Page 26 of Promises & Petals in Nettleford-on-the-Wold (Escape to… Nettleford-on-the-Wold #1)

‘ A lfie, come on, buddy. Time to go.’ Holding the back door of her car open, Hannah tapped her thigh as Alfie came ambling towards her. ‘Good boy. You get settled whilst I say my goodbyes.’

‘Don’t you dare run out on me without a hug!’ Lucy called from where she was standing in front of Hannah’s cottage with Gemma, Sophie, Florrie and Josh.

‘I won’t.’ Smiling, Hannah closed the car door as Alfie snuffled amongst his blanket on the backseat, searching for the dog treats she’d hidden in there for him. As she walked across the garden, Josh turned and caught her eye as a huge grin spread across his face.

Taking her hand in his, he drew her into the small group of friends before leaning down and kissing her on top of the head. ‘Is Alfie all settled and ready to go?’

She glanced behind her towards the car and the caravan hooked up to it, and she couldn’t hear any barking coming from the car, which was a sure sign Alfie was still busy. ‘Yes, he’s looking for his treats.’

‘Come on then, Hannah. Come here.’ Stepping towards her, Lucy drew her in for a hug. ‘I can’t believe you’re off again. You’ve only been here for a few weeks and now you’re leaving us.’

Hugging her friend back, Hannah laughed. ‘We’re only going away for a week! We’ll be back in no time.’

‘Well, you’d best be. I’ve booked Ruby’s restaurant in Nettleford for my birthday, and I need you both there.’ Gemma stabbed her finger towards Josh and Sophie in turn before wrapping her arms around Lucy and Hannah.

‘We’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss Ruby’s Mac and Cheese for anything.’

Tapping her on the shoulder, Gemma scowled playfully. ‘Oi! You’re supposed to say you wouldn’t miss celebrating my birthday for anything. Not just that you don’t want to miss the food.’

‘The food is good, though. You’ve got to admit that.’ Lucy giggled as she and Gemma stepped back.

‘True.’ Gemma nodded. ‘Okay, I’ll forgive you for that comment if you bring me back a stick of rock.’

‘We’re going to the Lake District, I’m not sure they’re famous for their rock.’ Josh chuckled.

‘Everywhere sells rock nowadays. I’m sure you’ll find some.’ Gemma grinned. ‘Or else a nice box of fudge.’

‘We’ll bring you something back.’ Hannah shook her head as she turned to Sophie. ‘And Soph, you’ll be okay whilst I’m taking your brother to the Lake District?’

Sophie nodded as she wrapped her arms around Hannah. ‘I’ll be fine. Besides, it’s been three months since me and Richard broke up. I’m a self-taught pro at this single-parent malarkey now.’

Squeezing her tight, Hannah smiled. ‘I know you are.’

Leaning back, Sophie took Hannah’s hands in hers. ‘You enjoy yourself, won’t you? Both of you.’

‘We will, Soph.’ Josh hugged his sister.

‘Good, because this is the first holiday you’ve had since you moved back to Nettleford-on-the-Wold.’ Sophie rubbed his back before ushering them towards the car. ‘Now be off with you before I have to call Mrs Bertridge to come and run you out of the village.’

‘We’re off.’ Hannah held her hand out to Josh and grinned as he squeezed her hand. ‘Let’s go.’

Josh opened the car door for Hannah before jumping into the passenger side. Winding the window down, he waved as Hannah drove them out of the garden gates.

At the end of the close, Hannah pulled up the handbrake and looked across at him. ‘I can’t wait to show you this little campsite in the Lakes.’

‘I can’t wait to see it myself.’ Josh leaned across the console and cupped Hannah’s cheek. ‘Saying that though, I promise you that I’d travel to the ends of the earth just to be with you.’

Hannah closed the small gap between them, closing her eyes as the warmth from his lips warmed hers. During these past few months, their relationship had gone form strength to strength and she couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life with him.

Pulling away, Josh ran the pad of his forefinger over her lips. ‘I love you, Cupcake.’

‘I love you too, Josh.’

The End