Page 19 of Clara's Secret Garden
I laugh. ‘I suppose she could have gone home if it was tooloud for her.’
Fen shakes her head, laughing. ‘No, no, Mrs Iverson was alreadyat home in bed and looking forward to an early night.’
Ellie grimaces. ‘The café window had been left open and thewind was blowing in the wrong direction. At least as far as Mrs Iverson wasconcerned.’
Everyone laughs, and Ellie says, ‘I don’t think she reallyminded. But anyway, having disturbed the peace that night, I’ve been trying tothink of some rather moresubduedactivities to entertain our regulars.And I’ve just had a great idea. I know it might sound a bit mad, what I’m aboutto ask you, but shy bairns get nowt, as my mum’s friend’s always saying. So...could I persuade you to give us a baking demonstration, Clara? Based on thewonderful things you can do with vegetables?’
‘Oh. Well.’ I laugh nervously, with a quick glance at Rory.‘I’m – er – not sure I’d be much good at that, really.’
Is Ellie serious?
She wants me to stand up in front of a room full ofpeople who are there expecting to be entertained? No way on earth. I’d ratherhave my tongue stapled to the ground with a croquet hoop.
I try to laugh it off, as if Ellie was just joking. ‘Honestly,I’d be so boring, they’d probably all demand their money back.’
‘No, they wouldn’t.’ Rory gives me a gentle nudge andmurmurs, ‘You should do it, Clara Bear. You’d be great.’ The warmth in his eyeswhen he smiles down at me makes me feel all skittery inside.
‘I think Bertie would make a great assistant.’ Sylvia smilesdown at him.
Ellie nods. ‘Great idea. What about it, Bertie? You couldearn some money to put towards your new bike wheel.’
‘Really?’ Bertie’s eyes light up. ‘Can I, Clara? Can I beyour assistant?’
I groan inwardly. Great. So now Ihaveto agree toit! Very clever, Ellie...
‘Pleeeeeease, Clara?’ Bertie’s jumping up and down now infeverish anticipation.
I frown, pretending to be considering it. And when at last Ismile and nod, he gives a big whoop of delight and turns to Luke, who jumps offthe wall and gives him a high-five.
Ellie laughs, and as she and Fen depart for their drink, werealise we need to swap numbers and Ellie promises to phone me soon to arrangea date.
After they’ve gone, Sylvia lays her hand on my arm and tellsme she was so sorry to hear about Gran being in hospital.
I smile. ‘Thank you. Yes, it was such a huge shock, Grancollapsing like that.’
‘I bet it was. She’s much missed at the Women’s Institute.You must tell Paula we’re all asking after her.’
‘I will.’ There’s a lump in my throat at her obviousconcern.
‘It’s at times like these that you need your family aroundyou.’ Sylvia shakes her head. ‘It’s so sad that her sister isn’t here for her.’
I blink a few times, confused. ‘Sister? Oh, no, Gran’s anonly child. She doesn’t have any brothers or sisters.’
Sylvia looks surprised. She opens her mouth as if tocontradict me. Then she smiles. ‘Sorry, I must have got the wrong end of thestick. We were talking about your gran at our last meeting and I’m sure someonesaid... but I was obviously mistaken.’ She pats my arm.‘Anyway, my bus is coming. Nice to meet you, dear. And tell Paula I’ll popalong and see her once she’s allowed visitors other than close family.’
‘I will. Thank you, Sylvia.’
She gets on the bus and we all wave to her as it departs.
‘Odd about the sister,’ remarks Rory, frowning at me.
‘Yes. She must have misheard or something.’
‘Nice woman, though.’
‘Definitely.’
Later, in the car, I whisper to Rory, ‘Oh, bugger. What haveI let myself in for?’
