I smiled at my new young friend. ‘I might try Trish’s approach.’
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
As I made lunch for everyone I couldn’t stop thinking about Olivia’s notebook and Ben. Even though I didn’t want to read about Olivia sleeping with Ben, I needed to know. As they all tucked into an array of sandwiches I ran upstairs and grabbed Olivia’s notebook. With a trembling hand I flicked to the page I was on.
My friend Ben is a true gentleman. He could have taken me to bed and had his way but instead he pulled away and said, ‘This is wrong. I like you, Olivia, but not in that way.’
After a lengthy awkward silence, he made us a cup of tea. Once I’d apologised profusely and told him I wanted the ground to open and swallow me whole, he laughed and offered me some of his home-made cookies.
‘Oh God, Ben isn’t a player,’ I muttered staring at the words. ‘You’re showing me the truth – aren’t you?’
I will always be grateful to my friend. He was brilliant and we still laugh about it today.
Shutting the notebook, I hugged the book and closed my eyes. ‘Thank you for showing me this, Olivia,’ I whispered.
‘Hello, Ben,’ I said, as he strode into the kitchen. It was after mid-afternoon. His presence made me melt. I thought about Olivia saying in her notebook that he was a ‘true gentleman’. The urge to run to him and tell him everything that was on my mind was strong, but I resisted. Casting me a weak smile, he ran himself a glass of water.
‘How are you?’
He nodded before drinking the water and began to walk back towards the construction sheet. Something was wrong. He seemed distant. I reached out and caught his arm. ‘Are we okay, Ben?’
Turning towards me he smiled. ‘I’m sorry about last night. I sensed it’s time for me to back off and give you some space.’
‘About that…’
He raised his hands in a surrender like pose. ‘Rachel, you don’t have to explain. Look, I’m busy out there so I better get back.’
He pulled the sheet up and I felt a deep longing to be in his arms again. I wanted him to kiss me like he had done in the school hall. I wanted him to hug me again like he’d done in the café. ‘Ben, can we talk later?’
‘You don’t need to…’
Today he was more handsome than ever in his grubby black cargo trousers, black fleece, and woollen hat. ‘Ben, are you going to the nativity play later?’
His green eyes held mine. His face softened and he smiled. ‘Yes, are you?’
I nodded. ‘Do you fancy talking this evening?’
‘I’ll have to put Rosie to bed.’
‘It would be good to talk.’
A grin stretched across his face. ‘My bedtime stories take a long time.’
‘I can wait.’
We stood and stared at each other like two lovestruck teenagers before he pointed out into the hallway. ‘I have fixed the front door. It will be easier to close now and it might help with Humphrey.’
‘Thank you, Ben. That’s from me and Humphrey.’
He smiled. ‘See you later.’
The nativity play was brilliant, and Grandpa shouted, ‘BRAVO’ at the end when all the children and teachers were busy taking a bow. I even got a mention from the headmaster who thanked me for my fabulous scenery. Everyone gave me a round of applause. Two of the mums even reached over and said thanks. The feeling that I’d helped the school community after their stage artist had been taken to hospital filled me with warm, tingling feelings.
Rosie was one of the narrators and it was great to see her reading out part of the story. Ben was sat in front of Grandpa and me. Whenever Rosie talked, I noticed his face reddened. Seeing her made him emotional and I loved this.
After the play Grandpa and I walked back to the car. As I opened the door for Grandpa, I heard someone say, ‘Why can’t the Baxters leave Harp Brook?’
I looked up and saw Denise surrounded by a group of women. She was staring at me. ‘Now that you painted your little nativity scenery, can you all just pack up and go?’
