Page 123 of Rough Around the Hedges

I clicked on the video she’d sent just in time to hear Rose shouting about kitchen towel not being a good sword and burst out laughing. George appeared to be being besieged by several crows, and his weapon of choice was a full roll of kitchen paper that he was enthusiastically waving and stabbing through the air. Rose, for her part, was on the floor with a dustpan and brush, occasionally scaring a crow off with the brush between her guffaws. Others joined forces to protect her, and a few seconds later, she shoved the dustpan under the tablecloth and sat back, laughing her ass off.

The video was loud with all the people, but I could hear her laugh as if she were right next to me.

I knew that laugh.

It was the one she let out when she was truly happy.

Despite her shouting just a minute before, she was in her element, and I smiled ruefully.

God, how I wished I was there instead of here.

The video finished, and another message from Isa came, this time with several pictures attached. They were all of Rose—of her smiling, of her laughing. Her covered in dirt, potting up some small plants with children. Her carrying a pygmy goat in strawberry-patterned pyjamas in her arms while grinning at the camera. Her on Shaun’s back directing him somewhere while he looked exhausted.

Her modelling Susan’s crochet hats.

Her in a hot pink feather boa welcoming people to the petting zoo.

Her sitting on a bench in the park, her phone to her ear, looking up at the sky.Smiling… at me. Because that’s when we were on the phone.

Damn it.

ISADORA: She’s having the time of her life.

ME: She said that if I were there, she’d shove me with the teachers and have everyone throw water balloons at me.

ISADORA: She just had the librarian print out two giant pictures of your face. They’re either for water balloons or darts.

Of course, she would never make a threat she wasn’t fully prepared to follow through with.

Rose always found a way.

ME: She really is the heartbeat of that place, isn’t she?

ISADORA: Thankfully only the heartbeat and not the brain, or God only knows what would happen to Hanbury.

ISADORA: Can I ask you something?

ME: You can ask.

ISADORA: Are you really still going to sell the allotments? I know something is going on between you.

I paused, my thumbs hovering over the screen, and another message quickly came through.

ISADORA: I know this isn’t my business. You can tell me to fuck off. I won’t be offended.

I chuckled. Of course, she wouldn’t be. Her and Rose were one and the same.

But I couldn’t answer her question.

ME: It’s complicated.

ISADORA: Is it? You’re either selling it or you aren’t. From where I’m standing, it’s not complicated.

ME: There are a lot of things to consider. I’m not the kind of person who says something unless I know it for sure.

ISADORA: Then can you at least tell me this? Do you have feelings for Rose? Because if not, please end whatever is going on between you, or I’ll end you.

I really wouldn’t put it past her.

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