Page 18 of Promises & Petals in Nettleford-on-the-Wold (Escape to… Nettleford-on-the-Wold #1)

C losing the lid of her laptop, Hannah leaned her back against the thin sofa cushions in the caravan.

She couldn’t concentrate. After leaving Sophie with Josh yesterday, she just couldn’t get the image of her friend being that upset out of her mind.

When she’d dropped Florrie round later in the day, Sophie had looked better and had assured her that she’d had a good conversation with Josh, who had helped make up her mind to tell Richard their relationship was over.

And Hannah was relieved. Sophie was one of the kindest people she knew, and she deserved a happy, loving relationship, not to be lying on eggshells as Richard swanned off doing what he wanted, when he wanted without caring about Sophie or little Florrie.

She picked up her mobile, unsure whether she should pop by or wait until Sophie contacted her.

Sliding her legs from beneath the table, Hannah stood up. She’d pop round and check on her. If Sophie’s parents were there or if she was busy, she could always leave again; she just couldn’t bear the thought of Sophie being alone right now.

Opening his eyes, Alfie lifted his head and stretched.

‘You want to come for the walk, do you?’ Hannah smiled as she grabbed his lead from the hooks by the door. ‘Come on then, little one.’

At the sight of his lead in Hannah’s hand, Alfie jumped onto the floor and trotted across to her, his fluffy tail wagging.

‘You’ve suddenly got some energy now you’ve seen your lead, have you?’ Laughing, Hannah secured it to his collar before pulling the door open. ‘Come on then, let’s get going.’

Stepping outside, she looked towards the cottage. Josh and Freddie were standing outside talking to a couple of other men. All of them looking up towards the roof as they gesticulated with their hands. She frowned. What was going on?

As though he’d read her mind, Josh turned and held his hand up in a wave before turning back and talking to the other men. A couple of seconds later, he jogged across the garden towards her, a large grin stuck to his face. ‘Morning.’

‘Morning.’ She smiled. ‘What’s happening over there?’

‘The lads have come to put up some scaffolding so we can get the hole sealed off and check the rest of the thatch.’ Turning, he shielded his eyes from the sun with his hand as he pointed.

Hannah nodded. She vaguely remembered something about scaffolding. ‘How’s Sophie?’

Glancing down at the ground, Josh dragged his palm across his face. ‘She told him last night whilst our parents had Florrie over for a sleepover. By the sounds of it, he was about to do the same thing and already had a bag packed.’

‘You’re kidding?’ Hannah opened her mouth in disbelief. How could he...?

‘I think it’s a good thing. It made things easier for Soph.’ Josh looked at her.

‘And she’s doing okay? Considering?’

Josh shrugged. ‘It’s going to be tough, and I can’t imagine how she’ll break it to little Florrie, but she’s strong.’

‘She is.’ Hannah walked towards the gate. ‘I was just going to pop over there now to see how she is.’

‘That’s a good idea. She’ll appreciate it.’ Holding his hand out, Josh indicated the other side of the caravan before glancing back towards the three men still chatting outside the cottage.

Walking around to the other side of the caravan, Hannah waited until they were both out of sight before turning back towards Josh.

She smiled as he rested his hands on the small of her back and drew her towards him.

Dropping Alfie’s lead to the ground, Hannah wrapped her arms around his neck and grinned.

‘How I wish I could do this is public.’ Lifting one hand, he tucked her hair behind her ear.

‘Do what?’ She watched as a smile danced on his lips before he leaned forward and kissed her.

‘That.’

Leaning back slightly, she ran the pad of her forefinger across his mouth. ‘Me too. How can we tell Sophie now, though? After what she’s going through?’

‘She’ll understand.’

Resting her cheek against his chest, she listened to his steady heartbeat. ‘It’s just not the right time.’

‘Soon then.’

Hannah nodded against his chest. She could stay like this forever, his arms wrapped around her, his heart beating against her ear.

‘Yikes!’ A loud scream broke the quiet, and both Josh and Hannah jumped apart and raced back around the caravan.

‘Alfie, no!’ Realising the scream belonged to Freddie, who was now running across the garden trying to avoid little Alfie, who was chasing after him, Hannah ran forward and scooped the small dog up in her arms.

‘That thing’s dangerous.’ Halting in his tracks, Freddie pointed to Alfie before gingerly walking back to the group.

‘Sorry.’ Hannah grimaced. When she’d let go of his lead, she’d completely forgotten Alfie had taken a disliking to Freddie.

Breathing out a long breath, Freddie shook his head, trying to compose himself again. ‘No worries. He just took me by surprise, that’s all.’

‘Uh-huh, sure he did.’ Josh chuckled as he slapped Freddie on the back.

Sidling up to her, Freddie leaned in a little. ‘I’ll accept if you want to take me out for coffee as a way of apologising.’

‘Umm.’ Hannah stepped back as Alfie began to growl, her arm knocking into Josh’s. She could feel the heat of his skin igniting hers. She swallowed and glanced around the group. Surely everyone must be able to tell something was going on between them?

‘You just won’t take the hint, will you, Freddie?’ Josh rolled his eyes. ‘Come on, let’s get back to work.’

‘Have fun.’ Hannah grinned as she turned and forced herself to walk away.