AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Had to make an effort for my beautiful granddaughter,’ Nancy replies with a glint in her eyes – the same as I’ve seen in Rob’s many times. ‘Now, where’s the birthday girl? We have presents.’ As most of the other guests have already done, she stares around the barn looking for Belle.
‘I’m afraid Belle’s been…delayed. She missed her flight yesterday but is on her way. She’ll be here very soon.’
‘Teenagers,’ Nancy replies. ‘Though technically she’s an adult now.’
I smile as best as I can manage, thinking that no, the stroke of midnight does not turn a child into an adult.
A waitress sweeps past with a tray of Prosecco glasses, so I grab one, taking a few sips. Amber is still sitting by herself, one hand resting on top of my tote bag. Then I see her leap up when a couple of her school friends arrive, leaving the bag on the table. But before I can get over there, she remembers and goes back for it.
Half an hour later and there’s still no sign of Belle. Even Natalia isn’t answering my texts now – making me hope it’s because she’s driving. The woman in charge of the catering is grumbling that she’s getting low on canapés and is having to stall the hot food for the buffet.
I grab another glass of Prosecco from a passing waiter and drop down into a chair at an empty table in the corner. Looking around the barn, everyone seems to be having a good time, but at this rate, we’ll have to take out a loan for the bar bill, and all the guests will be pissed if they don’t eat something.
Fuck, fuck,fuck. I knock back half of my drink, dropping my head into my hands. I make a pact with myself that Amber is having a quiet family dinner for her eighteenth, and if Belle thinks I’m organising a twenty-first for her, then she has another—
‘Mummy!’ I suddenly hear.
I whip my head up and feel my body engulfed by a slender pair of arms. Then my nostrils drink in the familiar sweet perfume.
‘Oh my God,Belle…!’ I leap up, hugging her close, thanking God that she’s finally here and safe. Then I hold her at arm’s length, beaming. ‘My darling,darlinggirl,’ I say. ‘Happy birthday!’
She grins back coyly at me, quickly looking around the barn.
‘You did all this forme?’ she says, tipping her head to one side. Her dark locks fall across her shoulders. She’s wearing the long, cream dress I hoped she would – the one with the cut-out back and lace detail that we went shopping for before she went away. She had no idea what I had in mind for it, but I told her I’d treat her to a special outfit.
‘Of course! I mean…your arrival wasn’t exactly how I’d planned it, but I’ll settle for you just being here. Are you surprised?’ I grip both her hands in mine, hardly able to believe she’s finally here.
But before she can answer, some of Belle’s friends spot her and rush over, flinging their arms around her and squealing with excitement, tearing her away from me as ripples of realisation that she’s finally arrived spread around the barn. Rob’s close relatives come over and embrace her, with his mum thrusting out a gift. I step back as she greets everyone, tears welling up in her eyes at the surprise.
Thank God, I think, the relief washing through me. Then I spot Natalia hovering just outside the cluster of people flocking around Belle. I go over. ‘You’re a star,’ I say to her. ‘And wow, you look lovely.’ I don’t think I’ve ever seen Natalia in a dress before.
She grimaces. ‘Not an easy foot to do,’ she replies, finding a smile behind the angst on her face.
I pause, frowning. ‘Oh…you meanfeat.’ I try not to laugh. ‘But well done for getting her here. I honestly thought she wasn’t going to make it.’
‘Yup, you deserve a bonus for pulling it off,’ Rob echoes, sliding up close to me. He takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. ‘Now you can relax and enjoy the party, love.’
‘Oh, believe me, I will.’ I laugh, making a lunge for another glass of Prosecco as a waitress walks past. I take an extra one and hand it to Natalia. ‘Here, you deserve it. Rob’s not drinking, so you can leave your car here and come back with us. We’ll fetch it tomorrow.’
‘Thank you, Hannah,’ she says, though her expression is anxious again. She shifts from one foot to the other, glancing over her shoulder and looking as if she wants to say something but can’t find the words.
‘I should let the caterers know that Belle’s here,’ I tell Rob, and he gives me a nod as I walk away, his hand trailing off my shoulder.
‘Mum!’
I stop when I hear Belle’s voice.
‘Wait a second, Mum.’
I see her beckoning wildly and she has a beaming smile on her face, so I turn and go back.
‘There’s someone I want you and Dad to meet.’
A man draws up to her side. He’s tall with dark hair and similarly dark stubble on his square jaw. He’s dressed in expensive-looking clothes – tan trousers and a fitted navy shirt and, out of the corner of my eye, I catch the shine of his black shoes. His watch looks expensive too – Rolex-like. He’s not smiling as such, but there’s a whisper of an upward turn to his mouth.
At first, I don’t realise why my hand slides around Rob’s wrist, steadying myself, and neither do I consciously notice that my heart has sped up to a thunderous gallop.
I’m drawn into his eyes – jet black. Nothing andeverythinghidden behind them.
