Page 12 of Never Tell Secrets
On the way out we passed the boutique garden I’d designed, my old lunch spot. As we drew closer, a familiar ruddy blonde head came into view. He sat on the bench, gazing into the water lily fountain as he tucked into a sandwich.
Bradley.
My chest constricted and I paused. He looked just as ruggedly handsome as ever.
Before I could decide what to do, his deep gaze looked up but not at me. His trademark easy smile graced his face as a fair haired girl stepped into the garden. He stood and his arms went around her as she went up on tiptoe for a kiss. I swallowed, unsure what I was feeling.
I felt a tugging on my sleeve.
“Auntie Lo, I need the toilet.”
“Okay, come on.” I took his hand and led him off, grateful for the excuse to get away. I’d be lying if I said Bradley hadn’t weighed on my mind. I hadn’t treated him well, and fear of seeing him again was one of the reasons I’d kept my distance from Rosie’s over the last two years.
Ryan finished up his business in the bathroom and I followed behind as he raced by the garden, past the shop, and towardsthe car park, swinging his club around. He swung wide and was greeted by a “Whoa there!”
Bradley.Fuck.
He was grinning at Ryan who was uttering a rueful ‘sorry’ after whacking Bradley on the leg by accident. His grin dropped when he noticed me, but I pasted a smile on my face.
“Hi Bradley.”
“Lola…what are you doing here?” he asked, his expression stunned.
“Just visiting. This is my nephew, Ryan.” I smiled at the blonde woman clinging onto his hand, “Hi, I’m Lola, I used to work here.”
“Oh! I’ve heard a lot about you!” Her pretty face perked up in recognition. “I’m Anna, I’m…well, I’m your replacement I guess!”
I shot a nervous look at Bradley. “She works here now. She has your old job,” he supplied, stifling a laugh at the place my brain had just gone to.
“Oh.” I let out a shaky laugh. “That’s great.”
“So, how’ve you been? How’s college?” Bradley asked.
“Graduated top of my class.”
“Of course you did.”
“She has a new garden too.” Ryan pointed at me. Bradley raised a questioning brow.
“I’ve been given a project for The Chelsea Flower Show.”
His eyes grew wide. “Are you serious? Lola, that’s…”
“Insane? Yeah, I know.”
“That’s incredible. We’ll have to come when it’s open. I’d love to see your work on display.” The phone rang from inside the cabin and Anna excused herself, giving Bradley a chaste kiss and sending a warm smile my way. We watched her go.
“She seems nice. I’m happy for you, Bradley.”
“Yeah, she’s really great.” He turned back to me. Ryan was back to ignoring us and fighting an imaginary army. “How are you, Lola? Really?”
“I’m really good.”
“Alfie?”
“Over.”
“I figured. I’m sorry.”
