Page 95 of Best Summer Ever

‘You’re a good listener,’ I told Josh as I leant against the doorframe and flicked through the mental Rolodex of everything I’d told him.

He’d sat and quietly listened and barely said a word at all, and I hoped I got the chance to return the favour for him soon as it had felt wonderful to share, vent, reminisce.

‘I’ll tell you what else I’m good at, shall I?’ He smiled seduc-tively, before flinging himself on the bed.

‘I’d much rather you showed me!’ I giggled.

I quickly leapt onto the duvet and sat astride him. I pinned his hands above his head and prepared myself to receive a wholly satisfying explanation.

Chapter 22

For someone who never drank much, I didn’t feel anywhere near as hungover as I perhaps deserved to the next day, and that was a huge relief because Saturday was hectic and Sunday was the busiest day for Wynbrook Blooms so far. I had guessed that the weekends would be the most lucrative and with a cooling breeze coming off the sea and a fair bit of cloud cover, locals and tourists alike had abandoned the beach and flocked to the estate to buy both fruit and flowers.

I felt extremely stiff when I woke on Monday morning – a combination of the physical demands of my dream job and the bedroom gymnastics Josh and I had indulged in for much of Friday night – and I was pleased that I could now have a couple of days’ respite. From the most intense gardening jobs, at least. I was planning to see Josh again as soon as possible.

‘Well, hello you,’ I said quietly, as I went to eat breakfast on the veranda and little Luna, who usually bolted at the merest glimpse of me, stayed stretched out on her favoured rocking chair, pretending to be asleep. ‘How lovely of you to let me join you.’

She didn’t stay put for long because Dad then came ambling up the path with an envelope tucked under his arm.

‘Good morning!’ he called out and the cat shot off. ‘Is that the cat?’

‘Itwasthe cat, yes.’ I smiled as I stood up stiffly.

Dad chuckled as I groaned.

‘Last week was a reminder of what hard work feels like, eh?’

I gave him a look.

‘I wasn’t being sarcastic,’ he insisted.

‘I know that,’ I told him. I could hardly tell him that it wasn’t all garden-related aches and pains I was suffering from, could I? ‘What have you got there? More seed catalogues or the latest braggy letter from Oz?’

‘Neither.’ Dad smiled. ‘Funnily enough, we haven’t heard back from Daniel since your mum emailed to say what a joy it is to have you back and how you’re now transforming the fortunes of the estate.’

I laughed at Mum’s description. Evidently, my cousin wasn’t the only one who liked to occasionally give the lily an extra gilding.

‘So, what is that then?’ I asked, still looking at the missive.

‘Something I have a feeling you might have been responsible for, Daisy.’

I twigged, and when he pulled the paperwork out of the envelope and I spotted the letterhead, my suspicions were confirmed.

‘Turns out it might not be too late for me to follow my dream, after all,’ Dad said, sounding thrilled. ‘Having read this, I can see there’s a way for me to follow your lead.’

‘I had a feeling the Open University would be a good fit,’ I said happily. ‘Are you going to apply?’

I held up two pairs of crossed fingers.

‘I already have,’ he then surprised me by saying. ‘I’ve got to do an access course first and then I can make a start on the degree.’

‘Oh, Dad,’ I choked out, as my phone began to ring loudly. ‘That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you.’

‘Well,’ he said, ‘it’s down to you, love. I never would have given it a thought if you hadn’t sent off for the info. Do you need to answer that?’

‘No,’ I said, giving the phone a cursory glance where it was resting on the table next to my cereal bowl. ‘I don’t recognise the number.’

‘I’m astounded that the call has connected.’

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