Page 20 of All Wrapped Up
I had no idea why I’d put it like that and felt my face flush as a result. Ash looked rather warm, too.
‘Pumpkins?’ he frowned. ‘Are you trying to put me off giving you my dog adoption spiel by talking about the Fens’ favourite crop?’
‘No.’ I smiled, although getting off the dog topic was part of my desire to change the subject. ‘Though it is connected.’
‘So, what is it then?’ he asked, his head endearingly cocked.
‘Well,’ I said, as I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing. ‘It actually is about pumpkins.’
‘Clemmie!’ Ash scolded.
‘I’m being serious!’ I giggled, then took a deep breath. ‘Pumpkins are going to feature heavily because I, by which Imean, we, are going to honour the idea Moses Talbot had and organise the first ever Wynbridge Autumn Festival.’
‘What?’ Ash gasped. ‘Are you being serious?’
‘I am,’ I told him. ‘The festival is now happening because we’re going to set it up.’
‘No way,’ he blinked. ‘I don’t believe it. I can’t believe you’re taking it on!’
‘We’retaking it on,’ I hastily corrected him. ‘I’ve said I’ll do it, but only if your offer to help out still stands.’
Ash ran his hands through his hair and sat back in his chair.
‘Well?’ I asked, when he didn’t say anything. ‘Please don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind?’
‘No,’ he said. ‘No, I haven’t changed my mind.’
‘What then?’
‘It’s nothing.’
‘I don’t believe you.’
He gave me a look I couldn’t fathom.
‘Come on,’ I urged. ‘Spit it out, because there’s clearly something stopping you jumping for joy.’
‘Well, it’s just that, I’d hate for Joanne to use this as an opportunity to try and push us together when we’re both so contentedly single. It would be awful if she meddled and caused some stress and tension between us.’
She’d clearly really done a number on him. The poor guy was paranoid, but her interference in my life was the last thing I wanted, too.
‘You don’t have to worry about that,’ I reassured him. ‘Lizzie and Jemma have had serious words with her and Joanne’s properly got the message now that neither of us will tolerate being set up.’
‘Really?’
‘Truly.’
‘So, we’re safe then?’ Ash asked, sounding hopeful.
‘Safe as houses,’ I confirmed. ‘And Lizzie has said she’s going to remind her yet again now that we’re running the festival, just to be on the safe side, because the last thing she wants is us dropping it because Joanne has given us so much as a loaded look.’
‘Oh, well, that’s put my mind at rest.’ Ash applauded, looking relieved. ‘That really does sound sorted.’
‘It is,’ I said. ‘No interference is allowed from Joanne, or anyone else, in any aspect of either of our lives.’
‘Well, in that case,’ he said happily, ‘count me in!’
‘You’re sure?’
