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Chapter 1
Annabelle Litton checked her hand luggage for what seemed to be the hundredth time.
Passports? Check. Wallet? Check. Tickets on the phone? Check. Tickets printed out just in case? Check. Keys? Um…
Where were her keys?Frantically, she patted her pockets before realising she had them in her hand.
‘Stop fussing,’ her neighbour, Pauline, told her. ‘You’ve got everything.’
Annabelle sighed. ‘I know, but I can’t help it.’
Pauline smiled indulgently, her grey eyes crinkling at the corners. ‘Are you ready?’
‘I suppose, although I’ve got a horrid feeling I’ve forgotten something.’
‘Whatever it is, you can either get it at the airport or buy it on the other side. I believe England does have shops, you know.’
‘You’re right. They do. Ooh, I’m so excited, I don’t know whether I’m coming or going! Jake, Izzie!’ she yelled. ‘Grab your stuff, we need to make a move.’
‘You lucky thing! I’d love to visit the UK and see Buck House and the Tower of London, and have a ride on a double-decker bus.’
‘We’ll probably nip up to London as it’s not far from Brighton, and go to the Natural History Museum and Madame Tussauds,’ Annabelle said. ‘The kids mightn’t get another chance for ages, as I don’t know when I’ll get to the UK next.’
This was Annabelle's first trip back home in over ten years. Ever since the children were born, her parents usually flew out to Australia to visit her. It had seemed such a hassle travelling all that way with two small children, so it was easier for them to come to her. Then, just when Jake and Izzie were old enough for Annabelle to contemplate taking them on such a long journey, Troy had dropped the bombshell that he was leaving her for another woman.
After that, money had become too tight to consider going anywhere for a while.
At least Troy had gone to live with his fancy woman (as her mother referred to Sallie), allowing Annabelle and the children to remain in the family home, so she hadn’t had to worry about finding somewhere else to live. She did eventually end up having to pay the mortgage herself though, despite Troy’s assurances that he’d contribute towards it. For the most part, he couldn’t manage to pay child support, so she’d been a fool to expect him to pay his share of the mortgage.
He’d walked out on her two years ago, when Jake was seven and Izzie four, and life had been tough. Now though, she was back on an even keel, emotionally and financially. Going through the divorce hadn’t been easy but she’d come out the other side a stronger person.
And now, after a great deal of scrimping and saving, she and the kids were off to see her parents in the UK for three weeks.
She was so excited that she hadn’t slept for two nights straight!
‘Can I take my surfboard?’ Jake asked, appearing in the hall, dragging his backpack by the straps along the floor.
‘Don’t do that, you’ll break it’, Annabelle said automatically. ‘No, you can’t take your surfboard. For one thing, it won’t fit in your case—’
‘I can carry it,’ Jake interrupted, his face hopeful.
‘—and for another,’ Annabelle continued, ‘you won’t get the opportunity to surf. Let’s leave it in the garage, eh?’
‘I need the bathroom,’ Izzie said from behind her brother.
‘Hurry up, then.’ Annabelle rolled her eyes and said to Pauline, ‘Getting these two ready and out of the door on time is like herding cats.’
‘Let’s get this lot into the car,’ Pauline said, eyeing the two large cases and Jake’s backpack which he’d dumped on the floor. Izzie was still wearing hers.
‘I swear to God we’ve packed enough for six months, not three weeks. Although,’ Annabelle conceded, ‘that’s my fault because I remember only too well how Britain can have four seasons in one day, so I’ve packed loads of hoodies and sweatshirts, as well as our usual summer gear.’ She yanked the handle up on the nearest suitcase and dragged it down the drive towards Pauline’s car.
After a final check around the house to make sure everything was switched off and the doors were locked, it was time to leave.
‘Thanks again,’ Annabelle said to her neighbour, as she ensured the kids were strapped in the back. ‘It’s so kind of you to take us to the airport.’
‘You’ve done the same for me numerous times,’ Pauline reminded her. ‘I’ll pick you up, too – just give me a quick call when you land, and I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Anything special you need me to do while you’re away?’
‘Can you water the plant in the kitchen, please? And collect the mail and leave it on the table in the… Speak of the devil, here’s the postie now.’ Annabelle was about to let him pop it in the letterbox but changed her mind and held her hand out for the letter he was holding. ‘I’ll take it, thanks,’ she said to him, and got in the car. She was expecting an updated contract from work, so the official-looking envelope was probably that. She would read it through carefully later – after all, she’d have plenty of time on the plane.
