Read Online Ivy Lane: Autumn: by Cathy Bramley - Free Book Online

caught sight of me. I smiled and held my breath, waiting to see what he did next with his face.
    He smiled and lifted his eyebrows and then to my absolute relief, murmured something to Nigel and Peter and bounded across.
    I let out a long calming breath and smoothed the skirt of my dress.
    ‘Hello,’ I said, smiling shyly. My heart thumped, my mouth was dry and my hands floundered around uselessly. I clasped them behind my back. I could barely stop myself from swinging from side to side like a little girl.
    ‘Hi. Nice dress.’
    I met his eyes and he grinned at me knowingly. There was an awkward pause and we both giggled.
    He cleared his throat and folded his arms. ‘So how are you?’
    ‘Good. You?’
    So far no prizes for scintillating conversation. I couldn’t speak for him, but I was incredibly nervous.
    ‘How was Peru? How were the spectacled bears?’ I pressed my lips together. I’d done my research.
    He whistled softly. ‘Incredible. And Peru was possibly the most amazing place I’ve ever worked in.’
    ‘Even more amazing than Ivy Lane?’ I raised my eyebrows.
    ‘Well, Ivy Lane did have its attractions.’
    We locked eyes and my heart absolutely soared.
    ‘I’m sorry I didn’t phone,’ I said.
    He grinned and shrugged. ‘That’s OK, it wasn’t compulsory.’
    Oh. My confidence slipped a notch. He didn’t seem at all bothered.
    Peter stuck his head between us. ‘Sorry to interrupt, Aidan, but I think we’ll get started if you’re ready?’
    ‘Sure.’ Aidan touched a hand lightly to my arm. ‘Shall we catch up afterwards?’
    I nodded and watched him stroll to the front of the room.
    Gemma waved to me and I took a seat next to her. ‘Well?’ she whispered. ‘How does it feel, seeing him again?’
    I looked at her and sighed. ‘He’s lovely. But I think I might have ruined my chances. I did harbour a hope that we might pick up where we left off. But now I’m not so sure.’ I smiled at her sadly. She pulled a sympathetic face and squeezed my arm.
    Shall we catch up afterwards?
    A polite way to end our conversation? Or a genuine desire to talk to me again?
    I had an entire episode of
Green Fingers
to get through before I’d have an answer to that.
    ‘Evening, everyone,’ said Aidan loudly above the babble of voices. He smiled and waited as people settled themselves into chairs.
    ‘It’s lovely to be back at Ivy Lane and see you all again. The
Green Fingers
crew had a great time here over the summer. Dougie,’ he said, singling him out in the audience, ‘Suzanna couldn’t make it tonight, but she sends her best.’
    ‘She hasn’t forgotten old Dougie!’ grinned Dougie, punching the air.
    ‘So.’ Aidan threw his arms wide. ‘Your TV programme. We wanted to create something special with our allotment episode and we believe we have. I hope you’ll be as delighted as we are.’
    He crossed his fingers and held both hands up, pretending to be worried.
    ‘The show will go out next Sunday night, but we thought you deserved to see it first. If you like it, please tell all your friends. If not, then I apologize and it can just be our little secret.’ His brown eyes sparkled playfully and a rumble of laughter ran around the pavilion.
    ‘So without further ado, as they say. The moment of truth!’ He nodded to Christine as he started the DVD and she turned out the lights.
    The
Green Fingers
theme tune came on, people wriggled in their seats and then silence fell as the pavilion, looking delightful in all its summer finery, filled the screen. Suzanna stepped into the shot and everyone cheered.
    I stole a last furtive glance at Aidan as he found a seat and then focused my attention on the TV and waited for my first on-screen appearance.
    I didn’t have long to wait.
    Only a minute into the show, a slightly frosty girl stomped across her vegetable patch, slopping water from a watering can, which she then upended all over a tiny courgette plant.
    Gemma grabbed my arm and I had to cover