Their trip into town was twofold. Not only were they having a team meeting, Hannah wanted to say thank you to Dorothy for all she’d done the last couple of weeks. “I hope you’re hungry,” Hannah said, as they unclipped their seat belts, climbed out of the vehicle and set off down the street.
“Perhaps we could do a little window shopping when we’re done? Or even indulge ourselves? She indicated Hannah’s attire. “You look like you need some new clothes.”
Hannah inched up her jeans as she walked. “I think you might be right.”
Dorothy’s enthusiasm continued all the way to the little bistro. “This is very nice.” She paused before entering to admire the restaurant’s olde worlde signage and to read the A-board that hinted at the menu on offer. “It says here they do continental-style lunches, whatever that means.”
Hannah smiled, imagining Dorothy later that evening. Hannah knew her aunt would regale Uncle Denis with a detailed account of the fun she was, no doubt, about to have. Hannah pulled on the heavy glass door. “You ready?” She gestured for Dorothy to enter first.
Hannah had never visited that restaurant before either and she was impressed with its terracotta, mustard and olive-green colour palette. Chandeliers hung from old wooden beams that Hannah would have put money on being original, and dining tables sat on a natural tiled floor.
“Beautiful,” Dorothy said, echoing Hannah’s thoughts. She glanced around. “Now, where’s the rest of the team?”
Mel and Liv waved at them from a table situated in the far corner.
“There they are.” Hastening over, Dorothy led the way.
After hugs all round, Liv wolf-whistled at Dorothy, admiring her from head to toe. “Look at you.” She indicated Dorothy’s floral cotton summer dress. “That’s gorgeous.”
Dorothy blushed. “What, this old thing,” she said, as everyone took a seat.
Mel cocked her head at Hannah’s choice of wardrobe. “Have you lost weight?”
Hannah glanced down at her baggier-than-usual jeans and too-loose-fitting blouse. She pictured herself sweating as she pushed herself through the pain barrier on the running machine. “Theonlyperk of Gabe’s training regime, I have to say. Every time I get on it I think I’m gonna die. Then again, ever since I met him, the man’s been wanting to kill me.”
“He’s been wanting to do something to you,” Dorothy said. “And believe me it’s not that.”
Mel and Liv burst out laughing, while Hannah flushed red. “Aunt Dorothy!”
“And that cuts both ways, no matter what you claim, young lady.”
Liv leaned towards Dorothy. “I agree,” she said, still chuckling.
Mel swallowed her amusement. “So the training’s going well then?”
“It is,” Hannah replied, glad to be moving the conversation on.
“And what about your breathing? Have you mastered that?”
Hannah nodded. Compared to her prior puffing and panting, the “in through the nose and out through the mouth” method had become second nature. “I have.”
“She’s doing really well since getting the treadmill. You’ve improved your times brilliantly, haven’t you, Hannah?” Dorothy beamed with pride. “Of course, the real test will be at the weekend.”
“Don’t remind me,” Hannah said. She might have built up her stamina on the jogging front, but she still incorporated periodic walks into her session. “Just the thought of running 2.5k in one go makes me nervous.”
“According to Gabe,” Dorothy said. “She’ll be blasting the 5k come race day no problem.”
“That’s a bit of an exaggeration.” Not once had Hannah heard the wordblastingleave Gabe’s mouth.
Showing her competitive side, Mel clapped her hands, happy to hear it regardless. “This team is so going to smash this race.”
Liv handed out menus. “Unlike you two ladies of leisure, Mel and I have to clock watch. So, what are we all having?”
Hannah scoffed. “Ladies of leisure? I wish.” Hannah might not have had Beth and Archie to run around after of late, but she certainly hadn’t lain on the sofa reading books while dropping chocolates into her mouth as intended. What was meant to have been a time for relaxation, had seemed anything but. Emotionally and physically, she was beginning to wear out. “How is work?” Hannah asked, as she scanned the food on offer.
“The same as always,” Mel replied. “You’re not missing much.”
“Talking of the team, how are we all fixed for this Saturday. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve booked a table at that fancy Italian that’s just opened.”
