Page 36 of Finding Home in Hartfell
Her fingers stilled on the zip she was undoing, her cheeks positively scarlet now, as her gaze raced back to his. His own eyes were amused but there was more there now, another confirmation that he felt it too: this attraction blazing between them, as though their bodies were replying to questions their minds had never voiced.
‘I’m fine.’ The scratched note in her voice was a surprise and she cleared her throat. Even grinding her teeth would be preferable to the fizz bubbling in her stomach, and she slipped the gilet off. ‘Here you go.’
‘Thanks.’ His eyes never left hers as he settled it around his shoulders.
Pippa bent to pat Lola and the dog responded enthusiastically, tail wagging, checking her pockets with an inquisitive nose for treats.
‘Lola’s so pretty, she could never have won the “dog most like its owner” class if you’d entered with her.’
‘I suppose you’re trying to insult me.’ Gil offered her a lazy grin as he lengthened Lola’s lead, and she felt that kick in her pulse again.
‘If you’re not feeling insulted, then sure, I need to do better.’
‘By the way, well done.’
‘For what?’ She snapped her attention back to him, Lola’s tail thumping against her leg. Praise from Gil was totally unexpected.
‘This. Today.’ He tipped his head to the crowd accompanying Raf as he walked towards them, other people trickling away. ‘You did good.’
‘That’s not what you said the other night. And it wasn’t down to me.’
‘The extra visitors were. He’s pretty talented, your brother.’
‘Pretty talented?’ She huffed out a laugh. ‘Have you seen his Instagram?’
‘Okay, it was a great set. I try to keep away from all that online stuff. So how are you planning to top it next year?’
‘Next year?’ Pippa drew in a long, slow breath. ‘I could come back and present a few prizes, I suppose.’
How much will have changed by then? Where would they all be in twelve months time? The house would belong to a new owner, the farm practice closed and the one in town in the hands of new partners.
‘So you won’t be here?’
‘It’s a year from now, Gil, what do you think? This isn’t my life.’
‘No, I guess it’s not,’ he replied quietly. ‘Is London really home for you, Pippa? Or maybe it’s meant to be somewhere else?’ He walked away and she was left watching, trying to work out what his question and that last, long look had really meant.
The show was all but over when she and Raf finally returned to the house. Harriet tore in soon after to charge her phone, delighted that Alfie and his mum were invited to the pub, and took off again to settle Posy for the night. Pippa and Raf wandered down in time for their table booking, a few locals greeting him like old friends, which he took good-naturedly.
Only she would see how tired he’d be later, with the effort of keeping a merry face in place and making those around him feel welcomed. Kenny was thrilled with his celebrity guest and gave them a table tucked away in a quiet corner. Rose arrived soon after with Harriet and Alfie, and Raf was charming, learning about her job and the skincare range she was developing.
After a superb dinner, Harriet and Alfie didn’t linger, instead leaving the adults to their coffee and disappearing to a Young Farmers’ social at someone’s farm. Alfie promised to see her safely home and Pippa nodded, concern lodged in her heart. When they left, Rose insisted she was fine walking home on her own and Raf hugged her, saying something that to Pippa sounded as though he would see her again. Rose waved, and Pippa set off up the main street with Raf at her side.
‘You’re not planning to start up something with Rose, are you?’ That would be another worry. She didn’t want her brother forming his own Hartfell attachment alongside Harriet’s. ‘She’s a single mum, Raf, her life is here.’
‘I’m not a freakin’ idiot,’ Raf said, shoving into her on purpose. ‘Sure, she’s gorgeous but there’s nothing doing there, not for either of us.’
‘You’re certain?’ Pippa wasn’t convinced. ‘Because you were very friendly towards her.’
‘Come on, Pippa, that’s why you got me up here! To get you out of a hole and be nice to people. But Rose is sweet, as is Alfie. Harriet’s picked a good one there.’
‘It’s only been a few days,’ Pippa retorted. ‘I don’t think anyone’s doing any picking. I’ve barely seen her since she started at Dorothy’s. She’s down there every spare minute, mucking out.’ Coming back each night with colour in her cheeks, happy smile lighting up her face.
‘So? Back off, let her have some fun. From what I saw, Alfie’s not the one who’ll be doing the breaking up. Besotted is the old-fashioned word for it. And if she gets her heart broken, so what? You can’t protect her forever, sis. It comes to everyone, eventually.’
‘That’s typical of you.’ She really didn’t want to fight with Raf but thoughts of a broken-hearted Harriet being hauled back to London were too much right now. ‘I don’t think you’ve ever really had your heart broken in your life. You never let anyone near enough.’
‘I guess that’s what you would think.’
