Page 20 of Redemption

By the time I’m finished and am back in the car, I’ve calmed down. A little. I do, however, feel sorry for the poor man who accidentally hit the back of my legs with his trolley. He apologised immediately, but it wasn’t enough to convince me that he wasn’t trying to pick me up in the supermarket. Talk about conceited. God, I’ve gone nuts. He must have thought so too.

Back home, I unpack the shopping. It’s at this point I realise how distracted I was. Not only did I forget to buy milk, but I also managed to purchase several items I don’t even eat.

Loading them into a bag, I head up to the house thinking Eleanor might be able to use them instead.

“Eleanor, you here?” I call out as I step through the door.

“Upstairs. I’ll be down in a second.”

I step through to the kitchen, dumping the bag on the counter. It’s then that I spot the beautiful bouquet of red roses sitting on the side. I lean down, inhaling the floral scent. My eyes close at the memories the scent brings forth.

I love red roses. Roses of any colour really, but red is my favourite. Christian was always jibing me about how cliche they are, and how florists must be laughing at the stupidity of men on valentine’s day while making a killing.

“Aren’t they beautiful. I know how much you love them.”

I give a nod as she joins me. “They are and I do. What did Harry do this time?” I ask with laugh.

“Oh, no, they aren’t mine.” I frown. “These are for you.” Seeing my obvious confusion, she goes on, “They were delivered a little while ago for you. The delivery man asked for you by name. Perhaps yourfriendfrom last night?”

“Well, he’ll have to do better than a bunch of flowers,” I tell her nonchalantly and quickly point to the bag I brought with me. “I got these at the supermarket and thought you could use them.”

Eleanor empties the contents onto the counter, giving me a strange look when she pulls out a bunch of leeks.

“I have no idea how they ended up in my trolley. Maybe someone put them in there thinking it was their trolley.” The lie slips easily from my lips considering just how damn mad I am at the audacity of the man. I’ve a good mind to go over there and throw the flowers in his face. Obviously, that’s not a good idea because…Hello, Rick’s wife.

“…would you mind, Jess? Jess, did you hear me?”

“Huh…Sorry, what were you saying?” Shit I’ve no clue what she was asking me.

“I said, would you mind popping over to the Taylors farm and collecting some eggs. I need to bake cakes for the village fair tomorrow.”

“Sure. I’ll go now. See you in a bit.”

I took the flowers and dumped them outside my cabin, then cut through the copse to the Taylor’s farm on the other side of the reserve.

After collecting the two dozen eggs Eleanor had requested, I decide to walk back along the main road as it will be getting dark soon.

As I pass the park, I spot the same little boy from the supermarket. I stop just behind a tree and watch him as he zooms down the slide several times before running off to the swings.

I hear him calling to someone out of view, and a few seconds later, Rick appears. He’s wearing a pair of dark blue jeans and plain white t-shirt with a light jacket to stave off the chill. With a smile on his face, he looks relaxed and happy. A significant change to his demeanour last night.

I hear the little boy laughing as Rick pushes him higher and higher on the swing. I feel a pang in my chest at the idea I could be responsible for breaking up a family if he notices me.

Turning away, I come face to face with a woman. Initially, I think it’s Rick’s wife, but then as I take in her grey hair and aged skin, although still flawlessly beautiful, I realise it’s probably not her.

“Sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you okay?”

“Yes, yes, I’m fine, thank you.” I go to move past her, but she speaks again.

“Do you know that man?” she asks.

Turning back to her, I shake my head. “Err…no, I was just collecting some eggs and saw them on my way past. The sound of the little boy made me smile, that’s all.”

She nods in agreement. “He’s my grandson, Max. When I see them together like that, it’s like going back in time to when Rick was small. It brings a smile to my face too.”

Oh my god. This is Rick’s mother.

“Sorry. I better let you go. You have your hands full there.” She nods to the boxes of eggs I’m carrying.

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