‘And she’s just had it so hard and she just needs looking after. A real good looking-after.’ Hector guffawed as he made some pretty infantile hand signals.
‘Shut up, Hector, that’s not OK. Do you never learn?’
‘Seriously, I may have a solution,’ Matt interjected.
‘Haha, so does Alex.’
‘One more time, I dare you.’
‘Hey, hey, hey…’ Chase, used to being peacemaker between these two, held up both his hands for quiet. ‘What are you trying to say, Matt?’
‘I should probably talk to Rosy first, but I was going to suggest to her that we live together. I know it’s quick but we both spend every night together as it is – I haven’t seen the inside of my own house for more than fifteen minutes for as long as I can remember. I have planned a thing for her and was going to ask then. But if she says yes, and she might not – I still can’t tell which way she’s going to jump – and as you know, Chase,’ he nodded at his friend, ‘she has this thing about firm boundaries and compartmentalizing, but if she says yes, then we might have a spare cottage between us. If we were to rent to Sylvie I can’t see us needing the deposit and I’m not sure about the month’s rent in advance. But you can’t say anything, because obviously I need to make sure Rosy is on the same page as I am with this relationship. But it could work.’
‘That’s a great idea. It really could. When were you going to ask her? Were you thinking soon?’
‘Whoa, Alex. You can’t push Matt into something for your convenience, especially not because you’ve got a crush on your daughter’s friend’s mum.’
‘I haven’t got a crush, Chase! What is it with you lot? I’m a grown man. I haven’t said anything about a crush. I don’t look at her in that way, I’m just looking out for her. Why do you assume I’m only being kind because I want to sleep with her? I’ve never said that. She’s the mum of Ellie’s best friend, for God’s sake, why would I mess that about? And besides, she’s in no place in her life to be looking for a relationship. She has got way too much on her plate. I’m not messing with her life when she’s still trying to get the most basic security for her family sorted. And besides, why would I rock the boat with someone I respect as a friend, regardless of Ells, for a quick shag? No way. That’s not it at all. None of you have any idea what you’re talking about.’
‘I don’t know about the rest of you, but methinks the lady doth protest too much.’ Hector chortled as he held his hands up to protect himself from the inevitable flying cushion.
Chapter Twenty-one
Rosy sat back in her chair. It was Friday afternoon and the week had flown by, and been a raging success. Human dynamics were fascinating; she had often noted how introducing one new member to a team could change the whole set-up, as had happened this term.
Sylvie had started three weeks ago and today was the last day before half-term. She had clearly spent a lot of time making sure she knew Amanda’s newly designed PE curriculum off by heart. Her quiet gentle persona had rippled throughout the school, with all the teaching staff somehow miraculously softening their edges and adopting a slightly more Sylvie approach. Rosy didn’t expect it to last but it was jolly nice whilst it did. Even Amanda, who she knew had observed Sylvie’s first lesson with Class Four and made notes whilst she did so, hadn’t found anything to tut about and had reluctantly admitted in the staffroom that the new girl knew her stuff. Although she did make the most of the opportunity to shoot an evil look at Harmony as she said it. Luckily, Harmony was too busy cutting out little rainbow flags for the woodlouse mansion her class were making to notice, and World War Umpteen was averted.
There had been no major incidences at all for a while. Marion seemed more muted than usual and with Sylvie bringing in a little bead glasses-chain as a gift for Sheila, even the school secretary was appearing slightly less chaotic.
She was interrupted from this blissful, stress-free reverie by the ping of her email. Odd. No one in their right mind emaileda school past five o’clock on a Friday, especially with a holiday coming up, unless it was an utter emergency.
She smiled as it popped up.
Dear Miss Winter,
As both head teacher and close friend you are cordially invited by the curly-haired and slightly scruffy gardener and his dog to Penmenna Hall Gardens for a special event this evening. It should be added that this is a strictly not-for-television occasion and the dress code is informal, ideally very little. You are welcome to attend any time from five-thirty on and I would like to take the opportunity to remind you this is a personal invite. Pupils, colleagues and Marion are not required. RSVP.
Yours,
Green-fingered and Gorgeous, so I’m told.
What on earth was this daft man planning now? Five-thirty – that gave her just enough time to give the school a quick once-over and drive to the Hall.
He was too cute. They had started seeing each other in March this year, the same evening as the premiere ofGreen-Fingered and Gorgeous, the gardening show set in Penmenna Hall that the school had become involved with. He still winced every time the name was mentioned, which was rather a lot as he had quickly become a darling of the nation and couldn’t even do a supermarket shop now without being attacked by dribbling women desperate for his autograph.
When they had first met he had been king of the romantic gesture, mocking up a Tudor cap from gardening kit and serenading her with ‘Greensleeves’, potting her up an orchid that he claimed flushed as beautifully as she did, preparing a romantic picnic with all her favourite things whilst they watched(or didn’t – truth be told)Gone with the Windin the Penmenna Hall orangery lit by fairy lights.
And she hadn’t made it easy for him either. She was as embarrassed by that as he was by the name of his show. But since they had been together, their relationship had been nothing but easy. They were such a natural fit and everything glided by effortlessly, so naturally, that she could barely remember her life without him in it and certainly didn’t want to contemplate a future in which he wasn’t a key part.
She had butterflies in her tummy as she parked the car outside the orangery and went to find Matt.
‘Hello.’ She heard her call echo around the greenhouse. Matt’s dog Scramble barked a welcome and she felt the huge beam spread across her face as Matt popped his head up from behind one of the big old wooden benches down the end.
‘Hello, you didn’t RSVP!’
‘Oh, I’m so sorry! I thought I had. I must have been giddy with the excitement of the invite. But I’m here – have I spoilt the surprise?’
‘Actually, yes. If you could get back in the car…’ Matt came around from the table and came and gave her a kiss. ‘Don’t be daft, of course you haven’t. You know Scramble and I are always happy to see you. Thank you for driving over.’
