Kim’s stomach twisted at the statement. She knew Annie hadn’t meant anything callous by it, but still the words had been uttered, and while Colette tried to hide the effect they had on her, Kim had seen the hurt flash in her eyes.

“Excuse me a moment,” she mumbled. “In all the excitement, I forgot to call Ed when I got in. I’ll be back in a bit.”

Kim watched as she hurried off into the hotel building, wondering if she should go after her to check if she was OK. But then she saw her raise her mobile phone to her ear and figured there was little point in interrupting her conversation with Ed.

“Why did you say that?” she whispered harshly to Annie, who looked duly pained.

“It just came out, I didn’t mean it. You know I wouldn’t hurt Colette, it’s just...she doesn’t really understand what it is to be a parent. She’s used to having children that she can give back when they misbehave, but you can’t give back your own child, you know that.”

“Still, it was a bit mean, considering.”

“I know. I’ll apologize when she comes back. I was just a bit frustrated, and tired after the journey, maybe,” Annie admitted.

“What’s really going on?”

“Nothing.” But her eyes turned to her and Kim could see the conflict in them. She waited for her friend to explain as the sound of Charlie’s splashing continued in the background.

“Things are a little...stressful just now,” Annie admitted finally. She gave a dispirited grin. “For starters, it not always easy being a single mother.”

“I can imagine. But I still don’t know why you refused to ask his father for help. It could’ve made life so much easier.”

“I doubt that. Anyway, Charlie and I are just fine on our own.”

“It’s not just Charlie, though, is it? Something else is on your mind.”

Annie shook her head. “I’d almost forgotten who I’m talking to. Always Miss Perceptive.”

“And you’re always Miss Stubborn. What gives?”

“It’s nothing—honestly.” Whatever was going on, Annie clearly wasn’t ready to tell her. Or maybe she never would be. “Anyway, I am who I am.”

“I know, and that’s why I don’t understand this attitude.”

“Hey, Kim, give it a rest, OK? You have always got whatever you wanted. Always. You’ve never had to struggle with anything a day in your life. You have a super successful business, a gorgeous husband and a beautiful daughter, with your big California house, millions in the bank, and now the villa, your crowning glory. What exactly is it about your life that could possibly equip you to understand mine?”

With that, Annie stood up and stormed off to the other side of the pool, where she grabbed a towel and urged Charlie to get out of the water.