Page 36 of Promises & Petals in Nettleford-on-the-Wold
‘What are you doing back here?’ Josh held his hands up, palms forward, his jaw ticking as he spoke.
‘Sorry, mate, that was an accident. The door was sticking, I didn’t mean to make such an entrance.’ Richard glanced over his shoulder as the door closed behind him with a click.
‘Still, why are you here?’ Josh repeated his question, his stance relaxing a little.
‘I came to speak to Sophie.’ Richard looked at Sophie. ‘Can we talk? In private?’
Sophie nodded. ‘Okay, we can go into the kitchen.’
‘Hey, whatever you’ve got to say to her, you can say in front of us.’ Josh shook his head.
Turning to face them, Sophie lowered her voice. ‘I’m going to talk to him alone. You two have your secrets, I can have mine.’
‘But Soph...’ Josh frowned.
‘No.’ Holding her hand up, Sophie quietened him before shaking her head. ‘I can’t even... You two...’
Hannah swallowed; her mouth suddenly dry. This conversation hadn’t ended how she’d wanted, and all her fears were coming true. Sophie was angry. She was upset with them. And Hannah didn’t blame her. She’d crossed a line. It was common sense not to date one of your closest friend’s brothers, and she’d put her own feelings above Sophie’s. Looking down at the floor, she pinched the bridge of her nose. Sophie was going through enough already. And now Hannah’s selfishness had added to her worries.
Once Sophie and Richard had disappeared into the kitchen, Josh reached out to take Hannah’s hand in his.
Pulling her hand away, she crossed her arms. ‘No. I need to go.’
‘Hannah?’
As she walked towards the door, she could feel Josh’s presence beside her, and it was all she could do not to sink into his arms and sob. She’d ruined everything. She’d ruined her friendship with Sophie, and she’d probably ruined his relationship with his sister too. ‘I’m sorry, I can’t...’
‘But...’
Pausing, she turned on the spot, her eyes darting anywhere but at him. ‘Please, I need to get away.’
Nodding, Josh dragged the palm of his hand across his face.
‘Thank you.’ Whispering, Hannah turned back and hurried outside, grateful her tears had waited until she was alone.
Chapter Twenty Four
‘No, Alfie, please stop.’Leaningdown,Hannahswooshed thesmall dog out of the way and once again began winding the jockey wheel down into position and locking the tow bar in place. As soon as she’d got back to the cottage, she’d packed up the caravan and, all being well, she’d be on the road within the next few minutes.
With thecaravanattached to thetow bar, she straightened her back and looked around the garden. Where had he gone now? Whether he realised something was up or he was just in a funny mood, she wasn’t sure, but he was definitely on a mission to make her life as difficult as possible right now.
‘Alfie, come.’ She calledweaklybefore she leaned her backagainstthe side of thecaravanandclosedher eyes.Sophie hadn’t been thrilled as Gemma and Lucy had both assured her she would be. Sophie had been shocked, and the way Hannah had just blurted out the news about her and Josh probably hadn’t exactly helped the matter either.
She should have listened to her gut. Sheshouldhavestayed away from Josh.She’d ruined everything, and now she justneeded to get away,get back on the road before she ruined anything else.
With her eyes still closed, she sank to the ground and wrapped her arms around her knees. Why had she come back? If she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have hurt two of the people she most cared about in the world. At the thought of him, Sophie let out another sob. dating Josh, however fleetingly it had been, had been everything she’d ever dreamed of. He’d been kind, thoughtful, romantic, and for those few days, she’d felt cared for, safe, cherished, and she hadn’t had that in so long.
‘Ooh,Hannah.’ Mrs Bertridge’s voice seeped into her thoughts.
Opening her eyes, Hannahtiltedher head,listening, hoping she’d been hearing things. Nope, there it was again, Mrs Bretridge’s distinguished piercing screech as she called her name. Leaning her head back against the caravan wall, she held her breath. Please go, just go.
‘Hannah? Are you here?’ The clink of the wrought-irongatesoundedas thecatchwaslifted,followedbutthe tell-tale creak of it being pushed open. Mrs Bertridge had never been one to wait for formalities such as being invited in.
Great. They’d be no escaping Mrs Bertridge now. If Hannah didn’t show her face, she’d only come looking for her, and the last thing she wanted was for Mrs Bertridge to find her crying in a heap on the ground. No, she’dneed togetawaywith a quick conversation then.Hannah pulled herself to standing andscrubbedat her eyes with thebackof her hands before walking around the other side of the caravan. ‘Hi, Mrs Bertridge, is thereanythingIcan help you with?’
‘There you are, dear. Yes, there is. I just popped by with some cupsImade with mygranddaughteryesterday.’ Mrs Bertridge patted the small Tupperware tub she was carrying. ‘I thought you might appreciate a few.’
‘Wow, thank you.’Steppingforward, Hannah took the tub, prised open the lid and peeked inside. ‘Iced fairy cakes. Very nice.’
