Despite all the early hardship, he was her greatest blessing, really.

“Mum, I’m waiting!” he called out from his room now.

“In a sec,” she answered as she toweled off her hair and pulled an oversized T-shirt over her head.

She headed toward Charlie’s room but stopped short when she heard her phone beep, indicating an incoming message. Her heart hammered.

Hoping it was the reply she’d been hoping for, she rushed back to check but it was just a text from Nick.

Hope you’re feeling a bit better about everything. Just wanted to say that I’ll come along to the bank with you next week for moral support if you like?

Swallowing back her disappointment, Annie smiled. Nick was a great friend and she was lucky to have him in her corner.

“Mum!” Charlie called out again. “Hurry, it’s creepy in here.”

“How on earth can your own bedroom be creepy?” Annie asked, coming in and sitting on his bed.

“It’s too quiet, like one of those scary movies.”

“Ah, Charlie, I told you not to watch those movies with Callum, didn’t I? You’re too young for that stuff.”

“I know, but I couldn’t help it. They were just on. Mum, can I have two stories tonight, please, please?”

“I don’t know, hon, I’ve had a very rough day and I’m tired. I had to make a lot of calls to a lot of people.” She sighed. “There are a lot of people angry at Mummy at the moment.”

“Why would anyone be angry at you?” he asked, concerned. “You’re brilliant.”

She smiled, despite herself. “I’m glad you think so,” she said as she hugged him. “I wish more people did.”

“Nick thinks so,” he told her seriously.

Annie looked at him. “How do you know that?”

“I heard him say it just the other day at Gemma’s house.”

“Really?” She really hoped that Nick wasn’t talking to his sister about her financial problems in front of her son. She didn’t want Charlie to pick up on any issues. “You heard them talking about me?” she questioned. “What else did you hear?”

“Nothing.” He shrugged. “Me and Callum just went outside to play football then.”

She tucked Charlie in, snuggling under the covers and nestling him into the crook of her arm as she read him a story while he drifted off.

When he was finally asleep, she stroked his hair and eased herself out from beneath him, studying his face as she watched him sleep.

He looked so like his father sometimes it killed her.

Going back downstairs in her bare feet, Annie padded into the kitchen, then went to the fridge and poured herself an extra-large glass of wine.

After the week she’d just had, it was badly needed.

Chapter 46

Now