Her brain let out a sigh of approval that sounded very much like “phwoarrrrr”.
Noah was standing against the backdrop of an Australian sunset. He looked absolutely nothing like his sister. Emma was a brunette, but Noah’s hair was much darker. Almost black. As was the stubble grazing his cheeks. His skin was tanned, and his body was both lean and well-muscled. He reminded Willow of someone. She chewed her lip, trying to think who it could be. And then it came to her. Emma’s brother wasn’t unlike one of Madonna’s ex-lovers. What was his name? Willow couldn’t remember. But he’d once been one of the iconic pop star’s dancers and had caused a huge sensation dating a woman thirty years his senior. Willow gazed into the brown eyes looking back at her. Noah was hot.
‘Turn it over,’ said Emma.
Willow flipped the photograph round and saw a handwritten message.
Happy birthday, little sis (I’m allowed to say that because I’m five minutes older than you!). I’m taking time out for some long-overdue travelling including catching up with my English family. I’m doing a three-month trip covering some of Australia’s North Territories before flying over to China for an explore, then to France, on to Amsterdam, a wander through Europe, finally finishing in good old Blighty (as I believe you Brits say). The timing will take me to roughly the third week of December. It would be GREAT to spend Christmas with you and Mum xxx
‘What a wonderful message,’ said Willow. ‘Just think, after all these years you’re going to be reunited with your brother. That’s amazing!’
‘I know.’ Emma gave a watery smile. ‘Unfortunately Mum isn’t so enthusiastic.’
‘What?’ Willow’s eyebrows shot upwards. ‘Don’t be daft.’
‘She really isn’t keen.’ Emma shook her head. ‘She’s worried about Noah asking a ton of questions. The third degree, and all that. She thinks seeing him again will open a sore. Currently Mum’s blanking the subject. It’s almost like she’s pretending that Noah hasn’t got in touch.’
‘I’m sure she’ll come around. Karen has over two months to get used to the idea. You know, Ems, try and see it from your mum’s side. Noah is planning on walking back into both your lives. Maybe your mum is apprehensive because the reality is that she doesn’t want him leaving her all over again.’
Emma sighed.
‘Yeah, maybe. I never thought of that.’
‘Is Noah travelling alone, or is he bringing a girlfriend, or even a wife?’
‘He’s doing the trip alone. There was a girlfriend. Caitlin. But apparently they wanted different things from life, whatever that means. She called it a day.’
Passing the photograph back to Emma, Willow marvelled at her slightly trembling hand. She also wondered why she felt so ridiculously pleased to hear that Emma’s brother was single.
Thirty-Six
Willow looped the satchel’s strap across her body, then grabbed her coat.
‘Right then,’ she said to Emma. ‘Let’s get this tattoo of yours sorted. And no, I’m not having one.’
‘Oh come on,’ Emma wheedled. ‘You promised.’
‘I promised to hold your hand, not to share your pain.’
As the two women made their way downstairs, the doorbell rang.
‘Wonder who that is?’ said Willow.
She wasn’t expecting anyone. Perhaps Charlie had forgotten some vital item – a toothbrush or change of underpants – and had dashed back home. But then again, he’d surely use his housekeys. Unless, of course, it was his keys he’d forgotten.
But when Willow opened the door, instead of Charlie standing there, it was Anna. For a moment the two women simply stared at each other. Willow felt a wave of annoyance. What the heck was Ben’s ex doing here? First the woman had the audacity to wake her up at a ridiculous hour insisting Willow promise to never marry Charlie, and now she was here in person. Would more crazy demands follow? Did Anna want Willow to make a promise in writing?
‘Hello,’ said Willow coolly.
She would have preferred to rudely demand, “And what the flaming heck do you want?”. But she’d never been one to be intentionally ill-mannered. It simply wasn’t in her nature.
‘Ah. I can tell from your tone you’re still sore at me.’
Emma stood a little behind Willow and stared at Anna in astonishment. The friction between this visitor and her friend was almost tangible. Emma could feel herself tensing too.
Her eyes swooped over the woman on the doorstep. Tall’ish. Attractive, but a definite hardness around the mouth. She was stylishly dressed in a cropped leather jacket teamed with distressed jeans. The material was so slashed Emma presumed it to be deliberate