Page 77 of Where She Is
“I miss you.”
I stay silent, not knowing initially how to respond.
“Han, are you still there?”
I’ve had no time to think properly since last night, so I decide not to reciprocate. It will only lead to false hope, and that’s not fair on either of us.
“I’m here, Daniel.”
“I’m just checking you’re all right.”
“Yes, I’m okay. Just tired and irritable, plus there’s something on my mind.”
“What is it?”
Ever since he left for the farm, all I can think about is how Freya must love this—Daniel being away from me. “Is she there?” The answer to my question is obvious, but part of me hopes Joe has taken her away somewhere.
Daniel sounds puzzled at first. “Who? Freya? Is that who you mean?”
“Yes. Is she there with you?”
“We’ve been through this, Hannah. She lives here, but I avoid being around her at all costs and there is nothing to worry about.”
“But that’s not the case. If there was nothing to worry about, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”
Daniel quickly changes the subject to break yet another awkward silence between us.
“How are you getting on with Benjamin?”
“He’s lovely and so sweet, but I’m capable of getting to work under my own steam.”
“I just want to make sure you’re safe and not walking the streets of Sydney on your own.”
“Daniel, if I were that worried, I’d get a taxi. Thank you for the driver, anyway. I bet Jack is bored now you’ve been grounded at your parent’s place?”
Daniel stutters, “No. No, he’s okay. There are plenty of errands for him to run. Look, Han, it’s only been one night, but I miss you so much. Will you come out to the farm tomorrow after work? Benjamin could drive you over.”
“I can’t, Daniel. I’ll be straight with you. I want to. I really want to see you and be with you.”
“Then do it.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Hannah, come on, please. This is ridiculous.”
“Is it?”
“Of course it is.”
“If you were in my shoes and kept bumping into endless ex’s, how would you feel? And all those women have a common bond. You’ve hurt every single one of them in some way or another.”
I hear him take a breath. “Hannah May, what do I have to do to make you realise how different you are to them. I dream you, I breathe you and for the first time in my life, I’m in love—with you. You belong with me, which is why it’s my turn to fight for you and I’ll carry on fighting until I make you realise.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Two days.That is how long it’s been since Daniel and I have spoken. Work is literally a blur as I go through the motions of my routine. Thankfully, because of the meeting at the farm, the office is like a ghost town. Richard insisted I stay here as a backup, but nothing has materialised. He hasn’t called at all. The following day is also quiet. It seems the Jamieson contract was revised by our lawyers, sent over directly by courier and signed. There’s no running around to do and work moves at a steady pace. Except for me, I’m a lot slower than normal.
I have the most boring spreadsheet of figures to go through and my eyelids are so heavy. I could easily drop off, but I sense someone behind my desk. It’s not who I want it to be and he can probably note the shock in my voice.
