Anna rang Renee from the back of her taxi. “Hey, Renee.”

“Hey! I was just going to call you. Have you seen what’s happening over there? Can Europeans be any more stupid? It’s painfully obvious they don’t know James at all. He has already rung me three times trying to find out where you are and why you aren’t answering. He’s trying to find you. Please talk to him,” Renee begged on her brother’s behalf.

“Renee, shut up.” Anna laughed. “I’m not home. I’m in a taxi on my way to the airport now…” But before she could finish Renee cut her off.

“Where are you going? This really isn’t the best time to take a holiday, Anna. Please at least talk to him. Please, Anna. Think about it.”

“Renee! Calm down. I’m heading to London. My flight leaves in an hour. That’s why I’m ringing. I need your help.” Anna knew that if she asked for Renee’s help she wouldn’t hesitate. Renee was amazing like that. Family was the most important thing in Renee’s world. She would do anything to protect them. And that family now included Anna. No matter how reluctant she was to admit it.

“That’s so romantic. How can I help? Just name it,” Renee’s voice trilled with excitement.

Anna’s head was spinning, her heart pounding. She was so nervous and so afraid she feared the cramping in her stomach would swallow her whole. “I need you to get in touch with your parents and tell them I’m on my way. But they can’t tell James. He can’t know. Not until I get there. And if it’s not too much trouble, can you ask them if they would mind picking me up at the airport?” Anna quickly gave Renee all of her flight details before saying goodbye.

“No problem! They’ll be there to meet you. Good luck, Anna. Have a great trip and thanks for keeping my husband occupied.” Renee let out a little squeal as she hung up.

As the taxi turned into the drop off area, Anna’s stomach lurched as she glimpsed her watch, she was already running late. Quickly, she tossed some cash at the driver, grabbed her bags, and ran through the heavy glass doors. The airport was buzzing. People milled about crying goodbye to loved ones, while others grinned wildly as someone they knew emerged from the bowels of the airport. Anna looked down at her small suitcase and cabin bag and suddenly remembered everything she had forgotten. She’d been in such a hurry that she hadn’t paused to think about what she was throwing in the suitcase. She had what she had, anything she was missing she would have to make do.

Her flight was announced and Anna clambered on board and found her seat. Due to her poor decision making and lack of organisation she’d been forced to make a last minute booking. Not only did this max out her already well-worn credit card but it had sat her in the middle seat of the crowded cattle class. Some days I wish I wasn’t so stubborn about accepting James’s money, Anna scolded herself as she fumbled into her seat, dreaming of first class. The woman in front of her was travelling solo with her four little kids. Anna couldn’t contain her smile as she thanked her lucky stars it wasn’t her. Twenty-two hours trapped in a sardine tin with four kids was definitely not her idea of a pleasant way to travel. The eldest couldn’t have been more than eight years old. Anna watched as she struggled to stow her luggage and control her kids. Anna jumped up and helped her pack her bags into the overhead compartments before taking her seat next to the young boy.

“Hello there, Miss.” He grinned, looking up at her friendly face. Anna remembered how dishevelled she must look. Her hair was pulled back and her face had been covered in a light dusting of makeup which she could only assume had mostly been wiped off by now. In her haste, she hadn’t had the time or the desire to touch it up. Besides, by the time she disembarked on the other side of the world she would only look worse anyway. “You’re very pretty, Miss.” He smiled sweetly. He had the most perfect smile and his accompanying English accent was endearing.

“Thank you. My name’s Anna. What’s yours?” she asked, extending her hand.

“My name is Braiden,” he stated, taking her hand.

His mother gazed over at him, shaking her head apologetically. “Braiden, leave the poor lady alone. She doesn’t want to listen to you nattering on.” His mother looked up at Anna with apologetic eyes.

“It’s fine, really. So Braiden, how old are you?” Anna enquired with all the enthusiasm she could muster. The young boy was beaming with confidence. For some bizarre reason this intrigued and captivated her.

“I’m seven years old, Miss,” he answered politely. Anna noticed he was only around four and a half feet tall and as skinny as a rake. He wore a pair of faded blue jeans, which were held up by a dark brown belt with a huge silver buckle in the middle. He had a pale blue button up shirt with a white undershirt showing from under his collar. He had a mass of jet black hair and big, sparkling, green eyes. He was one of the most beautiful children Anna had ever seen. He seemed extremely intelligent and well-spoken. He was cultured and polite and seemed more than capable of holding a civilised conversation with people more than three times his age. “What is your last name, Miss?”

“My surname is White. Anna White, and it’s very nice to meet you, Braiden, who’s seven years old.” She smiled. For some reason Braiden was completely mesmerised by Anna.

“Miss White, are you Australian?” Anna nodded back to him. “Can you tell me what it’s really like? All I got to see is my Grandma’s. I was there two weeks and I didn’t even get to see a kangaroo. Have you ever seen one?” Braiden peppered her with questions. His impeccable manners threw her into a state of shock.

“I promise to tell you anything you want to know, but only if you promise to call me Anna. Miss White makes me sound old.” They both laughed.

“Deal!” Braiden agreed, giggling back at her. They sat chatting as the plane took off. Their conversation only paused long enough for them to scoff down the horrible airline food they were served. Anna told him all about Australian animals and places and in turn, he told her about all the places that she must visit while she was in England. Anna was amazed by the way Braiden spoke about his homeland. He had such passion, such a deep affinity for his country and its people.

“You have to visit the country. It’s amazing out there. When Dad’s home he takes me camping and there are birds everywhere. We go hiking and we play in the waterfalls. He says I’m too young to swim in them yet, but maybe this year I’ll be big enough. If you go out there I can tell you the best camping spots.” As Braiden spoke romantic images filled Anna’s head.

“Wow! You must really love England. You sure you’re only seven?” Anna joked. She genuinely liked Braiden. He was interesting and the whole time she was talking to him she forgot about everything else. All the bad stuff in her life was forgotten. And for the brief moment she didn’t have room to consider what James was going through or what she was going to do when she got to England, especially if James didn’t want to see her.

“Are you coming to London by yourself?” Braiden probed. Anna could read the concern in his eyes, but immediately discarded the idea.

“No, I’m meeting someone there,” Anna reassured him.

“Your boyfriend?” Braiden smirked, sounding slightly jealous.

“No. Not my boyfriend,” Anna never lied. James hadn’t been her boyfriend for a while now and he was never going to be again.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” he asked nervously.

“Nope. I don’t have a boyfriend. Do you have a girlfriend?” Anna teased, watching as a blush consumed him. If he wanted all the details of her personal life then she would make him squirm a little.

“No! Girls are mean. Why don’t you have a boyfriend?”

“I don’t have a boyfriend because…I have a fiancé,” Anna answered honestly.