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‘Anyway, I’ve come to let you know – I’m taking you out for drinks in Wells tomorrow night.’
Holly drooped her shoulders. ‘I’m really not in the mood.’
‘Oh, go on. I got a bonus this month – sold the most cars. Anyway, you need to get out and meet people.’
‘I’m married.’
‘But you’re on a breather, got a hall pass.’
‘Tom and I haven’t split up. we’re on a four-week break. In no way is it a pass for whatever you have in mind.’
‘I don’t think Tom’s moping around.’ Jaz put a hand on Holly’s arm. ‘I have to break the news that I heard down the Eversley Arms last night –’
‘I’m not taking any notice of village gossip.’ Holly picked up her spade, digging hard into the ground, aware of Jaz staring at her.
‘Do you want to talk about it?’ Jaz’s voice softened.
‘I’ve already told you, Tom’s on the circuit with the hot tubs, taking time out to think about us starting a family. The least I can do is to give him some space.’ Holly bent over to pull up some roots. ‘After all, he was there for me, picked me up when I was down.’ Her face flushed and her eyes stung.She dare not exhale in case a sob escaped.
‘You don’t owe him, hun. Yeah, he cheered you up when you lost your parents but you picked him up from the gutter after his career went wrong.’
‘It’s not his fault they got rid of him.’
‘So he says. Didn’t win his unfair dismissal claim from the rig though, did he?’
Holly coughed to disguise a sob but couldn’t stop the tears.
‘Holls.’ Jaz stepped into the soft ground with her hands up. ‘I’m coming in.’
Holly felt Jaz’s arms around her, keeping her hands by her side not wanting to transfer soil onto Jaz’s jacket.
‘I didn’t mean to upset you, chick. I’m just worried. Worried Tom’s taking you for a fool. I’m not getting at you. I just –’
Holly blinked and her chest shuddered.
Jaz leaned back. ‘And tears? So not like you, hun.’
‘It’s not just Tom.’ Holly wiped away a tear with the back of her hand. ‘For some reason, without him here all I’m thinking about is Mum and Dad.’
‘Oh, hun,’ Jaz said as she pulled Holly close again. ‘You were so strong when they died.’ Jaz released Holly and pointed to the nursery building. ‘Leaving your exciting life behind at the art gallery in London. Coming back here and taking over the place, just like that. Throwing yourself into it. Bringing the nursery into modern times.’
‘It never feels like hard work here.’ Holly stepped back and took a deep breath. ‘And as Dad used to say – busy hands stop worrying minds.’
‘I can see that.’ Jaz gestured at the freshly dug soil. ‘I know it’s been awhile but these things can catch up with you. And you and Tom – it was all a bit whirlwind wasn’t it? He did move in proper quick. Not that I blamed you. I thought you two were perfect when you got back together.’
Holly nodded. ‘Things were good, really good at the start, just like the first time around before I moved to art school and he went to work on the oil rig.’
‘Yeah, he seemed so grown up then, compared to us. I guess five years age difference is a big gap when you’re seventeen.’
‘When I was in London, I often wondered what would have happened if we’d both stayed in Eversley. I guess I felt it was meant to be – us both coming back at the same time. Maybe I was blinded, being a soppy romantic.’ Holly took a deep breath. ‘Hopefully this is only a blip. The course of true love never runs smooth, as they say.’ She looked down and pointed at Jaz’s muddy feet. ‘Oh no, your shoes! You’re not off anywhere special, are you?’
‘It’s the regional awards night with work, in Exeter. I’m staying over.’
‘On no.’
‘No worries, hun. S’only a bit of mud.’
‘Let’s get them cleaned up. I’ve got to finish up here, anyway. There’s kitchen roll in the studio.’
