other female couples, some with children. The festival was compact compared to others she’d been to, but this only made it friendlier and more intimate.
Sarah carefully lowered herself down on the ground. “You know they have hot tubs over there? I mean, hot tubs! Who has hot tubs at a festival?” She passed a beer to Anna and a Coke to Abbie, who put down her guitar for a moment to open the can and take a sip.
“I have my eye on the hammocks,” Anna said.
Sarah turned to Abbie. “So, Jessica is teaching you the guitar?”
“Yeah, open chords for now. One sec.” Abbie picked up her acoustic and strummed a simple chord sequence.
“That’s lit!” Sarah clapped.
“Hey, Anna!” A voice called. Anna turned to see Nicole, who she’d met at the pizza van over a month ago. “You made it!”
Nicole hunched down on bended knees and tiptoes.
“Yes, just arrived.”
After introductions, Nicole added, “Well, when you’re up for something to eat and a chat, we’re over there.” She pointed to an area set out for food vendors. “I was hoping we could meet up after the dinner rush.”
“Sure, that’d be great.”
Nicole scanned the area. “So where is Jessica?”
Anna, impressed that Nicole had remembered their names, pointed to the stage. “She’s getting ready to play.” Anna smiled.
“Wow.”
“She’s very good,” Sarah chimed in.
“Oh…” Nicole was looking at Anna’s hand. “You’re engaged now? I noticed your ring!”
“Yes.” Anna beamed. “We’ve not set a date yet, but you’re invited.”
“That’s great! Congratulations!”
A cheer spread through the crowd, drawing Anna’s attention to the stage.
Jessica approached a microphone, shouldering a black electric guitar. “Hi. Before we start, I want to say thanks to Sarah and the organisers for allowing me up here. And lots of love to Anna and Abbie for making me whole again.” Jessica turned to the drummer and nodded. The band began to play.
Anna wiped away a tear, but this time, unlike so many before, it was a tear of joy.
About the Author
Alex is a novelist based in the UK. She grew up in Canada and completed a BSc degree, before moving back to work in central London. Alex has also lived in the United States. Since a young age, she has consumed a mixture of historical fiction, fantasy, and romance. Alex enjoys guitar, creating music, photography, and painting, but most of all, things she doesn’t understand. For her, writing is a way to inspire virtues that should happen more often.
Twitter: @AlexSlorra
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