CHAPTER 30 #2
Left alone, Annabel looked up at the skylark hovering above. ‘Rest easy, Dotty, you don’t need any forgiveness. We love you,’ she whispered. And at that moment, the skylark began to sing.
‘What was that all about?’ William asked, coming over.
‘I’ll tell you later.’ she smiled, wiping her eyes.
He pulled her close in a hug. ‘I think it’s time to get this show on the road. Everyone’s here.’ Then he looked up, over her shoulder. ‘Oh, I spoke too soon; one last straggler cutting it a bit fine! Who’s this?’ His brow furrowed. ‘I don’t recognise him.’
Annabel stepped out of his embrace and turned to see who was coming up the path towards them. Dressed in a smart, black suit, the tall, dark figure was instantly familiar. But it couldn’t be. Could it?
‘Oh!’ she gasped, her face a picture of confusion and surprise. ‘What are . . . How did . . . ?’ but she didn’t manage to finish any of her questions.
‘Hello, Annabel,’ James said, a nervous smile on his lips.
‘Hi!’ she managed to croak, staring at him. Her heart was thumping and she seemed to have momentarily lost the ability to speak.
William eased the tension with a cheerful introduction. He shook James’s hand, told him it was good to meet him, and thanked him for helping Annabel with her research in Singapore. Annabel was grateful for her brother’s easy, relaxed manner as, at that moment, she was feeling anything but relaxed.
Introductions made, William excused himself and went to join the pall-bearers in the car park, where the hearse was arriving. It was almost time for Dotty’s final journey. Annabel’s heart felt heavy at the prospect.
She continued to stare at James. What on earth was he doing here? She had briefly mentioned the date of the funeral to him in a text, but had no idea that he would come. She was surprised and confused, but strangely pleased.
Annabel took a deep breath to steady herself and smiled up at him. ‘I’m sorry, I’m just so surprised to see you.’ She paused and gave a sigh. ‘But it’s so good to see you, James, it really is.’
A smile replaced the hesitation that had shadowed his eyes. ‘Well, I’m glad to hear that. It’s very good to see you too, Annie. I’ve missed you.’
Annabel’s insides somersaulted.
‘I really hope I’m not intruding. I hope you don’t mind me coming?’
She smiled at him and shook her head.
James sighed. ‘I just wanted to be here for you, Annie, that’s all. That is, if you’d like me to be?’ The uncertain look was back.
‘Yes.’ She beamed, reaching for his hand. ‘I’d like you to be here, very much indeed.’
The relief in his face was visible and he stepped forward and wrapped her in his arms, holding her close. Annabel breathed in the scent of his cologne and felt the usual sense of peaceful calm wash over her. This was where she wanted to be, safe in his arms.
‘It was awful not saying a proper goodbye,’ he said, breathing into her hair.
‘I’ve spent the past three weeks trying to put you out of my mind, but failing miserably.
I landed in London last night and drove down first thing this morning.
It’s Jessica’s birthday on Tuesday, so I’ll head up to Oxford to see her in a couple of days.
But I’ve been having a long, hard look at things and I think it’s time to make some changes. ’
She stepped back from him and looked up into his dark eyes. ‘Oh? What are you thinking?’
‘I don’t want to be a long-distance dad, only seeing my daughter a handful of times a year. She deserves more than that. I need to be closer. So I’ve decided it’s time to move back to the UK.’
Annabel smiled. ‘Oh!’ was all she managed.
James tilted his head and continued mysteriously, ‘And the thing is, there’s another special lady I’d like to spend more time with.’
‘Oh really?’ she asked, feigning innocence. ‘She must be pretty special to make you move halfway around the world?’
He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her close so that they were face to face, and chuckled. ‘Oh yes, she is very special indeed!’ He stroked her cheek then bent down to kiss her lightly on the lips. Her insides melted at his touch.
‘So what’s the plan?’ she asked.
‘Well, I put in for a transfer back to London,’ he said. ‘And it’s been approved. Hopefully in the next couple of months.’
‘That’s great news.’ Annabel beamed up at him, a warm feeling spreading through her.
‘It’s not going to be without its complications, Annie. But someone very wise reminded me recently that we’re not eighteen anymore. We all have our baggage, but we deserve to be happy.’
Annabel grinned, remembering the words she had spoken back in Singapore.
‘And I think that spending more time with you would make me very happy.’ He smiled shyly. ‘If you’d like to, that is?’
‘Yes James, I would like that very much.’ She reached up and kissed him.
‘Oh, I nearly forgot, I have something for you.’ He rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a small, purple artificial flower.
‘An orchid?’ Annabel said, taking it from him. ‘From Singapore? It’s beautiful! Is it for me?’
‘For Dotty,’ he said.
‘Thank you, James.’ She smiled through her tears. ‘It’s perfect.’
Then he gave her his arm and escorted her into the church. It was time to say goodbye to her grandmother.