Page 26 of Love on the Run
“And to hang our towels out to dry after being in the pool,” Archie said.
“And to put our plates in the dishwasher after we’ve eaten.”
“And to stop bickering when we annoy each other.”
Hannah smiled. It had only been a week and it seemed Carl was already well acquainted with the delights of full-time parenting. “Tell Dad welcome to my world.”
“We should go,” Beth said.
Hannah wished they didn’t have to. “Have fun and say hello to Torpes for me,” she said, regardless. “You’ll find a statue of him erected in an alcove on the façade of the Church Notre-Dame-de-L’Assomption de Saint-Tropez.”
Beth and Archie looked from her to each other, but before they could ask how she’d know that Hannah gave them a wave, a quick “bye”, and ended the call.
She sat in the silence for a moment. Relishing in the fact that Hannah’s children had never told her they were proud of her before, she felt a bit choked.
Hannah looked down at her injured foot, wanting nothing more than for Beth and Archie’s pride to continue. But while the pain she’d suffered had abated, she knew that didn’t necessarily mean her ankle was strong enough to run on. Even if Hannah told Mel and Liv she was back in the race, there was no guarantee she’d finish. And if she didn’t, what would Beth and Archie think of her then?
Picking up her phone Hannah typed in a message. Staring at it for a moment, she was tempted to press delete. “Sod it,” Hannah said and in a now-or-never moment, pressed send.
Re: the race. I’m in. Again!
CHAPTER18
Stood upright on his pedals, Gabe gripped his handlebars and used his body weight to control his bike. He needed as much stability as he could get to negotiate the rough terrain of the craggy mountainside. Hyped up on adrenalin, Gabe’s concentration was acute as he made the steep descent. Navigating narrow ridges, rocks and unpredictable scree was a dangerous business. One wrong move and Gabe knew both he and his bike could be tumbling into the vertical distance.
It felt exhilarating to be in the great outdoors. Gabe’s mind had been clouded of late, and the challenge presented by his current environment, combined with glorious sunshine and lungs full of fresh air, was just what he needed.
Gabe heard Slim’s tyres slipping and sliding behind him, and eventually a triumphant howl as Slim celebrated the fact they’d, at last, reached the bottom. Hitting his brakes, Gabe angled his bike almost side on as he fast brought it to a standstill and within seconds, Slim was doing the same.
Dismounting, Gabe took off his helmet and tossed it to one side. Unbuckling his rucksack, he swung it off his back. He flopped to the ground, while Slim checked his smartwatch.
“Brilliant. We’re up,” he said, evidently chuffed with their improved performance. Sitting down next to Gabe, Slim guzzled on his water bottle.
Gabe unzipped his bag and took out a water bottle of his own. Uncapping its lid, he drank long and hard. Thirst quenched, he reached into his bag for a second time and producing a hand towel, used it to wipe his forehead. He took off his cycle top to further cool down, enjoying the feel of the breeze as it blew against his skin.
“What happened to you?” Slim asked, clocking Gabe’s grazes.
“I rode into someone and ended up in a heap on the tarmac.”
“Bloody hell.” Slim laughed. “I dread to think what state your target’s in.”
“Target!” Gabe laughed too. “I wasn’taimingfor her. She ended up with a twisted ankle and probably a few bruises.”
“She? Oh, mate.”
“Tell me about it.” Gabe fell quiet, not sure if he should mention his accident was more awkward than Slim thought. That the other party concerned was car door woman.
“What?” Furrowing his brow, Slim was evidently onto him. He waited for Gabe to answer.
Gabe relented. “It was her again.”
Slim thought for a second, before realisation seemed to dawn. “The one who hit you with–”
“Yep,” Gabe interrupted.
Slim let out a laugh.
“You can’t make it up, can you?”
