The Little Orchard on the Lane: An absolutely perfect and uplifting romantic comedy

by Tilly Tennant

  ‘The sign of a life well lived, eh?’ Marella nodded and drained her cup. ‘I’ll have to freshen up and dash if you don’t mind. Thank you so much for putting me up, Carmel; a cab back to mine would have cost an arm and a leg at that time of night.’

  ‘And you had to get me back safe and sound anyway,’ Asa put in with a grin.

  ‘It’s always a pleasure to have you,’ Carmel said. ‘Both of you.’

  Marella turned to Posy. ‘I don’t suppose I could borrow a pair of jeans and a top? Don’t fancy doing the Tube in my tiny red dress this morning.’

  ‘I think you’d get a few looks,’ Posy agreed. ‘Come on, I’ll sort you out.’

  * * *

  In her bedroom Posy closed the door and set about finding something that would fit Marella. Her friend was already standing in a pair of Posy’s pyjamas and they were a little on the baggy side, so whatever she sourced would have to be a bit forgiving.

  ‘So you and Asa had a good time?’ she asked as she shook out a pair of black leggings and handed them to Marella with a silent question. Marella looked satisfied as she took them.

  ‘God, yes. He’s hilarious! The folks at work loved him.’

  Posy held out a grey marl sweatshirt and Marella took that from her too. ‘I’m glad you got along.’

  ‘I can’t imagine how anyone could fail to get along with him. And he’s had such a tough time over the last few months, the poor bloke deserves some fun… What with his mum dying and Drew leaving him for that other man…’

  Posy looked up sharply from her sock drawer. ‘He told you that?’

  ‘Yes. I didn’t think it was a secret – at least he didn’t say so when we talked about it last night.’

  ‘No, I suppose it isn’t then. It’s just that…’

  Posy had suspected something like that had happened to Asa, but he hadn’t told her about it, despite all the time they’d been sharing his house. Yet here he was, one night out with Marella and it all came out. What did her friend have that Posy didn’t? How was it her uncle had felt comfortable enough to share his past with Marella – who he’d just met – and not with Posy, who was family? Recently acquainted family, sure, but family all the same, and she’d felt they’d grown close quickly. She couldn’t help being slightly offended by it and a little hurt too.

  ‘Imagine being engaged, the wedding just around the corner, and then that. And they’d waited for so long, keeping it all under the radar because his mum… old trout… Sorry, I guess, because she’s your gran really but… you know, she sounds quite stuck in the Dark Ages and a bit homophobic by all accounts… Well, Asa didn’t want to upset her by rubbing her nose in it and a big gay wedding would have done that, I suppose. But they let Drew move in with him and everything, and he really shouldn’t have moved in if he was in love with someone else – even if he only suspected in a teeny way he might be in love with someone else. Poor Asa. So all that sneaking about was for nothing in the end, and then your granny went and died anyway…’

  Posy listened in silence. She wondered about the timeline of all this. Karen had mentioned Drew leaving just before Philomena’s death so it was still quite new for Asa really, no more than a few months ago.

  ‘And now he’s messing Asa around terribly,’ Marella continued, hardly pausing for breath. ‘Wanting to get back together after all that…’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I’d tell him to sling his hook, as they say round here. I said that to Asa last night – delete the cheeky pig’s number from your phone, I told him. He says he will but I bet he doesn’t. I’ve seen it all before…’

  ‘I’ll talk to him later,’ Posy said. ‘Make sure he’s done it.’

  ‘Good idea.’ Marella turned to her. ‘How do I look?’

  ‘Like me only much, much better,’ Posy said, admiring how Marella had managed to keep her dark hair sleek and shiny and her eyes bag-less despite the late hour they’d all gone to bed. She certainly hadn’t thought her hair shiny or her eyes bag-less when she’d looked in the bathroom mirror that morning.

  ‘Don’t be daft! I never asked, did you have a good night with Jackson?’

  ‘Yes,’ Posy said vaguely, though her mind was barely on Jackson at all. She’d have to find the right moment to ask Asa about all that he’d told Marella, but choosing it wasn’t as simple as it might seem. Neither was the question of whether she even should. If he’d never volunteered the information before, did that mean he didn’t want her to know? It seemed strange in light of everything else, but she couldn’t think of any other explanation.

  ‘Oh God, I nearly forgot the most important thing that happened last night!’ Marella said suddenly.

  ‘What’s that?’

  ‘Well… don’t shout… but you know how you said you didn’t want any favours helping you to find a job and I wasn’t to ask my boss…?’

  ‘Oh, Marella—’

  ‘I didn’t ask, I swear! I was only telling him about you being at Asa’s, and Asa told Kier how amazing you were and how he hadn’t a clue about his decor but you totally sorted him out with virtually nothing to go on, and then he showed him before and after photos from his phone of the bits you’d completed and my boss said he’d like to meet you. He said he couldn’t promise anything but he might be able to find you a job.’ Marella beamed. ‘And wouldn’t it be amazing if we worked together? You can’t pretend it wouldn’t be.’

  ‘I suppose not. And you definitely didn’t set this up?’

  Marella frowned. ‘Would I lie to you?’

  Posy suspected that a little white lie wouldn’t count in her friend’s book, but she let it slide.

  ‘If I was going to set it up I’d have done it weeks ago, wouldn’t I? Kier isn’t like that anyway – it would have to be his idea because he doesn’t do favours. He wanted to meet you because he liked what you’d done for Asa and he thought, as you’d done it for free, it showed passion for design and commitment and that you were generally the sort of person he’d like to have around.’

  Posy gave a small, bemused smile. ‘In that case…’

  Marella helped herself to a hair tie from Posy’s dresser and fastened her hair into a ponytail. ‘So you can pop in to see him tomorrow morning?’

  ‘Tomorrow?’

  ‘I know you’re supposed to be heading back to Somerset tonight but Asa said he could hang on so you could meet Kier before you leave. You really ought to, you know, I don’t know how long he’d be willing to keep this offer open and he’s got graduates practically begging for work almost every day.’

  Posy nodded. Put like that she’d be crazy not to go, despite a niggling, inexplicable misgiving that she couldn’t quite name. That vague feeling of disquiet about one thing or another seemed to be a recurring theme in her life at the moment.

  ‘You’re right; of course I’ll go. What time?’

  ‘Around ten. Give him a chance to get coffee – he’s an animal until he’s had his first one. I’ll let him know first thing you’ll be there. You’ll hang on afterwards to grab lunch before you go, won’t you? I want to hear all about how it went.’

  ‘As long as Asa is happy to.’

  ‘Brilliant! Right, I’d better get going – if I don’t finish that scheme today Kier will be giving you my job!’

  Chapter Twenty-One

  It was hard to get excited about sights that were so commonplace to Posy, but as Asa gasped his way around the landmarks of London, Posy was reminded of how she’d reacted the first time she’d explored Oleander Orchard and the countryside around it and supposed it wasn’t so different. The locations couldn’t have been more contrasting, of course, but the thrill of the new and the novelty of the unknown were the same wherever you went.

  Carmel had wanted to take him to see lesser-known attractions and spots off the beaten track, and it was good to see her engaging with him because Posy had worried, on more than one occasion, whether things might be awkward between them, given their respective relations to her. But Asa
had been more interested in the usual tourist fare, even though some of it he’d seen before on previous visits. In the end he’d seemed happy enough just to be amongst the noise and bustle, and although Posy was tired and still a little hurt that he’d chosen to share his past with Drew with Marella rather than her, she was content to see him enjoying himself.

  They’d arrived back at home pooped, and after a spot of supper had gone to bed early so that Posy could be fresh for her interview with Marella’s boss the following day. Informal chat, Marella had called it, but Posy still felt the pressure to make it count. Marella would have bigged Posy up, stuck her neck out to get Kier interested, and Posy felt she had to deliver – if only to repay her friend’s kindness and not let her down.

  * * *

  The design company Marella was employed at wasn’t housed in a swanky glass-walled building like the one Posy had worked for. It sat on the top floor of a grand, Regency-style three-storey town house on a leafy street in the north of the city. Asa and Carmel were waiting at home while Posy had got into unfamiliar-feeling formal wear and taken herself out of the house and onto the Tube to meet Kier. After being buzzed in and greeted by a super-friendly intern, who was manning a reception that looked more like someone’s living room than it did a business entrance, Posy found herself and the portfolio she’d thrown together at the last minute being ushered into the boss’s office.

  Kier was tall and broad, with a booming laugh that he employed often and an accent that Posy couldn’t place. As he went through the photos and drawings she’d brought in he asked questions about every one:

  What was the inspiration for this?

  How did you get such good lighting here?

  Was this theme deliberate or a happy accident?

  Did this stray far from the client’s brief?

  Where did you train?

  What made you choose interior design rather than a more traditional art route?

  Posy answered as honestly as she could – she wanted the job but she didn’t see the point in pretending to be more than she was. Sell yourself, she’d always been told by college lecturers and careers advisors, but she’d never really put much stock in that approach. Selling yourself often meant overselling yourself, and it wouldn’t take long for the failings you’d hidden to be revealed; far better to be straight from the start and avoid nasty surprises for them both.

  ‘I love what I’ve seen here,’ Kier said finally, handing the folder back to Posy.

  ‘Um… thank you.’

  Posy gave an uncertain smile. She’d never had a reaction like that at interview before. Usually her interviewers were cagey about her work, either staying tight-lipped about their opinion or even pretending to be completely disinterested (as her last boss, Joanna, had been before phoning hours later to offer her the job).

  ‘You have commitments at the moment, I believe?’ he continued.

  ‘Oh, you mean my uncle’s place? Yes, but I shouldn’t think I’ll be there much longer.’

  ‘How much longer is not much?’

  Posy blew out a breath. ‘Well, I haven’t been that strict over the timescales, not having to work at the moment, so I haven’t really got a schedule mapped out as such. I suppose we could have it all done in two or three weeks if we pushed.’

  ‘Would you be free by, say, September?’

  ‘I could be.’

  ‘Would you like to start working for me when you are?’

  Posy blinked. ‘You’re giving me a job?’

  ‘It certainly sounds like it,’ he replied with that booming laugh again. ‘Of course, we’d have to agree terms but we have plenty of time to do that before you start. For now, a word of agreement from you would be enough to get the ball rolling.’

  ‘God, I’d love to work for you!’

  ‘I’m glad to hear it. And you don’t need to call me God – Kier will do.’

  Posy smiled. ‘I could… I mean, I’m sure my uncle would understand if I have to leave his project… I mean, if you need me earlier than September then—’

  ‘Autumn is fine – it suits me too. I’ll get my secretary to send you a copy of our usual employment contract and if you’re amenable then I’ll get your offer drawn up.’

  ‘You don’t want to see me again first? I mean, for a proper interview?’

  He burst into laughter once more. ‘What do you think just happened? Didn’t you think that was a proper interview? Would you like me to do it again and make it tougher?’

  ‘Well, it’s just… I thought it was just an informal chat… I mean, Marella said—’

  ‘I find the best way to get the measure of someone is to see them informally. Your guard is down and you haven’t spent the week trying to figure out what I might want to hear from you. In my opinion, formal interviews are a waste of time.’

  ‘Oh…’

  ‘I hope you don’t mind if I throw you out now, but I have a client due to arrive in the next ten minutes or so.’

  ‘Oh, of course not.’ Posy hastily gathered her things and headed for the door.

  ‘Stay in touch,’ Kier said as she was going, ‘and if your timetable shifts or you change your mind let me know.’

  ‘Yes, I will. And thank you!’

  ‘No, thank you. I’m very much looking forward to welcoming you to the team.’

  * * *

  Posy was on her way out through the reception, scrabbling in her handbag to find her phone to text Marella, when her friend appeared in person, saving her the job.

  ‘Listen, I know we were supposed to do lunch but I really don’t think I’ll have time. You don’t mind if we give it a miss, do you? I’m really sorry but I’m absolutely snowed under…’

  ‘God, no, if you’re busy I totally understand. I should probably get back. Asa will be waiting and we have a long trip to Somerset later.’

  ‘I knew you’d understand.’ Marella pulled her into a brief hug. ‘You’ll call me later, let me know you got back OK?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘I’ve had a fab weekend.’

  ‘Me too. And thank you so much for today; I know it must have—’

  ‘Don’t mention it.’ Marella lowered her voice. The girl on reception didn’t appear to be listening but it seemed Posy’s friend didn’t want to take any chances. ‘How did it go? Kier liked you?’

  ‘I don’t know about that.’ Posy broke into a slow smile. ‘But I do appear to have been offered a job!’

  ‘That’s amazing!’ Marella squeaked. ‘Soon you’ll be with me all the time – imagine how fabulous that will be!’

  ‘Yes,’ Posy said with a wry smile. ‘Lucky me.’

  Marella punched her playfully on the arm. ‘Don’t deny it, you love me.’

  ‘It’s true,’ Posy replied, her smile fond now. ‘I do – I bloody love you to bits.’

  * * *

  The interview had meant Posy hadn’t had time to see Jackson in person again before she left, so she’d sent him a message. The problem with messages was it was hard to tell the tone of them, and that was exactly how she felt as she read his rather terse reply. The way they’d left things on Saturday night had planted the seed of doubt in Posy but, for now, it felt like something she didn’t have the time or energy to tackle. She hoped that in no time she’d have the Jackson who’d been so much fun at the fancy dress party back. Maybe if she just let things breathe, that would happen, so she decided to do nothing at all for now except say she’d call him when she was back in Somerset.

  She and Asa were just settling down on the train to go home when Posy saw someone she thought she recognised.

  ‘Pavla?’

  The woman had been making her way down the carriage dragging a wheeled suitcase behind her. She whipped around to see who’d called her name, and sure enough it was Karen’s assistant at Sunnyfields.

  ‘Oh, hello!’

  ‘Are you travelling back to Astercombe too?’ Posy asked.

  ‘I am.’

  Asa and Posy were c
urrently occupying two of a set of four seats and, sensing that Asa wouldn’t mind, Posy made the offer.

  ‘Are you travelling alone?’

  ‘Yes. I could sit with you?’

  ‘Of course!’ Posy glanced at Asa, who nodded his agreement.

  ‘It’s miserable sitting on your own,’ he said. ‘And you don’t know what kind of weirdo might plonk themselves next to you.’

  Pavla laughed as she hauled her suitcase onto the luggage rack and then sat down next to Posy.

  ‘How lucky to meet you here,’ she said. ‘Have you been to visit your mama?’

  ‘Yes,’ Posy said. ‘What have you been up to?’

  ‘My brother has just arrived in the UK and is living in Finchley. Sometimes I have to see him, even though his miserable face gives me a headache.’

  Asa laughed. ‘That’s brothers for you.’

  Posy smiled. ‘I bet you love him really.’

  ‘Spoken like someone who doesn’t have a brother,’ Asa said, and Pavla grinned as Posy poked his leg with the toe of her boot and told him to behave.

  As the train began to fill they made pleasant small talk in this vein. Then their departure was announced and things went quiet. They’d barely left the station when Posy looked at Asa to say something and saw that he’d dozed off, his cheek squashed against the window. He looked so uncomfortable that she couldn’t imagine how he was sleeping, but the awkward position didn’t seem to be bothering him at all.

  ‘Did you wear him out?’ Pavla asked, following Posy’s gaze.

  ‘Must have done. Although he did the same thing on the train here so maybe he’s just one of those fortunate people who can sleep anywhere. At least I’m lucky enough to have you to chat to this time… Unless you fancy a power nap too, in which case don’t let me stop you.’

  ‘I’m perfectly awake,’ Pavla said. ‘I don’t sleep on trains.’

  ‘Me neither,’ Posy replied. ‘Terrified of missing my stop for a start.’