“If you like doing something, then it’s not silly.”
“I guess.”
“At least you have an interest in gardening. I don’t think most people your age see the appeal. No one even glances in here.”
Beyond the glass doors students walk past, oblivious. Most of them don’t care about gardening, that’s definitely true. But they like beautiful places. And quiet rooms for studying.
“Maybe if you got more comfortable seating?”
“Like some upholstered chairs?” she replies sarcastically.
“Why not? You have space here in the middle.” I stand and point. “You could position them around the pond so people could look at the water while they’re studying. And maybe put some tables and chairs in the corners. There should be space if you rearrange those potted ferns by the hibiscus.”
“You know an awful lot about this.” She studies me. “I’ll thinkabout it. And I’d like to see some of those fairy gardens you make. Bring me some pictures. I may even have a few things you could use in them.”
“Oh... um, okay. Thanks.”
She brushes some dirt off her hands onto her pants. “Feeling better now?”
“Yeah, actually.”
“I’ve always found gardening to be a great escape. But you don’t want to spend so much time alone with plants that you forget how to be around others.” She nods toward the entrance. “Hopefully you have some friends to spend time with as well?”
I nod. My thoughts go first to Dev, but then an idea comes to me. What if I invited Will to Dev’s cricket game this weekend? He should be back by then and it would be the perfect opportunity to see him. I still don’t know all the details of the game, but I know enough now to hold a conversation. The idea of having Will by my side again feels like a cool compress on a burn.
“Absolutely. Thanks again!” I pull my phone out and go in search of more bars.
“I’m putting you to work next time,” she calls after me.
Chapter
18
I have to knock three times on Dev and Huan’s door theSaturday of the cricket game before anyone opens it.
“Hey.” Huan pulls a long-sleeved shirt down over his jeans. More shirts lie in a pile on his bed, including a few Star Wars ones, and I get the impression that he’s already changed clothes multiple times today.
“Will and Frank are almost here!” I say. “We’re supposed to meet them outside.”
I’d called Will right away to invite him to the game this weekend. I was nervous that he’d have something better to do than watch amateur cricket, but he jumped at the idea. And, a few hours later, he texted to say that Frank wanted to come too. I’m grateful to have the whole day with him. The few times we’ve seen each other since Bath have felt like something out of my daydreams—walking hand in hand down quaint British streets, shy smiles over dinner, kissing under the moonlight—but since we’re both burned out from work or school, our dates are short and our conversationsnever delve into anything too serious. Mostly we just talk about silly things like the weirdest stuff he’s seen while walking through properties with clients (they once found a mannequin with one arm and a clown wig in a basement). Hopefully today we can spend the entire time bonding over cricket. I’d love to surprise him with my new knowledge.
Huan puts his hands on my shoulders. “Don’t freak out. All we’re doing is watching a cricket game. Dev wasn’t this nervous and he’splayingin it.”
I run my sweaty hands down my pants. I wish Dev and Sage were with us, but Dev is warming up and Sage insisted she needed to spend the day catching up on her reading. Poor Dev.
My phone vibrates and I whip it out. “They’re here!” I cry, making Huan jump.
“Christ, Ellie, cool it or you’re going to scare him away in two seconds.”
But Huan’s pace matches my own as we bustle through the manor to meet the guys in the circular driveway.
“Hi!” I yell as soon as I’m out the door. Will breaks into a huge smile and reaches out to hug me. We walk through the fields that lie behind the manor toward the cricket pitch. I peek over at Huan and Frank, and they’re already absorbed in conversation. I grin and tilt my head back so the sun can warm my cheeks on this cool October day. Emberton feels different with Will here—bright and shiny like it’s my first day again.
“It’s been too long since I saw a proper game of cricket that wasn’t on the telly. I didn’t even know Emberton had a team.”
“Well, I’m not sure howproperthey are. Dev warned me it could be rough.”
“Is he watching with us as well?”
