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Holly let out a stuttered laugh. ‘No shovels needed. Not yet, anyway.’
‘That’s good news,’ Dad said, dropping his hand to his side. ‘I’ve not had time to clean the shed this summer and I don’t know if we can actually reach the shovel.’
‘It’s in the greenhouse, Harry. I was using it for the azaleas last week.’
Dad nodded, clearly relieved to know it was at least accounted for.
Holly swooped on the chance to change the subject. ‘Is that the new one by the pond? It’s lovely, Mum.’ She wandered off, following the path again.
‘It is. I have another to plant this week, if you fancy helping?’ Mum replied, keeping pace at her side.
‘I’d love that.’
‘We could chat then, if you’re still feeling sad?’
Holly sighed, closing her eyes as she shook her head. She didn’t want to worry her parents. She’d put them through enough in the last few months. ‘It’s just heart stuff.’
‘Heart stuff?’ Dad repeated.
‘Yeah, as in I like someone and they don’t like me back.’
‘Ah,’ her parents chorused.
They walked in silence for a few steps before Dad piped up: ‘So, who’s that then?’
‘Jen.’
Mum and Dad exchanged looks. Mum spoke first. ‘Jen from next door?’
‘So, she likes you and you don’t like her back?’ Dad added, seeking clarity.
Holly shook her head. Was he not listening? ‘No, other way round.’
More looks.
‘What’s all the glancing about?’ Holly asked with a confused laugh.
‘It’s just,’ Dad said, looking increasingly bewildered. ‘We’ve seen how she looks at you. The way the two of you are together. We’d just assumed the whole fake-dating thing had progressed. We’re not blind,’ he chuckled.
‘Well, clearly you need to visit your other neighbours and get your eyes tested, because she’s made it perfectly clear she only sees me as a friend.’
‘Hmm.’ Dad wasn’t convinced.
Holly let a wavering sigh escape. It was one thing to battle her own doubt, but she didn’t need her parents throwing further suspicion into the ring. All it was did was torture her, her mind running the same circles again and again and again. It was time to face the facts and accept the truth.
‘She tells me nearly every time we meet that she doesn’t want a relationship and that what we have is purely friendship.’
‘In those many words?’ Dad asked.
‘Yep.’
Silence descended once more as a lady and dog passed in the opposite direction. Thankfully there were no sticks to jump.
‘You know,’ Mum said, looking to Dad as if for approval. ‘I don’t think we’ve ever told you the full story of how we met.’
‘At the bank’s Christmas party. You’ve told me plenty of times.’
Mum screwed her face up. ‘Not quite. That’s the ending, yes, but there’s a little bit before that.’
