Page 38 of The Shape of Your Heart
‘Shame. I want to meet her.’ Robin’s eyes are teasing as they meet mine. ‘I mean, it’s a while since my brother’s had a woman in his life.’
I shake my head. ‘You’re jumping to conclusions. It isn’t like that.’
But she doesn’t let it go. ‘So what is it like?’
‘She’s an amazing gardener. I asked her if she’d help – and she agreed.’
Robin tilts her head on one side. ‘So she works for you.’
I shake my head again. ‘Not exactly. She won’t let me pay her.’ I pause. ‘She’s also very anti my development project.’
‘A bit of an eco-warrior? Not your usual type, then.’ Robin sounds amused.
‘I don’t have a type,’ I object. ‘And it’s more she objects to local people being priced out of the property market. She thinks I should use it to benefit the community in some way.’
‘She has a point,’ Robin says briefly. ‘By the way, you so do have a type – blond, athletic, into adrenaline sports, a bit of a foodie…’ She pauses. ‘In a nutshell, an Emily.’
‘Emily is ancient history. You really don’t know me at all, do you?’ I pretend to sound wounded.
She looks at me oddly. ‘I used to think I did – but I have to admit, you have changed – in some ways.’
‘Hardly surprising, is it?’ I say quietly.
* * *
After Robin leaves, I try to get down to some work, putting together some figures to see if a campsite is actually viable – assuming I’m able to get the relevant permissions, stopping to send Callie a quick message.
Sorry to have missed you this morning. How is your dad doing?
But even a couple of hours later, she hasn’t replied.
Wanting to know if she’s OK, that evening, I get in my car and drive over there. When I knock on her door, she opens it seconds later. In a loose-fitting T-shirt and frayed denim shorts, she’s barefoot.
‘Hi!’ She doesn’t meet my gaze.
‘Hi. I saw your car arrive this morning, but when you left so suddenly, I was just wondering if you were OK.’
‘I’m fine! Why wouldn’t I be?’ Her voice holds a trace of brittleness.
‘No reason.’ I study her face. ‘I also wondered how your dad was doing.’
Relief crosses her face. ‘He’s OK. He should be coming out after the weekend.’
‘That’s great news.’ I hesitate. ‘If you’re not busy, could I come in for a moment?’
Standing back, she opens the door wider, before closing it behind me. ‘Can I get you anything?’
‘No – I’m fine. I’ve been thinking about you. It can’t have been easy, your dad being taken ill like that.’
‘It’s not been the best time. Alice, one of my sisters, is a cardiologist. She’s been great talking to his consultant. But life isn’t going to be the same any more.’
When something comes out of the blue, I know too well how frightening it can be. ‘No, I guess not. But he’ll be kept a close eye on, won’t he?’
She smiles faintly. ‘By all of us.’
‘Anyway… I don’t know if now’s a good time, it’s just that I’ve been thinking about what you said about my development project. I’ve had an interesting day putting some figures together.’
She looks surprised. ‘For a campsite?’
