I'm Not in Love (Once Upon a Winter Book 2) (11 page)
Read I'm Not in Love (Once Upon a Winter Book 2) Online
Authors: Tilly Tennant
The best thing about living and working alone was that if she wanted to stay in bed one morning and start work at noon, she could, as long as all deadlines were met. So when she finally sat down to her computer at three that afternoon, it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. She could always work on into the evening if it suited her and things would still get done. But today, it might have been wise if she’d started first thing after all. The laptop had barely booted up when there was a knock at the front door. Hannah let out a sigh. There were
some days when she just had to accept that things weren’t going to go her way, and some Januarys that should probably be scrapped and started over.
She made her way to the front door, expecting it to be George popping over to see her with Trixie, or her other neighbours, Brian and Cynthia, back from their holiday home in Greece and short of a bottle of milk or a cup of sugar. Either way, she wished she looked a little more presentable. She pulled her thick woollen cardigan around her and smoothed her hair, gathering together the rogue strands and retying her ponytail before opening the door.
‘Ross?’ she said, a faint note of surprise in her voice. ‘I didn’t expect to see you today. Everything ok?’
‘Yes… I…’ Ross shoved his hands in his pockets with an awkward smile.
‘Would you like to come in?’ Hannah asked, sensing him tussle with whatever subject he wanted to broach. She guessed it was probably something to do with Gina.
‘It’s ok… you’re probably busy… I just wanted to ask… I should have phoned before I came over…’
‘Ross, it’s alright. You didn’t interrupt anything. What’s the matter?’
There was a pause. Then, ‘You’re ok with me and Gina, aren’t you?’ The words almost tumbled out. He looked so uncertain, so lost, so utterly dependent on her answer that Hannah couldn’t help giving him a warm smile. He had asked for her approval when many wouldn’t have cared either way, and she knew that it really mattered to him what she thought. He might be far too young, and there was probably more stacked against them than most, but looking at him right now, Hannah was left in no doubt about the honesty of his intentions. Ross was a lovely man, and if they made it, Gina could be very happy indeed. Was that a little tinge of envy scratching at her gut? Maybe, but if there was a happy ending for Gina, surely she deserved it after everything she’d been through, and how could Hannah deny her that?
‘Of course I’m ok,’ she said. ‘But I’ll warn you that she can be a handful.’
Ross broke into a more certain smile now, all traces of anxiety gone. ‘I’ll try to remember that.’
‘Are you sure you don’t want to come in?’
‘No, I should be getting back… early start tomorrow and all that.’ He stamped his feet in the cold, his breath curling into the air. Dusk was already creeping in, and new flakes of snow floated down from a lilac sky.
It was then that they both turned at the sound of a car engine out on the lane. They watched as a black Volvo pulled up outside Hannah’s gate. And then Hannah caught her breath as Mitchell climbed out. He stopped when he saw Ross.
‘I’m sorry… am I interrupting?’ Mitchell asked, hovering at the gate.
Ross glanced at Hannah, asking a silent question.
‘It’s ok,’ she said. ‘I’ll catch up with you tomorrow if you still want to talk.’
‘Thank you,’ Ross said, ‘that sounds good.’ He gave Mitchell a brief nod as he passed, and Mitchell made his way up the drive to Hannah. They both watched for a moment as Ross drove off.
‘Are you ok?’ Mitchell asked.
‘I could ask you the same thing. I didn’t think I’d see you again after the dance.’
‘Why not? Didn’t I make my feelings clear enough?’
Hannah sighed. ‘More than, but I thought I had made my answer clear too. I’m not prepared to get involved in such a complicated situation…’ In the cold light of day, Hannah’s resolution was stronger than ever. How could she go down this road? It would only bring heartache.
‘I was hoping…’
‘I’m sorry if I let you think there was hope, because there is none. At least not while you’re married.’
There was a pause. ‘That’s just it…’ he said finally, holding Hannah’s gaze. ‘I’ve left Martine.’
To be continued in Part Three: Ways to Say Goodbye
About the Author
Tilly Tennant was born in Dorset, the eldest of four children, but now lives in Staffordshire with a family of her own. Tilly is married to Mr Tennant (not
that
one, though a girl can dream). After years of dismal and disastrous jobs, including paper plate stacking, shop girl, newspaper promotions and waitressing (she never could carry a bowl of soup without spilling a bit), she decided to indulge her passion for the written word by embarking on a degree in English and creative writing, graduating in 2009. She wrote a novel during her first summer break at university and has not stopped writing since. She also works as a freelance editor, and considers herself very lucky that this enables her to read many wonderful books before the rest of the world gets them.
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Also by Tilly Tennant
Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn
Mishaps and Mistletoe
(the inspiration for the Mishaps from Millrise series)
Mishaps in Millrise – Parts 1-4 Omnibus
And writing as Sharon Sant
The Sky Song Trilogy:
