Page 28 of Hope and Happiness in Bluebell Wood
‘It’s okay,’ I tell it gently, hoping the cat hadn’t managed to get its claws anywhere near it. ‘I’m not going to hurt you.’
I remove enough of the rocks so that it can escape, then I stand well back.
The traumatised blackbird hesitates for a moment, perhaps wondering if it can trust me. Then it hops forward a little and peeks through the gap I’ve created while I watch quietly from a distance.
The bird suddenly takes its chance and hops a little further forward, then it flaps its wings and takes off into the air, flying to the safety of a nearby tree.
‘Good, I’m pleased the cat didn’t get you,’ I tell it, its beady eyes still watching me warily. ‘If you don’t already, why don’t you come feed on my bird table sometime? There’s lots for everyone, and Merlin will see off any cats – won’t you, Merlin?’
Merlin wags his tail, so I go over to the gate to untie his lead.
I’m about to head back into the cottage when Merlin turns and begins barking again.
‘What now?’ I ask him, but then I hear a male voice.
‘Hello!’ it calls as I turn to see a face I don’t recognise heading down the path towards the cottage.
‘Are you Ava, by any chance?’ a tall slim man with ravenblack hair asks, smiling at me as he arrives at the gate.
‘Yes,’ I reply hesitantly, looking more closely at him. The man is dressed smartly in a pale blue shirt and navy chinos, a navy-blue wax jacket tossed casually over his arm.
‘Ah, good, I’m Lonan. Jonah said I’d find you here. I’m heading to the quiz tonight too.’
‘Oh, I see,’ I reply hesitantly, wondering what he wants with me.
‘I’m new to the village and I thought it would be a good way to meet a few folk. Jonah said that you were new too, so I thought you might like someone to walk down there with. Nothing worse than walking into an unfamiliar situation where no one knows you, is there?’
‘Er, no.’
‘Looks like I’ve just caught you,’ he says, glancing at the door ajar behind me. ‘Just locking up?’
‘Yes, but—’
‘Great! Is this your dog?’ he asks, looking at Merlin, who wags his tail.
‘Yes, I’m taking him along tonight. Apparently, they welcome dogs in the pub.’
‘Sounds like just my sort of pub, then. Shall we go?’
I nod and turn back towards the door. After I’ve shut it, I pretend to be fiddling with the key in the lock to buy myself a little time.How am I supposed to get out of this now? What can I possibly say to Lonan that’s a good enough excuse not to go with him?
I glance back: Lonan has bent down to fuss Merlin.
Maybe he’s right? Perhaps it would be easier to arrive at the pub with someone else? There’s less chance I’ll turn and run back to the cottage if someone else is by my side as well as Merlin. I catch sight of the blackbird still sitting in the tree watching me.
This is your fault!I think, turning the key in the lock.I would still be in the cottage if it wasn’t for you, then Lonan wouldn’t have seen me. I should have left you for the cat!
But I don’t mean it; if it hadn’t been for the blackbird, Iknew I wouldn’t have had the courage to leave the cottage at all. Perhaps I should be thanking it?
‘All good?’ Lonan says behind me.
I turn back to him. ‘Yes,’ I say with as much confidence as I can muster. ‘As good as it’s going to get, anyway.’
Nine
‘How long have you been in Bluebell Wood?’ my companion asks as we walk together towards the pub.
‘Not long,’ I answer, knowing I must sound a little brusque.
