Page 38 of Promises & Petals in Nettleford-on-the-Wold
‘Come on, let’s get you in the car.’ Leaning back, he kissed her forehead before helping her up and into the car.
Once she was seated and the door closed, Hannah leaned her head back against the headrest and took a deep breath in. She hugged Alfie a little tighter on her lap and glanced behind her where Sophie was sitting. Josh and Sophie were int he car together. What had they been doing? Where had they been? Was Sophie still talking to Josh? Nothing made sense.
As they rounded the corner into the close, the car slowed to a stop outside the cottage, and Josh turned to her, his face full of confusion. ‘The caravan? You’ve hooked it up to the car. Were you leaving?’
Nodding, she chewed on her bottom lip. She hadn’t wanted him to find out like this. She’d wanted to be long gone before he realised. She hadn’t wanted to make this any harder for either of them than it had to be.
‘Why?’ His voice cracked as he dragged his palm down his face. ‘You were just going to go and not tell me? You were leaving me?’
‘No, I...’ Hannah fixed her gaze on Alfie’s tag on his collar. ‘I didn’t want to make this any harder for either of us. I never meant to hurt you.’
‘But why?’ Josh twisted in the driver’s seat to face her; his face ashen.
Forcing herself to reply, she twisted in her chair to face Sophie. ‘I’m sorry, Sophie. I should never have let myself fall for Josh. And I should never have allowed myself to act on my feelings. I shouldn’t...’
‘Hannah...’ Sophie frowned.
‘I know I’ve been a terrible friend. Especially with everything you’ve got going on at the moment, but I didn’t plan for this to happen, neither of us did. And it was all my fault. If I hadn’t...’ Hannah shook her head. ‘Just please forgive Josh and move on. Don’t let this get between the two of you. I’ll be leaving and...’ She bit back a sob as she turned to Josh. ‘I’m so sorry, Josh. I really thought this might work. I should never have allowed myself to feel for you what I do.’
‘But, Hannah, I’m happy that you and Josh have got together.’ Leaning forward, Hannah placed her hand on Hannah’s shoulder.
‘What?’ Hannah frowned. What had Sophie just said?
‘I think it’s a great idea you two getting together. I love you both, and I trust you both. I know you’ll look after each other. You just took me by surprise back in the hall. I’m sorry if I looked as though I angry at you both. I wasn’t.’
Blinking, Hannah met Josh’s gaze. Hannah had looked so upset when she’d blurted out that she and Josh were together.
Josh wiped a tear from Hannah’s cheek. ‘Soph has given us her blessing. We’ve just been to drop Florrie off with Richard and then we were on our way to tell you.’
‘You were?’ She looked between Josh and Sophie.
‘Yes, we were.’ Sophie laughed. ‘Just think, if you two marry, you really will be my sister.’
‘Sister-in-law. Sister sounds weird.’ Josh chuckled at his sister before turning back to Hannah. ‘She’s right though. I’m falling for you, Cupcake.’
‘I’m falling for you too.’ Relief flooded through her body as Josh leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her, Alfie cocooned in the middle of them. Closing her eyes, she kissed him, all her worries and fears of the future melting away. In that moment she knew she’d found her home, Josh.
Epilogue
‘Alfie, 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.’
