‘Sure,’ said Hudson, and he followed Anna to the back seat where they giggled like love-struck teenagers until Sophie spun around and glared at the pair of them. Anna clamped her lips together to try to stifle the giggles. She glanced at Hudson and he winked at her. For a moment she forgot they were pretending.
Carsington Water was impressive and the weather was far kinder today with a light breeze and a little sunshine glinting off the water making it sparkle and look more inviting than it should. They were introduced to Canadian canoes and got into teams of three while Karl perfected his impression of Roberta by asking ‘Who’s in my canoe?’ Anna was with Priya and Hudson and they had to work together to keep in rhythm.
‘Priya, you don’t need to keep swapping sides with your paddle,’ complained Anna when a trail of water splashed across her back for the umpteenth time.
‘Sorry. But I want to beat Karl,’ she said, lifting her paddle out of the water to point and inadvertently splashing Anna again.
The purpose of the game was to retrieve different-coloured buoys via the shortest route whilst heading off other canoes. Most went for the nearby markers meaning they all squabbled whereas Anna steered them towards the middle-distance ones to avoid bumping into other teams, enabling them to collect their buoys and return victorious. As they were making their final turn she heard a war cry nearby and a canoe came towards them at speed. She wasn’t surprised to see Karl, Liam and Raj from Finance all with clenched teeth and paddling hard.
‘Heads down, and paddle as hard as you can, team,’ said Hudson. ‘Go, go, go!’ which was exactly what they did. Hudson was at the back, his powerful strokes doing the lion’s share of the work. They sailed over the finish line with the other canoe on their tail. Hudson turned the canoe at speed and with a few neat flicks of his paddle soaked the occupants of the other one. Karl stood up to protest, wobbled dramatically and in an attempt to right himself, lost his balance further and fell in. Liam threw down his paddle in temper. It bounced off the canoe and into the water, making him swear.
Once out of the canoes there was lots of congratulatory blokey back slapping, a few playful remonstrations and lots of Karl shaking his wet head over people like a naughty puppy. When he knew Liam was watching, Hudson leaned into Anna’s ear. ‘Nice job, honey,’ he whispered, making her shudder. She hoped Hudson assumed her squirming was all part of the act. If you weren’t gay, you would make an excellent boyfriend, she thought. If she wasn’t careful she’d soon be suffering from Sophie’s complaint.
As the victors they were first to eat lunch, which was a barbecue by the water’s edge.
‘You okay?’ Anna asked Sophie who was munching down a large hamburger overflowing with salad.
‘Starving and a bit knackered but I had fun this morning and the lie-in was bliss. It’s lovely not to be woken by someone jumping on your bladder.’
‘You should stop Dave doing that,’ said Anna drily and Sophie gave a smirk.
Sophie’s gaze drifted over to Hudson in his tight white T-shirt. ‘Do you think if I paid him he’d re-create the Mr Darcy scene from Pride and Prejudice for me?’
‘You are aware you said that out loud?’ said Anna, rolling her eyes. ‘He’s gorgeous but you know he’s gay. You need to have a word with your hormones.’
‘I noticed you two seemed a bit cosy on the bus earlier,’ said Sophie, with a suspicious look in her eye.
Anna checked around her like an amateur spy. ‘I was going to explain on the way home away from the others, but Hudson is pretending to be my boyfriend so we can …’ Why were they doing this again? Anna was no longer sure. ‘Get closer to Liam.’
Sophie frowned hard and inclined her head. ‘Makes no sense to me.’
‘I’ll explain later,’ said Anna, as Liam strolled over.
‘Hiya, Sophie, how’s Dave and the kids?’
‘Great, thanks. How are your scruples? Oh, I forgot you don’t have any,’ said Sophie, and went to get another burger leaving him somewhat shell-shocked by the snub.
Anna avoided eye contact and followed Sophie into the salad queue. ‘Don’t piss him off, Sophe, he has the fate of our jobs in his hands.’
Sophie shrugged. ‘I’m not sure pretending you’re Hudson’s girlfriend isn’t going to do that anyway.’ Anna could already see she wasn’t happy about it but they could hardly backtrack now they’d come this far.
The afternoon whizzed by and Anna was thrilled that, with a bit of help, both teams managed to complete their sections of dry-stone wall and have their photographs taken next to their masterpieces. She was pleased Roberta bothered to show up for a final wrap-up and motivational send-off liberally scattered with feminist quotes. After everyone had dispersed Roberta took Anna to one side.
‘Nice job with this team event, Anna, I’m impressed.’
‘Thanks.’ Anna was quickly buoyed by a little praise.
‘I’ve just found out about you and Liam. I’m not sure what to say. Obviously, he didn’t mention it otherwise I would have objected.’
‘So, you didn’t hire him?’ said Anna, her left eye twitching slightly.
Roberta shook her head. ‘No, this has come from on high. But I’m fully supportive obviously.’ She gave an expression that said she wasn’t.
‘Obviously. Thanks for the heads-up, I’ll make sure he only sees what he needs to but to be honest I think Hudson and I are working far better together now than we were. There are no holes for him to pick on the project.’
‘If you want something done, ask a woman. That’s what the late, great Margaret Thatcher told us,’ said Roberta. She straightened her dress and went to speak to someone else.
Hudson sauntered over and made sure his bicep brushed Anna’s shoulder. ‘Hey, girlfriend, how you doing?’
‘Really?’ said Anna in a mocking tone but the truth was she was enjoying their play-acting. She was seeing a whole new side to Hudson and it was one she liked.
‘I forgot I don’t need to try to win you over, you’re already dating me.’ He gave her another nudge.
‘Careful or you’ll be filed in the same section as Karl.’ They both watched as he chased after Priya whilst swinging his wet T-shirt around his head. Roberta was looking unimpressed.
‘I was wondering if you fancied grabbing something to eat?’ he said. Anna stared at the hot dog she was holding. Hudson seemed to go a little pink. ‘I figured we’d be hungry again later and I’d like to hatch a plan of attack now we have Liam snooping around the project.’
‘Good call. And it’d be a chance to get our whole girlfriend, boyfriend story straight. I’m not sure I feel like going out though.’ Anna was looking forward to a shower and an early night but Hudson’s suggestion made sense and she liked to be on the front foot. ‘How about a takeaway at mine?’
‘Takeout? Great. About seven thirty?’
‘Perfect. Here’s my address,’ she said pulling a Post-it Note pad and pen from her bag and jotting it down.
‘Always prepared. You’d have made an excellent Scout.’
A few hours later Hudson and Anna were sitting at her small dining table munching pizza. They had drawn up a list of everything they needed to check to ensure Liam couldn’t find fault with the project governance and had now moved on to their fake relationship.
‘We know how we met,’ said Hudson.
‘At work. Very clichéd but also very common.’
Hudson nodded. ‘I asked you out and—’
‘I could have asked you out.’ Anna was slightly put out because she wasn’t keen on gender stereotypes.
Hudson’s mouth tweaked at one corner. ‘Okay, but I warn you, I play hard to get. How would you have got me to say yes?’
Anna’s smile reached her eyes. She liked him challenging her. ‘There’s my cute British accent.’ She started to tick things off on her fingers.
He screwed up his nose. ‘Everyone here has one of those. Even Karl.’
‘Fair enough.’ Anna had a think. ‘You were mis
sing America and I invited you to a breakfast meeting with … Pop Tarts, bagels and syrup.’
Hudson was giving her an odd look. ‘It’s a nice thought but Pop Tarts?’
‘Yes. Pop Tarts, you thought it was adorable and we laughed about it and I promised to make you a proper breakfast next time we went out.’ She gave him her best flirty expression.
Hudson nearly choked on his drink. ‘You floozy. But you’ve got yourself a date.’
This was fun – all the flirting with none of the consequences. She thought to herself that she should probably date gay guys more often. They clinked glasses and got back to demolishing the pizza. Anna put a few more turns of black pepper on hers.
‘You like black pepper huh?’
‘On everything.’
‘I make a mean pepper sauce to go with steak.’
‘Mmm, sounds good. Old family recipe?’
‘Err, yes and no. My ex’s old family recipe actually.’ Hudson broke eye contact and seemed to be studying her laminate flooring in great detail. The mood had changed quickly.
‘Bad break-up?’ She had to ask.
‘You could say that. I got unceremoniously dumped by someone I thought was the one.’
It was oddly reassuring that he too had been in Anna’s situation – both dumped by a man. ‘You want to talk about it?’
He pursed his lips and shook his head. ‘All water over the dam now.’
‘Still hurts though, doesn’t it?’ She reached across and gave his arm a squeeze.
‘Sure does. Now tell me about this Bert character, he sounds awesome.’ And just like that the smiles were back.
After the meal Hudson dutifully helped her clear the table and they settled on the sofa with coffees. The door swung open and in marched Maurice. He loved to make an entrance.
‘Are you okay with cats?’ she asked as Maurice made a beeline for Hudson.
‘I love cats,’ he said. ‘And aren’t you a beauty?’ he added, turning his attention to Maurice who responded by swishing his tail in a diva-ish manner.
‘The rescue centre think he’s a …’ She had to think of what breed they’d called him. ‘A Maine Coon I think.’
‘He looks like it. We used to have one when I was a kid. You know they’re an American breed, right?’
Anna rolled her eyes. ‘I’m surrounded.’
Hudson gave a cheeky smile. ‘You’re a lucky lady.’
‘I think Maurice is officially a Brummy now. You’ve got a bit further to go.’ Maurice jumped up and made himself comfortable stretched out on Hudson’s lap, staring up at him adoringly. Goodness, was nobody immune to his charms?
‘Anything I should know to avoid Liam catching me out?’ asked Hudson as he fussed Maurice and Maurice lapped it up.
Anna had a think. University shot into her mind and she instantly dismissed it. ‘You know about my black pepper addiction.’
He nodded sagely. ‘And I know you’re a control freak.’
‘You say it like it’s a bad thing.’
‘Not at all. What else?’
‘I’m afraid of heights and I don’t like mustard.’ She pulled a face like she could taste it burning her tongue.
‘Any brothers or sisters?’
Anna nearly gave her automatic answer but something stopped her. Her spine stiffened. ‘I had a sister.’ Hudson appeared shocked and intuitively reached out and laid his hand on hers. It was a tender and emotionally intelligent gesture. ‘Her name was Lynsey.’
‘I’m sorry, Anna.’ She could see the genuine concern in his eyes.
‘She was fourteen when she had a seizure. It was undiagnosed epilepsy …’ Anna started to tremble. This was something she was sure she had dealt with years ago but right now it didn’t feel that way at all.
She could sense Hudson’s empathy. ‘I can’t imagine how awful that was for you and your folks.’
Anna tried hard to be positive. ‘I think it brought us closer together. Makes you realise how precious the people you love really are.’ She was surprised to hear her voice crack. It had also made her feel a great responsibility to do well in life but he didn’t need to know that.
Hudson reached for her hand. ‘I’m sure there are easier ways to find that out.’ Anna nodded; she was scared of disintegrating into full-on blubbing mode.
‘We’ve all moved on.’ He removed his hand and Anna was keen to push the spotlight off her. ‘What about you?’
She didn’t expect to be questioned at length by Liam – she wasn’t applying for a green card – but just in case it happened she didn’t want the humiliation of getting caught out. Anna also realised their fake relationship was a great way to satisfy her curiosity and find out more about him.
‘No siblings. Nothing much to tell.’
‘Come on, Hudson. What do you like?’
‘I run – a lot. Not like I used to but I try to keep my fitness levels up. I love music. Justin Bieber’s my favourite, which is why I got the tattoo.’
‘Okay …’ She had to admit she was surprised, but she wasn’t going to judge.
A grin spread across his face. ‘I’m jerking around. I like a mix of stuff from Bowie to Red Hot Chili Peppers to Bruno Mars. Not Bieber.’
‘Very eclectic.’
‘How about you?’ He leaned forward and watched her closely.
She thought for a moment and sipped her coffee. ‘I like old films.’
‘What are your favourites?’
She had a think. ‘I love the Ealing Comedies.’
Hudson pulled a face. ‘Never heard of them.’
‘They’re black and white, classic comedies. Very British, like me. You’d love them.’
‘What other films do you like?’
‘Léon.’ She noted his nod of approval. ‘And I absolutely love You’ve Got Mail.’
‘One of my favourites too.’
‘You’re winding me up again.’
He shook his head.
‘Really?’
‘Yeah. Joe Fox is my all-time hero. All his references to The Godfather. Sure, it’s classified as a chick flick, but it’s a great film.’ He was full of surprises.
Chapter Thirteen
Sophie came back to find her home ransacked by marauding savages, or worse still it appeared the children had managed to cover every surface with unidentifiable sticky substances. Anna didn’t have to put up with this; she only had herself to think about and Sophie envied her. She could barely remember a time when she hadn’t been running around after someone else. Sophie meandered through the house surveying the devastation. She’d only been gone for forty-eight hours. Hurricanes did less damage than her children. She retrieved a Peppa Pig sock from the goldfish bowl, pushed the pizza box to the floor and slumped onto the sofa and crumpled into tears. This was her reality – her life – and she didn’t want it any more.
An hour later her distress had morphed into fury and with the children occupied by the television she was washing the kitchen floor with vigour. She didn’t know what Anna was doing right now but she knew she wouldn’t be washing a kitchen floor that looked like the England rugby team had been wrestling in treacle on it. She reckoned Anna was most likely mulling over all the men she had to choose from. She had Liam virtually begging her to take him back, she had a fake relationship with the most gorgeously sexy man on the planet and a mysterious texting admirer. Life wasn’t fair. A key turned in the door and her hackles rose.
‘Hiya, Sophe,’ came Dave’s familiarly jolly call. ‘You won’t believe the day I’ve had …’ he began as he flung his coat on the stairs and Sophie met him in the hall, Marigold-clad hands held aloft like a surgeon.
‘There’s a hook for that,’ said Sophie, pointing into the downstairs loo. She cringed at the thought of what she’d found in there earlier.
Dave twitched before giving her a fleeting kiss on the cheek. ‘You okay?’
‘I’m a bit plucked off to be honest. Did you not notice the state of the house before you went to w
ork?’
Dave threw up his hands. ‘Come on, Sophe. I’ve been a single parent for the past few days. Trying to keep ahead of the devil monkeys is really hard.’ He actually looked serious, like he was telling her something she didn’t already know.
‘One night. It was just one night! I have the terror tots twenty-four seven. How do you think I cope?’ She could feel temper bubbling up inside her.
Dave was pulling a questioning face. ‘They’re at school and nursery most of the day so technically—’
Sophie’s exasperation level hitched up a notch. ‘Technically when they’re in school and nursery I’m at work, just like you. What do you think I do there? Curl up for a nice sleep?’
‘No, but you’re better at all this than I am.’ His expression changed to conciliatory. ‘It goes to show you how much we need you. We’re lost without you.’ He tried to pull her into a hug and she pushed him away, her expression stony. He wasn’t going to get around her that easily.
‘Dinner will be ten minutes.’ She could barely say the words for the tightness of her jaw.
‘Great, I’m starving. I couldn’t get Petal to eat anything while you were away but I think she may have eaten a sock. I couldn’t find it anywhere.’
‘Fish tank,’ said Sophie, and she went to check on the veg.
Anna had been for a run, done all her washing and ironing, caught up on her work emails and now she was very bored. Everyone else had a life and here she was treading water, waiting for what exactly? She had no idea. She knew she wasn’t making the most of the gloriously bright sunshine streaming through the flat. She could hear families having fun in the park and she wished she was part of it. It gave her an idea.
‘Hiya, Sophie. Have you got plans for this afternoon?’
‘There’s a football match on, which means Dave is busy.’ She huffed her frustration down the phone. ‘Me and the kids are going to make and ice cupcakes then we’re going on a wildflower hunt.’
Anna raised an eyebrow. ‘They don’t take much hunting.’
‘Ha, ha. We’ve got spotters’ sheets and we’re trying to tick off all the wildflowers, which should keep them out of mischief for a while. Why?’
A Walk in Wildflower Park Page 10
