Page 57 of Rough Around the Hedges

He narrowed his eyes sceptically. “In… bulk?”

“Ten kilos should be enough.”

“Forgive me for asking, but what the fuck do you need ten kilos of salt for?”

“To spread around my office. My car. Stuff sandwich bags full of it into my pockets. It might keep these demons away.” I peered out of the window. “This is a nightmare. The last thing I need is my mother teaming up with Rose to go against me.”

Luke closed the door behind him. “Ah. It is going to cause a disturbance, yes,” he said. “But you have a bigger worry right now, Oli.”

What on Earth could be bigger than that? “What’s going on now?”

“The Hanbury Allotment Committee have been issued an official permit for an organised, peaceful protest this Wednesday.” He handed me a large, white envelope.

Dread trickled down my spine. “Did you say a peaceful protest? With Rose in charge? Who approved this?”

“The council in co-ordination with the local police force,” he replied. “The police will be assigning officers to keep things under control.”

“Hm. Isn’t one of Rose’s closest friends a police officer?”

“Yes, but not of a rank where he would have a say in this matter.” Luke coughed into his fist. “I suspect it’s a ploy for media attention. As your assistant, I would recommend that you don’t attend, Your Grace.”

I stared at the permit then glanced at him. “And as my friend?”

“I still think it’s a terrible idea.”

“I guess I’ll go, then.”

“Do you ever listen to me?” Luke grumbled. “If your mother does disagree with you, God only knows what kind of chaos this is going to end up as.”

Despite my worries, a smile crept onto my face. “Then maybe I should pay a visit to Rose’s friend ahead of my attendance at the protest, no?”

13

ROSE

An Unlikely Ally

“You’re fucking insane.”

I fiddled inside my trench coat and met my brother’s eyes. “Is that not already a well-established fact in this town? Why are you saying it like it’s some kind of grand discovery on par with King Tut’s tomb?”

Jake sighed, dropping his chin to his chest. “Rose, I’m begging you to think this through.”

“I have thought about it. I think it’s perfectly reasonable.”

“You may think so, but there’s nothing reasonable about what you’re going to do.”

“This is an official protest approved by the council and the police force. As long as I don’t break any laws, there’s nothing that can be done.”

“You’re going to end up in jail.”

“Time-out,” I corrected him.

“A jail cell is a jail cell, Rose.” Jake ran his hand through his hair. “Is somethingthiscrazy all you can come up with?”

I adjusted the belt of my trench coat and looked away. “Good girls don’t go down in history, squirt.”

“Are you trying to go down in history?”

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