Page 6 of Never Tell Secrets

“I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t plan this. I just found out about the opening today and I thought I’d take the chance of trying to talk to you face to face. Please, Lola? Alfie needs?—”

“Don’t. Don’t say his name. I’ve spent two years piecing myself back together after the last time I tried to give Alfie what he‘needed.’I won’t allow you or anyone else to undo my hard work.”

He looked taken aback at the venom flying out of my mouth and for a moment I felt guilty. This wasn’t Riley’s fault.

“Problem?” A familiar hand slipped into mine and I was instantly calmer.

“Keira, good to see you again.” Riley smiled, clearly trying to recover himself. “I was just asking Lola if she might give me five minutes. Think you could help me persuade her?” Keira answered him with the same cold silence I’d given him. His face fell and he gave a defeated nod before turning back to me. “I’mstill on the same number. Please change your mind. I know you hate him, but I’m worried about him and he’s my best friend. You understand that kind of bond.” His gaze lingered for a painful heartbeat before he turned and left.

I could feel my legs trembling, tears threatening that I refused to let fall. Keira’s hand squeezed mine. “Want to get out of here?”

“No.” I took a breath, calming myself. “I’m not letting Alfie ruin this night for me.” The sound of Janet Green’s laugh distracted me. I still had some smooth-talking to do. This wasmynight.Mine.I had worked too hard to run away and cry over old memories.

Keira gave my bottom a slap. “Atta girl.”

Two

Despite the brave face I’d put on at the exhibition, Alfie had been on my mind all night. Even now I was waiting for him to burst through the door and make demands of me like he used to. I tossed and turned until sunrise and now I stood in the kitchen, stirring my coffee, refusing to think anymore about what Riley had said. I focused instead on figuring out what to do with my day now that my internship was over.

Yesterday's post sat in a pile and I smiled at the sight of a brightly-coloured envelope. I pulled it out, my heart warming at my nephew’s clumsy handwriting and the askew stamp. I settled onto the couch and opened the latest chapter from Ryan’s newest novel. In the last few years he’d graduated from giraffes to giant trolls and now to pirates.

I read as the sun came up, and when it was over, I immediately penned a review and placed it in a dinosaur-decorated envelope. Back in my room I wrestled the small box from the back of my closet and placed Ryan’s letter in with the rest of them. It had only been two months since I’d seen my sister and nephew but I missed them, and my Memory Garden would need tending to again by now. I’d go for another visit soon.

I heard the front door open and shut, and a moment later Keira’s bedroom door creaked and closed, followed by the squeak of bed springs as she fell into bed. Working in the theatre now, her days always seemed to end as mine were beginning. As if on cue, my phone began to ring. I scooped it up and smiled at the caller ID.

“Imani, hi.”

“Good morning, Lola,” her warm, steady voice greeted me. “I was wondering if you could meet with me today? The Orangery at nine? There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

“Of course.” I answered, my curiosity piqued. Whatever she needed to discuss, it would put off the job hunt for a while…and it would keep me distracted from old memories for a little longer.

Imani’s studio was a stark contrast to her vibrant style. There was a glass boardroom table, an easel to work at and a simple desk, also glass. On the wall were charcoal depictions of acacia trees, the only sign of life here. I was a person who needed muses to work, but Imani needed an absence of inspiration in order to create. She was seated at her desk and gave me a wide smile when I entered.

“You wanted to see me?”

“Yes! Please, sit.” She gestured to the metal chair on the other side of her desk and I sat. Imani smiled, sipping her chamomile tea. “I just want to say that the last few months, working with you, have been a treat. It’s been a long time since I met a young person with such promise. To that end, I have a new project available for you.”

“You’re extending my internship?” My heart leapt.

“Not quite.” She pulled a file out of a drawer and slid it across the desk. I read the project name and my breath caught in my throat.

“The Chelsea Flower Show?” I opened the file and found plot schematics. “They’ve given you another commission? Imani, that's huge! Congratulations.” This wasn’t new, Imani had designed for them before, but it was still an honour.

“Again, not quite. They’ve givenyoua commission.” My heart stopped. Silence hung thick in the air.

“Huh?” Was the only sound I could make. Her rich laugh echoed around the office.

“Every year, the board for the CFS selects a newly qualified designer to present at the show. Their selection is based on performance, recommendation, skill...You’ve made an impression it seems.”

Again, I was struck by silence. “I don’t understand. They want me to design?”

“Yes. If you accept, of course.”IfI accept. As if there was ever any question. My hand went to my necklace, my thumb rubbing over the smooth glass.Mum.I could almost feel her hand on my shoulder, her smile warming me from above. “Now, of course this isn’t a paid project so I have a second offer to make. I want you to continue as my assistant for the foreseeable, at least until your project for the CFS is over. It won’t be too glamorous and the pay will be terrible but it should get you by. What do you think?”

“I think this is crazy.” I looked up at my friend and mentor. A wide grin crept onto my face as I allowed this news to sink in.

She smiled back. “The show is in six months.”

I spent the afternoon getting settled in my new role as Imani’s assistant, all the while brainstorming. I was designing for the Chelsea Flower Show…It didn’t feel real. My life was coming together. Piece by piece I was moving forward and leaving all thoughts of Riley’s surprise appearance firmly behind me.