Page 16 of Hearts Colliding
“A resistance group? This isn’t a war, Doreen.” Oliver’s comment was rewarded with a steely stare.
“That’s exactly what this is, young man, because we’re fighting for our way of life. If Alex Love gets his way, this village will change out of all recognition within months. So, what do we call ourselves?”
“Erm, Save Our Village?” Declan offered.
“We need something catchy, with bite.”
“What about Free Love?” Joss said, before he burst out laughing.
“I like it.” Doreen nodded. “Eva, what do you think?
“Gran, I was joking! We can’t call ourselvesFree Love.”
“It’s attention grabbing,” Eva said. “And that’s what we want. Good idea, Joss. Ryan, as leader of the revolution, what do you think?”
“This is a joint effort, I’m not the leader—”
Doreen chuckled. “I think you are, my love, which means you have the casting vote.”
Ryan looked around at all the expectant faces, before settling on Joss’ dismayed one.
“Okay. Free Love it is.”
“Bloody hell…” Joss let his head fall into his hands.
Doreen clenched her fist and punched it into the air. “He doesn’t know it yet, but Alex Love has a fight on his hands. Up the revolution! Now, shall we have a nice cup of tea?”
CHAPTERTEN
Ryan stared out over the packed hall.Jesus… so many…He was going to have to stand up and address what looked like the entire village. Chatting with customers in the pub was one thing, dealing with the odd difficult one was another, but this was something else altogether. He swallowed. He knew most of them, had grown up amongst them. No need for nerves, it’d be a piece of cake… Didn’t stop his stomach from tying itself in knots, though.
He turned at a sudden poke in the ribs, and his eyes widened. “Bloody hell, Nan, what are you wearing?”
“Grabs the attention, doesn’t it?” Eva preened, and Ryan wanted to cover his face with his hands and groan. “Percy, that nice young man who runs the computer shop? You know, him with the lazy eye? He also does T-shirt printing. He was asking after you.”
Please don’t say that…Ryan was never sure who or what Percy was looking at as he propped himself up at the bar, full of smiles and clumsy flirting.
“All the war council members are wearing one.” Eva rummaged in her bag and thrust a black T-shirt at him.
“Nan, I don’t think—”
“That’s right, don’t think. Just wear it.”
It was useless to fight. Swapping his hoodie for the black T-shirt, Ryan looked down at himself in dismay. It was a size too small, stretching across his chest and stomach and distorting the red letters of FREE LOVE! and making the heart symbol spread across his stomach like a gory wound.
“Makes the point nicely, I think. I also got some done for the girls. They’ll be along soon.”
The girls… The ladies who ran the WI, the church flower committee, the senior citizens lunch club, and any number of community activities, all of whom had left girlhood behind a good half century or more ago.
“Right,” Eva said, back to business. “We’ve put all the chairs out, plus all the ones from the café Charles and Declan brought over. The vicar's been fussing about health and safety but I soon put him in his place.” With a huff, she bustled off.
Despite his nervousness, Ryan laughed. The vicar was a braver man than him if he thought he’d be the victor where his nan was concerned. But Ryan’s release from nerves was short lived. He still had no idea how he’d ended up spearheading the campaign, not when there were men and women in the village who were way more articulate and used to speaking in public and taking action. Yet, here he was, a foot soldier masquerading as a general, leading the troops into battle. He had his captains backing him up, but if they were defeated, the defeat would be his.
“You okay, Ry?” A bump on his shoulder pushed him out of his increasingly knotted, nervous thoughts. Joss smiled up at him.
“Not really. And especially not when I’m being forced into wearing this.” Ryan jabbed a thumb at himself.
“Oh, I don’t know. Shows off that nice toned bod of yours. We’re all wearing them, it shows solidarity.” Joss sniggered. “If I were a single man, I might have got a few offers. Look over there, by the door. Percy the print guy’s giving you the eye. Could be your lucky night.”
