Page 76

KITTY

The dayof the cricket match began in a dewy haze. Kitty woke as the sun inched towards the orange horizon. She crept downstairs, careful not to wake Julia and the cats, and made a strong coffee. The thick brown liquid dripped into the cup, and her body tingled with trepidation.

Last night, she’d received the news she’d been waiting for. Wilbur Reed offered her the job at a far higher salary than she’d imagined. The firm wanted her to start orientation in the next couple of weeks.

It was time to leave Tottenbridge.

She’d called her sister to tell her the news. Ronnie was ecstatic for her, planning where to go apartment hunting and shopping trips to update her corporate wardrobe.

“You’re getting just what you wanted! All that hard work has paid off. And think, no mud under your fingernails!”

Her sister beamed at her on the screen and asked her a million questions. Kitty just wanted to talk about the sanctuary and Josh. She hadn’t, of course, but even amid her ultimate triumph, he was all she thought of.

She’d seen him only fleetingly in the last few days, and his texts had been short and sketchy. Kitty sighed and pulled her hair in a rope over one shoulder. After the events at Daniel’s, she’d hoped something would happen. That fate was going to smile and deliver her a happy ending. However, Josh was a fly in the ointment, and she longed for the days when they’d chatted easily and laughed until their faces ached.

Thea said he was playing in the match today, so a tiny firefly of hope buzzed in her chest. At least she’d get to spend the day looking at him.

Kitty hadn’t bothered to get dressed. Who else would be up this early to notice? She gripped the cup of fresh coffee and stepped out into the garden, wearing a pair of tiny black knickers, her pink wellies and Josh’s T-shirt, still tied up at her waist. She slept in his T-shirt every night.

As she wandered down the path, running her fingers through the fragrant lavender, Kitty came to the wildflowers near the stone wall. She stood, taking in the glorious dawn as the dewy grass kissed her knees. She’d miss everything about Tottenbridge. Last night, excitement filled her, but now her energy flatlined.

A sudden warmth hit her skin, and Kitty turned to see the sun emerge over the rolling fields. She breathed out and submitted to its warming, golden glow. Drawing on its energy, she could feel herself powering up in its rays.

43

JOSH

Josh was up early.He’d spent a wasted evening at the pub attending a Young Guns warm-up event hosted by Daniel. After they finished the tactical discussions and decided on the batting order, Daniel took charge, taking bets on the outcome and urging everyone to drink all the alcohol in the pub.

Heavy drinking wasn’t the best tactic before a match, but even Josh had joined in. Daniel was on form but looked at the door each time it opened. He wasn’t the only one. Every time Josh heard its familiar swish, he hoped to see Kitty. She never came.

Daniel was unnervingly friendly, disarming him with his legendary charm. He’d obliged him last night but wasn’t sure he could maintain the pretence. When he looked at Daniel, he only saw green.

Although he presented a calm demeanour to the world, Josh was in absolute torment. His attempt to distract himself with work had failed, and he’d spent most evenings moping around at Thea’s. He’d asked her not to say anything to Kitty. He preferred to ride out the time until she left Tottenbridge, keeping a low profile. Self-preservation. Thea had agreed but imposed a rule of her own. If she couldn’t talk to Kitty about Josh, it was only fair it should work the other way around.

Josh spent yet another sleepless night thinking about her. He now found himself out before dawn, running off his frustration. An overwhelming need to be near her guided his feet, and he ran toward Rose Cottage, unsure what to do once he got there.

The sun had come up, and as he approached the house, a lone figure stood in the garden.Kitty. Her long, long hair, crumpled from sleep, hung down at her waist, skirting the hem of his old T-shirt. He’d forgotten, and now she wore it, still knotted just above her tummy button. The sun’s early rays hit her flat, brown stomach and skimmed down her endless legs. She reminded him of a sunflower, standing still and tall, eyes closed in the blinding, golden light.

Josh’s breath caught, and he broke his stride, slowing down. She looked so peaceful. He felt like an intruder. He had time to leave and turn back, but a boisterous Wendy had other ideas. She bowled straight through a gap in the gate, barking at the top of her lungs. Kitty startled and staggered backwards to prepare for an incoming dog-shaped missile. She steadied herself just in time and caught a hurtling Wendy in both arms.

“Slow down!” she shouted.

Kitty laughed as Wendy covered her legs with a shower of excited licks and wriggles.Josh took out his ear pods and ambled to the garden wall. It was a solid stone barrier between them. He leaned on the gate, trying to look as casual as possible. Feeling anything but.

Kitty saw him and glowed a beautiful pink as she walked towards him, pulling down on her T-shirt. Her beauty took his breath away. Why the hell had he stayed away?

“Hello, stranger. How’ve you been?” she asked.

Wretched for not seeing youdidn’t sound very casual, so instead, he kept things vague. “I’ve been good. A little busy, though.”

“I see,” she said, her brow creasing.

If she was going to give him a piece of her mind for his behaviour, he deserved it. Avoiding her had been rude and arrogant. A hot burn rose in his chest, and he swallowed down hard. He’d never dare to tell her why.

Just then, Wendy spotted a rabbit and tore down the paddock to chase it, her shrill barks echoing off oak trees that ran along the garden. Grateful for the distraction, Josh smiled.

“We missed you at the pub last night. You didn’t feel like coming?”