Page 69 of Matilda’s Summer of New Beginnings

‘But we all had faith in Polly,’ I said, confused.

‘I had every faith in Polly — but I’m not sure I had the same faith in the judges. Gosh that sounds awful doesn’t it?’ He looked down and started picking at a blade of grass. ‘Like I don’t trust them to pick the best act.’

‘Jay — I admire what you did today, I really do. But — you know, if you had gone on, and you had won, it would have been a fair contest. Polly’s amazing, but you’re incredible. You’ve done this for years, you do it for a living.’

‘And Polly’s confidence would have been at rock bottom again. She’d feel like she’d put herself out there but what was the point. She’s quite young, you know, and she really does have low self-esteem. I didn’t want to knock her again.’

‘Well — how did you know she’d win today without you going on? Surely, it would have been better to lose to you than to Aurelia or Aurelia’s mum!’

He grinned at the grass. ‘Yeah. But that would never have happened. You’ve seen the show now, you know what it’s like!’ He looked up, still smiling. ‘But good grief, Owen was a bloody contender today wasn’t he?’

‘Too damn right.’ I thought for a minute. ‘I liked Sausage as well. I think, had he not eaten his party trick, he may have been a contender too.’

‘Sausage is an awesome dog.’

‘He is.’

‘He belongs to Violet — you know, she’s with Ben, who owns the chocolate shop?’

‘Ah, I thought the owner looked familiar on the stage. She’s the one who got called out on her hay fever at the Planning night.’

‘Yes. I’m not sure why Ben doesn’t get allergic to Sausage, the way he’s allergic to Arfur and Umbert. One of life’s great mysteries, I guess. Gosh, doesn’t the Planning night seem a long way away now?’

I had to agree. ‘So much seems to have happened since then,’ I said. ‘Damien’s practically a permanent fixture at the flat and he’s got a sensible job now too. As well as his modelling on the side. Rosie’s as mad as ever, but she’s determined to have a Halloween wedding, so the place is full of magazines and pictures of vampire brides.’

‘Why doesn’t she just go as a pumpkin?’ asked Jay. ‘She might be the right shape for a pumpkin by then.’

I laughed. I knew he wasn’t being mean — she was his sister, and their relationship would never change, no matter what happened between us. Between me and Jay.

To thwart these thoughts, because part of me still couldn’t believe we were here, still holding hands, and quite possibly on the cusp of — something, I ploughed on with my observations. ‘And I’ve done shifts at the Spatchcock, and at Cerys’ tearoom. And a whole other person is now in the world if you think of baby Elin.’

‘And you’ve styled a rock star,’ added Jay, ‘and she won a competition.’

‘Very true.’ I nodded, and pulled my legs up in front of me. ‘Lots of things have happened. I think I’m going to quit Angelina’s café too. Well — I have to really. I don’t want to stay in London, and it’s not practical for me to stay with Rosie and Damien and the forthcoming sprog.’ Even though Rosie had already told me I was to be its godmother, the thought of living with a small baby in the flat for any length of time was not appealing.

‘You’d consider leaving London, even now you’re a mega-success in the art world?’ Jay nodded towards the Art Tent and I smiled.

I disconnected our hands, settled my chin on my knees, wrapped my arms around my legs and stared ahead. ‘It’s not for me. I got really scared at Julio’s. I don’t want to try and make a career in art. I’m not Edie and I never will be, and that’s good. It’s nice to do art. I like being creative and all that, but I have other plans.’

‘I hope they involve Padcock in some way?’ Jay sounded worried. ‘Veronica was very impressed with your pictures, and I’m sure she’s interested in using them in the Padcock Pathway leaflet.’

‘Yes, that’s what Edie told me as well. And Cerys wants my prints and things for the tearoom, which is super awesome. And Owen wants one of the bookshop. But I fancy going into sewing things properly — making wedding dresses, ultimately, for people who aren’t Rosie — but upcycling, making vintage clothing work for the modern buyer. Making prom dresses. For all sorts of girls. I fancy retraining in fashion design, actually. Working on Triple M Designs.’ I grinned to myself. ‘Maybe I need a better label though. Matilda Margaret Matthews works for that but I may need to reconsider. Anyway. That kind of thing. I’ve been tossing ideas around and I like that one. I keep coming back to it. And I won’t give up my art, but I’ll be realistic and treat it as a nice, paying hobby — if I’m lucky enough to sell work in Cerys’ tearoom, of course. But, I need a steady income and can work on all that on the side. So . . .’ I leaned to one side and slid my hand into my pocket. I pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Jay. ‘Does that seem okay? Do you think it’ll do the trick?’

‘What is it?’ asked Jay, unfolding it. Then, as he read it, and I saw a smile spread across his face, I knew I’d made the right decision.

‘Yep. It’s my CV and my covering letter. I’d like to come and work here for Cerys’ maternity cover at the tearoom. I know Polly can’t manage once she’s back at uni.’

‘Seriously? You’re coming to live in Padcock?’ Jay was almost fizzing with excitement and it was catching.

‘Yes. Hopefully. If they’ll have me. I don’t know where I can live, but I’m hoping Cerys will let me rent the flat on a long-term lease until I get somewhere. I need to speak to her if she agrees to let me come and manage the place while she’s away. I’m not sure I’ve even seen a job advert, but I’m hopeful.’

And just like that, it was real. I’d shared something I hadn’t shared with anyone else before. I’d brought the letter and CV with me, not quite sure if I’d go through with it — but now, after the moment I’d just spent with Jay, and that incredible kiss (oh God, that kiss!) I was committed in my heart to coming back to Padcock.

There wasn’t really anywhere else I’d rather be. Especially if Jay was in the equation.

Which, actually, I just needed to double-check.

‘Is that okay with you, though? I mean, really okay?’