A Walk in Wildflower Park

by Bella Osborne

  ‘I do pick ’em, don’t I?’

  ‘You didn’t pick him, Anna. He targeted you. You mustn’t assume everyone is a psycho who’s out to get you. He spent ages tracking you down. Even renting somewhere in the area and staging the whole misdirected text message. That’s what it said in the paper.’

  She knew Connor was under arrest and not going anywhere any time soon. And whilst she knew she would have been terrified on the roof, the fact she couldn’t actually remember it was most likely playing a part in her recovery. More than anything she felt incredibly lucky to be alive.

  ‘I’m glad you’re home. I’ve some flowers at my house for you from Liam.’

  ‘I know,’ said Anna. ‘He keeps calling. I’m not ready to see him yet.’

  Sophie pulled a face. ‘I was meant to tell you ages ago.’ Anna lowered her head expectantly. ‘He owned up to only recommending they bring New York in to the scope of your project so they would relocate Hudson out there. He was deliberately trying to split you two up.’

  ‘What a shit,’ said Anna. Images of Hudson came into her mind. Muddled images.

  ‘I let Hudson know what happened. I didn’t want him finding out from work. I hope that was okay?’

  ‘I messaged him too but I’ve not had a reply.’ Anna had sent a couple of messages from hospital but had no response. He was no longer part of her life and she needed to accept it.

  Anna ventured out in public for the first time the next morning, and it felt good to be back in control of things. Roberta had been uncharacteristically sympathetic, had reeled off a number of inspirational feminist quotes and insisted Anna didn’t rush back. Sophie hadn’t had to twist her arm much to get Anna to Arlo’s nativity. Anna always missed things he did at school so it was a great opportunity to go while she was still officially off work.

  It appeared every other parent had had the idea of getting to the nativity early for a good seat, which relegated them to two-thirds of the way back but they managed to get seats on the end of a row where Sophie could park the double buggy next to her.

  ‘Save a seat for Dave,’ said Sophie. Anna couldn’t help her surprised expression. ‘He’s going to try and make it.’

  ‘Wow. He really has changed,’ said Anna. Sophie gave a proud smile whilst Anna stuffed her scarf into her woolly hat and plopped them on the chair next to her.

  The school hall was noisy and it filled up fast. The head teacher took to the stage to welcome everyone and the room fell silent while he went on about the meaning of Christmas and the hours of rehearsing the children had done. The hall was full to bursting; people were standing at the back. Every seat was filled with a mum, dad, doting grandparent or important person who was there to witness one of life’s milestones. It made her feel honoured and at the same time a little broody.

  Anna tuned back in when the lights dimmed and music boomed from the state-of-the-art sound system; gone were the days of an old lady on the piano. The doors opened a crack and Dave slipped inside, scanning the room. Anna and Sophie gave him a subtle wave and Petal squealed when she caught sight of him and stretched her arms out as far as they would go. Dave spotted them, slunk over and kissed Petal and Sophie. Anna noted Sophie didn’t have a go at him for being late. Anna moved into the vacant seat and Dave sat next to Sophie. ‘Hiya,’ he whispered to Anna. ‘Nice to have you back.’

  The nativity got under way and every heart in the room melted a fraction when the children sang ‘Little Donkey’ despite Joseph flashing his Octonauts pants all the way through it. Anna could sense Sophie getting nervous as Arlo’s big stage debut neared. The shepherds filtered on to the stage or more accurately a number of children wearing pillowcases with checked tea towels on their heads. The stage lighting went to full and the angels appeared, one of whom was picking his nose.

  Sophie leaned forward to whisper to Anna. ‘The nose picker of Nazareth is Willoughby Newell.’ Anna wasn’t surprised.

  Back in the stable Mary had given birth to Jesus who she promptly dropped and in her haste to gather him up Mary kicked him across the stage. An impromptu rugby scrum broke out amongst the shepherds and a teacher had to intervene to recover the doll and return him to a wobbly-lipped Mary who slam-dunked him face down into the manger. Dave started to chuckle and Sophie gave him a dig in the ribs.

  At last the three wise men arrived, bearing their gifts for the baby Jesus. While they sang ‘We Three Kings’ the first one unwrapped his gift and declared: ‘It’s not gold it’s an empty Maltesers box.’ But he delivered it to Jesus all the same. The narrator announced that the next gift was frankincense. And Arlo marched forward and proudly presented the baby with a pineapple. Anna leaned forward to catch Sophie’s eye.

  ‘What?’ hissed Sophie. ‘I didn’t know what it was for. They said he needed to bring in something exotic.’ She wiped away a proud tear and blew her nose.

  It was all coming to an end and had gone incredibly well until a fight broke out when the donkey tried to take Willoughby Newell’s halo. Arlo waded in, snatched back the halo, returned it to Willoughby and with one shove the donkey toppled and landed on the manger, crushing baby Jesus. The curtains were hastily closed and the audience burst into applause. Anna and Dave were on their feet applauding. It was the funniest thing she’d seen in ages and exactly the tonic she needed.

  A week later Anna was facing a new challenge – Christmas shopping without a plan. Thanks to New York, her parents’ accident and what her parents now referred to as ‘that night’ she hadn’t even looked at a Christmas gift guide or prepared her usual spreadsheet of possible presents for family and friends. Here she was four days before Christmas engulfed in shopping madness.

  Birmingham city centre was full of festive cheer with the traditional Christmas market snaking all the way from the Bull Ring along New Street and around Victoria Square. As dusk fell the Christmas lights sparkled and the mulled wine flowed. Anna had already been back to her car once to deposit full bags. She was determined to get most of it done today. She still had to wrap it all, although that was a part of Christmas she loved – her parcels always had twirly ribbon and bows and matching tags. Anna felt her phone vibrate, readjusted her many carrier bags and hoiked the phone from her pocket.

  ‘Hiya, Sophie,’ she said, hoping she was still on for a girly natter later like they’d planned.

  ‘Hi. Where are you, exactly?’

  ‘I’m in town doing my Christmas shopping.’ She had told Sophie. She’d even asked if she wanted to come along but Sophie had said something about preferring to have Edward Scissorhands give her a back massage than face the city centre at Christmas time.

  ‘Yeah, but where exactly?’ repeated Sophie. ‘Right this second?’

  Anna glanced about her. ‘Standing between a German lebkuchen stand and the Christmas tree in Victoria Square. Why?’

  ‘The Christmas tree in Victoria Square. Right. Stay there!’

  ‘Why? Sophie?’ But the line had gone dead. Around her shoppers all wrapped up against the early bite of winter hurried past. She put the bags down and rubbed her sore fingers and waited. She still needed to get something for Petal and a chocolate orange for her dad because she got him one every year.

  She scanned the crowd. Presumably Sophie had changed her mind and decided to join her. Lots of people just went for the evening and to enjoy the hot chocolate, gluhwein and German sausage. A woman began singing carols making it all rather festive. Someone did a shrill whistle, the kind you need your fingers for and Anna glanced over her shoulder and up towards the Council House that stood resplendent facing the square.

  At first she didn’t see anything other than the mass of shoppers but then she spotted someone in a hoodie wave and leap up onto the edge of what was known locally as the ‘Floozie in the Jacuzzi’ fountain. They couldn’t be waving at her but she was going to watch anyway. The way they were leaping about she feared her first aid skills might be needed. The person then proceeded to forward flip, twist and vault their way down
the steps much to the delight of the crowd. When they reached the bottom, they did a double backflip landing so close to Anna she grabbed her shopping and moved nearer to the Christmas tree. A brief but spontaneous round of applause broke out as the gymnast stepped nearer to Anna and pulled off his hoodie.

  ‘Hudson!’ Anna dropped her shopping and flung her arms around his neck. Joy engulfed her and she had to stop herself from crying because she knew he’d think she was ridiculous. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘I came to see you.’

  She stepped back to look at him as if needing to check he was real. ‘What was with all the acrobatics? You’ll get yourself killed.’ Although a small part of her was mightily impressed.

  He hung his head slightly. ‘I didn’t tell you the whole truth. I used to be a free runner.’

  ‘What, one of those crazies who jumps from building to building?’ The thought of it sent a chill through her.

  Hudson gave a lopsided smile. ‘Yeah. It comes in handy.’

  ‘What for?’

  ‘Saving people on roofs.’

  Anna felt like a whoosh of air had been knocked from her lungs. Sensations shot through her body taking her back to being on the roof. The shove in the back that saved her from falling. The voice. ‘You?’

  Hudson gave a modest shrug. ‘The door to the roof was locked. I climbed up the outside.’

  ‘You could have died.’

  ‘You were about to.’ His eyes told her so much.

  ‘Thank you.’ Her voice was barely a whisper. ‘Why weren’t you there when the emergency services arrived?’

  ‘I didn’t like to move you but there was no signal on the roof so I had to climb down to call 999. As I was speaking to the ambulance Liam arrived, then a police car showed up real quick and Liam seemed to take over. I guess I felt I was in the way.’

  ‘Did you see what happened with Connor?’

  He squeezed her shoulder. ‘I heard most of it.’

  ‘I can’t remember much.’

  ‘When you’re ready I’ll tell you.’ He beamed and something fluttered in her heart.

  Her brain went into overdrive. ‘Free running … that’s how you got the wheelbarrow on bonfire night.’

  He nodded and gave a cheeky grin. ‘It’s also how I got in the park without a ticket.’ He looked suitably ashamed but only for a nanosecond.

  Anna couldn’t stop grinning. She was overjoyed to see him again. ‘Are you over here for Christmas?’

  ‘Err, I don’t know. I keep jetting back and forth like I’m on a bungee. Something keeps pulling me back here.’

  ‘Last time I spoke to you, you were with Emily.’ She watched closely for his reaction.

  He seemed to wince at her name. ‘Emily is … Emily.’ He raised his shoulders. ‘She’s now in a relationship with Dad’s business partner.’

  Anna was relieved. ‘Is everything else okay?’

  Hudson seemed to scan her face making her feel a little self-conscious and she pulled down her woolly hat a fraction. A crease appeared on his forehead. ‘You see for everything to be okay, you and I would need to be in the same country for a start …’

  Anna gave a nervous giggle; she wasn’t sure where this was going. ‘We are.’ She held up her hands.

  ‘Permanently. Always. Forever,’ he said. There was a wisp of mist when his words hit the chill of the evening air.

  She swallowed. It felt like her insides were turning to mush. ‘How would that work?’

  Anna’s eyes were wide. Her breathing was ragged. She saw a spark of something in his eyes.

  ‘Anna, we’re great together but there lies the issue – we’re not together and I can’t for the life of me think why that is.’

  Anna’s grin was actually starting to make her face ache. ‘Nor can I.’

  Hudson leaned in and hesitated, which made Anna’s heart soar even higher at his trepidation. She closed her eyes and savoured the moment when their lips met. He pulled her gently to him and she was lost in the kiss.

  ‘Hey, you need this,’ came a friendly voice and a stallholder pulled a decoration off the wooden cabin and bounded over waving some mistletoe.

  They broke apart and began to giggle. Anna put her fingers to her lips. They didn’t feel quite like her own – they were sure, brave and certain. And so was her heart.

  ‘Thanks, buddy,’ said Hudson, taking out his phone and pulling Anna in for a selfie. And as the camera flashed, Anna knew this was how it was meant to be.

  Chapter Forty

  Anna was grateful to Hudson for lugging the cat carrier. She was sure Maurice was getting bigger. She couldn’t contain her pride as the carers at the nursing home all did a double take when Hudson walked in. They had finished her Christmas shopping in Birmingham and then spent the best part of the next two days in bed together. Brief interludes between fabulous sex were filled with chatter. All the things they had wanted to say for so long had all tumbled out. And now she was introducing him to Bert.

  ‘I am very pleased to meet you,’ said Bert, standing up and vigorously shaking Hudson’s hand. ‘I’ve been following Anna’s love life closely.’

  ‘Bert,’ said Anna with caution in her voice. She let Maurice out of the carrier and hoped that would distract him.

  Bert pulled Hudson down a fraction to tell him something. ‘I wanted it to be you.’

  Anna and Hudson exchanged looks. They doubted Bert was aware of the You Got Mail reference and it made them smile all the more.

  ‘I wanted it to be me too, Bert,’ said Hudson, taking the seat next to him, and Maurice instantly jumped on his lap.

  Bert felt for the cat. ‘And you have Maurice’s seal of approval.’

  ‘So, it would seem,’ said Anna. ‘Which is good because Hudson’s applying for jobs locally so he’ll be sticking around for a while.’ They couldn’t stop the grins that spread across both their faces.

  Bert leaned in conspiratorially. ‘Watch out for other men’s underwear,’ he said with a chortle.

  Hudson looked beyond confused. ‘Don’t worry, it’s mainly Dave’s,’ said Anna, which did nothing to change Hudson’s expression. ‘Where’s Rosie?’

  ‘She’s getting some things from my room.’ On cue Rosie appeared carrying a gift bag.

  They exchanged welcomes and Christmas wishes and Rosie handed the bag to Bert who immediately passed it to Anna.

  ‘It isn’t much but it’s something to open on Christmas Day.’

  ‘Thanks, Bert. I got you something too,’ said Anna, handing him a large wrapped box.

  He brushed his hands along the top of the box and down the sides, establishing its dimensions. ‘My, this makes me look like a miser. Can I open it?’ he asked, eager as a child.

  ‘Of course.’

  He ripped the paper off, pulled open the box and began feeling around inside. ‘It’s some sort of machine. There’s a cable and a lid. You’ll have to tell me.’

  ‘It’s a coffee machine,’ said Rosie, peering over his shoulder.

  The excitement faded from Bert’s face. ‘Oh, I see.’

  ‘No, Bert. It doesn’t mean I’m not going visit you. It means you don’t have to wait for me to get a decent cup of coffee,’ said Anna and the grin instantly returned to his face.

  ‘Thank you, Anna. You know how I love an Americano. And now you do too.’

  ‘Bert!’ said Rosie and Anna together.

  Later that day they met up with Sophie and her brood and were all playing hide-and-seek in Wildflower Park. It was a bright fresh December day, with a clear sky and a chill in the air.

  ‘Found you!’ shouted Arlo, his bobble-hatted head pushing through the bushes.

  ‘Well done,’ said Anna. ‘Who else have you found?’

  ‘I found Reuben. He was hiding under the bench with Mummy. He’s rubbish at hide-and-seek.’

  Anna scrambled out from behind the bush and tried to keep up with Arlo who raced off across the park. They had limited the hiding area to avoid any
missing-children incidents. Anna thought she’d spotted a flash of bright pink behind the large tree stump and she called to Arlo who stumbled to a halt. She pointed to the stump and they both started running towards it.

  ‘Found you!’ shouted Arlo as Petal came into view giggling wildly. Anna took Petal’s pink-mittened hand and they went to find Hudson. Sophie was watching them from the safety of the bench and she was pointing towards the wooded area. Arlo charged off but Anna veered off towards Sophie.

  ‘Dave just rang, he’s ready for us. If it’s a disaster I could always do Marmite sandwiches,’ said Sophie, pulling a worried face as they passed.

  Arlo hollered, ‘Found you! I win!’ He was already running back to Sophie before Anna had even reached the trees. Petal chased after her brother.

  Anna stepped into the copse. A whistle drew her attention and she looked up. Hudson was sitting high up in a gnarled tree, the picture of chilled-out cool.

  ‘You are such a big kid. Come down.’ In an easy fluid movement he bounded down through the tree, swung on a branch and landed effortlessly on the grass. He opened his arms and she fell into them. ‘Found you!’

  ‘You have,’ he said, kissing her softly.

  ‘Come on.’ She tugged at his hand. ‘Dave’s cooking. It’ll be like an initiation ceremony.’

  ‘Awesome.’

  ‘No,’ she said with a grimace. ‘It’s unlikely to be awesome, but it will be fun.’

  ‘Is this some weird British holiday I should be doing something for, like maypole dancing or cheese rolling?’

  ‘Nope. It’s just something me and Sophie make a big thing of because after today it’s all family focused but Christmas Eve eve has been our mini Christmas for the last few years.’

  Sophie came in step with Anna as they left the park.

  ‘How’d it go taking Reuben into the office yesterday?’ asked Anna.

  ‘It was fine. Karl was actually quite sweet. He said he could hear women’s ovaries creaking into life at the mere sound of a babby.’

  ‘The last of the die-hard feminists is our Karl.’

  As they approached Sophie and Dave’s garden they could see smoke. ‘Plugholes,’ said Sophie with feeling.