The Weekend Away by Sarah Alderson

Author:Sarah Alderson [Sarah Alderson]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780008400019
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2020-07-22T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

‘What on earth are you doing here?’ I say, staring in astonishment at my husband.

Rob’s gaze moves from me to Konstandin. He frowns, his eyes narrowing, before turning his gaze back to me. Ignoring his look, I throw my arms around his neck and my body reacts like all the air has been sucked out of it at once. I almost go limp, the relief is so great at seeing him. ‘I’m so glad you’re here,’ I stutter before pulling back in alarm. ‘Where’s Marlow?’ I ask, looking around and spotting only a small backpack at Rob’s feet but no pushchair or baby.

‘She’s with Denise.’

‘The babysitter?’ I say, bewildered. ‘Overnight?’ We’ve never left her overnight, not even with her grandparents.

‘My parents are away, remember?’ Rob says. ‘And I couldn’t ask your mum to come over from Ireland. It would have taken too long for her to get there and Denise said she could take her for a night or even two if we need.’

‘You came,’ I interrupt, my eyes watering. I clutch his hand. ‘Thank you.’ It suddenly feels as if everything might be OK. Rob’s here. We’ll find Kate together.

I see Rob’s smile tighten and his gaze drift back to Konstandin who has stepped away to give us space and is waiting, hands folded in front of him, watching us through lowered eyes.

‘This is Konstandin,’ I say to Rob, feeling heat rush to my face. ‘He’s been helping me. He’s … an Uber driver,’ I blurt. Oh, this is awkward.

Konstandin holds out his hand to Rob. ‘Konstandin,’ he says, introducing himself.

‘Rob. Orla’s husband,’ Rob counters, rather coldly. I wince. Oh dear, he’s not happy.

‘I figured that,’ Konstandin replies with something of a smirk.

Rob shakes his hand and I notice both men’s knuckles turn white and they look like they’re trying to out-grip each other. ‘Konstandin has been the most useful person,’ I explain hurriedly to Rob, wondering why I sound so guilty. ‘I don’t know what I would have done without him. He’s been translating and … things.’ I peter off, knowing that by rambling on I sound guilty of something, even though I’ve not done anything wrong.

‘I see,’ says Rob, gesturing towards Konstandin’s car. ‘And you were just going somewhere?’

I nod. ‘Yes.’ Shit, should I admit we were going to get dinner together? It seems like something Rob could very easily read into, but I blurt it out anyway like an idiot. ‘We were going to get some food actually.’

Rob frowns. ‘You couldn’t order takeaway?’

I open my mouth to say something but Konstandin gets in first. ‘Perhaps I’ll go.’

‘Mmm,’ Rob murmurs.

Konstandin turns to me. ‘Let me know if you hear any news.’

I nod, giving him an apologetic look. I grit my teeth as he gets in his car, my face flushing furiously with anger and embarrassment. Once he drives off I turn to Rob and rush into his arms before he can say anything or grill me further.

‘I’m so glad you’re here,’ I say, burrowing into his familiar chest.

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