CHAPTER TWELVE
Next morning, before my first gardening job of the day, I drove over to the garden centre.
I’d been hoping to relieve the nagging ache in my head – a result of the rather tense and claustrophobic atmosphere at the flat – by wandering around one of my favourite happy places then drinking coffee in the conservatory area while watching the birds flit between the trees. I always found that so relaxing.
But it hadn’t turned out quite the way I imagined.
Right at the last minute, Skye had decided to tag along.
She’d talked excitedly all the way there about training as an interior designer and I felt bad that I couldn’t join in with her enthusiasm. But I just kept thinking, could you please speak more softly, because her voice was burrowing right into the epicentre of my sore head. She was still talking as we drew into the garden centre car park. And then my phone rang.
‘Sorry, I need to take this.’ I cut her off in mid-stream with an apologetic smile. ‘It’s Billy and I haven’t spoken to him in ages.’
‘Oh. Okay. Well, I’ll see you in there.’
She got out of the car and started to walk off. Then she doubled back and stuck her head in the car. ‘I didn’t realise this place was called Argent’s Garden Centre.’
‘Oh. Yes, it is. You’ve been here once before, you know. With Rori and me.’
‘Have I? When?’
‘The morning we caught up with you in the hotel, when you were escaping from that skanky photographer?’ In her acting days, Skye had hated being the focus of media attention.
‘Gerry Jackson? Oh, yes. I remember now.’ She nodded. ‘My head was all over the place that morning.’
‘Right, well...’ I held up the phone, which was still ringing.
‘Okay, I’ll leave you in peace.’
The phone went dead and my shoulders slumped in frustration. My one chance to speak to Billy...
I phoned him straight back, praying it wouldn’t be an irritatingly chirpy Jenna who answered because I really couldn’t cope with that right now. Luckily, Billy picked up immediately, and we chatted for a while, mostly about his gym regime and the low-carb diet Jenna had put him on. (He was getting muscles, apparently. Whoop-de-doo.)
‘So where’s Jenna now?’
‘At a spa for the day.’
‘Ooh, lucky her.’
‘Yeah, she’s having a good time, apparently. She was desperate to try the flotation tank experience but I drew the line at that. I told her I’m not made of money. Those things cost a fortune.’
‘So you’re footing the bill for this spa day?’
‘I’m treating her. Yes.’
‘Is it her birthday or something?’
‘No, no. It’s just she was telling me about her friend’s boyfriend treating her to an amazing weekend in Paris...’
‘Is that the friend who’s going out with the chief executive of a communications company?’
‘That’s the one.’
‘Yes, but Billy, he can obviously afford lavish treats like that. You shouldn’t feel that you have to do the same.’
‘A day at a spa is hardly in the same league as a romantic weekend in Paris.’
‘No, but it’s still expensive.’ Billy struggled to pay all his bills as it was, on the salary he earned as a salesman. I hated to think of Jenna taking advantage of his generosity and good nature.
‘I know. But as I said, Jenna’s worth it. Anyway, I need to go. I’ve booked a spin class at the gym and I’ll be late if I don’t leave now.’
‘Ooh, well, you’d better run,’ I said with a touch of sarcasm. ‘You don’t want to miss the class and risk those big new muscles of yours wasting away.’
‘Ha ha. Very funny. Don’t they say that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit?’
‘Very possibly.’
There was a pause. Then he said, ‘I’ve missed our banter. We should talk more.’
‘Nah! You’re far too busy shagging these days.’
‘Blossom! As if!’ He gave a throaty chuckle. ‘I’ll phone you soon.’
‘You’d better.’
I ended the call and sat back in my seat, smiling. I loved Billy. Not in a romantic sense, of course. But he was such a great guy, and if that awful Jenna dared to treat him badly, she’d have me to answer to. With a sigh, I got out of the car and walked slowly over to the garden centre building to join Skye, telling myself I was really pleased that Billy was happy.
I’d only made it to the greetings cards section by the entrance when I saw Skye marching towards me, a look of fury on her face.
‘We need to go,’ she barked.
‘Why? What’s wrong?’
Not even slowing her stride, she shook her head and vanished outside as I stared after her in astonishment. Then I saw Gary standing by the till, also staring after her. Oh, hell, what had she said to him?
‘She told you to back off, didn’t she?’ I said, reaching the till area.
‘What?’ He looked at me, confused for a moment, as if he hadn’t actually registered what I’d said. Skye could be so cutting. She didn’t believe in holding back when she was annoyed about something – or someone...
‘Was she ordering you to stop advising me to be cautious with the business start-up?’
He swallowed, looking uncomfortable. Then slowly, he nodded.
I made an exasperated noise in my throat. ‘Honestly, sometimes I hate her!’
‘No.’ He reached out. Then he withdrew his hand and stuck it in his jeans pocket.
‘But she always thinks she’s right!’
He smiled sadly. ‘She just wants what’s best for you, I’m sure.’
‘So even you’re on her side now?’
‘I’m on no one’s side. I’m just...’ He shrugged helplessly. ‘I’m sure she’s right. You should just go for it, apply for that business grant, and you’ll be brilliant. I know you will.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘Look, I’m sorry. I have to go.’
I stared after him as he walked over to his office and closed the door behind him.
I was so angry at my sister. Why did she feel she had the right to interfere in my life like this? She obviously thought I wasn’t strong enough or intelligent enough to make my own way in the world. And no, I wasn’t as go-getting and determined as she was, but that didn’t make me a bad person. We were totally different personalities, she and I... we went about things in different ways, that was all. And now she’d stormed off and I’d no idea where she’d gone.
I dashed out of the building and was relieved to spot her straight away. She was standing by the car, arms folded, staring into space.
She looked at me suspiciously. ‘What did he say?’
‘Oh, don’t worry. Gary is the loveliest man in the world, so it was nothing bad. He totally understands you feel strongly about me pressing ahead with the business.’ I shrugged. ‘He actually told me to go for it.’
She nodded and let out her breath slowly, leaning back against the car. ‘I just feel so protective of you, Blossom – especially after how devastated you were over that awful man, whose name we won’t mention. I wanted to make sure this Gary was an okay guy, you know? Because you obviously trust his judgement one hundred percent. But I shouldn’t have interfered.’
‘Hey, I don’t mind. It just shows you care.’
‘I do. Of course I do. Anyway... Saul’s coming to get me, so you can go back inside if you like.’
‘Right.’ I looked at her in surprise.
‘A customer of his just cancelled a job. We’re going to buy paint. I’m helping him redecorate.’
‘Oh, well, happy DIY-ing!’
She smiled sheepishly. ‘You’ll have a much better time in there without me ruining your happy place.’
I chuckled, touched that she’d remembered I called the garden centre that. ‘You know what? I think on this occasion you might be right.’