Page 34 of Flowers Go Flying in Crumbleton
Murray shrugged, and she smiled at him. The butterflies in his stomach swooped into action yet again.
If he was being honest, he didn’t really want to take her back. Not because he wasn’t feeling up to it – but because he simply didn’t want her to leave. Milly was easy company. She was fun, thoughtful, and ridiculously beautiful in her borrowed clothes.
But… he’d already more than pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable for a first date. Not that this was a date, of course. Still - in his befuddled, post-food exhaustion, he’d basically held her hostage by demanding a nap. He couldn’t exactly ask her to stay even longer, could he? No – it was best if he took her home now before the effects of the nap started to wear off and he got all idiotic again.
‘Here,’ he said, holding her shopping bag out towards her. ‘I folded your muddy clothes and put them in there for you.’
‘You did?’ she said, looking surprised.
‘Yeah,’ he said. ‘I hope that was alright?’
‘You’re a keeper, Murray Eddington,’ she said, grinning at him.
Murray cleared his throat. He didn’t really know what to say to that… other than beg for her phone number or ask her on a date – a proper date. Unfortunately, the weird bout of bravery that had come over him when he’d been addled by painkillers and high on cheese toasties seemed to have worn off.
‘Let’s get this show on the road!’ he said. Then he turned away from her and grimaced.
What a prat - he sounded like a game show host. Or the embarrassing uncle at a wedding!
If Milly had noticed his unease, she didn’t show it. She practically bounced along behind him as he led the way to his rowing boat. Then she settled herself comfortably on the seat while he untied it from the side of the trawler.
‘Ready?’ he said, sinking down opposite her.
‘Always,’ she replied with a grin.
Another pang. Another swoop of butterflies.
Murray quickly grabbed the oars and set off towards the spot where Milly’s borrowed boat was still stranded.
Luckily, it didn’t take too much effort to free the decrepit craft from its muddy prison. A loop of rope, some hefty nudging and a couple of well-chosen swearwords was all it took in the end.
‘See – it just needed an expert pair of hands!’ said Milly, as soon as he’d tied it to the back of his own boat so that they could tow it back to the wharf with them.
‘I’m hardly an expert,’ said Murray, rowing a few meters and then pausing again to fish out the oar Milly had lost overboard in her attempts to free herself.
‘More of an expert than me, anyway,’ said Milly with a shrug. ‘Are you sure you don’t want me to get back in and row myself home so you can head back and put your feet up?’
‘No chance,’ said Murray, settling himself opposite her again. There was no way he was about to relinquish these last few precious moments with her… especially as he might not get the chance to see her again. ‘One rescue mission is more than enough for one day,’ he added.
‘Cheeky sod!’ huffed Milly, prodding him with her foot.
Murray grinned, and they both fell silent as he headed for deeper water. A companionable kind of peace seemed to wrap around them as they drifted along, and Murray watched Milly as she gazed out across the marshes - lost in their tranquil beauty.
Murray knew he was biased, but it really was a magical place – especially bathed in evening sunlight, with the soft sound of the oars as they dipped in and out of the water creating a gentle lullaby. The sun was sliding towards the horizon, turning Crumbleton’s hill with its castle on the top into a dreamy silhouette.
It felt like they reached the wharf in record time, and Murray didn’t think he’d ever enjoyed the trip more. In fact, he could have kicked himself for not rowing a bit slower… or taking a slightly more scenic route - just to buy him a bit more time with Milly. It was too late for that now, though. They were back, and she was about to wander out of his life again. The thought made him feel a bit sick.
‘You need a hand tying the other boat up?’ said Milly, glancing behind them.
Murray shook his head. ‘Nah, I’ll sort that out when you’re safely back ashore.’
He got to his feet, his heart sinking as he held out his hand to steady her. Milly climbed out of the boat and then paused on the stone steps.
This was goodbye… and he really didn’t want it to be. It had been one of the weirdest days of his life… and one of the best, too.
‘Thanks,’ said Milly as she turned to smile down at him from her slightly higher vantage point.
‘No problem,’ said Murray. ‘Oh – your bag.’ He passed up the shopping bag full of muddy clothes. ‘Well… bye then. And thanks for—’
