Page 19 of The Twilight Garden

Leo groaned. ‘Don’t tempt me,’ he said.

‘Why?’ asked Willow, looking puzzled. ‘Aren’t you staying for tea?’

‘Can’t tonight, sorry. I’ve got a meeting with a potential client and for some reason he’s insisting we chat over a pie and a pint.’

‘Okay,’ said Willow. ‘More for the rest of us then.’ She paused, a wry look on her face. ‘Although don’t you go getting more customers – we need you here.’

Leo held up his hands in submission. ‘Don’t worry. You’ll have me for as long as you need me. I promised you that.’

With her back to both of them, Gemma grimaced, unseen. None of this was in the plan. She sank onto a chair, feeling overcome.

‘Well, that’s all right then.’ Willow came round the table to lay down the stalks of rhubarb. ‘How are you feeling, Gemma?’

She grimaced again. ‘Better… although I’m afraid my ankle is still very painful.’

Willow gave her a warm smile. ‘And I’m afraid you missed lunch. Can I get you some? It’s just soup, but the bread is still nice and fresh.’

‘I was just about to do that very thing,’ said Leo. ‘But if you’re here for a bit now, Willow, I probably ought to find Rowan.’

‘Sure,’ she replied. ‘You get off. And good luck with your meeting later.’

Leo turned at the door, momentary confusion crossing his face. ‘Oh, yeah… thanks.’

‘I’m so sorry, Willow,’ said Gemma as soon as Leo had gone.

‘What on earth for?’

‘Rendering myself next to useless.’

Willow raised her eyebrows. ‘Fell over on purpose, did you?’ She smiled. ‘Thought not… I’m sorry you’ve hurt your ankle, but you mustn’t worry about being out of action. These things happen. It can’t be helped.’ She crossed to the cooker and moved a pan onto the heat.

‘But it’s my first day and now—’ Gemma broke off. ‘Perhaps I should leave.’

‘Leave? But you’ve only just got here. Are we really that bad?’

‘No,’ replied Gemma quickly. ‘Not at all. But… it’s not the best of starts, is it? I’ve done nothing today, and now this.’

Willow was watching her carefully. ‘This being the fact that Leo is here?’

Gemma sighed and Willow’s face fell.

‘It must have been quite a shock for you, finding him here.’

Gemma nodded, aware that Willow was sounding her out. ‘It was, not that it’s a problem as such, just… unexpected.’

‘Then all is well.’ Willow dipped her head. ‘There’s really nothing for you to feel guilty about, Gemma. Everything will be fine.’ She gave her a warm smile. ‘I’ve just had a brilliant idea.’

‘Oh…?’

Willow took down a bowl from a cupboard. ‘I’ll tell you in a moment. But can I ask you something first?’

‘Of course…’

‘I don’t need to know the details, but you and Leo… is the split a recent thing?’

‘God no, it was ages ago.’

‘And you haven’t kept in touch?’