‘Well, don’t be,’ I said, my mind full of Finn, ‘because I’m not. I’m happy for him. Truly delighted.’
If Peter was as love-struck as I was, then he was feeling very content indeed and I couldn’t have wished the feeling on a lovelier bloke. We might not have been right for each other, but I was genuinely thrilled that he had found the right fit with Rebecca.
‘That’s good then,’ said Dad, sounding relieved. ‘And don’t you worry, you’ll find someone. You won’t be on your own forever.’
‘I’ll tell her about Jackson’s plans,’ I heard Mum loudly whisper, ‘that might help.’
‘Thanks, Dad,’ I said, then, in a desperate bid to put her off, blurted out, ‘but actually, I’m not on my own. I have found someone.’
Mum shrieked and there was scuffling as she unnecessarily took back control of the handset.
‘What was that, Freya?’ she pounced. ‘What did you just say?’
‘I said, I’ve met someone,’ I smiled. ‘I’m in a relationship, Mum. A wonderful one with a man I’m very much in love with.’
I knew I should have mentioned that to Finn before my parents but, bursting with bonhomie for Peter, I wanted to shout about my own feelings. That said, I knew I was going to regret shouting them to Mum because she was bound to keep pestering me for details.
‘Well,’ she said, ‘that’s lovely news.’
She didn’t make it sound like it was lovely news.
‘So, when do we get to meet this man you’re so besotted with?’
That wouldn’t be happening any time soon.
‘Will he be at the Winter Garden opening?’
I’d forgotten she and Dad were coming to that.
‘No,’ I lied, crossing my fingers, ‘he’s nothing to do with the garden.’
‘Is he not?’
‘No,’ I lied again as my head started to thump. ‘Look, Mum, I’m ever so sorry to cut you off, but I’m working today, so—’
‘On a Sunday?’
‘Yes, with a Winterfest event in Prosperous Place so I need to get ready.’
‘But I haven’t told you about Broad-Meadows yet,’ she said, sounding disappointed.
‘You know I don’t want to hear about Broad-Meadows,’ I tersely reminded her. ‘But I do need to get on. We’ll speak again soon.’
And with Dad shouting goodbye in the background, I ended the call.
* * *
Channelling Helena Bonham Carter circa 1985, I managed to pin my hair into submission, settle Nell and arrive at Prosperous Place just as Poppy and Mark were welcoming everyone to a day of ‘seasonal and fulfilling foodie heaven’.
‘You all right?’ Poppy asked as I helped distribute the ingredients which were going to be transformed into her chuck-it-all-in chutney.
I had felt fine, out in the fresh bracing air, but the vinegary tang which was already filling the kitchen, made my stomach roll a little.
‘You do look a bit peaky,’ Mark chimed in, arching an eyebrow from his side of the table.
‘I’m all right,’ I told them both.
‘Saturday-night hangover,’ they said together, with a little chuckle.
‘How do you know that?’ I tutted, knowing denial was futile.
‘You’re displaying all the classic signs,’ quipped Mark, clearly delighted that his and Poppy’s observation skills were up to scratch. ‘This vinegar must be playing havoc with—’
‘Don’t,’ I swallowed, cutting him off.
‘Funnily enough,’ Poppy carried on where Mark had left off, ‘I saw Finn earlier and he was looking a little green around the gills too. Coincidence?’
‘Must be,’ I sniffed.
‘Talk of the devil,’ said Mark, with a nod to the door.
‘Finn,’ I sighed, his name escaping my lips before I could stop it. ‘I’ll be back in a sec,’ I told the terrible two as Finn beckoned me over.
‘Take your time,’ they said, again in perfect synchronicity.
Finn reached for my hand and led me back into the corridor next to the kitchen.
‘I had a great time last night,’ he said, pulling me gently into his arms, once he’d checked there was no one else around.
‘Me too,’ I said, laying my head against his broad chest and feeling thrilled that, thanks to a timely intervention, some secret sharing and a hefty dollop of honesty our relationship had been totally transformed. ‘Did we only drink one bottle of fizz, though?’ I asked, looking up at him, ‘because I’ve got one hell of a hangover this morning.’
‘We did,’ he laughed, the sound resonating through his chest, ‘and I’m feeling it a bit too.’
Given the size of him, that was a surprise. I had assumed his physical bulk would have made him immune to the thumping head and churning tummy I was enduring.
‘Which is not what I need today,’ he added. ‘I’ve got