Chapter 17
Seventeen
T he following week passed by without a whisper from Alfie Tell. On Monday I was tense, waiting for a text, a call, something to let me know the chase was still on. But nothing.
Instead of sitting around and wallowing, I buried myself in work.
I got out my sketch book and started designing the Harrington garden.
Alfie hadn’t told me he was taking it away from me but perhaps it was bold to assume it was still mine.
I tried out a dozen plot ideas before discarding all of them.
None of them were right. Or maybe it was me that wasn’t right. I was restless, irritable.
I focused instead on my design plans that were right.
My plans for the garden at Bramley Primary, Ryan’s school.
I’d worked hard on them all winter, itching to get started and now coming into spring, it was finally time to make them a reality.
I ran through the final list of supplies one more time to make sure I hadn’t left anything out and confirmed I’d been able to stay within budget.
With Rosie offering to provide the majority of what I needed at a substantial discount, I’d just been able to manage.
I emailed Mrs Reed to reassure her that everything was on track and I’d be starting work next week.
Next week felt like such a long way away when I couldn’t get Alfie Tell out of my head.
When I wasn’t working, I poured myself into my memory garden.
I pulled weeds, pruned roses and planted fresh coriander and basil that had been germinating on the kitchen windowsill for the last month.
As long as my hands were in the dirt, I was distracted, but the second I was back in the real world, Alfie Tell polluted my thoughts once more.
By Friday, I was burning. I checked my phone a thousand times, typed a hundred texts I never sent, each with varying degrees of sentiments.
I want you…I don’t want you…Go away…Come back…
It was over, he was done with me and I didn’t understand why it bothered me so much.
It shouldn’t and yet he haunted me, the way he’d made me feel haunted me.
Saturday night found me in the back of a taxi, my hands twisting nervously as I arrived at the Serenity Gardens. It was opening night and guests in their finery slowly filtered through the frosted glass doors. The building was an impressive structure—large, spherical and lit up by spotlights.
Okay, Lola. Time to be a showgirl.
I paid the driver, and started in surprise when my door opened. A hand appeared in front of me and I looked up to see Bradley’s smiling face. I took it, my thumb sliding over the freckles on the back of his hand.
“Wow,” he admired as he helped me out of the cab, his brown eyes sweeping over me.
“You look great.” I looked down at my deep blue floor length gown.
It sat just off my shoulders and nipped in at my waist, the light material perfect for the warm night.
I’d pulled my hair off my face and pinned it at the back of my head, allowing my curls to fall down my shoulder blades to sit at the small of my back.
“Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
His unruly blond curls were behaving themselves for once, and he wore a dark blue suit that went well with my dress, but was going to stand out in a sea of tuxedos. He didn’t look like he minded.
“Thanks.” He fussed with his tie and I could practically hear him thinking he didn’t want to be here. I gave him a knowing smile. This wasn’t my natural environment either.
He offered me a shy smile in return, a dimple forming in his left cheek. He offered me his arm and I took it, letting him lead me into the event. We were immediately greeted by free champagne. I took a glass but Bradley grimaced and led us over to the bar where he ordered a beer.
The opening had started half an hour ago so the reception room was already filled with guests. The frosted glass doors leading to the garden were still sealed by a red ribbon waiting to be cut.
My heart almost stopped when I saw a man with dark hair and impossibly high cheekbones.
Oh God. He was here. I was planning my escape route when the man turned around and I realised it was just a cruel imitation.
I wondered where Alfie was right now. Was he working?
Was he still in the country? Was he in bed with another woman?
Probably. He was probably pushing her against her front door like he had done to me, holding her arms behind her back as he ground his?—
“Are you looking forward to seeing it?”
I snapped out of my lewd thoughts. Bradley was looking at me, clearly waiting for a response. He gestured at the still-sealed doors to the Serenity Garden.
“Oh!” I gave a nervous laugh, trying to steer away from the dark place my mind had been leading me. “Well, I did see it in progress so it won’t be a total reveal to me.”
“So, you hate it?”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. The plans for the Serenity Garden hadn’t exactly moved me, even though they were exquisite, but I was surprised Bradley had read that so easily.
“No, I don’t hate it exactly.” I sipped my champagne, eyeing him over the rim of my glass. He wore a knowing smile, his expression clear and open. No wondering what he was thinking, no stirring in my gut that he might be toying with me.
“You’re a terrible liar, O’Connell,” he said and I winced at the name. It didn’t feel right coming out of his mouth.
“Call me Lo. Or just Lola.”
He nodded, looking pleased. “So?” He waved at the sealed doors again.
“So, it’s impressive but too pretentious for my taste. But it’ll be well received I’m sure.”
“That was convincing.”
I laughed and shrugged. A silence fell over us and I was surprised by how comfortable I was in it.
“You know, I’m not very good at this kind of thing.” He gestured at the room of tuxedos and gowns surrounding us.
“Yeah, I’m excited for the opportunity but I’m not good at schmoozing either.
I figure we just need to be polite and talk about Rosie’s and if you get stuck with someone you don’t like, just whisper ‘Code Red’ and I’ll get you out of there pronto.
That goes both ways, by the way. You need to have my back tonight. ”
“Deal,” he laughed. “You know, you’re nicer than I thought you’d be.”
“You didn’t think I was nice?”
“Sorry that came out wrong. I just meant that I’ve seen you around at work and you didn’t seem that thrilled to be going with me tonight.”
“Oh, Bradley, I’m sorry. I was just nervous about this whole thing but now we’re here, I’m glad I have you as my sidekick for the night.”
“Your sidekick?” He raised an eyebrow, smiling wider.
“Alright, I can be your sidekick.” I felt an easy smile on my face, and his warm brown eyes held mine for a moment.
He finally looked away, clearing his throat as a blush crept over his freckled cheeks.
“Hey, I heard from Rosie that you’re working on a project for a school? ”
“Yes! It’s at my old primary school, my nephew goes there now and my sister works there. They have a garden just off the playground that they wanted to revamp, so I offered to do it for free.”
“I like that.” He smiled, showing a dimple in one cheek. “I did something similar in my hometown but it was for my nana’s nursing home. Do you need an extra pair of hands? I could help if you like?”
I paused, caught off guard by the offer. “Really? You don’t have to…” I was trying to be polite but I really hoped he wouldn’t take it back. Miss Reed had managed to round up some volunteers but I was still desperate for more help.
“It wouldn’t be any trouble.” He waved me off. “It’s what we like doing the most, right?”
Butterflies fluttered softly in my stomach as he smiled at me. “Right. People keep telling me I’m mad for doing it for free but I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”
We gazed at one another and for just a moment, I almost forgot that Alfie Tell existed. Almost.
“So, tell me about your plans for it. Rosie said you’ve ordered materials to build a pond? That’s heavy work, Lo. You’re definitely going to need me and my muscles.”
“Hey! I have muscles!”
“Where?” He laughed, looking me up and down. I gave him a playful punch on his arm, then fell into a detailed description of my plans for the garden.
I lost track of time as we talked. I learned that Bradley was a country boy from Lancashire with a degree in horticulture and a dream of owning his own nursery one day. He had a kind smile and a laugh you couldn’t resist.
After two weeks of Alfie drama, Bradley was a breath of fresh air.
He didn’t look at me like he was trying to bore into my brain and learn all my secrets.
He loved my plans for the school garden and was nothing but supportive when I talked about my hope of being accepted to college.
After I’d told him about Harrington, he’d congratulated me—something I hadn’t gotten from Mark—and we talked plot ideas.
We made the rounds together and he was better at schmoozing than he’d let on. I introduced myself to everyone I could, determined to make the most of this opportunity.
As we moved from one circle to the next, Bradley bent and whispered, “We make a good team.” I giggled and took another sip of champagne.
I was surprised how much I was enjoying myself.
Mid-conversation my heart skipped a beat as I spotted a member of the board for The Chelsea Flower Show, one of the biggest horticultural events in England.
I was steeling my nerves, determined to introduce myself, when a loud voice pierced my bubble.
“Darling!” I looked around to see Patrick Ferguson, the architect of the Serenity Gardens and star of the night, making his way through a sea of hand shakers to get to me.
He was a short man, thin, with big ears and bright, friendly eyes.
I smiled brightly at Patrick, keeping one eye on the board member so I wouldn’t lose track of her.