Page 66 of A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft

‘I’d love that, but I know things are tricky with your brother so, if you find you can’t come, I’ll understand.’ There was a notepad and pen on the desk so I scribbled my number down.

‘I’ll be there. I promise.’

He kissed me with longing and pulled away with reluctance and I sensed that, even if he couldn’t find the time, he’d call me to let me know. There was something so honest and honourable about Joel Grainger.

Light was streaming through a gap in the curtains where I hadn’t properly closed them last night, creating a stripe on the pillow beside me. I was staring at it, thinking I should really get up and showered for breakfast when my phone rang. Thenumber wasn’t registered. Hopefully it was Joel but there was a possibility it was Damon using a different phone, so I answered with caution.

‘Hello?’

‘Poppy? It’s Joel. Have I woken you up?’

‘No. I’m still in bed but I was awake. How’s Imogen?’

‘She came back to my room, had a glass of milk and was okay after that. Do you mind if I put her on?’

‘Erm, no, that’s fine.’

The next voice I heard was Imogen’s. ‘Hi, Poppy, do you want to come to breakfast with us?’ My heart melted. How sweet was that?

‘I’d love to, thank you, but I’m not dressed yet. Are you going down now?’

‘No. I need a bath so Daddy says half an hour. We can call for you.’

‘Sounds good. I’ll see you then. Can you put your daddy back on?’

‘Okay. Bye.’

‘Imogen says it’s a yes,’ Joel said, coming onto the phone shortly after.

‘It is, but that means that the next time I see you, you’ll be together. It’s probably not a good idea for us to have a repeat performance of last night in front of your daughter but I wouldn’t want you to think I’m giving you the cold shoulder.’

‘I should have thought about that. Yeah, probably best to stick to friendship vibes around her for the moment, but only because of Tilly. I know how her mind works. She’d accuse me of abandoning Imogen so I could pick up strange women. Not that you’re strange.’

‘Don’t worry. I know what you mean. It’s so unfair on you that she’s like that.’

‘I swear it’s Greg’s influence, although maybe it was always simmering under the surface and I either didn’t notice or didn’t want to notice. So we’d best keep it under the radar although Imogen would be ecstatic if she thought something was going on.’

‘She would?’

‘Definitely! She thinks you’re amazing and she was quizzing me about you this morning and whether you had a boyfriend. I get the impression she and Darcie were doing a spot of matchmaking last night. It was Imogen’s idea to invite you to breakfast.’

‘She’s a gorgeous girl and I’m glad I’d have her seal of approval but I completely understand the Tilly situation so I’ll be discreet.’ I bit my lip and added in a sultry tone, ‘It won’t be easy though.’ It was daring for me, but I couldn’t help myself. In a very short space of time, Joel had really got under my skin and I wanted him to know that.

I could hear the smile in his voice. ‘Same here. I’ll see you soon. Can’t wait.’

We said goodbye and hung up. I now had twenty-five minutes to get myself showered and looking presentable. No pressure.

Joel and Imogen turned up at my bedroom door bang on time.

‘Are you hungry?’ Imogen asked as soon as I opened the door. ‘Because I am, and Daddy says I can have pancakes which are my favourites.’

‘I’m very hungry and I love pancakes too, especially if they come with bacon and maple syrup.’

Her eyes widened. ‘I’ve never had them like that before. They sound yummy.’

As we set off along the corridor, Imogen surprised me by slipping her hand into mine. My heart leapt and I felt quite emotional as I caught Joel’s eye and he smiled and mouthed, ‘She likes you.’

Fizz, Phoebe and Darcie were at the entrance to the dining room about to be seated so they changed their request to a table for six. I was glad of the company, thinking it would be easier to keep up the subterfuge of being friends if we were part of a group, although the knowing smiles Fizz and Phoebe exchanged suggested that turning up together had already given the game away.

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