Page 66 of Clara's Secret Garden
‘We’re going to the Brambleberry Manor site. Where you’reworking just now,’ I guess at last, as we whizz past the manor itself. Nodding,Shaun indicates left and swings the car into the lane that leads down to thelittle artisan crafts community there.
‘I’ve never been along to the workshops and studios,’ Imurmur as we get out of the car and walk past the café, which is closed for theday, ‘although I’ve been to the café once or twice.’ Some of the craftspeopleare still in there, working away after closing time. ‘It’s so lovely here. Anda café as well! Perfect.’
‘It’s a really friendly community. I quite often have lunchin the café and I’m on first name terms with all the staff now.’
‘And this is the old barn you’re working on at the moment?’I ask, as we approach an area beyond the original workshops that’s clearly abuilding site.
‘Yup. Come in and have a look.’ He heads for a large,solid-looking building that looks almost finished and has been renovated totone in with the rest of the structures on the site. Opening the door, heushers me through and I breathe in the smell of sawdust. ‘What do you think?’
I stare around me at the enormous space, knowing immediatelywhy Shaun is showing it to me.
It’s not small and cramped like the dance studio on the highstreet. It’s light and airy with big windows and generous proportions. I givehim an interested look. Then I walk away from him and stand in the very centre,absorbing the feeling I get from the space.
‘It’s great,’ I murmur when Shaun joins me.
He smiles. ‘The perfect place for someone wanting to startup a dance studio?’
‘Actually, yes. It couldn’t be better.’
‘Well, there you are, then.’
Feeling mischievous, I turn to Shaun. ‘So who do I speak toabout renting the space?’
‘Um... I’m not entirely sure,’ he says, a lookof doubt in his eyes.
‘Quick, Shaun. I need to get in there before someone elsenabs it for themselves.’
‘Steady on there.’ He’s looking openly startled now. ‘I onlybrought you here to show you an example of what might work for you. I – um – I didn’tthink you’d actually be wanting to sign on the dotted line straight away. Don’tyou want to –’
He sees my smile and the penny drops. ‘You!’
‘Ha! Got you! I’m just joking, obviously. Which makes achange sinceyou’reusuallythe one with the great line instand-up comedy!’
‘Fair.’ He grins sheepishly at me. ‘But you like thisplace?’
‘Of course I do. But what you’re suggesting only everhappens to people like me in dreams.’
‘People like you?’
I shrug. ‘People who haven’t got the cash or the confidenceto make their dreams come true.’
‘Well, you definitely have the confidence required. Dancingis your thing, Clara. I could see that very clearly at the salsa night. Youshould be doing what you’re best at, shouldn’t you?’
‘Maybe.’
‘And as for the cash, that could be just a bank loan away.Very few business owners can afford to start up without a helping handfinancially.’
‘That’s true.’ I turn and smile at him. There’s kindness andhonesty glowing in those lovely twinkly eyes of his. I’m warming to Shaun moreand more, especially now that his slightly irritating quip-a-minute phase hascalmed down a bit.
I think about the photo of him with his ex, who coulddefinitely be my doppelganger.
Am I really going to miss out on knowing such a lovely guy,just because I happen to look the image of his ex-girlfriend? That would beridiculous.
‘Anything’s possible, Clara,’ he murmurs, bending to pick upa stray nail. ‘Especially for someone as bright and caring as you.’
He aims the nail at a nearby bin, scores a direct hit, thenturns to me with a triumphant smile.
Impulsively, I reach over and kiss him on the lips. It feelsnice, so I do it again, smiling at the look of surprise on his face.
