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‘He didn’t exactly storm. I don’t think Ron is the type to storm anywhere. Not that I really know, of course, considering I’ve only just met the fella, but that’s the impression I get.’
‘He is rather reserved, isn’t he?’ Kate paused, then added, ‘I don’t know the full story, and even if I did it’s not mine to tell, but he seems like a good man, an honourable man.’
‘I think that’s why he didn’t make love to me last night. I understand that you don’t want to talk about him, but can you tell me one thing – has he got a girlfriend?’
‘Definitely not. He was married once, I think.’
‘It’s not that, then.’ Annabelle shook her head. ‘Other men would have taken what was on offer, but Ron didn’t. I wonder why?’
‘He must have had his reasons, but it’s not because he’s not attracted to you.’
‘And you say he’s not in a relationship… so?’ Annabelle had run out of ideas.
‘Maybe it’s because of Mum?’ Kate mused.
‘It could be. Aunt Beverley thinks the world of him, so maybe he doesn’t want to enter into a relationship with her niece in case it goes belly up. Not that I want a relationship,’ Annabelle added hurriedly. ‘I don’t need any more complications in my life.’
‘You just want a bit of fun? A holiday romance?’ Kate nudged her.
‘Yes. No. Oh, I don’t know. Anyway, it’s a moot point. He’s not interested– or if he is,’ she added, seeing Kate’s expression, ‘He’s not going to act on it.’
‘I think I might be right about my mum,’ Kate said slowly.
‘Possibly. Do you know, before I joined you here that my mum asked me to find out what was going on with him and Aunt Beverley. She’s got it into her head that he’s up to no good – that he’s after her money.’
Kate barked out a laugh. ‘Ha! If he was, he’d be in for a shock – she hasn’t got any, and she’s already signed the house over to me.’
Annabelle raised her eyebrows, so Kate explained. ‘In case she ever has to go into a care home. Not that I’d let that happen if I could help it, but if she needed specialist nursing care, she might have to, and if she did she’d be forced to sell the house to contribute to the care home fees. This way, I own it, so officially she doesn’t have any assets.’ Kate paused. ‘Tell you what though, having Ron living with her has done her the world of good. She’s so much happier now. She used to be so miserable. No doubt you’ve heard about the fiasco that was last Christmas?’
‘A bit.’ Annabelle didn’t want to say too much. What Beverley had told her, she’d keep to herself.
‘Part of the problem was that the kids, the girls especially, couldn’t deal with both their grandmothers coming to visit at the same time. Helen is so particular and interfering, always telling the kids off; and my mum was just so miserable. She wasn’t happy unless she was complaining. Such a killjoy. Between the pair of them, the run up to Christmas was a bit of a trial.’
‘Really? Beverley seems quite happy now.’
‘She does, doesn’t she? It’s as though she’s got a new lease of life and has found joy in living again. God help her if Ron ever moves out.’
‘Do you think he will?’
‘I hope not. There’s no real reason for him to leave.’
Annabelle thought back to the morning Pepe had escaped. Ron had spent the night outside, and although the reason for that was because of the bickering between Beverley and Helen, Annabelle had the impression there was more to it.
She hoped she was wrong, and not only for Beverley’s sake, but for her own, too, because Beverley only lived a short distance away from her parents, and Annabelle was harbouring a secret hope that she could see more of Ron when the holiday was over.
Kate had got it wrong when she’d suggested that Annabelle might be up for a holiday romance. Annabelle wasn’t the sort of woman to have a fling then forget about it, no matter how turned-on she felt. She was more like a loyal puppy – if she gave herself to someone it was because she cared deeply for them. And the fact that she’d been prepared to make love with Ron, was very significant indeed.
She might have only known Ron for four days, but Annabelle was smitten.
