Page 65 of Hope and Happiness in Bluebell Wood
We’d left a miserable-looking Merlin back at the cottage. He’d made it very clear that he did not appreciate me leaving him twice in one day, even though we’d taken him for an extralong walk this morning after we’d got back from setting up the Easter egg hunt.
‘I have my moments,’ Hannah says airily. ‘When didyoubecome the local siren?’
‘I’m sorry, what?’
‘You know what I mean. All these men suddenly at your beck and call!’
‘What on earth are you talking about? I don’t have any men at my beck and call.’
‘I think you do. Let’s start with this Lonan you’ve invited for lunch today – tell me about him.’
‘Lonan is just a friend. I told you, he’s new to the village too, and he didn’t have anyone to spend today with. I felt sorry for him.’
‘He’s also the guy that rescued you from the evil property developer this morning, and the guy you went to the quiz with the first time – am I right?’
I’d told Hannah about what happened early this morning when we’d taken Merlin for his walk – mainly because I was still cross about what had happened with Colin Cuckoo and the proposed housing estate, but also so I could explain why I’d invited Lonan to lunch with us.
‘Yes, but that doesn’t mean anything. Not what you’re inferring, anyway.’
‘Hmm, I’ll be the judge of that when I meet him. Okay then, what about the hunky vicar that you’ve avoiding telling me about, even though the sparks fly between you so clearly it might as well be Bonfire Night!’
‘I think that’s a slight over-exaggeration.’
‘Perhaps, but you don’t deny it . . . ?’
I sigh. Hannah had been pretty perceptive when she was a child, but now she was an adult I couldn’t hide anything from her.
‘Okay, I’ll admit it: I like Callum. There, is that enough for you?’
‘You like him or youlikehim?’
‘It’s difficult.’
‘Why?’
‘Isn’t it obvious?’ I gesture to the church we’re walking towards.
‘Because he’s a vicar?’
‘Shush,’ I whisper, aware that there are others now beginning to head the same way as us. ‘Yes, because of that.’
‘But why? Vicars are allowed to have sex.’
‘Hannah!’
‘Well, they are, aren’t they?’
‘It’s not like that. There’s more to it.’
‘Really? You’re telling me you don’t have the hots for him? I think I would if I was your age. Actually, scrub that – the guy is fit whatever age you are.’
‘He is quite fit, actually,’ I say, pretending I don’t understand. ‘I’ve seen him out jogging a lot.’
‘Mum,you know what I mean.’
‘Yes, of course I know what you mean. But being a vicar complicates things, doesn’t it?’
‘Why?’
