‘Aunt Lyndsey, can I ask you something?’ Theo pushed the soil in around the last of their new plants.
Harold had recommended putting in a few quick-blooming flowers like alyssum, red poppies, zinnia and cosmos for a flash of late summer color, so that’s what they’d bought. This morning, she’d dragged Theo along to the nearest garden center, bribing him with the promise of road-testing, later, the video game he’d been working on with his friend. The boys wanted her advice, and although she was no expert, Lyndsey thought she might be able to give them a few pointers.
‘Anything. That’s what we agreed yesterday.’
It had definitely been a day for baring her soul. After her deeply honest conversation with Becca and Tiffany, she’d cleared the air with Griff. Discovering he was equally apprehensive had freed her. Weeks ago, she’d promised Theo that they’d talk about his ‘cuckoo in the nest’ feelings and her own similar experiences, but she’d allowed that to fall by the wayside, and yesterday seemed as good a time as any to put that right. When they ended their chat, Lyndsey told him he could ask her anything and she’d do her best to answer as frankly as she could.
‘There is something . . . but Mom said it wasn’t any of our business, when I asked her.’ His face flushed.
‘If it’s on your mind and it’s bothering you, then I want to know about it. If I can’t answer, I’ll tell you.’
‘Are you and Griff goin’ to get married and live in his place?’ Theo blurted out. ‘That’d be awesome.’
Lyndsey was stunned. Of all the questions she thought he might ask, that particular one hadn’t made the list.
‘We’re enjoying getting to know each other better at the moment, Theo. We honestly haven’t discussed what we might want to do in the long term.’ That was the truth, although she’d laid awake many nights speculating along those lines. ‘Okay?’
‘Yeah, but I’m still gonna hope you do.’
‘Hiya! You guys look busy,’ Griff shouted, loping up the drive towards them.
She was grateful he hadn’t arrived a minute earlier.
‘Doesn’t our trip planning meeting start soon?’
‘Yes, Theo and I are finishing up here, then we’ll be in.’ Lyndsey stood and brushed a few specks of earth off her turquoise shorts.
‘I don’t suppose we could be reckless and just wing it?’
‘It won’t hurt to iron out a few details before we leave on Saturday. Are you sure Jase is okay with you going?’
‘Yep. He’s planning to go visit our folks for a few days.’ Griff’s smile lost a hint of its brilliance. ‘He wants to straighten some things out with them.’
Lyndsey guessed he was referring to the aftermath of the car crash years ago. No doubt he didn’t want to discuss that in front of Theo.
‘Theo, would you mind putting the tools away before you come in?’
‘Sure thing, Aunt Lyndsey.’
‘I know you’ll do it properly.’ She shared a conspiratorial look with her nephew. The garden shed had been ramshackle and cluttered when she arrived, but they’d transformed it into a model of good order. ‘Come on, Griff, let’s go find your favorite girl in the whole world.’
He made a playful grab for her hand. ‘She’s right here. No searching needed.’
‘Nora will be terribly jealous if she hears she’s been usurped in your affections.’
Griff shook his head at Theo. ‘Watch out, kid, for when girls try to catch you out. You’ve gotta be quick on your feet to keep up with them.’
‘Most of the girls in my class are faster than me when it comes to running,’ he said gloomily. ‘I’m not much of an athlete.’
She stifled a giggle and was amazed Griff managed to keep a straight face.
‘Smart women appreciate smart guys. You’ve got it up here where it really counts.’ Griff tapped his forehead.
Theo turned beet-red, picked up their tools and scurried off.
‘We’ve both embarrassed him now. We’ve forgotten what it’s like to be twelve and in that awful in-between stage.’
‘I shouldn’t have forgotten.’ Griff scoffed. ‘It didn’t help that my handsome sports star brother, who was two years younger, picked up girls effortlessly. They threw themselves at Jase, while I could only look on in envy.’
