Page 34 of Forgive Not Forget
“Already booked: a week from Friday.” Laura beamed.
Anna shook her head in bewilderment. “What? So soon?”
“I’m going private; she had a space, and I took it. It won’t be cheap, but I’m so done with this, Anna. It’s consumed me for most of my adult life. I can afford it, so I’m doing it, and I can’t wait.”
Anna’s eyes warmed with moisture to see her friend taking back control over her life.
Laura pulled her smiling face straight. “Obviously, I’m also bricking it that something might go wrong, and… I have a massive favour to ask.”
“Anything.”
“Can you take me to the hospital on Friday morning?”
“Of course. How is that massive?”
“And look after the kids for the weekend,” Laura continued with a grimace.
“Oh, I see.” Anna thought for a moment, slightly overwhelmed by the request. It wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle, though; they were easy-going, one more so than the other.
Laura’s face crumpled into an apology. “Sorry, is it too much to ask?”
“No, no, it’s fine. I’m sure we’ll have a great time.”
“Honestly? I don’t want to put you out.”
“Honestly, it’s fine,” Anna reassured Laura — and herself.
“Thank you so much. Tom doesn’t need much attention, as you know. It’s more a matter of feeding and making sure he’s home when he’s supposed to be, and it might be better if you stay at ours, if that’s okay? They’ll feel more settled there. It’s going to be worrying enough for them as it is.”
“That’s fine, I don’t mind a sleepover. I’m sure Katherine will enjoy having the bed to herself.”
“She’s welcome, too, of course. I did mean both of you if she’s up for it. If she’s not, that’s totally fine, too, of course. Whatever works for both of you. Speaking of which, have you had the conversation with her?”
Anna wrinkled her face.
“Oh! That bad?”
“I think I took her by surprise more than anything. She’d assumed I hadn’t wanted kids, which was a fair enough assumption. She didn’t say no. She was quite shocked. Very shocked, actually. I’m going to let her sit with it for a bit, you know, give her time to think it over and see how she feels.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Laura agreed, stroking the fabric on the arms of the chair.
“I don’t want to push her into anything.” A smile edged onto her face. “I’m quite excited by the idea. I think we’d make great parents.”
“So do I.” Laura sat up. “Come on. Show me the rest of your fine pad before I curl up in your fancy chair and fall asleep.”
Anna leapt to her feet. “Okay, the bedroom next. Prepare yourself!”
After Anna had finished showing Laura upstairs, they made their way back downstairs to finish the tour, hopeful that the aroma that had been filling the house was an indication that dinner was almost ready. The sitting room and kitchen were their last stops, where they found Tom and Abigail entranced by the television.
“Have you done your English homework, Tom?”
“I’ll do it when I get home,” Tom replied, glancing sheepishly at Anna before returning his attention back to the television.
Anna let out a quiet sigh at how gullible she’d been.
“Hi, Laura.” Katherine wiped her hands on a tea towel as she entered the room.
“Katherine, you have the most beautiful house.”
