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  Sophie was enjoying her Saturday morning curled up on the sofa munching toast and watching a cookery programme on the telly when Anna came in from a run and put her head round the living room door. ‘What are your plans for today?’ she asked, taking out her ear buds and pulling them through her running top like a magician producing flowers from a sleeve. Sophie shrugged and pointed the remote at the telly. Anna stepped in between her and the telly and Sophie groaned.

  ‘You say you never have time to do things you want to do. Maybe now is a good time to do something more positive than sit on the sofa watching TV all day.’

  Sophie’s eyes widened. ‘Thanks for your opinion but I’m pregnant and watching telly is what I want to do.’

  Anna huffed. ‘I’m going for a shower and then I’m going out because it’s a beautiful day.’

  ‘Fine,’ said Sophie, wrapping her dressing gown around her baby bump and staring resolutely at the TV.

  ‘You know what they say about when life gives you lemons?’

  Sophie didn’t look up. ‘If I wasn’t pregnant I’d be grabbing the tequila and salt.’

  ‘Very funny. It’s not all bad you know.’

  Sophie turned to face Anna. ‘I was where you are once. The child-free singleton who can please themselves. And whilst I love my children beyond reason they do change everything.’

  ‘I know.’

  ‘No, you don’t. I open your freezer and there’s no Mr Bump patches cooling ready for the next banged head. You have an adult bathroom; there’s not a toy in sight. There’s no danger of sitting on a rubber duck and you don’t have a toy pirate watch you take a shower. You don’t have nursery rhymes playing in your car; you can have any music or radio station you like. You don’t hum the tune to the “Wheels On The Bus” when you are on your own because it’s the worst earworm ever. Your kitchen is properly clean and it stays clean. You don’t have goblin-like creatures who can just look at something and make it sticky. You don’t have to make up words to use instead of swear words to express yourself without your child being excluded from school. You can walk around barefoot without the fear of standing on a Lego brick and trust me, that pain is second only to childbirth. You can forget knob in zipper because Lego brick wins every time.’ Sophie took a breath. ‘You don’t know, Anna, and that’s okay because one day if you’re very lucky you will and then I will laugh and laugh and …’

  ‘Thanks that’s really graphic and has probably put me off kids for life.’ Anna was blinking at the tirade.

  ‘You’re welcome. And I have stair gates to negotiate and locks on every cupboard – basically my house is totally childproof.’

  ‘And somehow they still get in,’ quipped Anna, making Sophie chuckle. Anna paused in the doorway. ‘Are you at least coming to Roberta’s barbecue later?’

  ‘I’d forgotten about that.’ Sophie eyed the sunshine outside. It wouldn’t be long before the temperature changed. Sunny days were few and far between. She didn’t want to go, she hated work things at a weekend but Anna was right: she did need to make the most of her time off from being the responsible adult. ‘Okay, I’ll come.’ Sophie snuggled down on the sofa again. ‘No point moving until you come out of the shower though,’ she said with a grin and she changed the channel again.

  The sun was high in the sky and not being interrupted by the few clouds drifting slowly past. It was a gorgeous day and an afternoon spent outside was beginning to appeal to Sophie even if the thought of what state her house was in troubled her. The kids were due back tomorrow and she didn’t want them coming home to a pigsty but she also didn’t want to tidy up Dave’s mess.

  Anna knocked on her open bedroom door, wearing a pretty halter-neck dress and looking rather Audrey Hepburn with her hair pinned up and sunglasses nestled on the top of her head. ‘Ready?’

  Sophie looked down at what she was wearing. Maternity shorts from when she was pregnant with Arlo and a smock top she’d bought last week because everything she owned made her look like she was smuggling a pair of bongos. Her boobs were the biggest they’d ever been. ‘Yeah, I guess,’ said Sophie, grabbing her lipstick and putting on an extra coat before zhooshing up her hair. She’d have to do.

  As they got in Sophie’s car she gave a cursory check for any more roses. There hadn’t been anything from Dave so far today but it was still early. Sophie reversed out of the visitor parking space and as she turned the car towards the road she saw it. Someone had tied a large sheet to the park railings and painted across it were the words ‘Dave + Sophie 4 Ever’ inside a large pink heart. Sophie jumped on the brakes, making them both lurch against their seatbelts.

  ‘I’m guessing that’s not your handiwork,’ said Anna, pointing at the sheet.

  ‘He is so embarrassing.’ Sophie could feel her neck prickling with heat.

  ‘I’ll get it down,’ said Anna, getting out of the car. She soon had the sheet rolled up and she shoved it in the boot of Sophie’s car and got back in.

  ‘What does he think he’s doing?’ asked Sophie, as they set off.

  ‘He’s trying to woo you back. I think it’s quite lovely to be honest.’

  ‘Really?’ Sophie was doubtful. This was not how it happened in the films. Romantic gestures were not pinned to fences and did not spike you in the bum – those things only happened to her.

  ‘Yeah, I think so. What would make you go back to him?’

  Sophie indicated and let the ticking noise pulse through her mind as she thought. ‘I want something more. To feel like I’m a bit special, you know? Like he’s made a bit of an effort for me.’

  ‘The sign was for you,’ said Anna.

  ‘I know,’ said Sophie with a heavy sigh. ‘I know he’s not one of life’s big romantics but surely he could learn. Maybe whisk me away to a fancy hotel? Or send me flowers and chocolates?’

  ‘Didn’t you say money was a bit tight?’

  ‘It’s just Dave who’s tight.’ She spotted Anna’s expression. ‘Okay. But he doesn’t have to spend loads. He could take the kids out sometimes to give me a break. I can’t remember the last time I had a bath without Arlo insisting on using the toilet while I was in there. Or even just a cup of coffee in bed. Surely it’s not too much to ask?’

  They fell silent apart from the sat nav giving them directions. Anna concentrated on doing something on her phone, while Sophie wondered if she’d ever feel special again.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Roberta’s house was on the edge of Solihull in a wide avenue where parking on the road was forbidden. Luckily she had a large sweep-round drive and despite the number of cars already parked, there was room for them to get in at the back. The house itself was a modernised 1920s’ affair painted in stark white with a slate-grey front door, which matched the double garage. It was impressive, as Anna had expected it to be. A sign directed them down the passage at the side of the house, which wasn’t a surprise. There was no way Roberta was going to let them all traipse through her house although Anna had a good nose through the front window as she went past.

  The garden at the back was huge with a very new-looking patio area that Anna assumed was what Roberta had specifically wanted to show off unless of course this was the ‘anything you can do I can do better’ response to Hudson’s party. Half the office was there. It always amused Anna to see what different people’s interpretation of casual was. At work the dress code was fairly easy to predict but at social gatherings it was fascinating to see older men in T-shirts displaying their favourite bands and ladies who always wore straight skirts dancing with abandon in leather trousers.

  Roberta was standing on the edge of the patio looking like the love child of Jackie Onassis and Danny DeVito, her large dark shades hiding a lot of her face. ‘Anna, Sophie, hi. Champagne over there, elderflower inside.’ She bobbed to the side to greet the next person.

  ‘I fancy elderflower,’ said Anna.

  ‘I fancy Hudson,’ said Sophie, gazing down the garden where Hudson was swigging a beer. br />
  ‘Still?’

  ‘Look at him. He’s even better now he’s not gay any more.’

  ‘He never was gay.’ Anna couldn’t help point out the obvious.

  ‘He’s like an expensive coffee. Dark, hot and I bet he’d keep me up all night long.’ Sophie let out a long slow breath.

  ‘You poor thing,’ said Anna, although she was inclined to agree with her. Hudson was wearing aviator sunglasses, a white polo shirt, navy shorts and flip-flops. Few men could carry off flip-flops convincingly but he was definitely one of them. She found herself staring and quickly looked away.

  They returned outside with their drinks and Anna put on her sunglasses. It was far easier to people watch when it wasn’t obvious you had them under surveillance. A quick scan of those assembled told her Liam wasn’t there, and she hoped it stayed that way. ‘Who’s manning the barbecue?’ asked Anna, nodding in the direction of a grey-haired man in a checked shirt with the cuffs turned back.

  ‘I think it’s Roberta’s dad,’ said Sophie. ‘Yep, I’m pretty sure I saw him pick her up from last year’s Christmas party.’

  He was poking the coals vigorously and shaking his head. Roberta ferried out a large platter of meat. ‘You should be cooking by now. What are you doing?’ she snapped.

  ‘I’m cooking the chicken first, like you told me,’ he said, sounding quite like his daughter.

  ‘I don’t want you poisoning anyone. I’d never hear the end of it,’ said Roberta.

  ‘Nice to see it’s not just us who get that treatment,’ said Anna, in hushed tones and she and Sophie scooted down the garden whilst Roberta continued to argue with her dad.

  ‘You look stunning,’ said Hudson when Anna reached him.

  ‘Thank you,’ said Sophie and Anna together and they both looked slightly embarrassed.

  Hudson greeted them both. Some music started blaring out of the conservatory and everyone looked round to see Karl waving his apologies and Roberta marched off in his direction. Hudson guided Anna away.

  ‘I’ve spoken to Roberta about the New York position,’ he said, with his trademark bright smile.

  Anna had suspected this would be the case. She felt a pang of something deep inside. She knew it was coming but the thought he’d be permanently moving to another continent was still a bit of a blow. He was all right when you got used to him. Possibly even more than all right.

  ‘And when will you know if you’ve got it?’

  Hudson gave a slow and measured shake of his head. ‘I’m not going for it.’

  ‘What? Why?’ Anna was confused. This was the perfect opportunity for them both to have a significant role.

  ‘Because I’ve recommended you,’ he said, happiness lighting up his features.

  ‘What?’ said Anna, although it came out as almost a shout.

  Hudson looked taken aback. ‘You said you’ve always wanted to go to New York.’

  ‘Yes, but … What?’ said Anna, scowling. Why on earth would he do this? Her brain was working overtime trying to work out the angle. What was the benefit to him in staying here? She had to be missing something. They might have grown close but at the end of the day he was an ambitious man and he was always going to put his own career first.

  ‘You would be excellent in the role and it’s somewhere you wanted to visit. I thought Roberta would automatically think of me so I figured I needed to tell her you were better placed to run the New York side of things and I would stay in the UK.’ He raised his beer bottle to clink a cheers with her glass but she was still gazing at him open-mouthed. What the hell had he done?

  ‘But you know I’m afraid of heights,’ she said and swallowed. The thought of them made her uneasy. ‘A plane is like thirty thousand feet in the air.’

  ‘Yeah, but flying is different.’

  Anna was already shaking her head. ‘The thought of flying makes my stomach flip.’ She held out her palm. ‘I’m sweating now just thinking about it.’ She’d not been on a plane since she was a child and panic was already sweeping over her.

  ‘Ah,’ said Hudson, running his bottom lip through his teeth. ‘Maybe not a great suggestion after all.’

  ‘Have you done this to expose my phobia as a weakness?’ The question was out before she could vet it.

  ‘No!’ He stepped back and waved his free arm. ‘You actually think I’d do that to you?’

  ‘No, it’s just …’ started Anna. She was cross he’d made such a big assumption and spoken to Roberta without consulting her first. She was also more than a bit terrified at the thought of getting on a plane.

  Hudson did reply but it was drowned out by a whooshing sound as Roberta’s dad threw something on the barbecue and the whole thing caught alight. Hudson and Karl ran towards the fiery scene. Hudson grabbed a tea towel and put the lid on the barbecue, which shut off most of the flames. Karl patted down Roberta’s dad putting out the flames on his apron and Hudson took off his flip-flop and used it to put out the patches of lawn that were also aflame. Roberta marched over. ‘What the hell is going on?’ she demanded.

  Karl opened up the barbecue and a plume of smoke bellowed out like an Indian smoke signal. ‘I think your chicken is done,’ said Karl, spearing a charcoal shape with his fork.

  The cooking had been moved inside and the afternoon had been pleasant enough but Anna had spent the rest of it avoiding Hudson. He had tried more than a couple of times to have another conversation with her but she had been too racked with anxiety to have a reasonable discussion. How could he make such a huge assumption and not even consult her on it?

  Anna got a message on her phone on the way home and she breathed a sigh of relief. A message pinged on Sophie’s phone soon afterwards but she was driving. Anna started rummaging through Sophie’s bag. ‘I’ll get it for you. Shall I? It might be important.’

  ‘It can wait. It’ll only be Dave to say he needs directions to the kitchen.’

  Anna gave a fake laugh. ‘I’m sure it’s not.’ Anna pulled out a glossy magazine, rummaged her way through a mountain of receipts and found the phone under a packet of wet wipes. ‘Here it is,’ she said raising it triumphantly. She quickly unlocked it and read the message. ‘It’s from Dave,’ she began.

  ‘See I told you. Useless plughole. What does he want?’

  ‘He says – I want to show you how much I have changed. Will you please come round at 7 p.m. Love D x.’ Anna sent up a silent thank you to the heavens above. Her frenzied text earlier had at least got the ball rolling; now all Dave had to do was steer it in the right direction.

  ‘Does he say why?’ asked Sophie, briefly taking her eyes off the road.

  ‘Nope but it sounds positive to me. It seems like he’s turning over a new leaf. You should definitely go and check it out.’

  Sophie was scowling. ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘Yeah, you do,’ said Anna, in a singsong voice. ‘Go on, what’s the worst that could happen?’

  ‘I could see the state the house is in and feel compelled to sort it all out before the kids come home. So no. I’m not going. When Kraken brings them back tomorrow she can see the state of the place and she can sort it out.’

  ‘No, no, no,’ said Anna, feeling her master plan sliding from her grasp. ‘You don’t have to do anything if it’s a mess. You can even point out to Dave that Kraken, I mean Karen, will be there tomorrow, which should get him moving if nothing else does.’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Sophie sounded unsure.

  Anna pounced. ‘One last chance, Sophe. After all the years you’ve been together, he deserves one last chance.’ Anna held her breath.

  There was a long silence. Sophie turned the car into the driveway at the side of the flats and parked the car in the visitor’s space. She twisted in her seat to eyeball Anna who was giving her best attempt at a pleading puppy face. ‘Okay, but if the house is a tip I swear I’ll lamp him one.’

  ‘And you would be completely within your rights to do so. Let’s hope it’s not.’

&nb
sp; Sophie redid her hair and make-up to make herself feel ready for action. She wasn’t sure what sort of action but she was adamant she wasn’t going to let the state of her once beautiful house upset her and she definitely wasn’t clearing it all up. She checked her watch.

  ‘Right, if I’m not back in twenty minutes send the fire brigade round.’

  ‘Fire brigade?’ queried Anna.

  ‘Everyone knows they’re hunkier than police and I’ll bloomin’ well need cheering up before they cart me off to prison for murdering Dave.’

  ‘Okay. But give him a chance, that’s all I’m going to say.’

  ‘Hmm,’ mumbled Sophie and she left.

  It felt odd to knock on her own front door but it also didn’t feel quite right to Sophie to let herself in. She saw his shadow at the door a moment before he opened it. A waft of the aftershave she’d bought him for Christmas hit her and made her blink. He was clean-shaven and wearing a shirt. Not a work shirt but one of the good ones he used to wear when they went out BC – before children.

  ‘Hey, thanks for coming,’ said Dave, his voice uncertain. ‘Come in.’

  Sophie stepped inside cautiously, her eyes flickering about for the first thing to moan about – but the hall was tidy. She popped her head into the downstairs loo. Everything was spotless. All the coats were hung up on hooks and she noted the missing hook had been screwed back in place. She raised an eyebrow. She followed him through to the living room, where candles were burning and the cushions had been plumped.

  ‘Right, who is she?’ said Sophie.

  ‘What? Who?’ Dave seemed thrown by her line of questioning.

  ‘Whoever did this. Who is she?’

  Dave’s eyes widened. ‘I did it.’

  Sophie squinted at him, deeply suspicious. ‘Who are you and what have you done with the real Dave?’ she asked, but there was the faintest hint of a smile on her lips. She forced it away. He wasn’t getting around her that easily with a fixed coat rack, a tidy room and a scented candle. She noted it was a new Yankee candle – she approved.