Page 41 of Clara's Secret Garden
Too confrontational.
I contemplate nipping round the back and avoiding themaltogether, but the door will be locked. And anyway, I have to face the pair ofthem at some point, so it might as well be now. Taking a deep breath, I plasteron a smile and walk through the gate.
They’re so involved in their own little world, I think I’mgoing to make it to the house without being seen. But Lois turns as I’mscurrying up the path with my head down.
‘Hi, Clara.’
I stop. ‘Oh, hi! Gosh, I didn’t see you there.’
‘Aren’t we lucky having the sexiest gardener in the worldtending to our shrubs?’ She leans back on her hands and gazes up at Roryadoringly.
‘Um, yes...’ I trail off, smilingawkwardly and looking everywhere but at Rory. ‘So you two are an item now? Wow!I’m so pleased for you! I thought you were going out tonight?’
‘The rooftop restaurant at the Swan Hotel is all booked up,’says Lois, ‘and that’s where I want to go on our first date. So we’re going outtomorrow night instead.’
‘Lovely.’ Still avoiding Rory’s eye, I stretch my lips intoa smile then head for the front door.
I stumble a little over the threshold but finally, I’m inand closing the door, shutting out the happy little scene in the garden. Mylegs are shaking as I go through to the kitchen, drop my bag on the table and sinkdown on a chair.
Leaning over the table, I run my hands slowly through myhair.
Seconds later, footsteps thunder down the stairs. ‘Clara?’Bertie races in and stops dead. ‘Are you sad?’
I rally myself. ‘No, love, I’m fine.’
‘Do you want to see me juggle? I’ve been practising and I’mgetting betterer.’
My heart clenches with love at his effort to cheer me up.‘Actually, you know what? I’d like a big hug first.’
‘Okay.’ He drops the plastic cupcakes, which are lookingdecidedly grubby now, and runs over to put his arms around me. ‘Mum gave mesome money for my new wheel. Can we get it now?’
Laughing, I hug him tightly for a moment. He smells of freshair and fabric softener with a hint of Jammie Dodger. ‘The bike shop will beclosed now,’ I murmur, releasing him reluctantly. ‘We’ll go tomorrow, okay?’
‘Okay. Thanks, Clara. I love you.’ He runs off and I sitthere, smiling. It might be ‘cupboard love’ but I don’t care.
A warmth has replaced the cold feeling inside. And as I getup to put the kettle on, I think:Thank goodness for Bertie. He’s all thatreally matters...
*****
Later, around seven, I go round to Gran’s to check on her.I don’t want to leave it any later because she’ll probably need an early nightafter all today’s excitement.
But when I get there, I hear voices in the back garden. Andwhen I walk round the side of the house, there she is on a sun lounger,laughing at something Shaun from next door is telling her. She’s actuallywiping her eyes, it’s so funny.
I smile, watching them. Shaun is waving his arms around toillustrate his tale, and he almost knocks over the cool glass of somethingbeside him on the garden table. A large purple-flowered pot plant is sitting onthe table beside what looks like a box of chocolates. Welcome home gifts fromShaun, presumably.
They haven’t seen me, so I decide I’ll leave them to it.Gran looks perfectly fine – blooming, in fact – so I don’t need to worry. I’llgive her a quick call later instead. Also, I’m not really in the mood right nowfor Shaun’s stand-up comedy routine.
I think about him on the way home. Shaun seems a genuinelynice guy. And my opinion of him has just escalated, seeing how lovely he iswith Gran. Perhaps we’ll bump into each other again.
Rory Angel is by no means the only man in the world...
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
Anticipating that first date the following night isexcruciating.
I feel desperately nervous beforehand, butterflies inside,and while I wait for him to arrive, I spend far too much time at my bedroommirror, refreshing my lip gloss and practising my smile.
When the doorbell rings, I almost jump out of my skin. Ihear Lois turn her music off and run down to greet Rory.
