Page 76 of Thursdays at Orange Blossom House
She picks up her tea and takes another scalding sip to stop herself babbling, but she can feel him looking at her.
‘I don’t want to scare you off,’ he says. ‘I mean … that’s the opposite of what I want to do.’
She meets his eyes and he’s looking at her in that way he has: like he’s trying to see inside her mind.
‘I know you didn’t want to go out with me last time I asked,’ he says slowly. ‘But I hope you’ll change your mind if I ask now.’
That fluttery feeling is back, and Patricia doesn’t like it. Dennis is a colleague, and he’s still younger than her, and while she knows him slightly better now and knows that he’s good company, it’s not appropriate for them to go out. It could end badly. He might hate her. She might hate him. They’d still have to work together.
‘I think we should be friends,’ she blurts without looking at him. She can hear her own breath – rapid and not at all under her control.
‘I don’t want to be your friend, Patricia,’ he says, pushing away from the bench.
She dares to look at him again, thinking he might be angry with her. Instead there’s something almost resembling pity in his eyes.
‘I’m interested in a lot more than that,’ he goes on. ‘I always have been. But …’ He sighs. ‘I’m certainly not going to push you. I guess I just wanted to let you know that I haven’t changed my mind about you.’ He laughs softly. ‘My mum told me you’d say no. This time.’
‘You told your mother about me?’ Patricia says, slightly shocked.
‘Yeah. She has that sixth sense mothers get – knew something was going on. I told her I’d met someone amazing. But …’ He shrugs. ‘She doesn’t think I’m amazing back.’
Patricia swallows, not sure what to think. Still, she’s curious.
‘What … what did your mother say?’
He laughs. ‘She said, “Give it time.” But I guess she would. She’s my mum.’ He takes a gulp of tea, pours out the rest and puts his mug in the sink. ‘Gotta run. Cricket training.’
When he reaches the door, he gives her one last, long look and this time Patricia can’t hear herself breathing at all.
CHAPTER FORTY
‘So this is my beach,’ Patricia says as she places towels on the sand then begins to swivel the umbrella into the sand.
‘I have been to Yorkeys Knob before, Patricia,’ Grace Maud says, amused.
‘I know you have! But I’ve never invited either of you here before.’ She looks almost nervous and Grace Maud is touched that she cares so much.
‘Frederick made us some sandwiches.’ Dorothy puts her basket on a towel, then stretches her arms into the air and takes a big breath. ‘It’s so nice to be by the ocean! I hardly ever get the chance.’
‘Once the stingers are gone you should come over for a swim,’ Patricia suggests. ‘Only, ooh, three months or so to wait.’
‘I thought we might be getting together at your house,’ Grace Maud says, glancing at the sky and seeing pillowy clouds that hold the promise of tropical rain. ‘I’d like to meet your parents.’
‘Mum’s having a bad day.’
Patricia fusses around with serviettes and plates, not looking up, and Grace Maud understands that the topic is closed.
‘I’ll help you down,’ Dorothy whispers in Grace Maud’s ear, taking her elbow and assisting her to sit on a towel.
‘Thank you. But I think you should stop doing that soon. Not that pregnancy makes you weak, but your ligaments loosen – activities you’re used to can become more difficult.’
Dorothy nods and turns to help Patricia with the food.
Grace Maud stretches her legs out in front of her. She may still need help getting up and down but her legs aren’t as crotchety as they used to be. She supposes she has Sandrine to thank for that. And these two young women with her now, since they made sure she returned to class.
‘This was a lovely idea, Patricia,’ she says. ‘Thank you for suggesting it. And please thank Frederick, Dorothy, for allowing you out on a Sunday and for the sandwiches.’
‘I will!’ Dorothy’s laugh floats on the air.
