A Walk in Wildflower Park

by Bella Osborne

  There was a long silence. Sophie turned the car into the driveway at the side of the flats and parked the car in the visitor’s space. She twisted in her seat to eyeball Anna who was giving her best attempt at a pleading puppy face. ‘Okay, but if the house is a tip I swear I’ll lamp him one.’

  ‘And you would be completely within your rights to do so. Let’s hope it’s not.’

  Sophie redid her hair and make-up to make herself feel ready for action. She wasn’t sure what sort of action but she was adamant she wasn’t going to let the state of her once beautiful house upset her and she definitely wasn’t clearing it all up. She checked her watch.

  ‘Right, if I’m not back in twenty minutes send the fire brigade round.’

  ‘Fire brigade?’ queried Anna.

  ‘Everyone knows they’re hunkier than police and I’ll bloomin’ well need cheering up before they cart me off to prison for murdering Dave.’

  ‘Okay. But give him a chance, that’s all I’m going to say.’

  ‘Hmm,’ mumbled Sophie and she left.

  It felt odd to knock on her own front door but it also didn’t feel quite right to Sophie to let herself in. She saw his shadow at the door a moment before he opened it. A waft of the aftershave she’d bought him for Christmas hit her and made her blink. He was clean-shaven and wearing a shirt. Not a work shirt but one of the good ones he used to wear when they went out BC – before children.

  ‘Hey, thanks for coming,’ said Dave, his voice uncertain. ‘Come in.’

  Sophie stepped inside cautiously, her eyes flickering about for the first thing to moan about – but the hall was tidy. She popped her head into the downstairs loo. Everything was spotless. All the coats were hung up on hooks and she noted the missing hook had been screwed back in place. She raised an eyebrow. She followed him through to the living room, where candles were burning and the cushions had been plumped.

  ‘Right, who is she?’ said Sophie.

  ‘What? Who?’ Dave seemed thrown by her line of questioning.

  ‘Whoever did this. Who is she?’

  Dave’s eyes widened. ‘I did it.’

  Sophie squinted at him, deeply suspicious. ‘Who are you and what have you done with the real Dave?’ she asked, but there was the faintest hint of a smile on her lips. She forced it away. He wasn’t getting around her that easily with a fixed coat rack, a tidy room and a scented candle. She noted it was a new Yankee candle – she approved.

  ‘This is the new me, if you’ll give me a chance.’ He took a step forward.

  Sophie slowly held up a hand to pause him. ‘I need to know things will change, Dave. I’ve given up a lot for us and I know it’s what we agreed but now I’ve had time to think about it, I’m not happy.’

  ‘I know and I want that to change. How about you go and have a bath and then we’ll talk over dinner. And before you ask, yes I’ve cooked something. No, it won’t poison you and yes, it’s from Waitrose. My only involvement was reading the instructions.’ He smiled and Sophie smiled too. ‘There’s a bath already run for you. Go on, I need to check my chicken,’ he said, almost shooing her from the room.

  Sophie climbed the stairs and with each step her spirits lifted a fraction. It was a huge step that Dave had recognised he needed to change and she could already smell the enticing scent of patchouli bath foam and was looking forward to sinking into the bubbles. She’d give Dave a chance. Anna was right: he deserved that much.

  She had been soaking for about ten minutes when there was a gentle tap on the door and when Sophie turned her head she saw an outstretched arm holding a champagne flute.

  ‘It’s bubbles,’ said Dave. ‘It’s non-alcoholic Prosecco but it’s meant to be nice.’ He passed her the glass and after shaking off the suds she took it.

  ‘Thanks, Dave, this is really nice. But we need to have a proper chat,’ she said, preparing herself for the inevitable argument.

  ‘I know, and we will but for now enjoy some peace and quiet,’ he said, with a small tweak of his lips. ‘How about you get out in about twenty minutes?’

  ‘Okay,’ she said and he disappeared. Sophie took a sip and was pleasantly surprised. She sank back underneath the bubbles and closed her eyes. This was a very good start.

  Anna closed the park gate behind her, slid the key fob into the pocket of her joggers and started a brisk warm-up walk. The sun was starting to set as she followed the old Victorian path that coaxed its way past the rockery and through the old sunken garden. The foliage became briefly denser, which added to the anticipation, before ahead of her the lake came into view, now circled by a ring of yellow irises and many other colourful wildflowers she’d need the spotter sheet to name. The surface of the water shimmered as the last of the sun gilded the water. As she reached its edge Anna set off the timer on her watch and started to jog. She soon settled into a steady pace and let her thoughts wander.

  She knew she needed to have a proper conversation with Hudson about the two available positions. She wished she knew what his motivations were for recommending her for the New York post. It bothered her that he wanted the UK position because it implied it was the better of the two and logically she should have slotted into the role without any question. There was, of course, the possibility he genuinely believed she would be better in the US role but it felt doubtful. Now she would have to explain why she couldn’t be considered for the New York role. She realised she was speeding up and she slowed her pace a fraction; this often happened when she got herself agitated about something.

  Hudson was right: she had always wanted to go to New York. She’d seen it in many films and read about it in books and magazines and it always seemed amazingly glamorous. She couldn’t deny the thought of working there was a thrill but how could it ever be a consideration if she broke out in a sweat at the thought of getting on an aeroplane? Perhaps she could be tranquillised? It felt a bit extreme. Anna took an untimely deep breath and with it sucked in a troop of minuscule dancing flies. As her lungs violently protested about the intrusion she stopped abruptly to cough and splutter in an attempt to evict the tiny creatures lodged in her throat.

  ‘Are you all right?’ asked a familiar voice from up ahead.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Sophie dried herself on what she noted was a clean towel – one that had even been warming on the heated towel rail. As she padded through to their bedroom she stopped in the doorway. The room was immaculate. Even better than the standard she tried to keep it at. She tiptoed in almost as if she was snooping in someone else’s home. Her basket of cosmetics had been neatly ordered rather than all chucked in as she usually did and the hair bobbles and grips, which frequently littered the surface of the dressing table, were now in a small wicker pot. She picked it up. It was pretty. She wondered where it had come from and again started to worry about who had done all this. Kraken was away. Surely it couldn’t have been Dave?

  Laid out on the bed was a dress. It wasn’t hers. She picked it up and saw it still had the labels on. It was a simple black maternity shift dress with some lace detailing on its short sleeves. It felt good quality and she set about putting it on. She looked at herself in the mirror and was pleased by what she saw. She sat down at the dressing table and redid her make-up and hair.

  She heard Dave’s footsteps on the stairs before a tap on the bedroom door. ‘How are you getting on? Dinner is almost ready.’ She stood up as he walked in. ‘Wow. Just wow,’ he said, his eyes skirting over her appreciatively. ‘You’re amazing, Sophe.’

  Her resolve was rapidly dissolving. ‘Come on, let’s have this dinner then before it’s burned to a crisp. Assuming it isn’t crisps to start with,’ she said, walking past him.

  The dinner table was laid, the lights were dimmed and she spotted the bulb, the one that had been out for months, had been replaced. Sophie settled herself at the table while Dave rushed about and clattered in the kitchen. Eventually he emerged with two plates. ‘Chicken breasts with ginger, chilli and lime with a vegetab
le medley,’ he announced, sounding quite proud of himself.

  ‘Great,’ said Sophie and her stomach growled its appreciation. They ate the meal in relative silence. The silence itself was a treat. Mealtimes were hectic in their house. It was actually quite a stressful time of arguing with Arlo over why he couldn’t have cake for every meal interspersed with his multitude of random questions that made her brain hurt. At the same time she would be trying to feed Petal who swung between screaming because she wasn’t being fed quickly enough and wanting to grab and wear her food. She realised Dave was usually oblivious to this because he was either on his phone, answering emails, checking football scores or playing some dumb game. Dave didn’t have his phone out tonight.

  ‘This is nice. Maybe we should have some rules around mealtimes when the children get home,’ she said.

  ‘Yeah, I’m all for that.’

  ‘I think we should also ban any electronics. That way we set the rule now and when they get mobiles they won’t be on those when they should be eating.’

  ‘Completely agree. When I was a kid, dinnertime was family time. We all used to talk about our day,’ said Dave.

  Trust Kraken to have had the perfect family dinnertime. She doubted they would be able to achieve a Walton’s Mountain level of family life but they could make some steps towards it. ‘Okay. Dave, if I’m to come home, things need to change.’

  Dave was already nodding as he chewed a mouthful of food. ‘Look around you. Things have changed.’

  She knew this was true. ‘But is all this just a one-off?’

  ‘No, because I’ve hired a cleaner and not just any cleaner – she does ironing too.’ Dave raised his glass.

  ‘Can we afford a cleaner?’

  ‘If it’s what it takes to save our marriage then we definitely can.’

  ‘Did she do all this?’ asked Sophie, taking in the pristine kitchen surfaces and clean floor. Dave nodded. ‘Blimey, that’s brilliant.’

  ‘I know!’ They clinked glasses and grinned across the table at each other.

  The conversation relaxed once they had dealt with the elephant in the room and before long they were chattering excitedly as they reminisced. Sophie pushed away her dessert bowl. She was full and she had really enjoyed the meal. It was a good choice but it was more that Dave had taken the time to cook it for her. She loved her food but when you had to cook every day you did lose some of the enthusiasm for it. And with children it became a test of whether she was providing them with all their required nutrients, fibre and latest recommended government levels of fruit and vegetables.

  ‘This has been lovely, Dave, thank you,’ she said, reaching her hand across the table and clasping his fingers. He squeezed her hand in return. An evening with Dave without a disaster or something to spoil it was a rare occurrence.

  ‘Oh, I nearly forgot,’ said Dave, jumping to his feet. ‘It’s a bit belated but anyway.’ He rummaged around in the utility before switching off the lights. ‘Ha-ppy birth-day to you …’ he sang as he walked back in carrying a cupcake with a sparkler in it, which lit up his face as it fizzed and sparked. He sung all the way to the end of the song before presenting the cake to Sophie for her to blow out the wildly smoking and glowing sparkler. As Sophie blew on the now drooping sparkler the smoke alarm began to shriek and they both dissolved into laughter.

  ‘Bloody hell!’ said Anna through gasps of breath. ‘Connor, you scared the life out of me.’ She finished her coughing fit and looked about. It was almost dark now and she couldn’t see anyone else around. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘Ah, bit embarrassing actually,’ said Connor, going all coy. ‘I’m not sure what I said the other day at lunch but I got the feeling I’d upset you. And I texted earlier but you didn’t reply.’

  ‘Right,’ said Anna, feeling uneasy.

  ‘I know this sounds all stalker-ish and I’m really not.’ He waved his hands in defence. ‘But I was a bit worried and I didn’t want to hassle you by text. I thought if I came over I might be able to see that you were here and you were okay. And now I’ve said it out loud it does sound all stalker-ish and I’m really sorry.’ He pulled a funny face and Anna relaxed. She could see his intentions were good.

  ‘It’s okay.’

  ‘Are you sure? Because I’d understand if you wanted to get a restraining order or something. You’re quite within your rights.’ He fidgeted about like a puppet on strings and it made her warm to him.

  ‘No, I think we’re good. Did you want to come back for a coffee?’

  Connor’s expression became more earnest. ‘I’d really like that. Thanks.’

  ‘Sophie’s out but she’s due back soon and you can meet Maurice,’ said Anna, striding off.

  ‘Great,’ said Connor, although he didn’t sound quite as pleased as he had about the coffee.

  Anna’s phone had a pinging session as she reached the flat and a quick glance told her it was messages from Sophie and Hudson. She’d have to deal with those later. She put her phone on the kitchen worktop and took off her trainers. Connor was already removing his shoes and the thought shot through her mind how impressed her mum would be with him doing this without having to be asked.

  ‘Do you mind if I have a quick shower?’ She pulled at her running top.

  ‘Of course, not. Shall I make us some coffee? I’m sure I can find my way around the kitchen,’ he said, with a silly grin. ‘Look, there’s a kettle.’

  ‘That’d be great, thanks.’ She bounded off to the bathroom.

  Once clean and dressed in leggings and a shirt she returned to the kitchen where Connor was leaning against the worktop sipping his drink. ‘You are allowed into the living room, you know,’ she said.

  ‘I didn’t want you to think I was snooping.’ He handed her a mug of coffee. ‘I did it half milk and microwaved it because you had a latte in the café …’ He tailed off. He really was incredibly thoughtful.

  ‘It’s perfect.’ She led the way through to the living room and settled herself on one end of the sofa with Connor sitting next to her. Maurice was in the chair opposite and he stretched and eyed the stranger speculatively.

  Maurice jumped to the floor and in two strides he was on Connor’s lap. ‘Whoa!’ he said, almost spilling his coffee and hastily putting the mug on the coffee table. Maurice circled around Connor’s thighs, each time swishing his fluffy tail in Connor’s face whilst kneading his claws into his jeans and from Connor’s expression most likely his flesh too.

  ‘Sorry, are you all right?’ asked Anna.

  ‘I’m not great with cats,’ he said.

  ‘I see.’ This felt like the first time he’d said something negative and she tried not to let it show on her face.

  He glanced at her. ‘I don’t hate them or anything. It’s because … I’m allergic.’

  ‘I’m sorry. Here, let me take him. Come on, Maurice,’ said Anna, trying to pick him up. The cat had other ideas and firmly dug his claws into Connor’s thighs.

  ‘Ow!’ yelped Connor as Anna pulled Maurice and he held on tight.

  ‘Maurice. Let. Go,’ said Anna, giving him a gentle tug with each word, embarrassment swamping her. Maurice gave a mew in protest and finally retracted his claws. She placed him on the windowsill and opened the top window in the hope he’d go out. He turned around, swished his tail about crossly and glared at Connor.

  Connor brushed down his trousers as if to rid himself of any signs of the cat although Anna couldn’t see any fur there. Maurice flounced up and down the windowsill before leaping onto the edge of the open window, in one fluid movement, and out into the night. ‘That’s an interesting cat flap,’ said Connor.

  ‘I know,’ said Anna. ‘I need to get a proper one for the front door before the weather changes. It’s fine to have it open all night in the summer but it’ll be no good once it turns a bit chilly.’

  ‘I could fit one for you.’

  ‘I wouldn’t want to put you to any trouble.’

  ‘It’s not. I’m
no Nick Knowles but I know my way around a screwdriver.’

  They spent the next hour chatting. It was mainly small talk but it was getting easier between them. Connor spotted the time and said he needed to call in on his mum on the way home and went to put his shoes back on. Anna followed him to the kitchen.

  ‘Thanks for coming around.’

  ‘Sorry, if I freaked you out in the park. I really didn’t mean to.’ He looked contrite.

  ‘I know you didn’t.’

  ‘Anna?’ He bent his head towards her and went all shy. ‘You’re special and I really value what we’ve got.’

  She felt something stronger than fondness towards him and without thinking she reached up and planted a small kiss on his cheek. Why did she do that? She wasn’t sure and was a bit shocked with herself for making the first move.

  His reaction was initially one of startle and then he looked pleased.

  ‘See you again soon. I hope,’ he said. ‘By arrangement next time,’ he added, with a chuckle.

  Anna shut the door and felt a flutter of something. It wasn’t wild passion – she was never going to get that with Connor. But he was sweet, caring and dependable. She picked her phone up from the kitchen drainer and walked back to the living room checking her messages. She opened Sophie’s first. It read – Dave understands and has got us a cleaner! Am staying the night and moving back home tomorrow. Thanks for being best friend ever x.

  ‘Halle – bloody – lujah!’ said Anna, to the room. Oh, the relief, she felt a little emotional. The world was back on its axis and she could relax again. Feeling happy she’d had a small part in their reunion she treated herself to a hot chocolate before replying to Sophie and checking her other messages.

  The next three were from Hudson all apologising for recommending her and ending with him offering to go and withdraw his recommendation. She dialled his number without thinking as the irritation bubbled inside.

  ‘Anna, I am truly sorry …’

  ‘Don’t go and withdraw your recommendation. What the hell will it look like?’ She didn’t give him a chance to answer. ‘Roberta will think you have a reason why I can’t do the New York job and—’