12 Days to Find a Husband

Chapter 2 - Escape

Anna-lea didn't bother looking for a tissue when she got back to her car. She didn't care if her tears flowed down her face unhindered. Let them. She was furious and tears were her smallest problem.

She couldn't believe Hilda would do this to her. If she didn't want Anna-lea to inherit the house, why didn't she just leave it to her cats to begin with, instead of trying to get Anna-lea to jump through hoops and make a fool of herself in the process?

And as for that lawyer of hers; where did she find him? He was so rude, laughing at Anna-lea's expense like that. Anna-lea had wanted to slap him. Then again, she had also had the urge to kiss him; an urge that she chose to ignore, as it was absolutely ludicrous.

Anna-lea pulled out into the traffic. Even though peak hour was still two hours away, the congestion was already bad. At this pace, it would take her an hour to get back to Hilda's place.

"Forget this", she said out loud to herself and pulled back into the first parking space she could find.

She searched through her favourite Desigual shoulder bag for her wallet and dropped a few coins into the parking meter. She then retrieved her iPhone from the front pocket of her bag and called up Henrietta's number.

Although Henrietta had been employed as Hilda's maid for the last twenty years, Anna-lea looked at her more like a grandmother. She lived in a little cottage at the back of the mansion and had always welcomed Anna-lea into her home, both as an employee of the family, and a friend.

Growing up, Anna-lea could always turn to Henrietta for grandmotherly advice. She was a dear old soul with wavy grey hair and a plump, friendly smile. Nothing was ever too much of an inconvenience for Henrietta. She loved the Warringtons like they were her own family and did everything in her power to make sure they were well looked after and happy. If a Warrington had a problem, Henrietta was on to it to see how she could help. Although some people outside the family saw her as a nosy employee, nothing could be further from the truth.

After Hilda's sudden death, Anna-lea had reassured Henrietta that, as long as the house remained under the Warrington name, she would have a home. If there came a day the house was no longer owned by a member of the Warrington family, Anna-lea would do everything in her power to make sure Henrietta was happy and settled somewhere of her own choosing. If that meant Anna-lea would need to work a second job, she would do it. Anything for Hettie, as Anna-lea affectionately called her.

"Hi Hettie, it's Anna-lea," she said, sweeping her forearm across her face to mop up the puddle of tears off her cheeks with her brown GG print leather Gucci jacket. Her great-aunt would turn in her grave if she saw Anna-lea doing that. Hilda may have been unconventional but she was a stickler for good manners.

"Hello dear. Wasn't it a lovely service? I tried to find you afterwards but you seemed to disappear. Where did you go?" Henrietta asked her. "Are you okay? I've been terribly worried about you."

"Yes, I'm okay. There's no need to worry, I'm fine. I had an appointment with great-aunt Hilda's lawyer, Mr Benton. Have you met him before?" Anna-lea asked, still angry that he had made fun of her at such a sad time in her life.

After signing the paperwork to advise she understood the will, Anna-lea had high-tailed it out of his office as fast as she could, dropping her pen in the process. She didn't bother stopping to pick it up. She'd buy another one.

"Yes, yes. He's been to the house on occasion over the years. Such a lovely man; such a pity," Henrietta replied.

"Lovely? We mustn't be talking about the same man, I don't think. Anyway, enough of him. Look, I won't be coming back to Hilda's tonight. I need my own bed, just for one night, so I was wondering if you could feed the cats for me?"

"Of course I can. I know what to do."

"It's not a hassle for you is it, because if it is, I'll come back there first and then head home."

"No, it's no hassle for me. You do what you need to do and I'll see you tomorrow," Henrietta reassured Anna-lea. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Thank you, Hettie. You're a lifesaver. I'll see you tomorrow."

"All right then, goodbye dear," Henrietta said and ended the call.

Anna-lea hated lying to Hettie but this was one occasion she really didn't want to share her feelings, she only wanted to forget them. She knew she'd regret it but she thought, what better way to forget her feelings than with alcohol, and headed across the road to find the nearest bar.

As it turned out the nearest bar was simply called 'The Bar' and was an upscale place with antique Chesterfield lounges arranged near an elegant stone fireplace. There was also an area with a few wingback chairs, a large floor to ceiling dark stained timber bookcase filled with books, newspapers and magazines and, next to it, stood an old-world floor lamp. Over in the far corner sat a pool table and a snooker table in an area with bar tables and leather covered stools. A huge flat screen television mounted on the wall was showing a sports program to a couple of people that sat drinking in that area. The atmosphere seemed warm and welcoming. As there were only a few people scattered around the place, Anna-lea decided to settle down for a while.

She approached the bar and was welcomed with a smile and a "Hello there, what can I get you this very fine afternoon?" from the barman.

He looked to be in his forties and was well groomed with short, light brown hair and a black vest that sat over a maroon silk shirt. He wore black pants that were obviously a designer brand.

The pay here must be good, Anna-lea thought to herself and answered, "Double scotch on rocks, soda back, please."

"Double scotch? I would have taken you for a wine drinker myself," the barman answered.

"Usually I am. Not today. Today I'll be happy with the scotch, thanks," Anna-lea replied.

"Double scotch on rocks, soda back coming up" he said and went about making the drinks.

A moment later he came back with them.

"Would you like to run a tab?" the barman asked.

Anna-lea thought for a moment.

"Yes, I would," she said, going to her bag for her wallet.

The barman put up his hands.

"It's okay. You look like someone I can trust. Just give it to me when you're done," he said.

"Thank you" she said, picking up her first drink and downing it in one motion, quickly following it up with the chaser. Can you do me a favour and keep a drink in my hand all night?" Anna-lea requested.

"Consider it done," the barman replied with a smile and moved away to make another drink for her. He was back within moments.

Anna-lea gathered her scotch and her soda chaser and started heading for the area where the bookcase was but was stopped by the barman calling after her. She turned to listen to him.

"My name is Tony. Consider me your guardian angel for the evening."

"Thank you, Tony. My name is Anna-lea and I think I'm going to need one," she answered, before turning back and making her way over to a comfortable leather wingback chair. Maybe she could find herself a good book and get lost in someone else's world for the evening. She certainly didn't want to be in this one right now.