Spring on the Little Cornish Isles: Flower Farm

by Phillipa Ashley

  She turned over and pulled the pillow over her head. Why did life have to be so bloody complicated? Why had she let her emotions get the better of her?

  Wait a minute … Will had had a lot to drink too. Would he even remember what she called him? With that flicker of optimism, she hauled herself out of bed and washed down two Nurofen with a black coffee. She was hauling herself into the shower when another of the evening’s highlights came back to her: she’d agreed to join the St Saviour’s gig team for the island championships.

  *

  Any hope that Will might have forgotten their sparring contest was extinguished by mid-morning when he strode down the field towards her, whistling and looking fresh as a daisy. His hair was a little tousled, there was a hint of stubble on his chin, but he was still infuriatingly gorgeous and clearly not hung-over – unlike her.

  He stopped halfway to exchange a few words with Len, sending him into gales of laughter, which was disturbing in itself for Len’s default setting was miserable git. Gaby didn’t think she’d ever laugh again because her head might literally explode. The painkillers had helped for a short time, but now she needed more. She threw two more down her parched throat and glugged down some water from the flask in the pocket of her dungarees.

  Will and Len were still laughing and joking. Were they talking about her? Would Will have shared their row with his mates? No. He’d never do that. She surprised herself by how definitely she answered her own question. Will was blunt and outspoken, but she’d never known him to be nasty or petty about anyone. He might join in general teasing and workplace banter but never talked about the other staff’s personal lives when they weren’t present.

  They were probably sniggering at the prospect of her joining in the rowing championships, which Gaby had googled to make sure that in her semi-drunken state last night, Will and her friends hadn’t been making the whole thing up.

  She’d heard enough talk about the event during her time on Scilly but never having planned on being part of it, and not being interested in sports, had let the talk pass over her head. It was a deadly serious event if you were a gig rower, involving boats not only from the isles but the whole south-west of England. She’d only put herself forward out of pride and sheer bloody-mindedness – and because she hadn’t been able to resist Will’s challenge to get hot and sweaty. In the cold light of day, she might have read more into his comment than he’d meant.

  Len had stopped laughing now and Will was coming straight for her. The pills would help numb her headache but her tum was still doing a gymnastic routine to rival Beth Tweddle.

  ‘Morning.’

  They both grunted the word at the same time. Great start.

  ‘Will, I think I may – possibly – owe you an apology.’ Gaby’s voice came out as a squeak. It hurt her to say sorry, but she felt that one of them had to offer a crumb of peace. Since he was her boss, and she didn’t want to leave yet, she had to be the one to back down first.

  Will grunted again – whether he said yes, or thanks, she had no idea – then he peered at her. What the hell was up with him now?

  ‘What is it?’ she asked.

  ‘Your jumper’s on inside out.’

  ‘What?’ She pulled the fabric out of her dungarees and spotted the seams. ‘Was that all you came to tell me?’

  He shuffled around, unable to meet her eye. ‘No. Um. I might have said some stuff that was out of order last night.’

  Wow. Was that an apology? ‘Ditto,’ said Gaby quietly.

  He prodded a clump of soil with the toe of his welly. ‘Probably best not to rake it over.’

  Gaby picked at a loose strand of wool on her jumper. ‘Probably …’

  ‘And besides, we’re not going to have to put up with each other much longer, are we?’

  ‘Oh?’ Shit, he was going to sack her or at least ask her to leave, she thought.

  ‘I assume you’re going to quit after the narcissi season ends next month …’

  Gaby was relieved that he hadn’t said ‘I assume you’re going to quit now,’ but put on a show of bravado. ‘That’s what it says in my contract.’

  ‘That’s what I said to Jess, that there was no point asking you stay on for the summer to help with the farm work and chalets.’ He lifted his eyes from the soil and searched her face hopefully.

  ‘The chalets? I don’t understand …’ Gaby genuinely thought she’d misheard his offer. Her stomach danced around again.

  ‘We need some help with the holiday lets and uplifting the bulbs and Mum can always do with a hand with the goats. But I’m assuming you’ve made plans?’

  ‘Swanning off round the world type plans, you mean?’ she said, unable to resist a little light teasing.

  A smile briefly hovered on his lips before he grunted. ‘Yeah.’

  Gaby recalled her vow to her parents to see the world and live life to the full in memory of Stevie. She hadn’t planned on staying at the farm beyond her contract, so why would his offer change that? Suddenly she realised that, for some reason, she had been putting off her plans for after Scilly since that kiss with Will. The temptation to spend more time here with him was strong, but she also wanted to see the world, the gardens … live her dreams before it was too late. One kiss shouldn’t have changed that but somehow …

  She tried to stall for time. ‘I do plan on going travelling at some point, but I haven’t actually arranged anything specific yet, so I suppose I could stay on for a few months if you really need me to.’ Her heart was beating very fast and she knew she was only adding fuel to the fire by tormenting him. ‘But please, no goats. I’m not a goat person.’

  He actually smiled. ‘OK. No goats. Tell you what, think about it and let me have your answer as soon as you can, but I can put you on a senior picker’s rate if money’s an issue.’

  Gaby almost passed out. An extended contract and more money? Had Will had a lobotomy? She didn’t dare tease him further though. ‘Um … thanks. I’ll give it serious thought and come back to you later.’ However, she pretty much knew there would only be one answer.

  ‘Good. We’d better both get back to work.’

  He turned to leave but Gaby called out. ‘Will. Thanks for buying the fizz at my party last night. I appreciate it.’

  His head snapped up. ‘Who told you about that?’

  ‘One of the girls overheard Maisie and Jess talking about it.’

  He blew out a breath. ‘Shit.’

  Gaby cringed that she’d managed to put her foot in it again just as things had eased between her and Will. ‘Is it that bad that I found out?’

  ‘No. But you can’t keep anything to yourself round here. It’s so bloody small and claustrophobic. I’m sick of it.’

  Wow. Gaby was too surprised by this outburst to reply.

  ‘I have to get back to the yard. The crate washer’s up the spout again.’ And with that he stalked off, hands shoved deep in his pockets. He hadn’t even mentioned the one thing she’d expected him to: the rowing. Had he forgotten? Then she realised: he’d been having her on! Her shoulders slumped in relief. It had been a wind-up, thank God.

  Yet alongside her amazement at being asked to stay on and the hope that she wouldn’t have to row, Gaby was puzzled. What had prompted such a strong response to the fact she’d heard about the wine? Granted, he sometimes railed about various issues to do with the farm business: the market, the weather, et cetera, but they were always in the context of ‘that’s farming’. She’d never heard him say he hated island life itself or that he was sick of flower farming. He loved his mates and gig rowing and rugby and his family. What could have prompted him to suddenly speak so bitterly – and be so unguarded? And was his offer of a summer contract at the flower farm strictly business or was there more to that too?

  Chapter 17

  With her head throbbing from too much wine and lack of sleep, Jess washed down a couple of paracetamol with a tepid cup of coffee. She’d enjoyed seeing Maisie, and everyone – apart from Will,
perhaps – seemed to have enjoyed the party, but putting on a show of being cheerful in public had left her knackered.

  She’d managed to grab Maisie in the pub kitchen and tell her about Adam’s letter. She’d lain awake half the night wondering whether to get in touch with him, then reminded herself that he’d walked out on her and the letter had told her to forget him anyway.

  Why send it though? It wasn’t as if she’d had any contact with him since he’d left or tried to make him come back. She’d been much too shocked and proud for that, so it seemed cruel of him to get in touch now … and she was still convinced that Adam wasn’t callous, despite what he’d done to her. He had said there was no else … or was that a lie?

  Maisie couldn’t make any sense of it either and thought Adam must have been racked with guilt. She’d also gently suggested Jess shouldn’t raise her hopes that he’d changed his mind and was coming back, but Jess had already dismissed that possibility herself. The letter felt very final.

  Will walked into the kitchen as she was staring into her coffee. ‘Morning. You look like death warmed up,’ he said cheerily.

  Jess wondered whether to tell him about the letter for a split second, then decided it wouldn’t help either of them if she did. The fewer people who knew, the better and it wasn’t as if there was anything she could do because Adam had made his decision and she just had to get on with life.

  ‘Thanks. I’ve got a headache.’

  ‘Not surprised, the way you were knocking back the wine.’

  ‘You had enough beer yourself,’ Jess threw back, wishing she hadn’t risen to the bait. Her tetchiness over the letter was making her extra sensitive. ‘And what do you think you were playing at last night, forcing Gaby to join the gig team?’

  Will snorted. ‘I haven’t forced her to do anything. She volunteered.’

  ‘More like she was press-ganged. Sometimes I despair, Will Godrevy. You can see she’s terrified of rowing and also, I might add, it’s obvious she has a crush on you.’

  For once, he didn’t fling back a sarcastic remark. ‘She insisted on joining the crew. I even tried to dissuade her, and she can back out any time she likes. As for having a crush on me, you’re living in cloud cuckoo land.’ He turned away and leafed through a pile of mail.

  Jess moved next to him. ‘OK. Maybe I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt as far as the rowing is concerned, but you won’t get off the hook so easily otherwise. I know you too well and I know Gaby. She likes you. She specifically asked me if you were coming to the pub for her birthday party.’

  He picked up an envelope and peered at it, even though Jess knew it wasn’t even addressed to him. ‘Did she? What did you say?’

  ‘That I’d mention it, though I thought you were out with rowing practice … So, you did actively turn up at the Driftwood “unexpectedly” because it was Gaby’s birthday? And what about buying the wine?’

  ‘Firstly, I like the Driftwood. Secondly, Gaby is one of the team. I felt it was my duty to show my face and the wine was meant for everyone. Not that I wanted to take the credit for it, but some people can’t keep their mouths shut.’ He gave her a pointed look.

  Jess gasped. ‘I didn’t realise it was that much of a secret and, as for Gaby, you can’t claim you were only doing your duty for one of the team. I know you like her, though you’ve got a funny way of showing it. Well, be careful.’

  Will snorted. ‘Be careful. You’re sounding exactly like Mum.’

  ‘And you should watch you don’t turn into Dad.’

  He folded his arms. ‘Four girlfriends in twelve years makes me Casanova?’

  ‘There were five actually, with the woman who came to service the tractor.’

  ‘Jesus. Are you counting? You should set up a blog.’ Will sat down in the swivel chair, put his arms behind his head and rested his stockinged feet on the desk. He knew Jess hated him doing it but, on the upside, it meant she’d got him on the defensive. ‘For your information,’ he continued, ‘I took the tractor technician out for a meal in Hugh Town, we had a passionate debate about the merits of various power take-offs and then she went back to her hotel, not that it’s any of your business. There have only been four other women you could possibly count as actual girlfriends who I was involved with for a couple of weeks.’

  ‘Hey. I’m joking. Sort of, but I do like Gaby and I don’t want her to be hurt and there to be trouble in the ranks. The last thing we need is upset staff and gossip and bad feeling,’ she said in a softer tone.

  ‘Neither do I, which is one of the reasons I’m not going to get involved with Gabriella Carter …’ He pulled his arms from behind his head and took his feet off the table. ‘Anyway, she’s not my type.’

  ‘No, she’s out of your league, or ought to be,’ Jess said, knowing this would jolt him into a response.

  ‘Out of my league? What’s that supposed to mean?’

  ‘Only that she’s clever and educated,’ said Jess, teasing him.

  ‘And I’m some thick boor who’s not fit to kiss the hem of her dress?’

  Disquiet flickered in his eyes and Jess thought she’d misheard what he’d said. ‘Did you say bore?’ she said.

  ‘No, boor. B-O-O-R. Don’t look so surprised.’

  ‘I’m not surprised. It’s only that it’s a funny word for you to use.’

  He bristled. Jess was starting to regret teasing him because Will was taking her comments more seriously than she’d expected. She’d obviously touched a raw nerve.

  ‘Funny in what way, exactly? Because my vocabulary is so limited? Or that I had to abandon my own plans to save this place from ruin?’ he asked.

  Jess groaned inwardly. The last thing she wanted was for Will to go off on one, but he really did have a bee in his bonnet. ‘That isn’t what I meant. I was surprised that you used that word because it’s so old-fashioned, like in an old book … Oh, hang on a minute. Did Gaby call you a boor?’

  Will snorted and folded his arms again as he often did when threatened or upset. The way their father had when their mum confronted him over ‘the other woman’. Perhaps, Jess thought, it was best not to point that out right now.

  ‘Will, I might be wrong here but I’m getting the impression you care more about what Gaby thinks of you than you let on. But I’m not sure she’s the ideal person for you,’ said Jess, feeling torn between Gaby and her brother, but feeling she had to speak honestly or risk causing more damage to them both.

  ‘Why not?’ he said tetchily. ‘Because she’s out of my league?’

  ‘That was meant to be a joke. I just don’t think she has any plans to stay on the isles long term. Even if you did get involved with her, it could never be more than a fling because she’ll be off round the world or something. I don’t want you to be hurt – or her.’

  ‘How do you know that she’s definitely going to go off round the world?’ he demanded.

  ‘She told me shortly after she arrived, but she wanted it kept quiet because I think it was too painful for her to talk about. Her brother, Stevie, had a motorbike accident last year, and ended up in a coma. Gaby was devoted to him and her parents and helped them care for him until they made the decision to end his life support. Now he’s gone, I think she’s working on all the things she didn’t do when she was studying and looking after him. I think he was an adventurous type and he encouraged her to travel and do all the things she always wanted to …’ Jess softened her voice. ‘Yesterday was her first birthday since he passed away.’

  Will sat down on the chair next to her. He was silent for a few seconds and she could tell he was genuinely shocked. She wondered if she’d done the right thing by finally sharing Gaby’s personal history with him, but, damn, it was too late.

  He toyed with a knife left over from breakfast and sighed deeply. ‘I didn’t know that about her brother. Jesus. That’s tough. I wish you’d warned me.’

  ‘Why? Would it have made any difference? To be honest, I’m not sure I should have shared it
now, so don’t let on you know.’

  ‘I won’t … but it makes sense now you mention it,’ he said thoughtfully. The revelation had obviously subdued him. ‘You needn’t worry about me and Gaby. I’ve not even asked her out, and I’ve told you that I’m not going to hurt her, as you put it; I can see why she wouldn’t want to stick around here for too long …’

  ‘I might be wrong about her. She might want to stay, but I don’t want another person I care for hurt the way that …’ her voice trailed off. She looked away from him, half wishing she’d never started the conversation but recognising it was probably one that they both needed to have. Discussing stuff like this – relationships – was rare between them.

  ‘This is about Adam, isn’t it?’ His voice softened.

  ‘I don’t know what it’s about,’ she said, wondering even now whether to mention the letter, then deciding it changed nothing and might only anger Will.

  ‘I’m sorry. I wish I could change what Adam did. He was a mate and he still is, but I don’t like him taking off like that any more than you do.’

  ‘Thanks … I probably shouldn’t be asking this, but have you heard from him?’ she asked, feeling slightly guilty.

  ‘Once. He texted me shortly after he arrived back home. He said he was in Cumbria and sorting stuff out.’

  So, that much was consistent with the letter.

  ‘Did he say … anything about me? About us?’ Jess couldn’t help asking, even though the question showed Will – and her – how impossible she found it to simply switch off her feelings for Adam.

  Will shook his head. ‘Sorry, Jess, but no.’

  ‘Or anyone else?’ The words were out before she could stop herself.

  ‘If you mean another woman, then no, but I doubt if he would. I’d tell you if he did.’

  ‘Even if he asked you not to?’

  Will sucked in a breath. ‘That’s not fair.’

  ‘So that’s a “no”. Sorry, I can’t help asking. The way things ended between Adam and me was so sudden, it’s hard to forget and move on no matter how hard I try.’