Out Of A Clear Blue Sky...

Justin pays a visit to rural Wales and gives Anna some surprising food for thought.

- Rosie Goodwin

Forced to stay on at the farmhouse for an extra month while Ben and Gareth repaired the roof, Anna resigned herself to being away from London for longer than she had intended.

When she told Justin about the delay, he finally drove down to Wales to see her. Wrinkling his nose as he stepped out of his car, he complained: “This place is the back of beyond, Anna. It will be Christmas in two weeks – surely you don’t want be stuck down here until then?”

“I don’t have much choice, do I? The roof isn’t finished and this will be William’s first Christmas without his mum. I owe him that, at least.”

“And what have social services had to say about the boy?” Justin asked as she led him inside.

“Well, um, I haven’t actually spoken to them yet,” Anna admitted sheepishly. “I thought we’d get Christmas out of the way first. Then I’ll phone.”

Justin grimaced as Oscar the Labrador jumped up to greet him, leaving muddy paw marks on his suit.

“Hmm. Well, the sooner the better if you ask me,” he grumbled.

Losing patience, Anna snapped: “Well, I have had a lot of other things on my mind, you know.”

Later, he drove Anna to the village to collect William from the nursery. The small boy regarded the tall, handsome man cautiously.

“This is my friend Justin,” Anna told him cheerily. “He’s come all the way from London to meet you.”

Justin inclined his head awkwardly as William shrank into Anna’s side and slipped a small hand into hers.

Back at the farmhouse, she made shepherd’s pie for supper. When Justin eyed his plate with distaste, Anna said: “It’s not haute cuisine, but I think you’ll find it tasty enough.”

After William was tucked up in bed, Justin announced that he was setting off back to London.