‘But the only way is up right?’ Darla touched the wooden counter three times so as not to jinx things.
As usual Darla was tired when she pulled up outside The Brambles. Early starts at the cleaning job and late nights at the cocktail bar weren’t the ideal combination but it was all work and slowly the debts were going down. She reminded herself it wouldn’t be like this forever as she let herself in. She definitely felt different now, and knowing she was staying put for the next few months made things feel less manic. She planned to ask the agency if she could change a few things around seeing as poor Horace wouldn’t be coming home and that whoever did own it would want it looking its best if they were planning on selling.
She went through to the kitchen and switched on the kettle. While that was boiling she went to check outside on the hay delivery so that she could feed the goats something they were actually meant to be eating before she turned in for the night.
She opened the back door and almost walked into a wall of hay. ‘What the heck?’
Darla stepped back, got out her phone and put it on torch. There must have been a dozen bales of hay stacked three high in the back garden. She’d not been expecting that. Was Lee having a laugh with her? That was not a small amount of hay – it was more like a year’s supply! Although she had to admit the goats did seem to have big appetites despite their size.
With a yawn she got a bag from the kitchen, tugged enough hay from one of the bales to fill the bag and went to feed the goats. They were excited and began chomping on the hay. One of them also tried to eat the bag but Darla was getting wise to their antics and she managed to snatch it out of reach just in time.
Chapter Thirteen
Ros was surprised by Cameron being proactive in making contact and wanting to arrange for them to meet up Saturday afternoon. She was less impressed when he said the flip chart would not be involved and that he felt it was a third wheel in their relationship. What exactly his plan was had been unclear but he had pitched it as a live learning session to help them communicate better and be more relaxed in each other’s company. She’d immediately done some googling and come across some very unsavoury things. He had clarified, upon request, that they would not need to remove any clothing, which had made her feel a little calmer.
Cameron buzzed the entry bell early on Saturday afternoon and she came down to greet him with Gazza almost tripping her up in his haste to get to Cameron first. It wasn’t as warm as it had been and they both wore jackets to keep off the sea air chill.
‘Hiya,’ said Cameron, hesitating before he kissed her cheek. She had prepared herself for the encounter and didn’t noticeably flinch although it still gave her an odd sensation. ‘Definitely looking less repelled by me,’ he said. ‘I’ll take that as a win.’
‘Where are we going?’ asked Ros. She liked to know what was happening and what to expect. Spontaneity unnerved her.
‘It’s a surprise,’ he said proudly and Ros had to quell the urge to groan. Why did people assume surprises were a good thing? It just meant one person was in control and the other powerless and at sea – something she found unsettling.
‘Could you not share your plans?’ she asked as they walked out of the building.
‘I think you’ll like it. It’s a nice thing. It’s a bit of a walk but we have plenty of time so tell me how you’re getting on with Gazza. Are you two bonding?’
‘It’s hard to bond with someone when they’re pissing on your curtains,’ said Ros and Cameron belly-laughed.
‘I can understand that. He was in a strange place and probably felt the need to mark his territory.’
‘It wasn’t his territory to mark. And imagine if we all did that every time we stayed in a hotel room.’
‘If we did that they’d have to change the name of Ibis to the Ipiss,’ said Cameron.
‘Very droll.’
‘Was it just the curtains or . . . ?’
‘No, he didn’t like where I put his water bowl so he moved that onto my rug, so that was soggy but thankfully that was only water. Dad said he sleeps wherever his blanket is but failed to point out that it would be Gazza who decided where that would be and not me. I had to remove it from my bedroom three times before I put him in the kitchen area where he proceeded to make the most ungodly noise and scratch my paintwork. At which point I relented and then we had a battle of where in the bedroom his blanket would reside. I initially won with on the floor in the corner but I woke up in the small hours fearing I had developed asthma as I couldn’t breathe properly, to find he was sleeping on my chest and had left his saliva-covered chew toy on my pillow.’
‘Oh well now, that’s a gift. I’d say that’s definitely progress.’
‘And then he destroyed my favourite cushion.’
‘Hmm.’
‘Obviously I won’t tell Dad any of this because he’d feel bad and he’d want to pay for the damage. And he’d also not bring him to stay again.’
‘You’re up for that are you? Another Gazza sleepover?’
‘I’d rather not but as Dad declines, I can’t see any other choice.’
‘You’re doing really well, you know. I’d be a mess if this was one of my parents but you’re really practical and keeping it together, which is way more helpful than I’d be.’
‘Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome.’
Outside it was a bright, crisp day as they made their way through Ocean Village. They walked for a bit in silence until Cameron turned to her. ‘Here’s a question. Do you think we’re hand holders?’ he asked, holding his out for her to take.
She glanced at his outstretched palm. She wasn’t big on physical contact. It wasn’t something she’d done with any legitimate boyfriends. ‘Sorry, I don’t think we are. It’s more that I’m not great with anything like that.’
‘That’s okay. I’m a big hugger. I’m sure if we take it slow we’ll find some middle ground.’
Ros wasn’t so sure. ‘Are we any closer to you revealing where we’re going?’ she asked.
‘Nope.’
‘Shame,’ said Ros and they carried on walking in step.
They turned onto St Mary’s Place, which was a fairly ordinary street with a variety of trees on one side of the road as that was the edge of Hoglands Park. Ros was intrigued as to where they were heading. She was pleasantly surprised when they entered Hoglands Park and she saw a crowd of people in cricket whites. They headed in that direction. ‘We both like cricket and whilst it’s only a local match it’s dog-friendly,’ said Cameron, his eyes conveying his trepidation as to whether or not he’d done the right thing. Ros couldn’t help but be touched by his thoughtfulness and planning.
‘It’s a lovely idea. Thank you. It might be dog-friendly but I’m not sure he’s cricket-friendly,’ said Ros, holding on to Gazza’s lead with two hands as he strained to get to a man who was polishing a cricket ball on his trousers.
‘He’ll be good, won’t you, boy?’ asked Cameron and Gazza gave him a worried look.
‘I used to go to the cricket with my dad. It’s my earliest memory, just him and I watching the cricket. Mum would never go with him, so as soon as I was old enough to sit still he took me along.’
