Page 25 of A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft

‘Nothing personal? I’ve mowed this lawn for the past ten years, long before you moved back home.’

‘And you’ve done a great job, but I don’t have time to look after the garden like Dad did, so I need someone to do that and it makes sense for that same person to mow the grass too.’

‘Is it about the money? Because I can charge you less as long as you don’t tell your neighbours.’

‘It’s not about the money, Damon. It’s about time and how little of it I have.’

‘I can look after your garden.’

‘No, you can’t. How many times have you told me you don’t know the difference between a flower and a weed? My parents worked so hard on this garden, and I want their legacy to remain. I don’t have the time or ability so I’ve taken on someone who does.’

‘You’ve already done it? Without giving me a chance to pitch for the work first?’

‘Damon! There was no work to pitch for. You and I both know you arenota gardener.’ This wasexactlywhat I’d wanted to avoid. I’d made a decision that I no longer required his services and I shouldn’t have to debate it.

‘You’re saying I’m no good at my job.’

I couldn’t bear people who didn’t listen properly and who twisted words.

‘What did I just say?’ I demanded, a hard edge to my voice. ‘That you’ve done a great job. Seriously, Damon, it’s nothing to do with the quality of your work. It’s about what I need which isan experienced, knowledgeable gardener to look after the whole thing and you’renotthat person. Youknowyou’re not.’

He stared at me and my stomach churned. His eyes were dark, almost black, and the look he was giving me right now made my skin crawl. Until now, I’d thought of him as a nuisance, but suddenly I found him quite creepy.

‘It’s Troy Taylor, isn’t it?’

‘I need to go.’

‘Is it him you’re meeting?’

I ignored him and strode towards the car, but he ran after me and grabbed my arm.

‘Stop touching me!’ I cried, yanking my arm away.

‘What’s going on?’

My heart leapt at the sight of Wilf striding towards our boundary fence. Benji shot past him, barking, and ducked beneath the fence.

‘Damon was just leaving,’ I called to Wilf.

‘We haven’t finished talking,’ Damon said, his voice full of anger, his eyes flashing at me.

‘Yes, we have. I need to be somewhere and you need to leave.’

When Damon showed no signs of moving, despite Benji jumping up at him and barking in his best attempt to intimidate, Wilf stepped over the low fence.

‘Are you going to leave, son, or do I need to make a call?’

Although Damon had never cut Wilf’s lawn, he knew that my neighbour was ex-police.

‘I’m going,’ he muttered, taking a couple of steps down the drive. He stared at me, a look of disgust on his face. ‘I can’t believe you’d choose Troy Taylor over me. You’ll be sorry.’

‘I don’t see you leaving,’ Wilf said, taking his phone out of his pocket.

Damon held his hands up in a surrender sign and backed down the drive, lip curled up.

‘You’ll be sorry,’ he repeated.

‘I hope that’s not a threat,’ Wilf called, holding his phone aloft.

---