As soon as she said the name, the corner of Josh’s lips turned down with a scowl. When she introduced the two of them last Saturday, they’d seemed to take an instant dislike to each other. It made everything feel very awkward.
“What are you going to do for the rest of the day?”
Hanna read his subtext. He was asking if she was going to spend the rest of the day with Richard. She swallowed hard, knowing just how much she wanted to spend time with her friend. Ever since he’d arrived in England he’d been so much fun. Smiling and laughing, and constantly winding her up purposely, hoping to provoke her snarky responses.
“I’m not sure yet. I’ve been sent a reading list for next year, so I should go and pick up some books. And I said I’d pop to Mum’s for tea.”
“What time will you be home?” His words were staccato, and his frown even more pronounced.
Hanna loved that he was jealous, and she loved even more that he was describing his pokey little one-bedroomed flat as her home. Feeling amorous, she flung the sheet away from her and ran over to him, throwing her arms around him as she felt her naked body crush against his, the droplets from his skin moistening her flesh.
“Whenever you want me.”
He grabbed hold of her and crushed her against him. She could feel the telltale movement of his towel as he reacted to her touch. “I want you all the time, that’s the problem. But some of us have to work for a living, so I’ll be home by eight.”
“Okay, darling, I’ll have your ironing done, your dinner in the oven, and the children will be in bed. Would you like your pipe and slippers, too?”
“Fuck the pipe and slippers.”
“I’d rather you fucked me.”
“Don’t worry, I will.”
WHEN HANNA ENTERED the Larsen house, she could hear Ruby squealing all the way up in her bedroom.
“Hanna, you made it. Ruby will be so pleased.” Claire Larsen walked into the hall from the kitchen, her hands at her ear as she fastened a small pearl earring to her lobe. “As you can hear, there’s been no shortage of screaming going on this morning.”
“Is she excited?” Hanna asked.
“So very excited, especially since both her brothers are here to accompany her to school. And her favorite friend, of course.” Claire winked at Hanna.
“Nathan is here?” Hanna had never met Nathan Larsen, Claire’s son, although she had heard tales of his giant stature, his laid back nature, and his ability to throw Ruby high up to the ceiling.
“Yes, he arrived back last night. I’m afraid he hasn’t had a chance to shave yet, so he looks like the Wildman of the Andes.”
“Hanna!” Ruby spotted her, and was running down the marble staircase.
“Hey, Ruby.” Hanna caught her at the bottom and squeezed her tightly, evincing yet another squeal from the tiny girl. “Let me look at you.” Pushing Ruby back, Hanna took in the plaid skirt and white blouse, the tie perfectly knotted at her neck. “You look fabulous. You’re going to wow them all with that outfit.”
Ruby laughed. “Everyone will be wearing the same uniform. I don’t think I’ll impress them much.”
“So this is the famous Hanna.”
She heard a loud voice behind her. She hadn’t noticed anybody walking down the stairs. Hanna turned around.
Nathan was even bigger than she had expected. It wasn’t really his height—although he did tower over her—as much as the sheer size of him. He was bulky al
l over, and his hair and beard made him look older than his twenty-four years.
“Hi.” She gave a closed-mouthed smile, feeling shy under his scrutiny.
“Hey, you’re as cute as Richard said you were.” Nathan leaned forward and hugged her, his bristly beard chafing her skin. He quickly kissed the side of her mouth. “In fact, you’re cuter.”
“I’ll tell your girlfriend,” Ruby sang. Hanna’s cheeks flushed in response to both his words, and Ruby’s threats to tell his girlfriend. She didn’t know where to look.
Glancing up, she caught Richard standing on the stairs staring at her bare legs.
“Hi.”