Second Chance with the Single Mom

‘Yes. Very... But we’re not going to worry about that. Let’s get you out of the bath now and into your pyjamas.’

‘Naughty Alistair,’ Anya chirped, and Raina winced. She’d spoken without thinking. Perhaps if she didn’t say the word naughty for the next week, then Anya would forget all about that. If they did get through the selection process, she didn’t want Anya referring to Alistair as naughty while he was in earshot.

‘No, sorry, sweetie, I got it wrong. It’s really nice Alistair.’

‘Did you send him kisses?’

‘No, kisses are just for when we text Grandma.’ Kisses would be asking for trouble. Asking for the kind of heartbreak that should only be experienced once in a lifetime, as a lesson on what to avoid the next time around.

‘Then he must be naughty...’ Anya gave her a cheeky grin and Raina’s heart melted. Lifting Anya out of the bath, she wrapped her in a towel, hugging her tight. Kisses were off limits and so was any kind of naughtiness. The only person that mattered was Anya.

* * *

‘Is that Raina?’

‘Yes.’ Raina had been grabbing at her phone every time it had rung for the last few days, and every time she did, it wasn’t Alistair. This time was no exception.

‘My name’s Gabriel DeMarco. I work with Alistair at The Watchlight Trust, and he’s passed your application for your daughter on to me. I understand that you’re interested in taking part in our trials for the prosthetic limbs project.’

‘Yes...yes, I am.’ Raina held her breath, sitting back on her heels. Anya continued with the task of scooping soil into the plant pots that were laid out in front of them on the lawn, blithely unaware that her life might be about to change.

‘We’d like to explore that possibility a little further. If you’re still interested?’

‘Yes!’ She probably shouldn’t shout at him on the phone. Anya looked up at her and echoed the word, squealing with laughter. ‘Sorry...yes, I am still interested.’

Gabriel’s deep chuckle sounded in her ear. ‘You both sound as enthusiastic about the project as we are. There is one thing I’d like to discuss with you first, if you don’t mind. It’s a personal matter...’

Alistair. What had he said to Gabriel? Raina swallowed down her paranoia. She had no choice but to trust the man she’d once known so intimately. ‘You mean my relationship with Alistair?’

‘I do.’ Gabriel sounded a little relieved that he hadn’t had to explain. ‘Alistair’s taken a step back from the selection process, so as to avoid any possible conflict of interest. If Anya’s selected for the project, then I’ll be Anya’s doctor of record, and I’ll be responsible for prescribing the type of prosthetic that best suits her needs. But as Alistair’s heading up the project, you would inevitably find yourself working closely with him.’

It was all becoming a reality. Raina hadn’t dared think too much about the prospect of working with Alistair, but now she had to.

There was nothing for it but the truth. ‘Alistair and I have had our differences... obviously. But I’ve always respected him, and this means far too much to me to allow any personal issues to get in the way. I’d consider it a privilege to work with him.’

That would have to do. Raina held her breath, wondering if it was enough, and heard Gabriel’s deep chuckle at the other end of the line.

‘Since that’s pretty much what Alistair said, I think I can safely tick that question off my list. We’ve already interviewed a number of families for the project, and I’m wondering whether you’d be able to bring Anya in to see us tomorrow?’

‘Yes, any time that suits you...’ Raina felt her heart jolt up a notch. She and Anya had obviously made it through to the second stage of the process.

‘Eleven o’clock? You’ll be meeting with me and Maya Powell. Maya’s a consultant in rehabilitation medicine, and she’s collaborated with us before over the years. It’s not her intention to have any ongoing involvement with families selected for the project, but she’s donated some of her time to help with the screening and assessment process.’

In other words, Alistair wouldn’t be there. That was

one hurdle that Raina didn’t have to negotiate just yet. ‘Eleven would be fine, thank you.’

‘Great, I’ll see you then. Would you choose a favourite toy for Anya and bring that along too. We’d like to get to know her...’

Raina sat, staring at the phone after Gabriel had ended the call. This was all good. It seemed that Alistair had kept his promise and wasn’t going to stand in their way.

‘We did it, Anya. I think it must have been that cute smile of yours.’

Anya was unimpressed. ‘Mummy, can we put the plants in the pots?’

Raina bent to kiss the little girl’s cheek. ‘Yes, we’re going to do it right now. And tomorrow we’re going on the train to see someone. Nice Gabriel.’

* * *