‘You’re basically living the life Taran wished he’d had more time for – swimming in rivers, watching the stars, listening to birdsong and the rain.’
He nods, looking contemplative.
‘Sounds like a pretty nice existence,’ I say.
‘It can get lonely.’
I turn to look at him. He briefly meets my eyes before averting his gaze and raising his mug to his mouth.
‘Maybe I could help with that,’ I dare to suggest.
His mug hitches against his bottom lip. He lowers it again and turns to face me, hooking one arm around his knee.
‘Just theoretically, how could this work?Theoretically,’ he stresses, motioning between us.
‘I could commute—’
‘Two hours there and back?’
‘You know how far it is to Hidcote from here?’
He nods meaningfully.
‘I was going to say that I could commute until I find something closer.’
I love my job, but I love Ash more. And I really can picture myself living out here in the woods, surrounded by nature.
To be honest, I could picture myself living with Ash wherever he is. Even in the hustle and bustle of a big city, I’d want to be at his side. I feel as though we’ve been given another chance. I’m ready for this now in a way that I wasn’t before.
‘What about the head gardener position at Berkeley Hall?’ he asks.
My eyebrows jump up. ‘You’dwantme working there?’
‘Why not?’
‘It wouldn’t freak you out?’
‘Would it freakyouout?’ he asks.
‘I don’t know. I mean, maybe not. I did love it there at first, and I’d feel a lot happier being employed by the NT than by your parents.’
I wouldn’t want to tread on Bethan’s toes, but she seemed excited when she thought I was there to apply for the position. And I’d definitely be considered. The NT is very supportive of young gardeners coming up through the ranks, and it might help that I have previous experience of working there.
‘But wouldn’t it feel weird for you, knowing that I was a gardener there again?’
He thinks about this for a moment. ‘No. Maybe if I felt more conflicted about selling the place, but I’m always glad to go there and have a beer with the guys.’
‘You still do that?’
‘Every so often.’
‘What about seeing your mother?’
He shakes his head. ‘She’s still so angry at me.’
‘She said you were angry ather.’
‘No. I’ve let it go. But she’ll never forgive me for selling the house.’
