‘I’ve done that. Two would like to take part, and Sam Ross’s parents would like to wait. He’s going into hospital for an operation, and he needs to be fully recovered before we can work with him to his best advantage.’
‘So that’s five in all. The Dream Team can handle six,’ Gabriel said, pursing his lips.
‘Yes, but I’d rather have fewer children and be sure that they’re exactly right for the project.’ Alistair’s heart was beginning to beat a little faster. Everything he’d worked so hard for was becoming a reality.
Maya nodded. ‘That sounds good to me. And...you’re sure about working so closely with your ex-wife? If you have any concerns, I’d be happy to take Anya on myself.’
‘I’m sure.’ Alistair had made his mind up about this. ‘Raina only wants the best for Anya and so do I. Everything else is secondary, and we can deal with it.’
Gabriel raised his eyebrows but said nothing. Clearly he had the same doubts as Alistair did and he was going to do exactly the same with them. Put them to the back of his mind and make this work, whatever the cost.
‘Well, I’ll be there if you need me. I think it would be a very good idea to invite Raina to the conference you’re organising as well.’
Alistair frowned. It was a very good idea, but it meant treating Raina differently from the other parents on the project, and he’d promised he wouldn’t do that.
‘We’ve earmarked one day for the attending charities to exhibit their own work, and compare it with what the others are doing. Gabriel and I were considering asking all the parents if they’d like to come down for that.’
‘But Raina’s a doctor,’ Maya reminded him gently. ‘I think that she could contribute a great deal to the discussion over the whole of the three days. She has practical experience as a mother as well as understanding the medical issues.’
Alistair glanced in Gabriel’s direction. This was turning out to be more difficult than he’d thought, and he’d really rather not make the decision.
‘I think we should ask her. I know you don’t want to give Raina any special treatment, Alistair, but her qualifications as a doctor and a mother mean that she can make a valuable contribution. Excluding her on the basis of your previous relationship would be overcompensating.’
All the same, Alistair still didn’t feel comfortable about asking Raina to come. ‘You’ll mention it to her, then? When you do Anya’s initial medical examination?’
Gabriel shrugged. ‘Yes, I’ll ask her to save the date. It’s only a little more than a month away now.’
‘That’s agreed, then.’ Maya cut the conversation short with a determined smile. ‘I have two hours before I need to get back for my clinic. Which one of you is going to tempt me away from canteen sandwiches?’
Alistair chuckled, getting to his feet. Lunch was an altogether easier topic of conversation. ‘I’ll go over to the coffee shop and get something. There are a couple of things I’d like to discuss with you while you’re here, Maya...’
Even the lunchtime chatter and the blaring music of the coffee shop couldn’t dent Alistair’s mood. Suddenly he felt useful again. He’d taken time off work when the SSHL had struck, and had come back to find that Gabriel’s new wife, Clara, had been helping out. She was better than good for Gabriel, and his friend was happier than Alistair had ever seen him. Clara grounded his creative volatile nature, helping him to direct his energies in the right way. That had once been Alistair’s role, and although he was pleased to share it, and delighted to find the office running smoothly without him, he couldn’t help but wonder whether he was really needed as much as he’d thought he was.
His value seemed to have diminished over the whole spectrum of his work. People were getting on with their business, making telephone calls that he couldn’t hear and saying things that he only half understood. By the time he could put all the pieces together, the chance to reply was gone and there was another puzzling snatch of conversation to work on. He’d been running at full tilt just to keep up.
But now the project that Gabriel had encouraged him to concentrate on was coming to fruition. And Raina was going to be a part of it. Alistair couldn’t work out which of those things he was most looking forward to, and he didn’t question himself too closely on that score. Gabriel had been right, he’d needed a challenge. And that was exactly what he was going to get.
* * *
Raina was wearing a pair of dark slim-leg trousers and a neat white shirt. In Alistair’s experience, she had always dressed for effect, and the effect here was businesslike. Anya, on the other hand, wore a red and white sleeveless sundress. No attempt had been made to cover her arms and the little girl’s inquisitive air showed no sign of self-consciousness. She’d never been told that she was anything other than perfect, and Alistair knew from his dealings with other mothers that that was an achievement on Raina’s part.
He met her at the door to his office, putting on a smile. ‘Hi, Anya.’
‘Hello. Mummy says I mustn’t call you Naughty Alistair.’ The little girl regarded him solemnly and a sudden rush of tenderness filled Alistair’s heart. He glanced up at Raina, and saw her cheeks flushing red.
‘So what would you like to call me?’
Anya shrugged, letting go of Raina’s hand and reaching for the plastic food bag that her mother carried. ‘I made you a cake.’
‘We’ve been baking.’ Raina was clearly relieved that her daughter had changed the subject. ‘Anya helped with the icing.’
Alistair took the bag, opening it and unwrapping the greaseproof paper inside. ‘A cinnamon bun. Thank you, Anya.’
‘That’s all right. We’ve got lots more.’ Anya was peering past him into his office, and Alistair stepped back. Raina mouthed, Sorry, and Alistair shook his head. No apologies needed.
‘Gabriel’s given you the details of our conference?’ Alistair supposed he’d better mention it.
‘Yes, we talked about it when he did Anya’s medical examination. It sounds really interesting. I’d love to come.’