Page 26 of Promises & Petals in Nettleford-on-the-Wold
‘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.
Chapter Eighteen
Pressing the doorbell, Hannah stepped back and waited as Sophie’s front door was pulled open and Sophie’s mum, Meg, stood in the doorway.
‘Hannah, how lovely to see you. Sophie mentioned you were back, and Josh said he was working on your roof. I’m so sorry I’ve not popped over to welcome you home. I have a casserole in the freezer waiting for you.’
‘Oh, hi. Thank you.’ Hannah smiled. Sophie’s parents had always been so kind to her, but for some reason she felt a little awkward talking to Meg knowing that she was seeing her son. She could feel her lips tingling as though the very memory of Josh kissing her only minutes before would be apparent for all to see.
‘Come on in, love.’ Meg held the door open wide and stepped aside.
‘Oh, I don’t want to interrupt. I’ll come back later.’ Holding her hand up, palm forward, Hannah shook her head. She’d come to see if Sophie was okay, and now, she knew her parents were there she knew she’d be well taken care of.
‘Don’t go. Come on in.’ Meg lowered her voice and nodded towards the closed living room door at her side. ‘Sophie could use all the support she can get right about now.’
Hannah bit down on her bottom lip. She could hardly leave now, could she? ‘Okay.’
‘Good, good. Hello, little one. I’m guessing this is Alfie? Sophie told me you’d re-homed a dog whilst on your travels.’ Meg fussed over him before ushering Hannah inside and closing the front door. ‘He’s adorable.’
‘Thanks. He knows it too.’ Hannah smiled as she waited for Meg to indicate she should go into the living room. Opening the door, Hannah stepped inside. Pat, Sophie’s dad, was sitting on the sofa next to his daughter, whilst Lucy was sitting cross-legged on the rug, her hands wrapped around a mug. She held her hand up in a small wave. ‘Hi, everyone.’
Sophie stood up and walked across to her before drawing her into a hug. ‘Thank you for everything yesterday. I’m so glad you turned up when you did, I’d have never forgiven myself if Florrie had walked in on me in floods of tears like that. Thank you.’
Hannah hugged her back ‘How are you holding up?’
Pulling away, Sophie sighed. ‘I’m okay. I weirdly feel better than I have in a long long time. It’s strange, but now we’ve officially broken up, I feel as though I can breathe again.’
Meg held her hands out towards the sofa. ‘Do you want to take a seat, Hannah, love?’
Hannah shook her head before lowering herself to the floor. ‘I’m okay, thanks.’
Nodding, Meg sat down on the sofa, Sophie sitting between both her parents.
‘Oh, look at my manners! I’ll go and put the kettle on.’ Pat looked across to Lucy. ‘Do you need a top-up?’
‘That would be wonderful, Pat. Thank you.’ Lucy grinned as she passed across her mug.
‘Where’s Florrie?’ Hannah glanced around the living room.
‘She’s still at school. Gemma said she’ll let her do a few jobs around the classroom after school finishes before bringing her home.’ Sophie smiled.
‘How’s she enjoying her first week in reception?’ Hannah unclipped Alfie’s lead.
