Forever Love at Wildflower Lock (The Wildflower Lock #4)

Chapter 15

15

Daisy blinked and opened her mouth as if to reply, but she wasn’t sure what to say. She had misheard, surely? Theo’s mother hadn’t just called her the wrong name, had she? Swallowing back the fear that was flooding through her, she was still trying to believe it was her mistake when Theo spoke.

‘It’s Daisy, as you well know. Daisy with a D.’

‘Oh, yes, well, you know what it’s like with these modern names. They’re all far too easy to confuse, aren’t they?’

Her smile widened as she looked at Daisy again, although there was no warmth to it at all. Everything from the bright blue of her eyes to her narrowed lips screamed ice queen. Any hope Daisy had had of a warm welcome was rapidly fading.

‘Daisy, this is my mother, Penelope. Or Penny, if it’s a good day,’ Theo said.

Daisy’s immediate thought was that Penny didn’t sound any less modern a name than Daisy, but she kept that to herself as she smiled.

‘Penny, so pleased to meet you.’ She stretched out her right hand.

‘Really, Penelope is fine. Why Theodore insists on only using half the name we gave him is beyond me.’

‘Right, sorry, Penelope,’ Daisy said. Her hand was still outstretched, but after a moment longer, she realised it wasn’t going to be met and lowered it to her side.

A bit of time to warm up? Wasn’t that what Theo had said about his parents? Judging by their encounter so far, Daisy doubted that even several hours on defrost in a high-powered microwave would be enough to thaw Penelope out.

‘Is that Theo? Tell him to come inside and stop dawdling.’

The booming voice came from deep inside the house and was shortly followed by the appearance of a large man wearing a checked shirt, green trousers and a strained waistcoat struggling to remain buttoned up.

‘Come on, lad, let’s get those bags of yours inside. Don’t want you letting all the warm air out, do we?’

Daisy couldn’t imagine how hot it would have to be inside the house for it to be warmer than outside, but this felt like something to keep to herself, so instead she turned to Theo.

‘I’ll go get the bags,’ she said. ‘You stay here with your mum and dad. You’ve got lots to catch up on.’

She could see from Theo’s face that he was about to refuse, but the look she gave was all it took for him to nod quickly in agreement. Still, when she turned to walk to the car, she quickly heard him speak again.

‘Actually, I think some of those bags are quite heavy. It’s probably best if I give her a hand too,’ he said. ‘We’ll just be one second. We’ll take our bags up to the guest room and then come down to the kitchen. I think we’d both love a cup of tea.’

When Daisy turned back towards the house, her eyes fell on Theo’s mother, who was pouting with such force, her entire cheeks were drawn inwards.

‘Fine,’ Penelope said with a huffiness that made it sound like Theo helping Daisy was the worst thing he could possibly offer to do. ‘But try not to trample mud through the house. You know how your father abhors having to vacuum more than three times a week.’