Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow. Jessica Redland
bedroom walls at Meadowcroft. If Nanna’s absence hit him too hard, he loved to sit on the bed and look at it. He said it instantly cheered him up and reminded him of how much he still had to live for.
‘What time is your young man expected?’ he asked.
‘Not till about eight but he’s looking forward to seeing you again.’
‘Good. It’s been ages. I need to make sure he’s still good enough for my favourite grandchild.’ He winked at me and I nudged him gently.
‘Ssh! You can’t show favouritism like that.’
‘Why not? You, Sammie, are truly special. I’ve always known it and, if it hadn’t been for the care and attention you gave me after we lost your nanna, I don’t think I’d be here today celebrating my seventy-fifth. I hope you know how much I love you, my angel, and I’m only sorry that certain people in your life don’t see you the way I do.’
‘Aw, Gramps. I love you too.’ I hugged him tightly, pushing back the tears once more. I knew it broke his heart how Mum treated me but little did he know that his words could be applied to my relationship with James too.
‘Happy birthday!’ The loud greeting broke us apart and we turned to see Auntie Louise, Uncle Simon and Chloe making their way towards us with bags of gifts. Mum and Dad followed a few minutes later and soon the room was full of friends and family, handing out hugs and gifts, chatting and laughing.
It warmed my heart to see Gramps looking so happy. I glanced over at Nanna’s image on the wall and smiled at her. She was definitely with us celebrating.
I wondered whether Gramps would see through James and me tonight. I’d kept finding excuses not to take James to Meadowcroft because Gramps noticed everything about me and, if there were only the three of us together, his suspicions would definitely be aroused. He wouldn’t rest until he’d got to the bottom of it and he’d give me the advice I didn’t want to hear. I figured that the party would provide safety in numbers and enough distractions for Gramps. I was wrong.
Shortly before 8 p.m., I nipped into the ladies in the back corner of the function room to freshen up before James arrived. When I came out, Gramps was waiting nearby with a large glass of rosé wine for me.
‘I meant to get you one earlier but guests kept appearing.’
‘Thank you, Gramps.’ I reached for it and gratefully took a few sips. I’d been too busy playing hostess to grab myself a drink. ‘Are you enjoying yourself?’
‘Having a wonderful time, my angel. No sign of James yet?’
‘He should be here soon.’ I nodded towards the other side of the room where Chloe was chatting to one of Gramps’s neighbours. ‘Chloe looks amazing tonight.’ She wore a soft peach halter-neck dress and her hair was styled into loose curls.
‘And so do you,’ Gramps said.
‘Thank you.’
Chloe turned towards the door and stared for a moment before giving a toss of her hair.
‘Oh aye, who’s she got her eye on now?’ Gramps muttered.
We both turned our gaze towards the door and my stomach plummeted to the floor. James had arrived but he wasn’t scanning the room in search of me. Someone else had already caught his attention. His mouth opened and he ran his fingers across his facial hair, seemingly completely mesmerised. I hardly dared follow his eyeline but I had to be sure.
Eyes locked, Chloe and James crossed the room, like magnets pulling together. And, at that moment, I knew I’d lost him. The physical attraction was obvious and, as soon as they spoke, there was no way they wouldn’t gel.
‘Is that your James?’ Gramps asked, adjusting his glasses as they started to speak.
I nodded slowly.
‘Then I need to play host and welcome him,’ he said, a defensive note to his tone. I knew he’d seen what I’d just seen.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the shadows and across the room.
‘Sammie’s boyfriend,’ Gramps declared loudly. ‘So pleased you could make it.’
My cousin and boyfriend both seemed to snap out of their trance and realise they weren’t alone anymore.
‘Erm yes… Sorry I’m late, William. Happy birthday!’ He shook Gramps’s hand then turned to me and gave me an awkward peck on the cheek, almost as though we were strangers.
‘I see you’ve met my cousin, Chloe,’ I said, trying hard to keep the tightness out of my voice.
‘Yes, just this second. I… er… I was just asking her where you were and here you are.’
‘Here I am.’
Silence. It was excruciating. I could feel Gramps willing me to say something, to stake my claim, but what could I say? All I could think of was, Should Gramps and I just leave the two of you alone?
‘How was work?’ I asked.
‘What do you do?’ Chloe asked before he could respond.
‘I’m Director of Marketing for Denleigh Insurance in York.’
‘Director? Wow! You must be brilliant at your job,’ Chloe touched his arm as she said it. My heart raced as I watched her in full flirt mode right in front of me. Was she even aware she was doing it?
‘I’m feeling quite warm, Sammie.’ Gramps slipped his hand into mine. ‘Would you accompany me outside for some fresh air?’
‘Of course. Excuse us a moment.’
I swear they didn’t notice us leave. I gulped down the rest of my wine and abandoned the empty glass on a nearby table as I followed Gramps out of a side door.
A gentle breeze cooled my blazing cheeks as I sat beside him on a wooden bench round the corner, out of sight of the function room windows.
‘That was the first time Chloe and James have met?’ Gramps asked.
‘Yes.’
‘And you’ve kept them apart deliberately?’
I shrugged. ‘No. Or at least I don’t think so. Maybe I did subconsciously.’
Gramps put his arm round me and I rested my head on his shoulders. ‘Tell me I was imagining the fireworks just now.’
‘I wish I could.’
He squeezed my shoulder and we sat in silence for several minutes until the coolness of the evening became too much and I shivered, goose bumps covering my arms.
‘It’s too cold out here,’ Gramps said, standing and offering me his hand. ‘Do you have plans for tomorrow?’
‘James is driving back to York tonight for a stag weekend so I was planning to go into Whitsborough Bay for a mooch round the shops. I don’t have to, though.’
‘Let’s spend the day together. Come to Meadowcroft and we’ll talk.’
Back inside, Chloe and James were still talking animatedly, laughing and leaning closer to each other as they spoke.
‘I’ll just nip to the ladies,’ I told Gramps.
‘Are you alright?’ His soft grey eyes were full of concern.
I nodded and smiled reassuringly but I didn’t trust myself to speak in case it all tumbled out. We’d talk tomorrow. He’d seen it. I’d seen it. The whole room had probably seen it.
To my relief, there was nobody in the toilets. I paced up and down a few times, taking deep breaths,