At last, she arrived at her destination and spotting a streetside parking space, she swung in her car, while at the same time hitting the brakes. Screeching to a halt, she pulled her keys free of the ignition and retrieved her bag. Flinging her door open, it seemed to hit something and immediately bounce back. “What the…?” Hannah only just stopped it from crashing into her leg. She pushed on the car door for a second time, and climbing out spotted a man, who stood there grimacing and rubbing his thigh.
“Oh no, I’m so sorry,” Hannah said. His injuries were obviously her fault. “Are you okay?” she asked, mortified.
Despite Hannah’s apology, the man continued to frown.
“Your wing mirrors are there for a reason,” he said.
Hannah regarded him for a moment. Tall, dark and handsome, the man’s looks were better than his manners. “And so are the eyes in your head,” she replied, noting his were of the deepest brown. She pursed her lips, before turning her attention to her car. “I hope you haven’t damaged my door.”
“Excuse me?”
She made a point of checking it over. “Well, we have just established you weren’t looking where you were going.”
“We’ve just what?” The man stared at Hannah as if not quite believing what he was hearing. “You do know pedestrians have the right of way, right?”
“I know some pedestrians need to be more careful.”
Seeing the man’s frustration, Hannah guessed he wasn’t used to being challenged. Although she appreciated why. She’d read numerous research articles on how good-looking people were often treated more favourably. Not that Hannah had any inclination to be nice. After all, he hadn’t even tried to accept her apology. “Have you ever heard of the beauty premium?” she naughtily asked, instead.
Opening and closing his mouth, the man looked at her confused. He seemed to have trouble articulating, something Hannah didn’t have time for.
Watching him, he reminded Hannah of Beth and Archie, who wore the same bewildered expression whenever she’d cause to play word games with them. “Now if you don’t mind,” Hannah said, when the man’s words continued to evade him. “I’m already running late.”
Locking the car door, she dropped her keys into her bag and leaving the man stood there, Hannah stuck her nose in the air and went on her way.
CHAPTER5
“Hannah! Over here!”
Hearing her name, Hannah glanced through the crowds until she spotted Mel who waved her way. Such was Hannah’s timekeeping, she’d half expected to find herself deserted for the evening and with no desire to go back to an empty house, relief swept over her.
Mel pointed to three glasses of wine sat on the table in front of her, mouthing to let Hannah know she didn’t need to queue at the bar.
Pleased to see it, Hannah put her thumb up in gratitude. She squeezed through various groups of partygoers, forced to contend with the pungent mix of aftershave and perfume assaulting her nostrils as she went. She’d almost forgotten what it was like to be in a busy night-time pub and trying not to step on people’s toes, she knew if she’d had to get her own drink, she wouldn’t have had any left by the time she reached Mel; she’d have spilt it all. “Sorry I’m late.” She gave her friend a hug before taking a seat. “Time sort of ran away with me.”
“Doing what?” Mel laughed. “I thought Beth and Archie were on holiday.”
“I do have a life outside of being a mum.”
Mel raised an eyebrow.
Hannah crumpled. Having wanted to be just like one of those parents who jumped for joy on their children’s first day back at school, she’d had to keep busy to stop herself from missing hers the second they’d left for France. “All right, I admit it. I’m lost without them.”
Mel gave Hannah a sympathetic, yet amused, smile.
“They’ve only been gone a couple of days and I’ve already run out of things to do.” Hannah showed Mel her hands. “Look. They’re still raw from all the scrubbing I did cleaning the house from top to bottom. I’ve been to the supermarket and now have a packed fridge-freezer and fit-to-burst cupboards. I’m telling you, when you’re not used to it, shopping for one is a lot harder than you think.” Hannah sighed. She’d tossed way too many comfort buys into the trolley and had ended up with enough supplies to last a family of ten, never mind three, for the following six months.
Mel went from half empathising to looking at Hannah like she’d gone mad. “You do know you’re mental, right?”
“Oh, it gets worse. I’ve washed all the bedding, got through the laundry from the basket. And with no more chores left, spent the last few hours distracting myself with my first TV binge.” Hannah picked up her drink. “I got lost in that Netflix detective show you and Liv are always talking about. That’s why I’m late.” She took a sip. “Now I know why, when the kids are watching something, instead of turning off the TV when I ask, I’m met with pleas ofjust one more episode.”
“Have you heard from them?” Mel asked.
“Carl rang to let me know they landed okay and I’ve had a couple of messages.” Hannah frowned. Her children were obviously having way too much fun to think about her. “But nothing else.”
Hannah decided to change the subject and pointed to the untouched wine glass. “Where’s Liv? It’s not like her to be behind.” Hannah’s punctuality might not have a great track record, but Liv’s was impeccable.
“I’m surprised you didn’t see her on your way in. She’s outside somewhere. Talking to her new boyfriend.”
