Page 15 of Promises & Petals in Nettleford-on-the-Wold
‘Right.’ Hannah whispered. What was she supposed to say to that? Admit that she was okay with selling the cottage? That she’d returned with the sole purpose of putting it on the market before she left again? That she was going to get rid of her grandad’s pride and joy? All the effort he’d put into it, all the hours, the money, the love...
‘Apart from you, of course. You were his number one pride and joy.’ Mrs Bertridge held up her forefinger. ‘You coming to live with him after your mother abandoned you was the making of him. Said so himself on many occasions, he did.’
‘I...’
‘How is that mother of yours, anyway?’ Mrs Bertridge all but spat the word ‘mother’ out. ‘Have you heard from her? I noticed she had the good grace to attend his funeral at least.’
‘She... she’s fine.’ Not that Hannah had heard from her since that day, but that was what she’d grown to expect from her mum. She just wasn’t in her life, and that was fine. It was. Her grandadhad more than made up for her mum not being around. But now...
‘There you are, Hannah. I’ve been trying to get hold of you.’ Josh’s voice filled the street.
Jerking her head up, Hannah realised he was jogging towards her. ‘What’s happened? Has something happened to the roof? It’s worse than you first thought, isn’t it?’
‘You really need to see this.’ Reaching her, Josh placed his arm around her shoulder and began guiding her down the path before glancing over his shoulder at Mrs Bertridge. ‘I’m so sorry to take Hannah away from you in the middle of a conversation, but this is urgent.’
‘I’ll catch you another time, Hannah, dear.’ Mrs Bertridge called after them.
‘What’s happened? Tell me.’ Hannah searched his face. He didn’t look in the least bit worried. In fact, the way his lips were twitching... ‘Did you just say that to rescue me from Mrs Bertridge?’
‘Uh-huh.’ Now they were out of earshot, Josh chuckled.
Looking over her shoulder, she saw Mrs Bertridge cross the road again. ‘I can’t believe you did that.’
‘Would you rather I hadn’t?’ Josh turned around and lifted his hand in the air. ‘I can call her over, see if she wants to come for a coffee.’
Hitting his arm playfully, Hannah laughed. ‘Don’t you dare. And thank you; it was very much appreciated.’
Josh shrugged, one arm still draped around her shoulder. ‘I figured you’d need some assistance. What was she grilling you about? The cottage?’
‘The cottage, my mum, my future plans.’ Hannah glanced at his hand casually sitting there on her shoulder and smiled. She knew it didn’t mean anything. Not what she’d want it to meananyway, but all the same it felt good to know Josh cared, even if it was only because she was Sophie’s friend.
‘Ah, all the light and fluffy topics then?’
‘Exactly.’ Hannah grimaced. ‘So everything’s going okay with the repairs?’
‘Yep, we’ve made a good start. We’ll get a few more hours in for today, I’d say.’ Josh pointed to the cottage roof ahead of them. ‘That’s where I spotted you from, the roof.’
‘Yikes.’ Hannah chewed on her bottom lip. Was he even safe up on the roof? It looked so far up from here.
‘I see you tired this little one out then?’ Taking his arm from her shoulders, Josh fussed over little Alfie.
‘Yeah.’ Trying not to feel disappointed that he’d taken his arm away, she looked down at little Alfie, who had one eye open and one eye closed as she cradled him in her arms still. ‘Well, I don’t know. He likes to be carried sometimes, and one day it might be after a short walk, another a long walk, so to be perfectly honest, I think he just likes to make me feel guilty and play on my emotions.’
‘Ha, you’re saying he’s got you wrapped around his little toe then?’
‘Exactly.’ Hannah grinned. She’d been so worried about seeing Josh again after she’d made such a fool of herself, but he’d not once made her feel awkward. In fact, it was just as though it had never happened at all. Just as though she hadn’t admitted to him that she’d held a crush on him since being a kid. And she was grateful. She’d tell him that too if it didn’t mean she’d have to bring up the topic and risk making things weird between them. No, it was best just to be grateful and to move on, to leave it in the past where it belonged.
As they reached the cottage, Josh held the gate open for her. ‘I’ll pop the kettle on.’
‘No, I’ll do that. It’s the least I can do.’ Walking into the garden, she paused as he closed the gate. ‘I’ll just pop Alfie soon the sofa in the caravan and then I’ll be in.’
‘Okay, if you’re sure?’
‘I am.’ She grinned at him before turning to the caravan.
‘Let me.’ Running ahead of her, Josh opened the caravan door.
‘Thanks.’ Stepping inside, she waited until he’d let it shut behind her, before gently placing Alfie on his blue fluffy blanket in the corner of the sofa. ‘You rest here for a bit, Mr Sleepyhead, and I’ll be back in a few minutes.’
