A Walk in Wildflower Park

by Bella Osborne

  Anna appeared to be pondering this. ‘True. It does undermine the whole independent woman thing though.’

  ‘But whatever Roberta and her boiled-in-the-bag feminists say, it’s only natural. Human beings are meant to find a mate and reproduce. Mother nature is a bitch like that.’

  ‘But I don’t trust myself not to jump at the first half-decent bloke to pitch up. It’s what I do. It’s what I keep doing. It’s time I learned from my mistakes. I need to bide my time and wait for the one and I’m not the patient type.’

  ‘But you know what you want. It’s a start.’ Sophie tipped the remainder of the crisps in her mouth and opened a fresh packet.

  ‘But basically I’m basing my future on luck. It makes no sense. Do you know how my parents met?’

  ‘Nope.’ Sophie munched on her crisps.

  ‘Mum’s aunt had died. She was visiting relatives and Dad’s car broke down outside the house. One look at each other was all it took. How random is that?’

  ‘It’s lovely,’ said Sophie. She adored such stories.

  ‘But what are the odds of you finding your best match?’ Anna looked like she was expecting an answer. Maths had never been Sophie’s strong point. She shrugged and Anna continued. ‘There are 7.6 billion people on the planet. In my lifetime I’ll likely meet about eighty thousand people, which is roughly nought point nought, nought one per cent.’ She counted it off on her fingers. ‘I have a nought point nought, nought one per cent chance of finding the one! Those are the ridiculous odds I’m facing.’

  She had a point. Sophie picked up her last packet of crisps. ‘When you put it like that it all seems pretty hopeless.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘You’re welcome. Crisp?’

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  September arrived bullish and full of wind, which reminded Anna a lot of Karl. It was Saturday morning and she didn’t have any plans. She mulled over her Friday night. She’d been pleased to get home to find Maurice’s cat flap had been delivered. She’d showed it to him but he fleetingly rubbed around the box and then demanded some food. She’d popped a picture on Facebook of Maurice sitting on the cat flap box with the caption ‘I don’t think that’s how it works,’ and scrolled through the photos of her friends out with their partners enjoying a Friday night as most couples do. She’d had a text exchange with Connor, a delivery pizza and a box-set binge. This was her Friday night now.

  Hudson had messaged her and she’d had some fun banter with him about her ordering the right cat flap. Perhaps this was how it should work. Friends but without any expectations on either side.

  Anna started her Saturday with a shower and gave her hair a quick blast with the hairdryer. It didn’t warrant styling when you had no plans. She couldn’t find a hair bobble anywhere so she took a clean pair of pants from her drawer and used those to tie it up out of the way. She was pulling on socks when her phone pinged. Are you up? It was from Hudson.

  No, I’m asleep but my multitasking skills are superb. Why? she replied.

  Can you sleepwalk to the door and let me in please?

  ‘Good morning,’ he said, his usual beaming smile in place when she opened the door. He held aloft a brightly coloured toolbox.

  Anna was quizzical for a moment. ‘The cat flap. Brilliant.’ She stepped aside and let him in.

  ‘Sim had a guy stay over last night, so I thought I’d give them some space this morning.’

  ‘Thoughtful,’ said Anna. ‘Coffee?’

  ‘Please.’ He picked up the cat flap box and immediately started reading the instructions in depth. She left him to it while she had a quick tidy up of the flat and came back to find him marking measurements on the door.

  ‘Here, check that will you?’ he asked, pointing to the instructions and what he’d marked on the door.

  Anna crouched down. ‘Spot on.’ She turned and realised their faces were very close together. She spun away and studied the front door.

  ‘What’s in your hair?’ asked Hudson. She could sense the smile in his voice even without looking.

  Anna stood up quickly. ‘Just a big scrunchie …’

  ‘Right,’ he said, with a knowing nod. ‘It says Luva Huva Medium on the label and I’m pretty sure they make panties.’

  Anna wrestled the knickers from her hair and stuffed them in the upturned umbrella that was propped by the door. ‘Yes, well, like their owner they multitask.’ She stuck her tongue out at him. ‘And please don’t say panties. I know you Americans think it’s okay, but it’s really not.’

  ‘And cock-up is?’

  She had no answer so she went to style her hair. Hudson chortled away to himself whilst rummaging through his toolbox. When the sound of drilling had stopped Anna returned to the kitchen to see Hudson pressing buttons on the top of her newly fitted cat flap.

  ‘Wow. It looks great. Thanks, Hudson.’

  ‘Doesn’t work yet. We need Maurice to register his microchip.’

  ‘I’ll fetch him.’ Anna came back with a sleepy Maurice who didn’t seem too impressed with being woken up.

  ‘Hiya, handsome boy,’ said Hudson, scratching the top of Maurice’s head. The cat seemed to come alive and began pushing his head into Hudson’s hand. ‘He’s got such a lovely nature.’

  ‘He has,’ said Anna proudly. Hudson and Maurice shared some mutual adoration while Anna’s arms began to ache. ‘He’s also very heavy so when you’re ready …’

  ‘I’ll take him,’ said Hudson, carefully lifting the giant cat from her arms and giving him a cuddle. Maurice began rubbing around Hudson’s chest like he was his hero. Cats are so fickle, thought Anna. Hudson crouched down, pushed a button on the cat flap and waved a confused-looking Maurice under the sensor until it beeped. ‘Okay. Should be ready to go. What’s Maurice’s favourite food?’

  ‘Mouse,’ said Anna, pulling a disgusted face. ‘Were you thinking of getting him a Christmas present?’

  ‘No, I was thinking what would encourage him to come through the flap to test it works.’

  ‘Right, okay.’ Anna felt slightly foolish and went to get a tin of tuna. Maurice was immediately snaking around her legs and mewing pitifully. ‘I do feed him, honest.’

  ‘They’re all like that. My old cat in Port Chester was the same. I’d love another one someday. You know, when I’m properly settled …’

  ‘… in America.’ She finished his sentence and it felt like it burned a tiny hole inside her. They stared at each other for a moment until Maurice meowed a protest at the slow delivery of the tuna and they both gave an awkward half laugh.

  ‘Right, now listen, Maurice,’ said Hudson, picking the cat up again. ‘You need to show Anna here what a top job I’ve done with your new door.’ He popped Maurice gently down outside and shut the door. Anna placed the bowl of tuna on the kitchen floor and they waited.

  Maurice’s face appeared at the transparent cat flap and he meowed another protest. ‘He doesn’t know how to use it,’ said Anna, feeling like an anxious mother and wondering if she’d wasted her money. She stepped towards the door.

  Hudson put his hand on her arm to stop her and all the tiny hairs stood to attention. ‘Give him a minute. He’s a smart boy. He’ll work it out.’ Anna waited and watched.

  Maurice complained a bit more, then he put his paw on the cat flap, there was a click and the flap opened a fraction. Maurice instantly put his face on the door, pushed it open and came inside. He wasn’t interested in the over-the-top praise he received from Anna and Hudson; he just wanted to eat his tuna. They were standing like proud parents watching him gulp it down when there was a tap on the door.

  Anna opened it to see Connor standing outside holding up a screwdriver. ‘Hiya, I thought I’d come round and …’ He tailed off as all eyes went to the newly fitted cat flap.

  ‘Hey there, you must be Connor,’ said Hudson, stretching forward to give him a manly handshake. ‘I’m Hudson Jones. I work with Anna. Looks like I beat you to it on the DIY!’

  C
onnor didn’t look impressed. ‘Come in,’ said Anna, feeling flustered. She hadn’t actually asked either of them to fit the cat flap but somehow they had both assumed she wanted them to. ‘Coffee?’ she asked Connor.

  ‘Err, yeah. Okay. Thanks,’ said Connor. He rubbed his palms on his trousers as he followed them into the kitchen, which suddenly felt rather small with them all in it together. Connor took off his shoes and put them next to Hudson’s. The men looked at each other with an air of awkwardness whilst the kettle boiled. Anna wanted to break the uncomfortable silence but it was always difficult to make conversation while the kettle was boiling without seeming like you were shouting at people.

  Once the drinks were made Anna was keen to lighten the mood. ‘Let’s go through to the living room,’ she suggested and led the way wondering what she was going to do now. Both the men sat down on the sofa and she took the chair. It was the first time she’d seen them like that, side by side, and it was hard not to start comparing. Hudson was already relaxing into the sofa like he lived there whereas Connor was perched on the edge staring intently at the contents of his coffee mug. Hudson’s outfit implied he’d stepped off the front cover of GQ magazine whereas Connor was more ScrewFix but to be honest he had come to do a manual task.

  Anna realised she was staring and nobody had spoken. She felt obliged to get the conversation going. What the heck would these two have in common? Apart from her cat flap?

  She was saved by a click from the kitchen, which had both Anna and Hudson on their feet in an instant. They skidded into the hall laughing at almost bumping into each other to see the tip of Maurice’s fluffy tail disappear through the cat flap. They turned to each other and as Hudson put up his hand to high five her she hugged him. She had no idea why she did it. It was a spontaneous reaction to the delight of seeing Maurice go outside via a more conventional route than the living room window. Hudson was ever the gentleman and gave her a quick squeeze in return. She let go quickly and they held each other’s gaze. Anna opened her mouth but had no idea what to say. He gave her his Hollywood smile and something like molten candle wax puddled in her stomach. What was going on? Hudson pointed back to the living room. Anna tucked her hair behind her ear and went back in. No words passed between them; they didn’t need to say anything.

  ‘Everything all right?’ asked Connor, still perched on the sofa but appearing confused by the sudden evacuation.

  ‘Maurice used the cat flap to go out for the first time,’ explained Anna, sitting back down and hoping one of them would leave soon. This was beyond uncomfortable.

  ‘And it didn’t fall off,’ said Hudson. ‘It’s only my second cat flap.’

  ‘Then you were the right person for the job,’ said Connor. ‘I’m not the best at DIY.’

  ‘What is your thing, Connor?’ asked Hudson. There was something bewitchingly confident about how Americans used first names.

  ‘Hmm.’ Connor took a sip of his coffee. ‘I like lacrosse.’

  ‘How interesting. That’s where they have the stick with the little net on the end, right?’

  ‘Yeah, it’s a good game. Shame it’s not more popular,’ said Connor. Anna had only ever known one other person who played lacrosse. She pushed that person from her mind.

  ‘What else are you into?’

  ‘I like body boarding but there’s not much opportunity round here.’ Connor pouted his bottom lip, which was quite cute.

  ‘Man, I love to surf but even though this is an island there’s like a handful of places to do it. How crazy is that?’

  ‘True, but the surfing is great in Cornwall. Have you been?’

  The conversation continued and Anna took a moment to watch the pair of them. It was the most animated she’d ever seen Connor. Hudson seemed to bring the best out of people. He had a way of putting you at ease and making you feel special. Connor was smiling and it changed his features considerably. Gone was the cautious, slightly troubled look; his face was open and engaging. Anna noticed it was raining quite heavily outside and wondered when she’d get a run in today.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by a click and all three of them halted. They watched the doorway all expecting Maurice to appear but he didn’t. The sound of paws racing across the floor made the three of them spring up to investigate. This time Connor was first on the scene. Anna looked past the two large men to see Maurice dancing around the shoes.

  ‘What’s he doing?’ asked Connor.

  ‘Who knows?’ said Anna. ‘Maurice!’ The cat gave her a brief uninterested glance and returned his attention to the shoes. Anna opened the fridge and took out the tin of tuna. ‘Maurice?’ This time he trotted over to Anna and she picked him up although he was still scowling at the shoes.

  ‘I should go,’ said Connor. Anna inwardly let out a sigh of relief. He was sweet but was far better on a one-to-one basis. A trio didn’t work.

  ‘Okay. Thanks for coming over. Sorry you had a wasted trip,’ she said.

  ‘Not wasted. I got to see you.’

  Anna was taken aback by the compliment, especially in front of Hudson. ‘Thanks,’ she said, because she wasn’t sure what else to say. Connor started to put his shoes back on and Maurice started to wriggle.

  ‘Did you fancy dinner this week?’ asked Connor, looking at Anna whilst he put on his other shoe.

  ‘Err, yeah. Okay.’ She didn’t mean to sound as hesitant as she did but she could feel Hudson’s eyes scrutinising her.

  ‘Great,’ said Connor. His thrilled expression quickly changed. He froze like someone had hit the pause button. He swallowed and when he spoke his voice was barely a whisper. ‘Something’s crawling up my leg,’ he said.

  Anna and Hudson both looked at his jeans but there was nothing obvious. ‘What do you mean?’ asked Anna, as Maurice wriggled free and made a beeline for Connor.

  Connor pointed at his left leg. There’s something inside my trouser leg, heading for my … groin.’ Maurice sat in front of Connor and stared up at him expectantly.

  Hudson coughed out a laugh. ‘From the look of Maurice I’m guessing it’s a mouse.’

  Connor jumped like someone had zapped him with a cattle prod. He leaped in the air flaying out arms and legs as he wrenched open the front door and tumbled outside into the pouring rain.

  Connor was wildly shaking his left leg. ‘It’s not coming out!’ His voice was almost a scream. ‘How do I get it out?’

  ‘You’ll need to take your pants off, Connor,’ suggested Hudson, who was failing badly to hide his amusement. All Anna could do was watch in horror. Connor undid his jeans and threw them to the floor as Mrs Nowakowski meandered into view carrying two bags of shopping. Her hands instantly shot to cover her gasp at the sight in front of her and she dropped her bags, which spilled out their contents spectacularly.

  ‘Has it gone?’ asked Connor, frantically searching his nether region for any signs of the mouse.

  Maurice answered his question as he dashed after the small brown creature when it made a break from the crumpled jeans around Connor’s ankles. Connor stood for a moment catching his breath with the rain pelting down on him.

  Anna had a flash of inspiration. She grabbed the umbrella from by the door and stepping outside she popped it open and they all watched as her pants sailed through the air. Mrs Nowakowski put her hands on her hips and shook her head.

  ‘What?’ said Anna trying to brazen it out. ‘They’re clean.’

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Bert was holding his sides as the tears ran down his face. ‘Stop, stop,’ he pleaded, as another burst of hysterics had him rocking in his chair.

  ‘Don’t – it’s not that funny,’ said Anna, although she was laughing too. A few days had passed and she could now see the funny side.

  ‘It is,’ corrected Bert. ‘It’s hilarious.’ He slowly started to get his giggles under control and took a few deep breaths. ‘Maurice definitely has a sense of humour.’

  ‘He’s a menace. I thought Connor was going to have a s
eizure. He was terrified the mouse was going to nibble on … stuff it shouldn’t be nibbling on.’

  ‘Poor mouse was likely terrified.’

  ‘True.’ They had another chuckle.

  ‘Any more underwear presents from Maurice?’ asked Bert. When Anna had told Bert about the bra and the Spider-Man underpants, a few weeks ago, he had ended the mystery by explaining that Maurice was literally a cat burglar and liked to bring home presents that he’d pilfered from neighbours.

  Anna had a think. ‘Not since Sophie has been keeping her utility window closed. But he did bring in a random sock and a cooked sausage a few days ago. It was still warm. The sausage, not the sock.’ Anna dreaded to think where he’d found the sausage but she suspected a barbecue had been the source. ‘I can’t believe I’ve got a kleptomaniac cat.’

  ‘It’s a sure sign he’s happy. He brought presents for my wife but never for me.’ There was a hint of sadness in the old man’s voice.

  ‘I’m sure it was nothing personal, Bert. He’s just a ladies’ man.’

  ‘Whatever it is, I’m pleased he’s settled in well with you. Thank you,’ said Bert, reaching for Anna’s hand and she realised his eyes must be getting worse as he was nowhere near. She gripped his fingers mid-air and moved herself round to sit nearer to him.

  ‘What did the specialist say about your eyes?’ She asked the question she’d been avoiding for the last hour.

  Bert moved his jaw in a way only people with false teeth seem to be able to do. ‘No hope of recovery. It’ll only get worse.’

  Anna squeezed his hand. ‘I’m sorry, Bert. Anything I can do?’

  ‘No, there’s nothing anyone can do. I just wish I could see Maurice again or read a newspaper but that’s never going to happen now.’

  Anna only had platitudes so she kept quiet and carried on squeezing his hand.

  ‘Hello again,’ said Rosie, from the doorway and she wandered in to join them.