Second Chance - Jane Green [45]
‘Don’t be silly,’ Olivia chides her firmly. ‘First of all, your house is gorgeous – I’d kill for my house to look like this, and second of all, they live in Crouch End, for God’s sake. Hardly Regent’s Park. Anyway, we mustn’t judge a book by its cover. Everything Tom ever said about her was good. Caroline, you’ll know her reputation, what have you heard?’
‘She’s a witch.’
‘No!’ Both Holly and Olivia gasp simultaneously. Caroline starts laughing.
‘Of course she’s not a witch. She’s delightful. One of the most down-to-earth people in the business. All I’ve ever heard about her is good. Let’s go and talk to her properly.’
Holly groans. ‘Oh do I have to?’
‘Stop it.’ Olivia grins. ‘I’ll start and you can join in.’
But she doesn’t have to. As soon as they walk back into the kitchen, they find Anna with her shoes kicked off, sleeves rolled up, chopping the rest of the salad that Holly had abandoned to go and gossip with Olivia in the basement, and making a start on a salad dressing.
‘Oh Anna, you don’t have to do that!’ Holly is horrified. ‘Let me.’
‘I do not mind in the slightest.’ Anna smiles. ‘I grew up in Sweden until I was eight, and my family always mucked in to help out with the meals. This is exactly how I grew up, everyone in the kitchen and everyone helping out.’
‘But… I don’t want you to get your clothes dirty.’
Anna leans towards her with a smile. ‘The beauty of having a fashion company is that you can always get a replacement for the clothes. Anyway, a bit of dirt never hurt anyone. I love this kitchen, Holly. I put in the white subway tile too, because I thought it would be clean and minimalist, but you know, it never feels cosy like this one does. This is the kind of kitchen where people just want to stay all day.’
Holly’s face lights up. ‘That’s exactly what I always wanted.’
‘So where are the kids? Paul told me you had two. I would love to meet them.’
‘Upstairs, watching TV. Do you want to come up? I ought to get them into bed around now anyway.’
‘I would love to,’ Anna says, her language oddly stilted, even though there is barely a trace of a Scandinavian accent. ‘There. The dressing is done. Let us go and find those munchkins. Can I read the stories? I have three nieces who let me read the stories all the time. I’m particularly good at scary monsters.’
‘The kids would love it.’ Holly laughs. ‘Although Daisy’s current favourite is The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Not sure your monster voice would work.’
On the way upstairs, Anna continues to compliment Holly’s taste, and Holly finds herself liking her more and more.
Flattery, as they say, will get you everywhere.
‘You have created a real home.’ Anna turns on the landing to admire the antique game table, piled with books and knick-knacks. ‘I always remember something I once read somewhere that said, "Houses are made of sticks and stone, but homes are made of love alone.’ This is definitely a home. I am envious.’
‘Isn’t yours a home, then?’
‘It is beautiful but quiet. Too perfect. We need children running around to mess it up a bit, bring itto life.’
Ah yes. There it is. The forbidden subject of children.
‘Oh do not worry,’ Anna puts a hand on Holly’s arm, ‘it is no secret that I am having IVF treatment. We keep telling ourselves that this will be the last time we try, and if we do not get pregnant we will adopt, but then I keep thinking that perhaps the next time is the magic time.’
‘I hope it works for you,’ Holly says. ‘I really do.’
Anna smiles. ‘Thank you.’ And they walk through the door and find Daisy and Oliver sprawled out on the bed, all the pillows scattered around them on the floor.
‘She’s amazing!’ Holly whispers to Olivia, back downstairs.
‘Told you!’ Olivia smiles. ‘So it’s true what they say.’
‘What are you two talking about?’ Paul wanders over