Page 53 of Clara's Secret Garden
‘What? Is there?’
He shakes his head, amused. ‘Avoiding the subject?’
‘The subject being?’
‘Whether you’ll go to the salsa with me on Friday?’
I laugh a little awkwardly. ‘You’re very determined, aren’tyou?’
‘Only when it’s important.’
‘Right. But I’m... well, I’m not dating atthe moment.’ I shrug apologetically.
‘Who said anything about a date?’ he says, although his eyesare twinkling. ‘It would just be two acquaintances getting to know each other alittle better while indulging in a pastime they both love.’
‘Well, if you put it like that...’
‘I do. But I don’t want to pressurise you. I’d much ratheryou said yes because you wanted to.’
I smile at him. Salsa dancing with Shaun does sound like itmight be fun. And I haven’t had any fun like that for a long time. ‘Can I thinkabout it?’
‘Of course you can.’
‘Right. Ooh, there’s Gran.’
‘Okay. See you, Clara.’ He waves over at Gran and gets backto picking apples.
‘Making friends with Shaun?’ asks Gran, letting us into thecottage.
‘Yes. He seems really nice. He... asked meif I wanted to go salsa dancing.’
Gran nods. ‘What did you say?’
‘I said I’d think about it.’
‘Right.’ She goes over to fill the kettle and I stare ather, puzzled.
‘I thought you liked him. Shaun.’
‘Oh, I do.’ She turns with a smile, but not before I catchher slightly worried look in the nearby mirror. ‘It’s up to you, my love.’
‘Right.’ I’m silent, thinking, as she makes the tea.
I thought she’d be pleased I was thinking of going out.She’s always trying to persuade me to socialise more and offering to babysitBertie any time.
So why is she being so cagey?
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
Next morning, after taking Bertie to school, I wanderalong Sunnybrook High Street, thinking about my chat with Shaun over the gardenfence the day before.
Should Igo salsa dancing with him? I should. I really should. I need a distraction fromRory and fast.I can’t be that sad person who’s crazy about one man herwhole life without ever having that love returned!
I need toget myself a life... but why was Gran being weird about him?
‘Hi,Clara.’
I do a double-take.Did I conjure him up by thinking about him? ‘Hi, Shaun.’
