Page 109 of Best Summer Ever

‘That there is,’ Dad agreed, and I felt blessed to have our relationship so strongly repaired.

I didn’t think there was going to be the same outcome for Josh and his dad, especially after his father found out he’d discovered Algy’s correspondence and carried it back to Wynmouth. Which reminded me…

‘Crikey, Dad!’ I exclaimed, having checked the time on myphone, which I kept buttoned up in my shorts pocket, and realised how late it was. ‘We’d better stop dawdling and hurry up. Algy won’t be impressed if his dinner burns.’

‘And I won’t be either,’ said Dad, changing direction so he was heading towards the cottage. ‘I’m ruddy starving.’

‘No flowers,’ tutted Algy, when I turned up feeling fresh after my shower, but empty-handed.

He was looking dapper in a striped shirt and cravat and absolutely nothing like the wizened and grumpy old man who had faced me the day I arrived back at Wynbrook.

‘I’m afraid not,’ I laughed. ‘Though that’s actually a good thing because it means we’ve sold them all. Well, all of the ones in the cutting beds anyway.’

‘Oh, well done,’ Algy applauded.

‘I’m not entirely empty-handed though,’ I said, as I looked behind me.

Sitting on the path and laboriously washing her paws was Luna.

‘She followed me all the way from the summerhouse,’ I said happily.

‘Well now,’ Algy beamed. ‘Isn’t that wonderful? And look how much better her condition is already as a result of all the extra attention she’s been getting.’

She hadn’t got close enough yet to receive much from me, but what she’d had in general was clearly making a difference. We’d never got to the bottom of what had been taking the food Algy had been putting out for her, but whatever it was, it wasn’t stealing it from the summerhouse veranda and Luna was looking healthier as a result.

‘She’ll look even better after a slice of beef,’ said Josh, who walked out of the kitchen to join us, wearing a stained apron as he attempted to fan himself with a tea towel.

‘Hot in there, is it?’ I teased.

‘Hotter than the sun,’ he puffed, his cheeks glowing.

‘Which is why we’re eating outside,’ said Algy. ‘Why don’t you go round, my dear?’

‘Is everyone else here already?’ I asked.

‘They are,’ said Josh, looking a little nervous. ‘Though not everyone is outside. Your mum’s currently holding court in the kitchen and checking the veg.’

No wonder he looked jittery!

‘I told her we didn’t need any help…’ Algy began, but he knew the sentence didn’t need finishing.

‘We’d better get back in there,’ said Josh, fanning himself again. I knew now his escalated temperature wasn’t only the result of the weather and the heat wafting off the Aga. ‘See you in a minute.’

It felt wonderfully cool round the back of the manor and I sank gratefully, but less than gracefully, into a chair.

‘You look nice,’ said Penny, her eyes sparkling. ‘That’s a pretty dress.’

‘Thanks,’ I said, sitting up straighter and smoothing the front of it down.

‘What’s the occasion?’ Nick teased.

‘Dinner at the manor,’ I said, in my poshest voice. ‘I thought I should make an effort and as my work gear was grubby, sweaty and rather stinky, I could hardly wear that, could I?’

‘Now, that’s fine talk for a mealtime,’ scolded Mum, who I hadn’t realised was behind me.

She was talking slightly differently too and I wondered ifshe was going to go full-on Hyacinth Bucket for Josh’s benefit. The grin Penny and Nick then gave me suggested they were also weighing up that possibility.

‘Would you do the honours please, Nick?’ Algy asked as he joined us and indicated an ice bath, rather than ice bucket, where a few bottles of champagne were currently reclining. ‘A little fizz will, I think, help lubricate proceedings.’

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