Hudson leaned in to her shoulder so the others wouldn’t hear. ‘I’m no cactus expert, but I recognise a prick when I see one,’ he said, his American drawl suddenly strong.
Anna burst into giggles and Liam turned abruptly in their direction. Anna and Hudson looked away and tried to appear as if they were concentrating on the wall. ‘Your observation is spot on,’ she said to Hudson with a smile.
‘Great. But if you wanted me to draw on his face with a permanent marker while he’s asleep you only have to say,’ said Hudson, with a tip of his head.
‘Thanks, I’ll bear it in mind.’ Maybe he was starting to grow on her.
Building the wall was hard labour and took a lot of time. The farmer kept moving between the groups to check on their progress and give helpful advice. He seemed pleased with what they had achieved when he declared it was time for some team games back at the farmhouse. As they walked back Hudson pulled Anna to one side.
‘This was a good shout. Thanks for organising it,’ he said.
‘We made a good team today,’ said Anna.
‘Who knew?’ said Hudson, with a cheeky raise of his eyebrow.
She knew they had to move on and stop fighting if they were to stand a chance against Liam. She feared he would be after any opportunity to rationalise the project. It wasn’t a vindictive thing – she knew he was just doing his job. Well, she at least hoped that would be the case.
‘You think we could transfer this new truce to the office when we get back?’ she asked.
‘I know things have been a little uncomfortable between us these last couple of months. I know I’ve not helped that. So, if I’ve been an ass I’m sorry.’
‘You were both an ass and an arse, and I accept your apology. I could have behaved better, so I’m sorry too. And if you’re saying we need to stand united against Liam then I completely agree.’
‘That’s exactly what I’m saying.’
‘Then welcome to Team Strickland,’ said Anna with a cheeky grin. Hudson laughed and gave her a high five, which Liam turned around in time to witness.
Sophie caught up with them. ‘I can’t believe Liam took the job.’
‘Yes, you can,’ said Anna. ‘If the money was right he won’t have thought twice about me.’ She narrowed her eyes as the men in front laughed in unison. It was hard not to imagine they were laughing at her, especially when Liam glanced over his shoulder to see if she was watching.
‘Thank goodness he’s only here for three months,’ said Sophie.
‘After which we’ll probably all be gone,’ said Anna bitterly.
‘I’m glad I’ll be on maternity leave, but I need a job to come back to.’ Sophie’s expression was thoughtful. ‘We need the money.’
‘Don’t worry. I’m sure it’ll be fine.’ Platitudes were all she had.
‘I forgot my toothpaste. Can I borrow yours?’ asked Sophie.
‘Sure, it’s in my washbag.’ The one Liam bought me for my birthday, she thought.
There was a knock at the door while they were eating dinner and a laminated sheet was pushed under the door. Karl went to retrieve it as he’d already bolted down his food. As everyone else continued to eat, he read it out.
‘Hi Team, this is your last challenge for the day. Write everyone’s name on a slip of paper, put them in a bowl and draw one at random. On the other side you write down one question you want to know the answer to. Answer honestly and share with the group.’ He put it down and started writing out the slips. ‘To save time: I am available for sex tonight, for a small fee, and it’s about eight—’
‘Get on with it, Karl,’ said Sophie.
‘I bet that’s what they all say,’ added Priya.
‘You have a lot of confidence for someone with a face like that,’ said Sophie, tapping his cheek gently.
‘Beauty is but a light switch away,’ he said, pretending to flick a switch.
‘There is no room dark enough,’ said Sophie and everyone laughed. Karl stuck his tongue out, tipped the remaining salad from the bowl onto Sophie’s plate and dropped the folded slips into the now empty bowl.
As the bowl was passed around everyone took one and the group hushed as they mulled over who they had picked and what question they wanted to ask them. Glances shot around the table, each wondering who had them and the mood became a little tense. When everyone had refolded and replaced their slips Karl handed them out. He returned to the instruction sheet. ‘Read your question and then give an honest and full answer to the group before revealing what the question was.’
‘Interesting approach,’ said Hudson, the only one of the group who was sitting back in his chair. Everyone else was either bolt upright or leaning over their slip.
‘Right, I’ll go first,’ said Karl, unravelling the paper. He nodded as he read it. ‘Okay. The answer is yes. It was behind a beach hut …’ Everyone groaned and he waved a hand to settle them. ‘In a lovely little place in Devon. Her name was Melanie and it felt amazing.’ There was lots of eyebrow twitching round the table. ‘And the question was – Have you ever fallen in love? And I forgot to say I was seventeen at the time.’ For once Karl looked contrite. The colleague on his right gave him a pat on the back and Anna smiled at him from across the table. Perhaps there was a heart under all the bravado, after all. ‘And she gave the most amazing blow job,’ he added with a grin and everyone groaned. Maybe not, thought Anna. ‘I nominate, Priya,’ said Karl.
Priya read hers and her eyes darted to the ceiling as she thought. ‘Right. My answer is – the ability to make all gorgeous foods calorie free so I could stuff my face and not put on an ounce. The question was – If I was a superhero, what would I want my superpower to be? I nominate Anna.’
Anna was stunned by the speed of Priya’s answer and she grabbed up her paper slip. Anna wasn’t fazed by the exercise – she’d done similar things before – as long as she didn’t get Karl asking her what her favourite position was. He was giving her a lascivious look, which was par for the course with Karl. Anna unfolded her slip and read the question. An icy chill ran through her. She gripped the slip of paper, unable to pull her eyes away from the words.
‘Come on, hurry up,’ said someone. ‘I need another drink.’
‘I … I …’ Anna swallowed hard, aware her palms had begun to sweat. ‘It wasn’t my fault,’ she said, suddenly looking up and scanning the mix of eager and bored faces around the table. Hudson sat forward. ‘What wasn’t your fault?’ he asked, his voice sounding loud in the now silent room.
‘I can’t do this,’ she said in a hurry, pushed back her chair, which made an unpleasant scraping noise, and rushed from the room.
Priya leaned over and picked up the piece of paper. ‘The question was – What did you do at university?’
Chapter Eleven
Anna was pacing the yard as the last of the evening sun hunkered down for the night. This wasn’t how she had expected the team event evening to go. She hadn’t meant to make a scene and was annoyed with herself for reacting, although the truth was she wasn’t able to control her emotions that easily. It must have been Liam who had written the question, which had freaked her out. His attempt to wind her up, no doubt. At least now she knew what she was dealing with.
The door clicked open and she spun around to see Liam’s face peering round the edge.
‘Can I have a word?’ he asked, still using the door like a shield.
Anna crossed her arms in front of her. ‘What about?’ She’d give him a chance to come clean before she tore him to shreds.
Liam gestured for them to walk a bit further away, perhaps anticipating an explosive response. ‘You okay?’
‘Fine. Why?’
Liam tilted his head to one side and scrunched up his features. ‘I’m really sorry about the question.’
Anna pulled back her shoulders. She was right – of course it had been him. A flash of temper and hurt coursed through her. ‘I didn’t think you’d stoop that low.’
‘Hey,
you have to believe me. I thought of the question before I pulled a name out. I just went with something generic: what did you do at university? I didn’t think you’d think … You know. Sorry, it wasn’t meant to upset you.’
Anna didn’t believe him for a second but she also didn’t want him to think he’d got to her. ‘Okay. Apology accepted. Let’s go back inside.’ The breeze was making her shiver.
Liam touched her arm to stop her. ‘Are you sure you’re okay with me taking this job?’
‘Yes. It’s fine.’ Anna spoke deliberately as if addressing someone a bit simple.
Liam gave a brief headshake and Anna straightened her back. ‘Because every time I look up you’re staring at me and I wondered if you still had … feelings. It’s quite understandable if you do. I mean I—’
‘No, Liam. I don’t still have feelings for you.’ Only murderous ones, she thought. Although saying it out loud had her brain ticking double time. It was hard to erase all they had shared; it was like their entire history had been buried underneath all the anger and sadness. Did she still care for him?
‘Right. Because I want you to know that I still love you, Anna.’
She stepped back as if physically stunned by the statement. A million questions swamped her brain and she tried to order them. ‘What about Tabitha?’
‘She isn’t you.’
It was a cheesy line and it should have made her loathe him a little more but there was a voice in her head saying: ‘He’s not the worst man on the planet. You invested a lot in him. Is it worth giving things another go?’ She hated that voice but it was a hard one to ignore.
The door opened and out strode Hudson. Anna was relieved to have had her villainous thoughts interrupted. Taking Liam back was a bad idea, and deep down she knew it.
‘Hudson,’ she said abruptly holding out her arm to halt his path to his car.
Hudson grasped her hand and she froze. She wasn’t expecting that or the accompanying electricity shooting violently up her arm. They both stared at their clasped hands for a fraction longer than was necessary.
‘Are you all right?’ asked Hudson, his voice soft and full of concern.
Liam forced a cough and they both looked in his direction.
‘I didn’t realise you two were …’ He pointed at their entwined fingers.
Anna’s eyebrows shot up and she opened her mouth to protest but something about Hudson’s expression stopped her. He gave a tiny shrug. ‘I’ll let Anna explain,’ said Hudson, giving her hand a squeeze and keeping hold of it. He let their clasped hands drop down between them. Was it some sort of code? Did he want her to say they were in a relationship? It would stop Liam coming on to her, which would be a bonus. It would stop her making a knee-jerk decision to take Liam back too. In her foggy brain it seemed like a good idea. She wanted to know what Hudson was thinking; did he have a plan?
‘No no, you explain,’ she said.
He twitched his head. ‘Err. Okay. Let’s just say it’s very early on in our relationship.’ He eyed Anna as if seeking approval. Her mouth twitched in response. ‘We’d really appreciate a bit of discretion,’ said Hudson, slinking an arm around Anna’s shoulder. She faltered for a second before she realised what he was doing and awkwardly snuggled into him.
Liam stared at them for what seemed like ages and Anna could feel herself heating up. For once Liam actually looked hurt. At last he seemed to snap himself out of his trance. ‘Mum’s the word,’ he said, tapping his nose. He clapped his hands together. ‘Die Hard on DVD in five minutes.’ He pointed inside before turning and heading back.
As the door closed behind Liam Anna let out a giant breath and Hudson removed his arm. ‘Are you sure this is a good idea?’ said Anna, spinning around to face him.
‘I don’t know. I’m not even sure what just happened. You grabbed my hand and then—’
‘I grabbed your hand?’ Anna was indignant.
‘Err, yeah.’ Hudson threw up his palms.
‘No, you grabbed my hand.’ She had to physically stop herself putting her hands on her hips.
‘This is getting us nowhere. Whatever happened, we ended up holding hands. I thought you were trying to make him jealous or something. I don’t know.’ Hudson seemed flustered.
‘No, I just wanted a distraction.’ And to stop me doing something ridiculous like taking him back, she thought. It worried her how easily she had come to almost cracking. She thought she was stronger.
‘Great. You could have said that because I can juggle you know. That would have been a much better distraction,’ said Hudson, giving a small shake of his head.
‘Sorry.’ She felt stupid.
‘But now we’ve said we’re boyfriend and girlfriend I guess we’ll have to keep it going.’ He scratched his chin and she noticed it was a little stubbly.
‘Or we could say we were joking.’ They both pulled faces knowing this would make them look ridiculous.
Hudson seemed to be thinking. ‘You never know. Now he thinks he knows secret information about us it could put him on our team, give us a chance to find out what he’s going to do to our project.’
‘Or he’ll try to blackmail us,’ said Anna. Knowing Liam, he was more likely to think it gave him some sort of advantage. Anna realised she was asking a lot of Hudson as someone who was already in a relationship. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t think about your personal situation. In fact, I didn’t think at all. If this makes you uncomfortable, I’ll put Liam straight.’ She shoved her hands in her pockets and turned to go.
‘Hang on,’ said Hudson and Anna spun around. ‘It is crazy but I’m guessing you’ll feel better having shown your ex you’ve moved on and maybe made him a bit jealous too.’ He gave a cheeky pout and Anna brightened.
‘I can’t lie, it would be a bonus.’
‘Then if you’re happy to pretend to be my girlfriend, I’m happy to be your boyfriend.’
She gave a slow nod. ‘I’d be honoured.’ Her voice held a hint of sarcasm.
‘Hey, I’m a very good boyfriend.’
‘I bet you are.’ A few unhelpful thoughts crossed her mind and she banished them. She felt like she was cheating on Sophie. It was bonkers.
‘Then let’s slay him,’ said Hudson, and he followed her back inside.
Anna was in her sleeping bag when she was disturbed by the sound of distant screaming and the light going on, which woke her with a start.
‘Anna, calm down, you’re having a nightmare,’ said Sophie, in her left ear. Anna turned to see her friend’s tired face. Anna’s pulse was racing and she could feel her hair was damp with sweat.
‘Sorry,’ whispered Anna. ‘Was I shouting?’
‘Yes,’ came Priya’s disgruntled voice.
‘Ignore her,’ said Sophie. ‘You okay now?’
Anna nodded. ‘Careful going back down the ladder.’
Sophie disappeared, the light went out and Anna settled herself back down. It had been a while since she’d had a nightmare. It was always the same one. And she was always too late to save them. She closed her eyes tight and tried to think of something else. Thanks to Liam stirring up long-hidden memories, it would likely be a while before she got back to sleep.
The next morning, she wanted to be one of the first in the showers as she didn’t want anyone to see her with dark circles round her eyes and mad post-nightmare hair. And she wasn’t keen on going in after Karl – she didn’t want to think about what he might have been up to in there. Anna crept down the ladder, grabbed her washbag and reversed out of the room.
‘Hey,’ said a hushed American voice behind her. She shut the door and turned to face Hudson who was wearing a bath towel tied around his waist. Her breath caught in her throat and she started to cough. ‘You okay?’
Anna took a deep breath and got her coughing under control. ‘Fine thanks,’ she said, trying hard not to stare at Hudson’s impressive physique. She knew gay men often looked after themselves but this was a whole new level in body workout. She’d onl
y ever seen carved abs like his on male models.
Hudson ran his fingers through his wet hair and his muscles rippled, which was very distracting.
‘You sure? Only in the night I heard …’ Hudson tailed off.
Anna gave a phoney chuckle. ‘Yeah. I think I was dreaming about Die Hard.’ She broke eye contact. She was a bad liar, and she knew people could always tell.
‘As long as you’re okay.’
‘I’m fine. Are you acting the caring boyfriend?’
‘Absolutely.’
There was an awkward pause. ‘I thought I’d jump in the showers early,’ she said, waving her washbag as evidence and they both watched as a stream of tampons tumbled from the open zip.
‘Bugger,’ she muttered, whilst scrabbling to gather them up.
‘See you at breakfast,’ said Hudson, failing to hide his amusement as he slunk into the men’s bedroom. Anna hung her head. Sophie must have left the bag open after she’d returned Anna’s toothpaste. Thanks a bunch, she thought.
Chapter Twelve
After a hearty farmhouse breakfast, the farmer announced the morning’s exercise was at a nearby reservoir, which received a mixed response. When the minibus pulled up Hudson was quick to jump in and take the seat next to Anna and she was pleased to see Liam had spotted the gesture. Sophie had also noticed and was giving Anna pleading looks to swap places.
‘I get sick if I don’t sit near the front,’ said Sophie, and she pointed at Anna’s seat.
Anna’s shoulders sagged. Sophie wasn’t helping herself with the Hudson crush if she was going to seize every opportunity to be near him. Although Anna had to admit he did smell mighty fine this morning.
‘It’s okay, I’ll move,’ said Anna, seeing the plea in Sophie’s eyes.
Sophie was about to sit down when Karl stuck his head inside the van. ‘Can I sit at the front too? I hate these things and I might have overdone it on the wine last night. Gippy tummy,’ he said, giving it a rub.
A Walk in Wildflower Park Page 9
