2.

Painful Memories

'Right, film time. What we watching this time, sweetheart.' Dan's arms curled around me as we sat on the sofa, his face nuzzling my neck.

'Moulin Rouge!'

Dan groaned in mock-exasperation.

'You're gonna cry again aren't you?'

'Like a baby.' I grinned back, craning my neck to look up into him. He bent his face closer to mine, kissing my lips gently. I temporarily forgot what on earth we were talking about.

'Well,' he said, bringing his head up. I frowned at the loss of his mouth on mine. 'If I'm gonna watch this for the billionth time, I'm gonna need a cold beer. My dear, would you do the honours?' He smiled mockingly at me. Damn him, he was too gorgeous for his own good.

I groaned and heaved myself off the couch.

'I can't believe it's my birthday and I'm the one serving the drinks.' I grumbled.

He laughed.

'You're just so darn good at it though. Plus, you know you love me really.'

I was by the fridge now, pulling out drinks for us both.

'Yeah, keep telling yourself that Wentworth!' I yelled over my shoulder, laughing.

'I do. Every day.' His voice, gentle and serious, had moved from the couch to right by my ear.

I turned. He was standing in front of me. His dark eyes on my face with a look that made my breath hitch and my heart pick up pace.

'I… I love you Anna. There's no-one else who I could ever imagine spending the rest of my life with.'

He dropped down to one knee. I stopped breathing all together.

'Marry me. I will never stop loving you… couldn't even if I tried.' He smiled softly.

For a moment I was stunned, then my brain started functioning again.

'I-I-Oh my god. Yes! Yes, Dan, I will!'

His face broke into a look that radiated happiness and I couldn't have hidden the joy from my face if I'd wanted to. He jumped up, pulling me into his arms. His lips found mine. Elation thrilling through me.

* * * * *

Anna sat numbly in the car, barely hearing as Laura talked on at her. Dan was back. Well, his sister would be renting the house but surely he would visit her. At least, she reassured herself, she would not have to see him. She wouldn't be able to bear it. What if he was seeing someone else or… married? She took several deep breaths and unclenched her fists.

Of course he would be seeing someone. He was funny, smart and now a huge success – he was bound to have someone already. But at least she would be safely in Bath and unlikely to see him once.

She inwardly breathed a sigh of relief of herself, ignoring the slight pang at the memory of his face.

'- well he could have written twelve bestsellers for all we care, 'ay Anna.' Laura cut into her thoughts.

'Hmm.' Anna made a non-committal noise.

'Exactly.' Laura carried on, not particularly needing Anna's full participation. 'Anyway, in six months everyone will have forgotten him and he'll just be another book on the sale pile at Waterstones.' She laughed, Anna reminded silent.

'Plus, if he was really as in love with you as he kept banging on about then he would have called you by now. Probably, just hanging around with tarts after his money now – the jerk.'

Anna's stomach twisted.

'Can we just drop it now Laura.'

Laura glanced at her, before pushing the car up into fourth gear. Anna kept her eyes on the road.

'You know it would have been a disaster don't you.' Laura said firmly. This wasn't a question and Anna knew it. 'You were barely 19. It would have just been stupid. Neither of you had jobs. It would have ruined everything, you would have just ended up resenting each other.'

'He seems to be doing pretty well now.' Anna said quietly.

'Luck.' Laura slipped onto the motorway, turning the wheel with a look of irritation. 'You really think he would have got that book done living in that tiny flat of yours, with the pair of you at each other's necks about the fact you were both broke?'

Silence filled the car.

Laura sighed.

'Sorry, I know I sound harsh but you know it's for your own good. Remember that couple who were my clients round about the time you told me about the engagement?'

Anna nodded.

'And you remember what I told you?'

'You said they spent every session fighting about money.'

'Exactly, did you really want you and Dan to end up like that?'

Anna didn't say anything but couldn't help but think the risk would have been worth it. She shook her head, trying to clear the thoughts from her mind. She needed to stop thinking about this. Her chance was gone now – she needed to get over it.

'Exactly,' said Laura, misreading her shake of the head.

Anna's mobile starting ringing, and she pressed the green button, gratefully for the interruption.

'Anna? Anna? Are you there?' Oh great.

Laura cocked an eyebrow at her.

'It's Mary.' She mouthed and Laura rolled her eyes with a smile. Anna smiled back and the tension vanished.

'Anna?!'

'Sorry, sorry, I'm here Mary. What's the matter?'

'Oh, I need to you come to mine…today. You can stay for a few weeks. I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem for you. You see, I'm really sick. I just can't be left alone. Plus, the kids – oh Anna they've been appalling. So you really have to come. I need you. Now.'

'Well, I'm supposed to be going up to Bath with Dad and Ellen, you see and –'

'Anna!' Mary exploded down the mobile and Anna moved the speaker slightly away from her ear with a look of exasperation. Mary was almost in tears.

'Please Anna, I have never felt so sick in my entire life! I probably have TB or something. Daniel's left me to go to the office, even after I explained how horrible I was feeling. That man is so insensitive sometimes.'

'Don't tell me Daniel's escaped the lair.' Laura whispered with a grin. 'Poor, poor man.'

Anna coughed back a laugh.

'Hmm, well…'

'Please Anna?!'

Decision time: her hypochondriac sister or Bath. Anna could not help but relish the idea of not having to go to Bath. Not having to spend time in the same place she had hidden after the broken engagement. Not having to visit past haunts and to dredge up painful memories.

'Ok then Mary, I'll come. I should be there in a few hours.'

'Good, I knew you would not let me down Ann. See you soon.'

'Bye.' Anna closed the phone. 'Change of plan, Laura. Could you drop me at Uppercross?'

Please R&R. Constructive criticism is welcome 