Page 34 of Clara's Secret Garden
Another shopping disaster.
Removing the top isn’t easy, either. At one point, Iactually think I’m stuck and I can feel the panic levels rising. It’s likebeing tied tightly into one of those corsets women wore in times gone by togive them a wasp waist... the type that must have made normalbreathing impossible.
I’ll have to ask Lois to cut me out of the thing. Thatwill give her and Irene something to laugh about forever more.
Panting and red-faced, I finally manage to inch it up overmy generous curves without splitting it at the seams. (Why the hell didn’t Ijust go for the larger size? I’ve been kidding myself, obviously. All that cakeI’ve been gobbling down is clearly taking a toll on my shape.)
I pull out an old favourite from my wardrobe – a pretty,gypsy-style floral blouse in shades of lilac, blue and white. The scoopneckline is revealing enough without being a hazard when it comes to bendingover, and it’s long and loose enough to skim flatteringly over the bits you’drather weren’t there. I slip down the little elasticated sleeves to reveal mybare shoulders.
Do I dare?
The top brings out the blue of my eyes and when I twist upmy dark hair to keep myself cool, I realise that my days labouring in thegarden in little strapless tops have turned my shoulders, neck and decolletagea lovely, smooth caramel. So I decide to brave the off-the-shoulder look. Somelittle freshwater pearl earrings and my strappy summer wedges, and I’msatisfied.
But I’m supposed to be over at Gran’s cottage by seven, soI’ll need to get a move on now...
*****
When I arrive, Rory’s car is already there, and as I getout, a delicious smoky scent is drifting over. He must have arrived early toget the barbecue going.
‘Hey, you.’ He smiles at me as I walk up the newly cleareddriveway to join him. ‘You’re looking a bit gorgeous, Miss Bowes. If I’mallowed to say that to a friend who’s a woman these days.’
‘Thank you. You’re definitely allowed.’ I smile shyly athim, thrilled he’s noticed the effort I made and realising that he’s made aneffort, too. ‘You don’t look too bad yourself.’
‘White wine?’ He nods at the wine cooler nearby on thegrass.
‘Yes, please.’
I’ve become accustomed to seeing Rory in his old gardeninggear, which he carries off very well indeed. But on this summer night, he’slooking impossibly gorgeous in dark jeans and a plain white T-shirt that hugsthe muscles of his chest and his broad shoulders to perfection. When he handsme my drink, I breathe in the scent of him and feel dizzy with desire...
But a little voice in my head is quick to remind me not tobe so foolish. I’m wandering into dangerous territory here. We’re friends, Roryand I. I mustn’t start imagining I have a chance with him romantically. To Rory,I’m probably still that blushing, shy kid at school, who he had to rescue fromthe bullies.
‘Hey, good news,’ he says, as we lounge on a rug on thegrass to eat. ‘Elsie says she wants to go to that dance class with you.’
‘Really?’ I sit up a little, delighted.
He nods. ‘I know. I was amazed. She’s definitely taken ashine to you. Not that I can blame her.’ He twinkles those dangerous dark eyesat me and the bottom drops out of my stomach.
‘Aw, shucks.’ I take a large swig of my wine, feeling itwarming me inside, along with Rory’s kind words. ‘Well, tell Elsie I’m reallypleased. I’ll find out when the classes are and I can pick her up and take heralong.’
‘Great. Top up of wine?’
‘Go on, then.’
‘You deserve this after all the work you’ve put in, gettingthis garden ship-shape.’
‘So do you.’ I swallow. ‘I couldn’t have done it withoutyou, Rory. All the stuff you’ve done here – and cutting the lawns back at thehouse as well! And even pruning those monster shrubs.’
He looks down modestly. ‘Honestly, it’s no problem, Clara.’
‘I know, but I need you to know how grateful I am foreverything you’ve done.’
‘You’re helping Elsie to come out of her shell.’ He shrugs.‘We can help each other.’
A slight awkwardness has crept into the space between us,and I wonder if I’m embarrassing him with all my praise. I draw in a deepbreath and fold my arms. ‘You know what? That sounds like a great idea. A bitof gardening and heavy lifting from a friend in exchange for taking his lovelylittle sister to dance classes.’ I smile at him. ‘I think I get the better endof the deal, though.’
He chuckles. ‘If you can get Elsie to actually join in anddance, I’ll cut your lawns forever.’
‘You’re on.’
