Chapter 19

The sun entered through the window waking Heather, who opened her eyes to see Dean sleeping next to her. That rarely happened so she just decided to enjoy the moment. It did not last for long though, because Annie ran into the bed.

''Mummy! Daddy!''

''Mmm… How is my princess?'', Dean said when he woke up and gave her a sweet kiss.

''Darling...'', Heather said, ''why don't we go for a picnic? It's Sunday and the weather is so good''.

''Yes, please, dad''! Dean thought about it but couldn't say no seeing how much excited Annie got. ''Yeees!'', the girl shouted and the whole family began the preparations.

Enthusiasm was also evident at Penny's house, where they were getting ready for the birthday party. By the afternoon, everything was ready for the guests. Amanda was the first to arrive and later friends and neighbours joined the party.

Andy was waiting for Erica outside her house. A few minutes later she showed up wearing a bright yellow dress, got in the car, said hello to Andy and waited for their departure but they remained at the same spot. She turned her head slowly to see the driver giving her a mischievous look.

''Well, won't you say anything?''

''About what?'', Erica said.

''I don't know, how about Timothy?''

''If we delay more, Penny will blow the candles before we get there'', she told him in an effort to avoid the subject but Andy wouldn't leave her alone.

''How come?'', he said as he started to drive.

''Andy, I'm not getting into details!''

''I'm not asking for details. I'm simply surprised. You had never shown romantic interest in Timothy''.

''I know… I just thought I should give him a chance, that's all''.

''And?'', he asked with a smile. Erica gave him no reply. She was not ready to talk about it to anyone. The truth was that she hadn't cleared that up yet.

''Some day we'll discuss this. But not now'', she said and Andy thought that he shouldn't push her more. Soon, they arrived at their destination, knocked the door and Penny opened it allowing them to enter.

''Happy birthday!'', they wished her.

''Thank you! Please, come in. You can have whatever you like in the dining room''. Erica got inside the house, while Andy stayed at the entrance with Penny.

''These are for you''.

''Oh, thank you so much. They are lovely'', she said taking the colourful bouquet and kissing him. ''Come in. I'll put the flowers in a vase and I'll be right back''. Andy would rather stay there alone with her for the whole night, but went inside and took a glass of lemonade from the table. As he drank, he took a look at Penny's guests, of which he only knew Erica and Amanda. He considered that was totally logical. Penny hadn't met his friends either. But among those mostly unknown faces, he picked one out. A woman about his age and pretty, who reminded him of something but he could not put his finger on. He thought that perhaps he had seen her with Penny somewhere or perhaps she was her colleague but no… It was something else. It was a strange feeling, as if he tried to remember a dream. It seemed so far away and at the same time so clear and yet he couldn't see it. ''Here I am!'', Penny said as she appeared next to him. Startled, he gave her a kiss and held her lightly by the waist.

''Well, won't you introduce me to your friends?''

''Sure'', Penny replied. ''First of all, my mother. Mum?'', she called and that woman, the woman who had picked his curiosity, turned to them and excusing herself, she approached the couple. 'Her mother? That's it? She reminded me of Penny?', Andy wondered. ''Mum, this is Andy Patton. This is my mother, Deirdre''. Hearing this name, Andy felt like he was hit by a thunder. She hadn't reminded him of Penny. She had reminded him of Deirdre… Because she was Deirdre!

''Nice to meet you'', she said but he heard her voice coming from far, far away.

''Nice to meet you too…'', he managed to say.

''Penny has told me so much about you and I was looking forward to meeting you in person'', Deirdre said in such a good spirit that for a moment Andy thought he was wrong. But he wasn't. The woman standing in front of him was definitely Deirdre. 'Then why does she act like she doesn't recognize me? I'm certain she knows…', he thought but then it hit him. She hadn't talked to Penny yet. ''Perhaps it would be better to talk another time and get to know each other, don't you think?''

''Sure… Another time''.

''Now excuse me. I think it's time for the cake''. Penny's face was glowing in front of the lit candles as people sang 'Happy Birthday'. Later everyone was served with a slice of the cake and had much fun. All except Andy. He was holding his plate and seemed lost in his thoughts. When Penny noticed, she went close to him.

''Andy, honey, are you alright?''

''I have a terrible headache. I think I should go home and lie down. Forgive me for leaving so early…'', he said but she hugged him.

''What are you talking about? If you don't feel well, go home and rest'', she told him and he walked towards the exit. ''Andy?'', she stopped him.

''Yes?''

''Erica is still inside'', Penny reminded him and Andy rubbed his forehead. ''Stay here and I'll call her, okay?''. The headache was not just an excuse. He really felt like his head would explode. He walked to the fence and breathed deeply. The cold air of the night was good but the recent events didn't allow him to feel much better.

''Andy? How are you?'', Erica asked touching her friend's shoulder.

''I feel a little better'', he answered. ''I'm only sorry that you must leave too''.

''It's alright. The important thing is that you are well. Give me your keys now''.

''What? Why?''

''Andy, I won't let you drive in this condition. Give me your keys'', she demanded extending her hand to him. Andy reluctantly gave his keys to Erica and let her drive him home.