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Roses
Now
“Your bushes need trimming.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I sit up straight on the sun lounger and glare at Dani who’s just marching her way through the back gate like she lives here. It’s late September, but a welcome heatwave has hit and everyone is still strolling around in shorts. I glance worryingly down at my bikini bottoms, checking I’ve got no escapees. It’s been a while since I had need of a trim.
“Your roses, you div.” She laughs as she comes and perches on the other sun lounger. “Is this what you do with your time?”
“No.” I pull a face. “I’ve been working.
Technically the laptop’s been open, but that’s as close to work as I’ve got recently.
“No, you aren’t. You’re lying here dreaming about Freddy Bale and how much you want him.” Dani pokes her tongue out.
‘Sometimes, I wonder if you actually grew up at all.”
“What, so I can be all boring and not give into my carnal impulses like you?”
“I don’t want to know about your carnal impulses, thank you very much,” I grumble. Dani tells me a little bit too much about the time she and Grant have spent trying for a baby. It’s all just too much information, especially when there seems to be little chance of me having sex anytime soon.
Not that I’d want to. Life is confusing enough right now.
Since our kiss on the front step weeks ago, Freddy has done exactly what I asked. He’s stayed well clear. We’ve waved across the street to one another, and we’ve said “Hi,” in the grocery store. But I haven’t seen him alone, nor been kissed in a way that’s made me feel like I’m going to explode. I even saw him once on the school run. He was picking up Bailey, Henry’s son, (seriously, who calls a child Bailey Bale?) who Isaac has done the disastrous act of becoming best friends with. It makes me uncomfortable having the Bales that closely linked to my life and my son.
“So, I was thinking family dinner tonight?” Dani leans towards me, her green eyes shining with a devilish dash of mischief.
“I have family dinner every night, thank you very much.”
“You mean you have family dinner in the kitchen by yourself every night while Isaac plays his games and talks online with his mates, and your mum stares at the telly.”
“Yes. It’s perfect.”
Dani leans forward. “Come on, Amber, what’s the worst that can happen?”
The worst that could happen is I tell Freddy Bale I can’t stop bloody thinking about him, dreaming about him. Wanting him. Actually, that’s not the worst that can happen.
“Dani, it’s a nice idea, but I just don’t think it’s a good one yet. I’ve still got a lot I need to sort out.”
She grins, her face lit with some terrible, naughty thought. “It’s done then. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Why are you going to pick me up? Surely, I’ll drive if it’s at yours?”
“You’re much better company when you’ve got half a bottle of wine in you.”
“Charming.”
“Make that a bottle.”
I pull a face and settle back onto my sun lounger, eager to enjoy my free time, uh, writing time, and the summer sun still lingering in the garden.
“Seven,” she singsongs and then waltzes back out of the garden gate.
At seven, I’m ready and fidgeting in a light cotton dress and cardi. I’ve drunk half a bottle of wine in preparation of having to see Grant Bale.
“Isaac, are you ready?” I holler up the stairs. I hear him drag his feet all the way to the landing.
“Ready for what?” He is still wearing half of his school uniform. Only half: his shirt, tie and underpants. Apparently it’s the thing to do when hot. I’m not sure anyone would appreciate me walking around in a t-shirt and knickers.
