Chapter 31
31
Anya woke the next morning tired, but determined to seize control of her life. What Helen had said the night before was true. Running off to stay with her mum wouldn’t solve anything; in fact, it would only put Anya further behind. Freya deserved the security Anya had never had, surrounded by friends as well as family. The summer would be over in a few short weeks and school would be starting. While she was cleaning up after making breakfast, she put a quick video call in to Chloe. ‘Hey, I know it’s early but I wanted to catch you before you go to work.’
‘Hey. No probs, what’s up?’
Anya glanced towards where Freya was sitting in front of the TV . Anya had stopped feeling guilty about using the telly as a part-time babysitter; sometimes she just needed five minutes’ peace to get on and do something, and Numberblocks was at least educational as well as fun. Freya was absorbed in whatever was on the screen, the square of toast in her hand forgotten. Still Anya turned her back and lowered her voice. ‘That paperwork thing you were sorting out for me, can you chase it up?’
‘The name change? Yes, of course. ’
‘Great. I really need it asap so I can get Freya registered for school.’
Chloe went quiet as the implication of what Anya was saying sank in. ‘Oh, fab, I mean, yes of course I’ll chase it up. Do you want me to print off the copy of the registration form and the automated receipt email I got back? You could always take them in to Morwenna and see if you can kick-start things at her end while you are waiting for the official certification to come through.’
Anya considered it for a moment. ‘That might be a good idea, thanks. And if you’ve got time this weekend perhaps we can have a look at a few designs I’ve found online. I was thinking tote bags might be a quick and easy thing I can knock out, and with school coming up, maybe pencil cases, laptop covers and what have you. They’d be a great way to use up some of the odds and ends of material I have.’
‘Sounds perfect! I’ll get onto Dad and ask him to finish off those last bits in the workshop and we can get everything out of the spare room too.’ She paused. ‘You sound a lot better than last night.’
‘I feel a lot better. Look, I’ve got a few things to sort out, so can we catch up later?’
‘Sure. I need to jump in the shower anyway. I’ll pop in when I get home and drop those copies off with you.’
‘That would be lovely. You can stay for dinner again if you like. It’s fish fingers, mash and peas.’
‘Sounds too good to refuse!’ Chloe winked. ‘See you later, Annie.’
Anya looked over at Freya. Her toast was all gone and she wasn’t sure what she was watching now, but she was giggling and Anya decided that was at least as important as learning to count. She flicked through her contacts and made a second call. ‘Hi, Ma. I’m sorry to call so early.’
‘Hello, dearest! Don’t worry about the time, we’ve been up since just after five. We don’t sleep late and what with this business with Davy…’ A gusty sigh filled Anya’s ear.
‘You must be worried sick about him, but Aunt Helen seemed to think it wasn’t all bad when she was here last night.’
‘No, that’s true. Jago’s arranged for some cover at the quay, so he’s going to take Ron up to the hospital to see him. Hopefully they’ll find a doctor to tell them the truth about what’s going on while they’re there.’
Of course they’d be visiting Davy; Anya should’ve thought about that before she rang. ‘So you won’t want Freya today, then? That’s what I was calling to check.’
‘Oh no, drop her off as normal. I’m not going up to the hospital, because I’d only brain Davy with a bedpan if I’m within striking distance of that stubborn old fool.’
Anya laughed as she pictured it. ‘I think they’re made of cardboard these days.’
‘Well I’d stab him with a scalpel then!’ Ma chuckled.
‘So bloodthirsty, Ma!’ Anya exclaimed. ‘I never would’ve thought it of you.’
‘I never thought of myself as having a violent streak either, but these Penrose men, sometimes they drive you to think the worst.’
‘I know what you mean.’ She didn’t want to take a scalpel to Rick, but she wouldn’t mind giving him a jab with a sharp pencil, maybe a kick in the shin while she was at it, stupid bloody man. ‘Are you sure about having Freya for the day? I can make other arrangements if you need me to.’
‘Absolutely sure. You drop her off as soon as you are ready. It’s my baking day anyway, so we will have lots to keep us busy, and it’ll be good to have her company rather than sitting here and fretting.’
‘As long as you’re sure?’
‘I’m positive. See you soon, dearest.’
Right, that was one thing sorted. On to the next.
‘I didn’t expect to be seeing you again so soon,’ Steve said when she walked into the hotel reception about half an hour later. ‘I thought you didn’t work here any more.’
‘Seems I’m a glutton for punishment, doesn’t it?’ she said, rounding the desk to drop her bag on the floor. ‘Right then, anything I need to know about?’
The handover with Steve didn’t take long and Anya was logged in and scanning through the couple of emails he’d flagged for her while he went and fetched his lunchbox from the fridge in the kitchen. Not a lunch box, she supposed, when he was eating his sandwiches at ten o’clock at night.
‘Here you go,’ Steve said, setting a mug of hot water down beside her. ‘I didn’t add milk because I know you like that herbal stuff.’
‘That’s kind of you, thanks.’ Anya bent over and pulled a tea bag out of her stash in the bottom drawer.
‘What you got?’
‘Raspberry and lemon.’ She held up the little sachet to show him.
Steve mock-shuddered. ‘Good grief, give me a cup of good old builder’s tea any day.’ He tapped the edge of the desk. ‘I’ll be off, then, if you’re sure you’ll be okay?’
‘I’ll be fine, thanks. Do you want me to text you later if I get any update on Davy?’
‘That would be great, thank you. I meant to thank you for the message you sent last night too. It was a real weight off my mind.’ He sighed. ‘I’ve grown fond of the old boy, even with all his quirky ways.’
Anya smiled. ‘Me too.’
There was a heavy thud-thud-thud and Rick came dashing through the revolving door. ‘Sorry I’m late, Steve! I had a bit of nightmare this morn…’ Rick trailed off as he spotted Anya ensconced in her usual spot behind the desk. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘What does it look like?’
Steve shot a quick glance between them. ‘Oh, trouble in paradise. That’s my cue to leave.’
‘No trouble,’ Rick called after him as Steve headed for the door.
‘No paradise, I think you meant to say,’ Anya said, but not until Steve was safely inside the revolving compartment.
Rick stared at her for a long moment, his eyes full of regret. ‘Yes, that too.’
Breaking his gaze, Anya shuffled the papers on the desk in front of her. ‘Well, as you can see I’ve got everything in hand here, so you can concentrate on running your own business.’ She’d almost said minding your own business, but even though she was still upset with him, it wasn’t in her nature to be deliberately mean. Though she might still fancy a punt at one of his shins if he was foolish enough to get too close.
‘What about when Davy gets back?’
Anya glanced up. ‘That’s for me and him to sort out.’
Rick closed his eyes for a second. ‘Of course. Well, I’ll leave you to it. If you need anything…’
‘I’ll be fine.’
He smiled then. ‘I know you will. It might not seem like it from the way I’ve acted, Anya, but I never doubted you, not for one minute. You’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met and I wish nothing but good things for you.’
Damn him for being nice to her. ‘Take care, Rick.’