Chapter Twenty-Five
I didn’t sleep well. Yesterday’s events were on a constant loop in my dreams.
Daniel called me last night, although he did most of the talking. His apologies dominated the conversation, but a part of me can’t trust him yet. This causes a fight between my head and my heart.
I want to take care of him and share our lives.
Can I really do it? Can I cope with the photographers and being in the public eye?
Can I cope with his past? With the women and the stories attached to them?
This is who he is and if I love him, I’ve no choice but to believe in him and accept every aspect.
The same thoughts roll through my mind as I get ready for work.
I don’t enjoy being the sole occupant of this house.
Not under these circumstances. It’s too quiet.
It’s a comfort to play his music and smell his scent on our bed, but there’s also too much time to dwell on Daniel’s past. I need him here to distract me and bring this dead space to life with his warmth. It isn’t home without him.
I’m about to put my jacket on and leave for work when I hear a knock. I presume Daniel has sent Jack to pick me up, but when I open the door, an unfamiliar face smiles back at me.
“Miss May?”
“That’s right.”
“My name is Benjamin, Miss, and I’ve been sent by Mr Daniel Grant to drive you to your office.”
“What happened to Jack?”
“He had to attend some urgent business with Mr Grant so I’ll be your driver until he gets returns.”
“Oh, I see.” Daniel never said, which isn’t like him. I rub at my temple and bite my lip.
It’s obvious to Benjamin I’m thrown by this change in plan.
“I can promise you, Jack has given me clear instructions, Miss May.” It sounds like Jack and as I contemplate if I should go with this stranger or not, my phone whistles into action. As if on cue, I receive a text from Daniel.
You’ve probably met your new driver Benjamin by now. He will be with you for a few days. Don’t worry. You’ll like him.
Remember, I love you. D. x
I inwardly smile, I love you too….
“Okay, Benjamin. I’m all yours.”
He must be older than Jack, quite handsome, and his suit is so crisp it might snap if you touch it. He has a sweet smile and an easy-going manner about him, although he is very professional.
“How long have you worked for the Grant family?” I ask. He talks with his eyes through the rear-view mirror. “For a while on and off. I’m from an agency. The Grant family use us for holiday cover or if there’s a function and they need extra drivers.”
“Should I give you directions to the office, Benjamin?”
“No, Miss May. I’ve taken Mr Grant Senior many times.”
I smile. It’s not a happy one when I think of Peter .
“Oh, I nearly forgot, there is an envelope here for you.” He passes it over as I relax into the seat and read the simple card with Daniel’s elegant handwriting across the back.
Hannah,
I hope you feel better this morning. I’m sorry about the change of driver. I’ll need Jack this week, but I wanted to make sure you were taken care of. I don’t like the thought of you on the bus. I’ll speak to you later tonight.
I miss you. I love you.
Daniel x
God, I wish all this crap would go away. I really want to be with him and half of me wonders if I should just bunk another day off work and instruct the driver to take me to the farm. My nagging doubts about Daniel and building our relationship are still there, but holy shit, I miss him.
I press on. My schedule is so busy as Richard has back-to-back meetings until the afternoon and there is so much to catch up on from yesterday.
I’m so immersed in emails, I miss Lucy’s message at first glance, then it hits me like a thunderbolt.
Just the title stands out. WARNING! I open it straight away, knowing full well that Lucy would only warn me about one thing. Rob. Oh shit!
Dear Hannah,
I’ve been trying frantically to get hold of you. Thank God I spoke to your mum yesterday, and she said you’d been in contact. It confirms you’re alive at least! I promise I’ve not said a word about Rob’s ridiculous scheme to win you back. She would only worry.
So why the dramatic warning sign? Well, your lovely ex- boyfriend has been up to his old tricks.
When I caught up with him, he was adamant you were coming home to be with him.
Apparently if he travels all that way to get you, you will, at least, give him a chance.
I have to say; he had me fooled with his mission of the heart routine.
The good news is, he is NOT travelling to Australia for the sole purpose of winning you over.
He has a job interview in Sydney, which is the actual reason for his visit.
Remember how brilliant he was at manipulating a situation to suit him? That hasn’t changed.
I’m sure he misses you and he may tempt you to give him another try, but if you do, I’ll beat you to a pulp. After that, I’d support you because it’s what I do. I’m certain this isn’t your plan as you have Daniel in your life and from what you tell me, he is the real deal.
If Rob turns up, remember you don’t owe him a thing. If he throws the ‘I’ve travelled all this way to get you back’ card, it’s simply not true. Keep this in mind because he will turn it on big time. You know this better than anyone.
You’ve been my best friend forever and I miss you more than you can imagine. Please stay safe and away from any arseholes called Rob.
I’ll wait to hear from you. Love you, Han,
Lucy xxx.
I quickly fire a response. I’m thankful for the heads up but we both know Rob is a tosser, so she has no worries on that score.
“Holy shit,” I whisper out loud. I’ve got so much on my plate without Rob complicating matters.
I slump back in my seat and laugh to myself.
It’s funny that my ex’s ultimate declaration of love for me is actually a job interview.
It was a cheap shot, but typical of him.
I close my email and head for the coffee station. On my way, I call into Richard’s office to see if he wants one .
“Ahh, Hannah, good timing. I was about to call you in. Take a seat a minute, will you?”
He’s in business mode, which means he is about to give information or instruction.
“Hannah, I’ve just had a call from Jennifer. There’s an emergency meeting over at the farm tomorrow which should settle the Jamieson contract. All board members from both companies have to attend.”
“Okay.”
“So I’ll need all the revised contracts and the additional reports I’ve requested, quicker than we thought.”
“How quick?”
“At least by the close of play today. I’ll leave tonight and stay over at the farm so I can meet with Peter, Daniel and Joe first thing before the client arrives.
And you should be here as backup, in case we need anything sent over.
You might as well assume Daniel won’t be home tonight though,” he laughs.
Before I can stop myself, it comes out of my mouth, “No, no it’s fine. I don’t really want to see Daniel at the moment… I mean, it’s okay if he doesn’t come home.”
He turns sideways and rubs his thumb over his chin. “Everything all right, Hannah, with you and Daniel I mean?”
I snap out of my momentary trance and answer, “Of course!”
“Well, if you need me…”
“You’ve already said Richard and I appreciate it, honestly.”
He leans back, crossing one leg over the other and I note casual, friendly Richard is about to appear. “Hannah, I’m fully aware how hard this move has been for you. If you want someone to talk to, I’m here, or I’m sure Alison would be only too happy to help.”
I love his wife, but I would never confide in her. She would just tell Richard and that would add fuel to his fire. He’s ready for this relationship to falter and I can sense his lack of trust in Daniel .
“Richard, my girlfriends are here if I need them. All is well. Now, is there anything else?”
He’s not convinced as he huffs out, “No.”
I get up from my seat, before I remember why I went in, “Nearly forgot, coffee?”
“Please.”
I turn and leave his office and while I head for the coffee station, I try hard to keep my composure.
I’m grateful to see Benjamin at the end of the day. He holds the car door open for me, but I scramble to get in. It’s extremely unladylike.
“This car is beautiful although not the easiest to slide into. What is it?”
“An Audi A8, Miss May. They can be a little low if you’re used to a Range Rover.”
I catch his smiling eyes in the rear-view mirror. “You’re not kidding. I’m sure I didn’t look too elegant back there.”
“You were fine, Miss. Shall I take you straight home?”
“Yes please, I’m exhausted.”
It’s after seven by the time I get to the house and sink into the soft sofa, but I’m not taking in whatever crap is on TV. I relax while imagining his arms around me. He must be telepathic as my phone vibrates, and his photo appears on the screen. I mute the TV and answer, “Hi.”
“Hannah. How are you?”
“I’m okay, just drained.”
“Busy day, huh?”
“It’s been manic thanks to your big meet up tomorrow.”
“Well, hopefully, we can complete everything by the end of the play.”
“Good. ”
The line goes quiet and the silence between us is strange. I try to think of something to say to him. I can’t. The situation is far from right. We don’t normally have a problem with small talk, but here we are. I wait for him to speak, and when he does, my insides twist.
“I miss you.”
I stay silent, not knowing initially how to respond.
“Han, are you still there?”
I’ve had no time to think properly since last night, so I decide not to reciprocate. It will only lead to false hope, and that’s not fair on either of us.
“I’m here, Daniel.”
“I’m just checking you’re all right.”
“Yes, I’m okay. Just tired and irritable, plus there’s something on my mind.”
“What is it?”
Ever since he left for the farm, all I can think about is how Freya must love this—Daniel being away from me. “Is she there?” The answer to my question is obvious, but part of me hopes Joe has taken her away somewhere.
Daniel sounds puzzled at first. “Who? Freya? Is that who you mean?”
“Yes. Is she there with you?”
“We’ve been through this, Hannah. She lives here, but I avoid being around her at all costs and there is nothing to worry about.”
“But that’s not the case. If there was nothing to worry about, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”
Daniel quickly changes the subject to break yet another awkward silence between us.
“How are you getting on with Benjamin?”
“He’s lovely and so sweet, but I’m capable of getting to work under my own steam. ”
“I just want to make sure you’re safe and not walking the streets of Sydney on your own.”
“Daniel, if I were that worried, I’d get a taxi. Thank you for the driver, anyway. I bet Jack is bored now you’ve been grounded at your parent’s place?”
Daniel stutters, “No. No, he’s okay. There are plenty of errands for him to run. Look, Han, it’s only been one night, but I miss you so much. Will you come out to the farm tomorrow after work? Benjamin could drive you over.”
“I can’t, Daniel. I’ll be straight with you. I want to. I really want to see you and be with you.”
“Then do it.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Hannah, come on, please. This is ridiculous.”
“Is it?”
“Of course it is.”
“If you were in my shoes and kept bumping into endless ex’s, how would you feel? And all those women have a common bond. You’ve hurt every single one of them in some way or another.”
I hear him take a breath. “Hannah May, what do I have to do to make you realise how different you are to them. I dream you, I breathe you and for the first time in my life, I’m in love—with you.
You belong with me, which is why it’s my turn to fight for you and I’ll carry on fighting until I make you realise. ”