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‘How’s Maurice?’ asked Hudson.
‘He’s loving having his own door. He’s not happy about his balls going through the washing machine though.’
Hudson’s eyebrows raised quickly. ‘I wouldn’t be happy either.’
Anna gave him a sideways look. ‘They’re toy sponge balls. He chases them and they got caught up with a pile of washing.’
Hudson took a deep breath and Anna watched him. ‘There was something I wa—’
Anna’s phone sprang into life and she grabbed it up, surprised to see it was Liam calling. What did he want? She held a finger up to Hudson.
‘Hello?’
‘Hi, Anna. How are you?’
‘I’m fine thanks.’ She could do without the small talk. ‘What’s up?’
‘Does there need to be something up for me to call you?’
Hudson waved at her and indicated he was going to go; Anna shook her head. ‘Liam, I’m kind of busy …’
‘Anna, we really need to have a proper chat.’
‘About what?’
‘Us, Anna. We made a mistake. I made a mistake. I know I’ve said it before but I don’t think you realise how serious I am. I want you back.’ She couldn’t ignore the sorrow in his voice.
‘Look—’
‘Anna!’ shouted Arlo and Anna was out of the kitchen in a flash and into the living room.
‘Sorry, Liam. I’ve gotta go.’
Anna’s eyes frantically swept around the room but Arlo was sitting on the sofa with the TV on and everything looked fine. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘Can you put the Zombies on. Pleeeeease.’ He grinned at her.
‘Nope. Kids’ TV or bed. Your choice.’
‘O-kay. T-V.’
As she reached the hall Hudson came out of the kitchen putting his jacket on. ‘What did Liam want?’
‘He wants to get back together,’ she said very matter-of-factly.
‘Right.’ Hudson pressed his lips together tightly.
‘It’s okay. You’re still my fake boyfriend.’
‘Phew.’ They both looked apprehensively at each other. ‘I’m going to make a move.’
‘Okay.’ Anna had hoped once she’d settled Arlo she’d have some adult company for what was likely to be a long night. ‘Actually, could you do me one more favour?’
‘Sure.’
‘I’ve not been home to feed Maurice and he’s going to be eating the furniture before long. Here’s my keys. His food is in the cupboard under the sink.’
‘No, problem. Do you need anything else? Nightwear? Toothbrush?’
She did but she didn’t want him looking through her stuff. ‘No, just the cat feeding would be great. Thanks.’
‘I won’t go snooping. Cross my heart.’ He gave her a butter-wouldn’t-melt look.
‘Okay. Toothbrush and there’s a washbag on the windowsill in the bathroom with most of my stuff. That’d be great. Thanks.’
Hudson was kicking himself as he left Sophie’s house. He had come with a clear mission for this evening and he had been derailed twice. Was it an omen? Was the universe trying to tell him something? He jogged round to Anna’s front door and let himself in. Maurice came to see him or more likely to point out that he hadn’t been fed.
‘Hey, Maurice. Sorry to hear about your balls, big guy.’ Hudson gave him a fuss and tried to encourage him to eat. Maurice sniffed the food and on deciding it wasn’t poisoned he began to eat. Hudson soon found the washbag and was double-checking the door was properly locked when he was aware someone was standing behind him.
He swung round and came face to face with Connor. ‘Hey, buddy, you gave me a start. You looking for Anna?’
‘Is she okay?’ Connor nodded at the floral washbag in Hudson’s hand.
‘Yeah, she’s fine. Sophie has gone into labour. Anna’s babysitting and she needed some stuff.’ He held up the washbag as evidence. ‘I’m taking it back now.’ Hudson checked the door again.
‘I’ll walk with you,’ said Connor, falling in step.
‘Did you and Anna have plans tonight?’ asked Hudson.
Connor puffed out his cheeks. ‘Look you seem like a decent bloke but just so we’re clear – me and Anna are in a relationship and things are going great. I’d be grateful if you’d respect that.’
Hudson’s eyebrows puckered. ‘Right. Of course.’
‘You don’t mind me mentioning it, do you?’
‘No. I mean …’ He wanted to say more but this wasn’t the right time and Connor certainly wasn’t the right person. ‘I’m pleased for you both.’ Hudson gave Connor a convivial pat on the shoulder.
‘Thanks. She’s something else, isn’t she?’
‘Yeah. You’ve got one of the best there.’ Hudson was relieved when they reached Sophie’s house. ‘You know, I don’t even need to come in. Here.’ He handed Connor the washbag and keys. ‘Tell her I’ll see at work. Night.’
‘Will do. Bye.’ Connor waited on the steps and watched Hudson leave before knocking.
Anna opened the door with a beaming smile, which faltered for the briefest of moments. She looked past Connor. ‘Have you seen …’
‘Hudson gave me this,’ he said, handing over the washbag. ‘He had to rush off somewhere.’ Connor shrugged.
‘Did he give you my keys?’
‘Oh, yeah. Here.’ He handed them over. ‘Can I come in?’
‘I’m actually in the middle of putting Arlo to bed and I can’t leave him for one second. Sorry. Can I call you?’
Connor’s expression was unreadable. ‘Sure. You do what you need to.’
‘Thanks.’ She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and shut the door.
‘Anna! Anna!’ called Arlo urgently from upstairs.
‘Yes, Arlo?’ replied Anna already heading in his direction.
‘I’ve done a huge poo! Come and see.’ There was a long pause. ‘Please!’
Anna was feeding a breakfast of mushed Weetabix to Petal whilst simultaneously discussing the career opportunities of being a Viking with Arlo when her mobile began vibrating along the worktop.
‘Hi, Dave,’ she said, before mouthing to Arlo. ‘It’s Daddy.’
‘Hello, Daddy,’ shouted Arlo.
‘Hi, son,’ replied Dave. Anna put him on speakerphone. ‘Any news?’
‘Okay. Yes, we have news. Hey, kids, you’ve got a brand-new … baby …’ there was a long pause ‘… brother.’
‘Yay!’ shouted Arlo.
‘Ay!’ shouted Petal and she backhanded her Weetabix bowl sending it flying in spectacular fashion across the kitchen, splattering both Anna and Arlo. Arlo started to laugh.
‘Congratulations,’ said Anna, wiping the worst of the Weetabix assault off her top.
Arlo was frowning. ‘Do I have to share my toys?’
Anna flopped onto the sofa at the end of the longest day of her life. She had been babysitting for twenty-four hours straight. She had no idea how Sophie did it. She was exhausted. She’d taken them both out to the soft play centre, which thankfully had taken up most of the day. Just getting out of the house with two small children needed a project plan.
The play centre was a big eye-opener for Anna. Whilst most of the other women seemed focused on talking animatedly with friends whilst mainlining lattes, their children were running riot like crazed banshees or, as she began to realise, like children at a soft play centre. She’d planned to set herself up with Petal in the baby area while Arlo burned off some of his overflowing energy supplies, but Anna found herself scooping Petal up every other minute as high-speed sweaty children hurdled her. It was incredibly stressful.
They had spent the remainder of the afternoon in the park kicking up the autumn leaves and looking for squirrels. Oddly enough, despite Arlo shouting ‘HERE, SQUIRRELS!’ at the top of his voice, they hadn’t even seen a whisker.
Anna found her eyes were closing when a key in the door made her come to. She crept into the hall.
‘Congratulations,’ she said, meeting Dave and Sophie at the door. ‘Kids are asleep,’ she added, as they slunk inside.
‘Thanks,’ said Sophie. They all cooed over the tiny baby in the overly large car seat. He was sound asleep, his rosebud lips pouting gently.
‘He’s beautiful,’ said Anna.
Sophie angled her head towards the baby. ‘Dave thinks he looks like Churchill.’
Dave chuckled. ‘All babies look like Churchill – it’s a well-known fact. He’s still beautiful though.’
Sophie mouthed, ‘At least he doesn’t look like the Kraken.’
Anna hid her laughter by pulling her into a hug. ‘How are you?’ she asked. Sophie was pale.
‘Okay,’ she said, but her expression told a different story. ‘It was probably the easiest of the births, certainly the quickest. But still, no walk in the park. Unfortunately, they had to cut my rings off.’ She waved her bare left hand sadly.
‘Drinks machine was better this time,’ chipped in Dave and he went to get the bags from the car. Sophie rolled her eyes.
‘He kept turning the radio up to drown me out,’ she said, although Anna could tell she wasn’t really cross about it.
‘Were you being a bit shouty?’
‘You would too if you’d almost delivered your child in a wheelbarrow.’ They both laughed.
Dave reappeared. ‘I’ll put this lot upstairs. You sit down,’ whispered Dave.
‘Not after what they’ve done to my undercarriage. I may never sit down again.’
‘I’ll put the kettle on,’ Anna cut in, keen not to hear about an episiotomy again.
‘Lovely, and you can update me on everything. Still no caffeine for me, I’m breastfeeding.’ Sophie pulled a disgruntled face and shuffled off to the living room.
Anna was struggling to remember anything before the babysitting. Was this what it was like for parents?
She took the drinks through and joined Sophie and Dave in the living room. Anna scooched herself round and peered at the scrunched-up bundle who was now being cradled by his mother. ‘Does he have a name yet?’
Sophie smiled at Dave who was eyeing the scene fondly. ‘We’re thinking of Reuben.’
‘I like it,’ said Anna, failing to hide her surprise at liking the name. She’d been expecting something more obscure.
‘Reuben David Butterworth,’ said Sophie, glancing up and giving Dave an indulgent look.
‘It was my great-grandad’s name,’ said Dave proudly.
‘It’s lovely and it suits him.’ Anna stroked the baby’s cheek and he screwed up his face and for a moment she could see what Dave meant about the Churchill resemblance.
Chapter Thirty-Two (#ulink_34a52431-4931-5155-af05-56f7e23ff75e)
Anna strode into the nursing home day room. ‘Hi, Bert.’ Bert didn’t respond. He had his Mickey Mouse headphones on. She tapped him on the arm and he jumped. ‘Hi, Bert,’ she repeated.
‘Oh, Anna. Hello,’ he said, fumbling off the headphones. ‘Let me pause this,’ he said, running his thumb over the iPod until he found the home key. ‘Sit down,’ he said.
‘Actually, I’ve got someone to see you. Wait a minute.’ Anna put the coffees down on the table and nipped out of the room. A puzzled-looking Bert tidied up his headphone cable and put them carefully on the floor by his feet.
Anna came back in but before she could put the carrier down or explain, Maurice spotted Bert and let out a loud meow.
‘Maurice?’ said Bert, tears springing to his eyes.
Anna put the cat carrier on the floor, opened it up and Maurice leaped straight onto Bert’s lap taking him a bit unawares.
