Free Daffodils in March by Clare Revell Page B

case, I won’t detain you any longer. Marc and I will go and let you get on with your oh-so-important-story. Can’t let little old me get in the way of you saving the world or whatever it is.”
    She gripped the pram and headed to the door, backing out of it in one movement. And to think part of her still carried a torch for that man in the vain hope that one day he’d come to his senses and fall back in love with her.
    Not going to happen. So, get over him. Fast.
    As she arrived home and was about to put her key in the lock, a woman in a suit appeared beside her.
    “Miss Jameson?”
    Eden nodded.
    The woman held out a letter. “This is for you. Sign here.”
    Eden signed the form and took the letter.
    She pushed the pram into the hallway and shut the front door. She leaned against it and opened the letter. She read the sheet of headed paper twice, the words not sinking in. It was from David’s solicitor—Adam West. Not the one they’d been to see together when they listened to Hanna’s will being read.
    Eden rubbed her eyes, seeing but not believing. David was contesting the will and suing her for full custody of Marc.
    ****
    David arrived home, regretting the way he’d spoken to Eden earlier that morning. More than regretting. He hated himself for it. So much so that he’d stopped off at the Carnation Street florist on the way home and bought two bunches of daffodils and a box of chocolates. He’d gotten her favorites, hoping to make up for earlier. And daffodils for her as well as for the window.
    He let himself into the quiet house. “Eden, are you home?”
    “In the lounge.”
    He went in and smiled. “How was your day?”
    She didn’t even look up from the TV. “Pretty naff, actually. Yours?”
    “Not bad.” He took one of the daffodil bunches from the carrier bag in his hand and held out the flowers. “These are for you.”
    He counted to ten before she actually faced him. Ice glittered in her eyes.
    “Me or the window?” Even her tone could cut glass.
    “You. This other bunch is for the window.” He set them on the table along with the chocolates. “Dinner smells good.”
    “I didn’t cook for you,” she said, turning back to the TV. “You haven’t eaten anything I cooked for the past week, so I wasn’t going to waste energy doing it tonight.”
    David just stood there. “OK…ummm fine. I’ll get something out of the freezer.”
    He took the second bunch of flowers to the vase on the window and shoved them into it. He closed the curtains over them.
    Heading to the kitchen, David dumped the carrier bag on the counter and opened the freezer. The second drawer was full of plates, each containing a labeled dinner. He picked one at random and shoved it into the microwave to defrost and reheat. He really had been jolly inconsiderate.
    He shut the door just as Eden came in. “So why was your day naff?” he asked, hoping she’d be a little more forthcoming now.
    Eden dumped her plate heavily in the sink. “Well, first I get threatened in the park. Then I get threatened again in the coffee shop for daring to talk to a friend. Then I get home and get served with a solicitor’s letter.” She picked up a letter from the side and waved it in his face.
    David’s stomach turned. “Oh.”
    Anger creased her face. “Oh? Oh? Is that all you have to say?” Her voice rose. “If you really want Marc to yourself, you have got a fight on your hands. Hanna wanted me to look after him.” She stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
    David stood there for a moment, his good mood evaporating. He charged after her. “Eden, wait.”
    Eden spun around as she reached the bottom of the stairs. “What?”
    David closed the gap between them. “I’m sorry about this morning. I was not threatening you. It’s just work, you know? I don’t like being followed and if other papers—the tabloids for example, got ahold of what I’m working on…”
    Eden scowled. “Like I’m going to tell them? Oh,