Page 130 of Rough Around the Hedges

“Ooh. The second one.”

I stood up with a sigh. “Given that she’s thinking of dumping me before we’ve even started a relationship, you might be right.”

“Then why not just sell the land anyway?” Luke shrugged. “Think about it. Your lives are so different, Oli. Everything we’re doing tonight is everything she would hate. She loves her quiet little countryside life. These suits and fancy dresses in a loud city are probably her worst nightmare.”

I looked away, not wanting to acknowledge his words. I knew all of that. I knew there were huge differences in our lives and what our commitments and priorities were, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t willing to try.

If she rejected me after I gave her the papers giving the allotment committee stewardship of the land, I would respect her wishes and walk away.

But if she didn’t reject me, if she accepted my feelings for her, if shereturnedthose same feelings, I wanted to try.

If I didn’t, it would be the biggest regret of my life.

“It doesn’t matter,” I said quietly, turning back to them both. “A life here, a life there… The only life I want is one where she’s in it—one where she’s smiling. Even if she rejects me, I won’t change my mind and sell the land. I know how beautiful her smile is, and I would never forgive myself if I’m the reason she loses it. I want togiveher a reason to smile. Even if her smiles aren’t for me when this is all said and done, then it’s fine. The fact she still has it will be enough for me.”

“But—”

Mum rested her hand on Luke’s arm and gently shook her head. “Remember when Oli wasn’t sure about you getting back together with Millie, but you did it anyway?”

He hesitated. “Yeah, I remember.”

“He trusted your decision, even if he didn’t agree with it,” she reminded him. “You may not agree that Rose is right for him, but it’s his decision, Luke. No matter how good a place your concern comes from, sometimes you have to take a step back, even if you think the other person is making a mistake.”

“You’re right.” He rubbed his face and looked at me. “I’ll trust your decision for now. I’ll just say one more thing before I drop it: that woman has been on your case since the moment she laid eyes on you. She’s vandalised your property, organised a protest in which she ran through the village wearing nothing but lettuce leaves, and run an online campaign to smear your name as an uncaring, cruel man who should be run out of Hanbury and shit on by a thousand one-legged seagulls. God knows what else she has up her sleeve.”

I grinned. “I know. I don’t just love her for her looks, you know.”

“You’re down so bad it’s a miracle you can stand up,” he said, sighing as he stood. He offered his arm to Mum. “Come on, Eleanor. Let’s go and pretend we don’t know him.”

Mum giggled as she took his arm. “Millie won’t get jealous of me being your date, will she?”

“I think she wants you to adopt her,” he said drolly. “No worries there.”

“Ooh, daughters everywhere!” She laughed, throwing her head back. She quickly turned and pointed at me. “Behave yourself tonight. Don’t get caught in any positions that could compromise Rose becoming my daughter-in-law.”

I didn’t have it in me to argue anymore, so I simply said, “Yes, Mother,” and followed them out of the penthouse.

Believe me, that was the last thing I wanted to do.

Especially if she was already planning to end things.

There wasn’t a chance in hell I was going to let her do that without us having a proper conversation. And even then, it was doubtful if I’d be able to let her go.

Luke was right.

27

ROSE

The Green-Eyed Gardener

Isa steepled her fingers in front of her face and sat forwards, doing her best impression of Mr Burns fromThe Simpsons. “How fucking dare he?”

I stared at the tablet screen between us and swallowed. “It’s just… part of his life there, right?”

“Part of his life?” she squeaked, reaching out and swiping to the next picture in the article. “Look at this! Look at how close she is to him! After all his fussing yesterday about you being close to another man, he’s out there at some fancy rich people party with women all over him!”

“They’re not all over him,” I argued, albeit weakly. “And it’s not really my business anyway. I was just humouring him yesterday. We’re not in a relationship. He’s free to cosy up to anyone he likes.”

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