Blue Skies Over Wildflower Lock (The Wildflower Lock)

Chapter 20

Daisy cleared her throat. ‘Sorry, did you say you’re coming to Wildflower Lock? This weekend?’

She tried to keep her voice as natural as possible, but even though he couldn’t see her face or read her expression, she could tell that Theo knew something was up.

‘What is it? Don’t you want to see me?’ he asked playfully.

Daisy racked her brain for something to say. If she left now, could she be back in time? Maybe, but that was assuming the tides were on their side for the lock at Heybridge. She might not manage at all, and then where would that leave her? Besides, she’d only just started this journey, and she wasn’t ready to give up on it.

‘You know I want to see you. It’s just… It’s just…’ The panic rose in her chest as she tried to think of an excuse. ‘I’m having time with the girls. I’m so sorry. It’s a full weekend thing.’

Once she started, the lies came easily.

‘Claire is bringing Amelia down in the day, and they’re going to help me in the shop, then drive me back to London for a movie night at theirs. Then we’re going to do an early breakfast together before Bex brings me back and stays to work with me on Sunday. I’m sorry, they just jumped into action, you know, to keep me busy whilst you’re not here.’

‘You’re lucky to have such good friends. You know that, don’t you?’

‘Absolutely,’ Daisy replied while thinking how she would have to fill the girls in on the lie just to help her keep track.

‘And it’s probably a good idea,’ Theo added with a defeated sigh. ‘I’d probably have spent the entire time worrying the guys here weren’t doing their job properly. I guess it’s best.’

Relief washed over her.

‘I’m going to miss you, though,’ she added, and not just because of the guilt that was filling her. ‘I really miss you when you’re not here. I’m thinking about buying a second boat, just to put in the Escape’s mooring so it doesn’t feel so empty.’

Theo chuckled.

‘Really? You’ve only just got your expenses in line. Please don’t do something like that yet. Besides, these next five weeks are going to fly by, I promise you. And then I’ll be able to take some time off. I’ll be due so much holiday, you’ll be sick of me by the end.’

‘You know that could never happen.’

‘I hope so.’

Daisy sensed the conversation was nearing its end, and she was grateful. Any longer and Theo would start asking how the shop was going and Daisy would be forced to lie, and that was the last thing she wanted. So she took the natural pause as a cue to end the conversation.

‘I better get going. I love you,’ she said.

‘I love you too. I’ll see you soon,’ Theo replied.