Page 47 of Lost in Love
Chapter 13
Acar horn tooted outside.
Anna emerged from the kitchen with a shoulder bag. “Come on, Dad, that will be Katherine.”
“I just need some help with these darn laces.”
Anna opened the front door in case Katherine came and then knelt on the floor in front of Harry.
On cue, Katherine popped her head around the door. “All ready?”
“Nearly. Do you want to grab his wheelchair?”
Katherine spotted the chair parked behind the sofa and lifted it. “Shall I see you outside?”
“Yes, won’t be a minute.” Anna hoped more than believed that. “Have you been to the toilet, Dad?”
“Yes, I’ve been, don’t make a fuss.”
Anna helped Harry up and offered him her arm. She was relieved that he was keen to go wherever it was they were going. It was Katherine’s secret, though Anna had been reassured there were ample toilet facilities and paths for Harry’s needs. All she knew was that Katherine would collect them at eleven and she was bringing a picnic.
Anna secured Harry in the back seat and jumped into the front seat of Katherine’s Porsche Cayenne.
“Any clues as to where we are going in your exceptionally smart car? I’m glad I had a shower this morning,” she teased. “I wouldn’t want to dirty it.”
“Nope,” their driver said. “No questions please.”
Katherine opened the panoramic sunroof and pushed another button. A netting appeared across the opening and blocked the sun.
“I think this is the poshest car I’ve ever been in.”
They drove for what Anna calculated must have only been a few miles. She recognised the route and took a guess where they were heading but didn’t let on. She didn’t want to spoil Katherine’s surprise.
She snuck a sideways glance at Katherine as she drove and watched her hair as it bounced lightly with the car. Her large sunglasses covered a lot of her face, but her bright red lips called to her. Her body ached to be alone with Katherine. Things had already got heated between them several times, and it was clear it was just a matter of time and opportunity before they went further.
“It’s rude to stare,” Katherine said, eyes still fixed on the road ahead.
Anna smirked at being caught and turned her gaze to the window to admire the passing countryside.
Despite knowing where they were going, she still felt a slight somersault of excitement in her stomach as they pulled into the car park of Halsey Castle. The place held so many happy memories for her. Often memories filled with lost loved ones would then become unhappy memories, and Anna hoped that wouldn’t be the case today. It was time to make more happy memories instead.
The castle was just a ruin, located on top of the highest of a group of hills that overlooked the Nunswick Valley. It was your typical tourist attraction with a lake, gift shop, and cafe.
“Shall we take a wander around the castle before lunch?” Katherine suggested as they exited the car.
Harry eased himself into his chair. “You can see if all your old hiding places are still there. Though don’t expect me to come and find you now.”
Anna squeezed his shoulder. It was going to bring a lot of memories back for her dad too. She didn’t think he’d been back since she was little either. It was a place they would go to every few weeks when she was very small. As she grew older and did her own thing, the castle became just a memory.
As they walked around, she spotted all the little nooks and crannies that she would squeeze herself into, the place she tore her new jeans and was told off by her mum. She felt a pang of guilt that they hadn’t returned in so long.
Once they had finished looking around inside the castle walls, they joined the path and walked the route around the outside.
Anna wiped her brow. Pushing a wheelchair in the heat of the day was hard work.
“Do you want me to take over for a bit?” Katherine asked.
“Do you mind? I’m exhausted.”
