1 #4
Dani closed off her phone and carried on driving down the country road.
Dawn was breaking and the sky was fiery red.
There were frost-covered fields on either side of the road and the trees were bare and white.
Dani checked the temperature. It was two degrees.
The thought sent a shiver down her spine.
She turned into Chloe’s road and followed it about a mile down, before she spotted their house set back to the right.
Dani’s heart swelled. Thank God she had Chloe, her one true constant.
She swerved into the wide driveway and brought her car to a halt.
Adam and Chloe had bought their house six years ago.
It was a large, sprawling, stone-built residence set in an acre of land.
They’d refurbished it over the last year and Dani had yet to see it finished.
Dani quickly pulled out her packet of cigarettes and took one out.
She lit it with shaking hands. The thought of reliving what had just happened over nine hours ago was not something she was looking forward to.
It still felt like a dream. A nightmare.
She opened her car door as she dragged on her cigarette.
She didn’t want to smoke in front of the children.
At least she’d get to see them and actually spend some time with them.
She smiled to herself; well there was the silver lining she was looking for – out of all this mess she’d at least spend time with her nephew and nieces.
It had been six months since she’d last visited.
She’d been up for Rosie’s first birthday.
Sophie, who was five, had started school this September and Oliver was now in year five.
Dani took a final drag on her cigarette and stubbed it out in the ashtray, then she looked at the packet of Davidoffs.
She had two left. Maybe it was time to quit this bad habit too.
Dani opened up the glove compartment and put the packet inside.
She looked at the front door and sighed.
There were three carved pumpkins of varying sizes on the doorstep.
Dani had forgotten it was Halloween; her mind flitted back to the bar.
They were having their fancy dress party tonight and she wondered how they’d manage without her.
Dani rubbed her face and climbed out of the car, then headed down the path, her hands shaking as she shoved them into her pockets.
WITHIN AN HOUR, DANI was settled into the spare room. Chloe had arranged the bed for her while Adam brought up her eight bin liners full of her belongings. He sloped off, knowing the sisters wanted some privacy, but not before hugging Dani.
“I’ll put some coffee on and toast up the bagels you brought.” His kind face smiled gently, his blue eyes magnified by his glasses as he blinked down at Dani.
“Thanks, Adam.”
Chloe scrunched up her nose as she grinned at him and he left, taking Rosie and Sophie with him.
“You’re so lucky Chloe,” sighed Dani, watching them leave.
Chloe pursed her lips and slumped on the bed. “I know. He’s a saint.” Feeling her sister’s pain, she asked, “Want to tell me what happened?” She cocked her head to one side as Dani fished out her shoes, which were tangled around various bag handles.
“He cheated on me. It’s as simple as that.” Dani looked up at Chloe as she spoke. Chloe took a sharp intake of breath, “I walked in on him.”
“Oh Dani, I’m so sorry.”
Dani shrugged, trying hard not to start crying again. “She was one of our staff and she wasn’t the first, Chloe.” Her voice cracking as she spoke.
“Oh God.” Chloe put her hand to her mouth.
“I suppose it’s better I found out now, rather than later.” Dani opened the wardrobe and placed her shoes in the bottom. “I just feel like an idiot and that I wasted all that time waiting around for him to commit.”
“Oh Dani. He was the idiot.”
Dani snorted. “I feel like I’ve moved ten steps back. I’m starting again, from the beginning.” Dani opened up the next bin liner and started hanging up her crumpled clothes. “It’s not just him I left – it’s my job, my home, everything.”
“What are you going to do about the house?”
“I didn’t think that far ahead, to be honest. I just needed to get out of there, away. If I’d stayed, I’d have forgiven him.”
Chloe smiled at her sister. Dani portrayed herself as being tough and confident, but Chloe knew she was soft. She’d always tried to see the best in everyone.
“Don’t worry about the house. Adam can sort it. He’ll know what to do.”
“I’m sorry for dumping on you. But it’s just until I get a job and get back on track.”
“Dani, will you stop it? I’m thrilled you’re here, we all are. Not so much about the reason why you’re here, granted, but I’m so glad you are. I’ve missed you.” She got up and hugged her. Dani clung to Chloe as she tightened her grip.
“I’m so glad I have you, Chloe. I don’t think I could cope if you weren’t in my life.” Tears sprung into her eyes again as they held onto each other, both reluctant to let go.
Chloe sniffed as she tried to hold back her tears. “I’m glad I have you too, Dani. I’ve missed you so much.”