Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm (Hollyhock Farm #2)

Chapter 12

12

MELODY

Melody’s phone pinged. She picked it up from the window ledge in her bedroom and saw an unknown number. Tensing in case it was from Rhys, she hesitated. How could he have discovered her new number? She had been careful to dump her mobile back in Scotland, determined he wouldn’t have a way to contact her. Surely her mother hadn’t given it to him? She might not have told her all the details that led to her leaving Edinburgh, but she had asked her mother to keep the number to herself, insisting she needed distance from Rhys while she got her head straight and decided what to do next.

Leaving her phone for a few minutes, she kept glancing at it. Forcing herself to think rationally, Melody considered who she had given her number to. Her mum, Gran, Lettie and Zac had it and possibly Lindy. If they had passed it on then it wouldn’t have been to Rhys because none of them knew him.

Feeling silly for her knee-jerk reaction, she picked up her phone again and unlocked it, opening the text to read it.

Hi Melody, this is Callum, Zac’s friend. He kindly gave me your number so I could ask you out for a drink one evening if you were interested in joining me at the village pub. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Surprised that Zac hadn’t asked first whether she minded him passing on her number, Melody then realised him doing so showed his lack of interest in her. She stared out of the window miserably. A cow mooed in the distance somewhere, distracting her from her disappointment.

What was she thinking? It shouldn’t matter whether or not Zac fancied her. Hadn’t she sworn off men forever? Her horrible experiences with Rhys should be enough to remind her that single life was far better than spending time in a bad relationship. She had never felt so alone as during those last months with Rhys. She now knew that being lonely and being alone were two completely different things.

Her thoughts returned to Zac and she pictured his adorable face, always ready with a quirky smile. He wasn’t often serious, but he was kind and made her and her gran feel welcome. Being upset that he didn’t feel the same attraction for her made her realise she must like him more than she had expected.

She looked at her text from Callum again and pictured the tall, handsome model and smiled to herself. Who did she think she was – feeling underwhelmed that a perfectly charming man, a model no less, had asked her out for a drink? She needed to get a grip. She hadn’t even met a model before coming to this place. She supposed she should reply but wasn’t sure what to say.

Should she mention Rhys to the Torels and Callum? Was it necessary? She tried to think what her grandmother would say and knew without a doubt that she would insist it was no one else’s business but her own.

She should be making the most of being on the island and getting to know new people though, and Callum had only asked her out for a drink. She didn’t need to make a big deal about someone being friendly. Anyway, she reasoned, if she didn’t enjoy his company for any reason the village was close enough to the farm for her to walk home.

Deciding to reply before giving herself too much time to think about it and no doubt end up changing her mind again, she replied.

Hi Callum, thanks for the invitation. I’d like to meet up for a drink sometime. Melody

She went to push her phone into her back pocket when it pinged. She turned it over to look at the screen and saw Callum had already replied.

Are you free tonight? C

She gasped. What the hell? Melody took a calming breath. She hadn’t expected to hear from him immediately.

‘What’s the matter?’

Melody shrieked, not realising someone else was in the room. She looked up and saw her grandmother standing near the doorway.

Patsy hurried towards her, resting her hand on Melody’s arm. ‘It’s not you-know-who, I hope?’

Hating that she had just given her grandmother a fright, Melody quickly shook her head. ‘No, Gran. Sorry. I was surprised when you spoke, that’s all. I was deep in thought.’

Patsy tapped on Melody’s phone screen. ‘If it’s not your ex, then who’s put you in this strange mood?’

Melody explained what had happened. ‘I’m not sure I should have agreed to go now.’

‘Why ever not?’ Patsy shrugged, clearly unsure why she was being so worried about the whole thing.

‘You know my situation. Is it wrong to act as if I don’t have a care in the world? As if I’m single?’ She felt her grandmother’s hands take hers and waited to hear what she had to say. ‘Go on.’

Patsy smiled. ‘I was just thinking that you should make the most of this time here, being free of all the nastiness you’ve had going on back home. It’s all harmless and there’s nothing wrong with going out for a drink with a handsome young chap.’

Melody thought of Zac and wished again that he had been the one to suggest a drink. She wouldn’t be feeling anxious or conflicted with Zac. She just liked his company. She shook her head. ‘You’re right. You think I should reply to him now then?’

Patsy let go of her hands. ‘Unless you’re waiting for another invitation.’

Melody knew her grandmother had picked up on her feelings for Zac. ‘No, Gran. I’m not,’ she said, aware Patsy wouldn’t be that easily dissuaded.

‘Come along. Let’s go down to the kitchen.’

Anyway, she mused, how could she expect to kid her grandmother when she knew she was only kidding herself?

‘Well?’ Patsy said, pointing at the screen once they reached the kitchen. ‘Are you going to reply to him?’

Not wishing to commit to going out with Callum just yet, Melody shook her head. ‘Not yet. I think I’d like a cup of tea and some toast first.’

Patsy arched an eyebrow. ‘Haven’t you eaten breakfast yet?’

Melody opened her mouth to answer when Zac walked into the kitchen, a troubled look on his face. He exchanged glances with Melody, then looked at Patsy.

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt anything.’

Unsure why he was acting oddly, Melody shook her head. ‘You’re not. Gran was just about to tell me off for not eating anything yet.’

She expected him to smile or at least relax a little, but his expression didn’t alter. What was wrong with him?

‘Um, I’ve just realised I’ve forgotten something in my bedroom,’ Patsy said.

‘Let me fetch it for you, Gran,’ Melody said, taking a step forward, stopping when her grandmother raised her hand.

‘No, I’ll do it.’ She looked pointedly from Melody to Zac, and Melody took a moment to realise she was trying to be discreet.

‘OK.’ Melody wasn’t sure if she was missing something. When Zac didn’t move or say anything, she turned to the kettle and lifted it to check there was enough water in it for several cups of tea. After topping it up under the tap, she then plugged it in and pressed the lever down. Clearly she was going to have to get the conversation with him started.

She turned to him and opened her mouth to speak, but before she had a chance to do so, he said, ‘I’m so sorry, Melody. I did worry that I hadn’t asked your permission first.’

Confused, she shook her head. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

He pointed to her mobile phone lying in front of her on the kitchen table. ‘I gave your number to Callum.’

‘Oh.’ So that’s what was bothering him. She realised she should have been displeased with him, but he seemed so worried and as it hadn’t occurred to her to be anything other than disappointed up until this point, she smiled. ‘It’s fine. I’ve already heard from him so this isn’t news to me.’

‘I see.’ He moved his weight from one foot to the other. ‘Did he ask you out then?’

‘He did.’

‘And you don’t mind?’ He laughed. It wasn’t a happy laugh, she noted, rather it held a tone of sadness for some reason. ‘Why would you mind?’ He shook his head. ‘Sorry.’

Determined to change the mood of the conversation, Melody indicated the kettle. ‘I’m not sure what’s going on, Zac, but I have a feeling you might need to chat.’ When he didn’t react, she added, ‘Or might a coffee be more in order?’

‘Coffee would be great, thanks.’ He pulled out one of the chairs and sat at the table. ‘So you said yes, then.’

She noticed it wasn’t a question, more of a statement. He was acting oddly but didn’t seem to be fazed by Callum asking her out. Hurt that he hadn’t thought to ask her himself, she nodded. ‘I did.’

‘Right.’

The kettle finished boiling and Melody quickly made Zac a cup of coffee and herself a green tea. Setting the cups down in front of their places, she sat down.

‘Are you going to tell me what’s the matter or shall I try to guess?’