Page 26 of A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft

‘It’s a fact,’ Damon shouted, before turning and running down the last stretch of drive. His van wheels squealed as he shot away at speed.

‘Are you all right?’ Wilf asked.

‘I think so.’

I felt pretty shaken and quite perplexed by the whole thing, my heart pounding, my throat dry. The repeated references to us dating had irritated rather than concerned me, but this was something else. I didn’t like his recent behaviour at all. He was acting like a jealous boyfriend. Was I still seeing Phil? Was I meeting Troy Taylor? Where had that come from?

‘You’re sure?’ Wilf asked.

I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile. ‘Thanks for stepping in. He’s not good at hearing the word no. I’m sorry, Wilf, but I need to shoot to a meeting.’

Wilf scooped Benji up and moved to one side. ‘We won’t keep you but if you fancy a coffee when you get back, we’ll be here.’

I nodded, grateful for such a wonderful neighbour. I’d take him up on that offer of a drink when I got home so I could thank him properly and so I could steal some cuddles from Benji as I needed them more than ever right now.

As I pulled out of the village and drove towards Cheltenham for the networking meeting, the conversation with Damon played on a loop in my head. I’d never seen Damon get angry like that and it had been scary. What did he mean by saying I’d be sorry? Was that because he was bizarrely convinced that I was seeing Troy and a belief that he’d make a better boyfriend than Troy? I wished he’d stop obsessing about who I was dating. It really was none of his business. If he showed up again, I was going to have to take him to task on it and perhaps do what Wilfhad done and threaten him with the police if he didn’t leave me alone.

By the time I hit the outskirts of Cheltenham, I’d made a decision about going away. Sharon and Marnie both thought I needed to and they were right. Some space away from Damon would be beneficial to us both too. If Sharon’s friend’s cottage was free, there couldn’t be a better time to go than this week while the bees didn’t need attention, while I had no meetings, before Troy started on the garden and before I burned out completely. I’d have to work, but I’d have some time to relax and I needed that right now. I called Sharon and asked her if she could check whether her friend’s cottage was still available this week or over the weekend.

A few minutes later, she rang back. ‘Mary says it’s free now and you can have it for up to eleven nights including tonight.’

‘Wow! I won’t be able to stay away quite that long, but that’s great to know.’

‘I’ll send you her number. Let me know what dates you decide and if you need us to do anything with the bees.’

After the call disconnected, I felt more relaxed than I’d done in a long time. Whether the time away would recharge my batteries – especially when I’d have work to do – was anyone’s guess but it was worth a try because, as Marnie had suggested, I was going to make myself ill if I continued like this. And if I was ill, what good was I to my dad, the bees or my clients?

The networking meeting was surprisingly enjoyable. I had positive conversations with a couple of attendees during the event and the host confirmed in our one-to-one afterwards that she wanted to join me as a client starting from the new tax yearin April. It was all good, but it didn’t fill me with excitement like it might have done in the past. I put that down to the altercation with Damon putting a dampener on things.

When I arrived back at Dove Cottage, Wilf was cleaning the woodwork on his bay window.

‘Good meeting?’ he asked me as Benji dropped his toy pig and dived through the fence for attention.

‘Really good,’ I said, picking Benji up and scratching his ears. ‘Is that coffee still on offer?’

‘It certainly is.’

‘Let me change and make a few quick phone calls then I’ll be over.’

‘I’ll pop the kettle on. Let yourself in.’

I put Benji down, but he followed me towards the house rather than returning to Wilf.

‘He’s been on edge all morning, watching out for you coming back,’ Wilf called.

‘Aw, Benji, are you protecting me? Come in with me while I get changed.’

I’d decided that, if I put my holiday off until later in the week, there was every chance I’d talk myself out of it so I needed to act now. I’d pack a case after lunch and drive up to East Yorkshire this afternoon, staying until Sunday to allow myself long enough for a proper break. By the time I’d factored in the travel, taking just a few days off probably wouldn’t have much benefit.

Benji followed me upstairs and lay on my bed watching while I removed my suit and pulled on my jeans and a hoodie.

‘That’s better! I feel more like me now,’ I told him as I hung the suit up in my wardrobe. ‘I need to make a few calls and then we’ll go to your house.’

I sat on the bed with Benji cuddled up beside me and rang Sharon again to tell her the news. She said she’d definitely visit Dad while I was away and report back, which was reassuring.Next I rang Marnie at The Larks who was delighted that I was taking her advice and looking after myself.

‘Final call to Sharon’s friend Mary,’ I told Benji.

Before leaving Cheltenham, I’d seen a stack of messages and four missed calls from Damon, all of which I ignored. Just before I rang Mary, I noticed the missed calls tally had gone up to seven and shuddered as I pictured Damon’s angry face earlier.

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