Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 117740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 589(@200wpm)___ 471(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 589(@200wpm)___ 471(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
That made me laugh, and I pulled back from her, taking a deep breath. “Yes, the long line of successful romances really back up your words.”
“Everyone makes mistakes,” she said airily. “Anyway, he doesn’t strike me as that kind of person. When he’s back next week, you’re going to have to put on your big girl knickers and talk to him. You can’t pretend that nothing exists between you, so just be honest. You never know, maybe he thinks you’re only interested in his meat stick.”
“No more food euphemisms, please. I’m still coming to terms with those from before.” I shuddered. “But you’re right. We should clear the air one way or another. If he’s going to continue with the sale even after I’ve told him everything, then we need to put an end to whatever this is.” I waved my arms.
“What if he does change his mind?”
“He won’t.” I met her gaze, sadness settling into a pit in my stomach. “I know him. No matter what he says, the estate means too much to him for that.”
There were goats fucking everywhere.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I knew they were snazzy little escape artists, but these little fuckers were taking it to the next level.
And they ate everything.
Billy had taken a bite out of a vendor’s handmade woollen jumpers. Patches was partial to a tourist’s Havaiana flip-flop. Jelly and Bean had teamed up to knock over a basket of wrapped bread rolls, only to eat the wrapper and puke it up less than five minutes later.
Jelly was now under the observant eye of Isadora and Superman Shaun.
Because, yes, he really had shown up in his Superman costume. As predicted, he was a hit. He’d only lasted ten minutes there before he’d started getting swarmed by women—and I noticed Isa’s irritation. In the end, he’d promised to take photos during his break and gone back to being at her beck and call like a little puppy.
Never mind me being honest about my feelings for Oliver.
When was Isadora going to admit that Shaun’s shower scheme had worked? I could call it a scheme, too, because it was not broken. His hot water was fine. He was just a dirty liar trying to seduce her.
And you know what?
Good for him.
“Morning, dear!” Susan beamed at me from behind her stall. “How’s everything going?”
“I think the goats are finally under control,” I replied, glancing over the crocheted goods. “When did you make all these?”
She shrugged. “I’ve been saving some for a rainy day, so I had more than I thought to bring. The blankets are quite popular.”
I ran my fingers over a pale yellow and pink one adorned with flowers. “I can see why. They’re lovely and soft.”
She smiled again, and I waved her goodbye as I continued walking through the market space. I had no idea how my mother had wrangled turning this from a small craft market into the large festival it had become, but it was truly magical what she could achieve when she put her mind to it.
I still wanted to know what she had on the mayor, though.
I checked in on each stall as I walked, making sure everyone was doing okay. By the time I reached the park where the goat yoga was finally underway, I had a free coffee in one hand and a sandwich in the other.
Hey, this wasn’t half bad.
I claimed the only free bench in view and sat on the end of it, gently holding my coffee between my thighs. My phone had buzzed in my bag a few times, but I’d barely had a chance to check on it until now.
I’d been helping kids pot up young sunflowers they could take home, after all.
I bit into my sandwich, set it on my lap, and turned my attention to my phone. I had three unread messages from Oliver, one from my mother, another from Isa, and one telling me my Amazon order had just been delivered.
Smashing.
I replied to my mother, told Isa to stop complaining and shag Shaun if she was that bothered about the women flirting with him, and checked Oliver’s messages as a fourth one came through.
OLIVER: I forgot how busy it is here.
OLIVER: I think Hanbury has broken me.
OLIVER: But it’s still not as noisy as you.
OLIVER: My mother said the goats are on a rampage. Did you co-ordinate that by any chance?
That was rude.
I hadn’t, but a part of me kind of wished I was responsible for it.
ME: No, they did it all on their own, but there’s no telling when I will organise a goat uprising.
OLIVER: Not much about you scares me anymore, but that threat is particularly terrifying.
ME: Good to know I haven’t totally lost my touch.
ME: And it’s not Hanbury’s fault you’re not used to London. You’re the one who keeps refusing to go away.