‘I better do as I’m told then. Thank you, Rosie.’ Gosh, he wasn’t used to anyone being so forthright with him and he had to admit he quite liked it.
‘You are welcome. And, just so you know, I’m a hard taskmaster. And I expect results from my students.’ She laughed, clearly relaxed in her teacher role. ‘If you just focus on that for now and I will check in with you tomorrow. Then we can chat about what comes next.’
Luke couldn’t believe he was actually feeling a flutter in his stomach at the way she was talking to him. He gave himself a shake. The last thing he needed to do right now was fall for his teacher, even though she was beautiful.
‘Do you want to give me your number and I can drop you a message?’ she suggested. ‘Unless you’d rather I randomly knocked on your door?’
He grinned. ‘Let’s swap numbers and keep in touch that way.’ He pulled out his phone and handed it to her so she could add her details. Then he quickly called her phone so she would have his number on hers.
As she saw him out, he was so tempted to hug her but that would be totally inappropriate — wouldn’t it? He didn’t want to scupper this before they’d even started. Instead, he smiled and thanked her for coffee and walked across the driveway to go next door. He felt hugely relieved and realised he had a spring in his step and was whistling cheerily. He couldn’t remember when he had last felt so optimistic.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Bella decided that hanging out with her mum and Rosie had actually been a lot of fun. It had been good to see her mum switch off from the worries of work and enjoy time with Rosie. They always slipped into a comfortable banter with each other which came from knowing each other for so long. They were more like sisters than friends as they both had a habit of finishing each other’s sentences and weren’t afraid to let either know if they were being irritating.
Bella did feel a bit guilty that her arrival had somewhat changed the dynamic of her mum’s holiday. She had started to cook dinner for them all regularly so that Isobel could focus on spending time with Rosie, which was the reason she was there, after all. Bella had also started taking Coisty out for long walks to give Rosie a break from her usual routine — though walking the cute dog was a pleasure and had helped Bella think about things and get some clarity back in her life.
Rosie had told them both that she had been really appreciative of the way they were looking after her. However, tonight, despite Bella’s protests, she insisted that it was her turn to make dinner for them all.
‘So, are you two having a fling again then?’ asked Isobel, when she had got over the shock of Rosie’s admission.
‘Don’t be daft. How does me helping with his book all of a sudden mean that we are having athing? Honestly, Isobel, you and your filthy mind. I’m just trying to be neighbourly.’
‘Neighbourly?’ said Isobel drily. ‘If that’s what you want to call it, Rosie, so be it. I’d call it something else. Especially as you grin like a Cheshire cat whenever his name is mentioned. Anyway, if you are being so neighbourly then why don’t you invite him round for dinner with us? It looks like you’re feeding an army anyway,’ she said, tipping her head in the directionof the huge chicken casserole that Rosie had prepared and was about to put in the oven.
‘Fine,’ she had said brusquely. ‘I’ll do just that. Great idea.’ She picked up her phone to send him a text.
‘What, you’ve got his number in your phone? When did that happen?’ Isobel was incredulous.
Rosie screwed up her face in annoyance. ‘That’s what people do these days. They swap numbers.’ Bella watched as Rosie then put her phone back down and smiled sweetly at Isobel. ‘But do you know what, Isobel? I think I will just go and invite him the old-fashioned way.’ Then she walked out the kitchen and out the front door.
‘Blimey, she’s not hanging about,’ said Isobel.
Bella chuckled. ‘What are you two like?’
‘Oh, sweetheart, I can’t tell you how good it is to hear you laugh again. And Rosie for that matter too. She has had a shit few months. She’s so much like her old self. Or I should say her younger self.’
Bella shrugged. ‘I know. But what else is there to do, Mum? We just need to get on with things the best we can. I mean, I’ve had a few days of moping around but I need to start job hunting. I’ll go upstairs in a minute and sit at Ben’s desk and get on with seeing if I can find any other openings close to home.’
Isobel looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Okay, but don’t put yourself under pressure, love. I can help you out if need be.’
‘Thanks Mum, and I know you will. But I’m a big girl now. I need to sort this out myself.’
Isobel sighed. ‘I am so proud of you. And something else will come along. I know it will.’
Just then the door slammed and Rosie ran back into the kitchen. ‘Righto, that’s us all sorted. Lay an extra space for dinner.’
Bella noticed she had a sparkle in her eyes.
‘Someone’s got a spring in their step,’ said Isobel. ‘I’m surprised you’ve not brought him back with you to get thingsunderwayearly.’
Rosie scoffed at her. ‘He’s got an assignment to finish before he gets his dinner.’
‘Oh, Rosie. Really? I think you’re enjoying bossing the guy around. I almost feel sorry for the man.’
At that moment, Rosie’s phone rang. It was Ben on FaceTime. ‘Ben,’ squealed Rosie.
Bella couldn’t help smiling as it was exactly the same reaction her mum had anytime she called her. They were both easily pleased.
