Page 78 of Playing for Keeps

“We could quit our jobs and spend all our time in bed instead,” Hugh suggested, eyes twinkling.

“It’s a nice idea,” she said. “But I’m not convinced you’ve thought that one through.” With a hand on his chest, she pushed herself up to sitting. “As much as it pains me to say it, I really need you to get up and get dressed.”

“Spoilsport,” he said, but dropped a gentle kiss at the side of her neck as he got up.

Allie waited for him to get dressed and gather his things, then they walked outside together.

“You’re off tonight, right?” Hugh asked while she locked the door behind her.

“Yes. Do you want to do something?”

“Why don’t you come over to my place after work? I’ll cook, and I can show you how I’m getting on with the design for hole three.”

“Sounds great.”

As they fell into step together, he took her hand, pressing his palm firmly against hers as though he couldn’t get enough of her. They’d only gone a few metres when Allie’s phone rang.

She pulled it from her pocket, intent on sending it to voicemail until she saw it was Bella. Tempting as it was to ignore her, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

“I’ll just tell her I’ll call her back,” she mumbled, mostly to herself. “I’m just about to start a shift,” she said into the phone. “Can I call you back later?”

“Alegra.” It wasn’t only the use of her proper name, but also the gravity of her cousin’s tone that made her heart rate soar. “I’m sorry. I need to tell you something.”

With a feeling of dread, Allie stopped and released Hugh’s hand. “Is my dad all right?” she said as her throat clenched around the words.

“He had a heart attack,” Bella said. “He made me promise not to tell you but he’s in surgery and I’m freaking out and I couldn’t keep it from you any longer.”

It took Allie a second to process Bella’s words. “What do you mean any longer? When did it happen?”

“A while ago,” she said wearily. “That funny turn he told you he had …”

Nausea swept through Allie and she felt utterly disorientated. “That was just an issue with his blood pressure …”

“It was a heart attack. He’s had a bunch of tests since then and they decided it would be best for him to have this surgery. He’s getting a stent placed to lower the risk of him having another heart attack.”

“Oh my god.” Allie pushed her palm to her forehead, only vaguely aware of Hugh hovering in front of her with a quizzical expression. “I don’t understand … why did he let me come here if he knew he was ill?”

“He wanted you there because he was ill … he didn’t want you to worry …”

“Because of Mum,” Allie murmured. That at least made some sense, although she assumed her dad having a heart attack would worry her even if that hadn’t been how her mum had died.

“Yeah.”

Allie shook her head as anger edged out her panic. “You knew all along and didn’t tell me?” she snapped.

“I’m sorry,” Bella said tearfully.

A few more things clicked into place. “That’s why you were trying to get me to visit?”

“I promised Uncle Richard I wouldn’t tell you anything, but I thought if I could just get you to turn up …”

“You should have just told me,” she said angrily. “I can’t believe you didn’t.” She’d always trusted Bella completely. It stung that she’d kept this from her.

“I’m sorry,” Bella said again.

“How long has he been in surgery?”

“About half an hour. He should be out soon. They say it’s a routine procedure.”

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