Amanda gave him a small smile.
David was poring over them. ‘These animals are gorgeous.’
Amanda nodded. ‘Thank you, they’re my favourite thing to draw but sadly no one wants to buy them.’
‘Are you serious? These would sell out if I put them in the gallery. Do you have any completed? Ready for framing and hanging?’
Amanda laughed. ‘I have a whole exhibition actually but it was never held because I couldn’t afford the framing in New York.’
David banged his hand on the table. ‘You know, my brother-in-law is a framer and he can do them for a discount. You could pay him once the pieces are sold at the garden centre.’
Amanda sat in shock. ‘Do you really think they would sell? That people would want to buy a drawing of a pair of frogs on a tandem bicycle on the French Riviera?’ She laughed as she said it aloud, aware of how ridiculous it sounded.
‘Are you kidding? These will go instantly. They’re perfect for country homes and whimsical decoration. I know my clientele and they will snap these up in a moment.’
He turned a page and saw a baby hedgehog in a cradle. ‘God, my wife would love that for the baby’s room.’ He glanced at Simon. ‘She’s pregnant with our third, a boy this time after two girls.’
‘Congratulations,’ said Simon.
‘I’m nervous about having a boy. I know what I’m doing with girls.’ He laughed and then looked at Amanda. ‘So, will you do an exhibition at the garden centre? It would be great for us and for you.’
Amanda looked at Simon in shock. ‘What do you think?’ she asked him.
Simon reached over and took her hand. ‘I think you should do it. This is everything you wanted, isn’t it?’
Amanda felt tears at the back of her throat but held them down. ‘Yes, you’re right.’ She paused. ‘Okay, let’s do it,’ she said.
David ate some fruit loaf and flicked through the Moongate book.
‘You know, you should write a story about this garden and send it out to publishers. I think this would be a beautiful children’s book.’
Amanda shook her head. ‘Slow down, cowboy, one thing at a time, okay?’
David drained his coffee and stood up. ‘Bring the art in when you can and we can go and see my brother-in-law together.’ He looked at Simon. ‘So good to meet you also. I’ll think about the garden some more and send you a few ideas once you get the soil tested.’
Simon shook his hand and Amanda noticed how happy he seemed.
When David had left, she went back to the kitchen and looked at the sketchbook again as Simon came in behind her and looked over her shoulder.
‘You are very talented, Amanda, really. Don’t hide it from the world. I know you think your style isn’t modern enough or cool enough, but it’s gorgeous and you just have to find people who love it. They’re out there – David being one of them.’
Amanda nodded and sighed. ‘How is everything so different here from New York? I mean, it’s like this whole country has made me feel so welcome, helped, cared for, wanted and supported.’ She felt the tears come. ‘I’ve never felt that for a day in New York, yet here I am, living in this crazy house, with a job and an art exhibition and so many friends, albeit they’re almost all over fifty but still, I’ve been treated with so much kindness.’ She let her tears fall as she looked at Simon.
‘And you, you’re my best friend here, and I look forward to every day with you in the garden.’
Simon swallowed. ‘I know, I love it too.’ he said. ‘I love it here and I love seeing you every day, making our plans, having dinner, laughing.’
They held each other’s gaze and Amanda wondered if he would say any more, and if she had anything else to say. But what did she want to say to him?
It was as though she wouldn’t allow herself to have the feelings that were growing inside. He wanted Anika; he was pining for her. He was only here for the summer, she reminded herself.
And until he told her otherwise, that was all there was to it.
She looked down at her sketchbook and picked it up, wiping her tears with her free hand.
‘Okay, well, I better get on with finding the drawings for David,’ she said. ‘See you for lunch?’
Simon looked as though he was about to speak and then closed his mouth. After a pause he said, ‘I’m off to see Janet about some iris rhizomes.’
