Page 12 of Promises & Petals in Nettleford-on-the-Wold
‘Memories can be a good thing too.’
Looking across at him, Hannah watched as he continued eating. ‘I know. I just don’t know ifI’mstrong enough, you know, to face these sorts of memories every single day for as long asIlive here.’
‘Oh, you are.‘ Josh smiled his easy smile as hepointedhis fork at her. ‘You, Cupcake, are the strongestpersonI know.’
‘Huh, I don’t feel very strong.’
‘Well, youshoulddo. After allyou’vebeen through,findingyour grandadlikethat, him passing away in the hospital, and then you just go off on your own travelling for four years. If that’s not a show of strength,Idon’t knowwhatis.’
Hannah scrunched up her nose. Running off and living in her caravan wasn’t a sign of strength; she’d been running away. Running from the memories, from her responsibilities, from this place. ‘That wasn’t strength; that was the easiest thing to do. I was a coward, I am a coward, and this cottage and its hole in the roof is the evidence.’
Having cleaned his plate, Josh laid his cutlery down before spinning on the stool and catching her eye. ‘It wasn’t. You’re no coward. You may have been running from the memories of what you’d lost, but it still takes guts to go it alone like you did. I didn’t. I ran straight back here.’
‘What do you mean? When...’ Hannah paused as Josh’s ringtone filled the small kitchen.
Pulling his phone from his pocket, Josh looked at it and frowned. ‘Sorry, it’s Sophie. I need to get this.’
‘Of course.’ Hannah nodded.
‘Hey, sis, is everything okay?’ Standing up from the stool, Josh held the phoneagainsthis ear.
Cutting a small piece ofomelette, Hannah popped it into her mouth, trying to avoid eavesdropping.
‘I’m on my way. I’ll be there in five. Bye.’ Slipping his mobile back into his pocket, Josh looked at Hannah sheepishly. ‘I’m sorry, I’m going to have to bail before washing up.’
‘Hey, you cooked, so the washing up is my job, anyway.’ She smiled. ‘Are Sophie and Florrie okay?’
‘Yes, they’re fine. The washing machine has leaked water all over the kitchen floor. It’s probably just a blocked filter or something, but Sophie’s trying to get Florrie to sleep and...’ Josh paused, his face clouding. ‘And that waste of space partner of hers, Richard, is out with his mates again.’
‘Ah.’ Hannah grimaced. ‘Is there anything I can do to help?’
‘No, no. You enjoy your omelette.’ Josh nodded to her half-full plate before striding back across the kitchen towards her. Standing in front of her, Josh looked down as though he was about to say something before shaking his head slightly. ‘Freddie and I will make a start on your roof tomorrow. We’ve got a free day, so we should be able to make a good start.’
‘Okay, thanks.’ Hannah frowned. Was that what he’d been going to say? He’d looked as though he were going to say something important then. She sighed. The roof repair was important.
‘If you want us to take on the job, that is?’
‘Uh, yes, please.’ She hadn’t even thought of getting anyone else round. She’d been too busy acclimatising to being back here int he village, in the cottage, to even think about getting the three quotes that people advised when getting work done. Besides, this was Josh; she knew he wouldn’t fleece her. Or she hoped he wouldn’t, anyway. ‘Sorry to as, but what was the quote?’
‘Oh yes.’ Running his hand over his face, Josh pulled his mobile from his back pocket again as his ringtone sounded. Glancing down at it quickly, he looked back up at her. ‘I’ll needto pay for Freddie’s time and the cost of the materials, of course, but I’ll do my bit for free.’
‘What? No, you can’t do that. I’ll pay.’ She might be skint, but she wasn’t destitute. She could raise the funds to pay him. Somehow.
‘Consider it a welcome back gift. Even if you are just visiting.’ Josh grinned before holding up his mobile. ‘Sorry, I really must go.’
Hannah watched him disappear from the kitchen before hearing the click of the front door as he left. Placing her fork down at the side of her plate, she rubbed at her eyes. She was shattered after all the cleaning she’d done today, but what had that been about? Why had he insisted on working for her for free? Sophie must have mentioned that she’d screwed up her business. Or else maybe he was just being kind. After all, she was his kid sister’s friend, and Sophie could be trusted with anything, she wouldn’t have had a conversation about Hannah’s finances with her brother.
It was nice of him. More than nice. Maybe she should just take it as he’d said, as a welcome back gift. She picked up her fork again and stabbed at the omelette. With the silence of the cottage surrounding her, she was suddenly no longer quite so hungry.
Chapter Ten
Pausing, Hannah tapped her thigh and watched as Alfie ambled back down the bridleway towards her before pulling her phone from her pocket and answering it. ‘Hi.’
‘Hi, Hannah, it’s me, Lucy.’ Lucy’s cheerful voice filtered down the phone line.
‘How’s it going? Have you finished work already?’ Hannah began walking again, Alfie at her heel.
‘I have, thankfully. I love my work, but I’m so glad it’s the weekend tomorrow, and I have two whole days to rest and...’ Lucy paused as a muffled nasally voice sounded in the background.
