Wildflower Park – Part Two. Bella Osborne

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СКАЧАТЬ their photographs taken next to their masterpieces. She was pleased Roberta bothered to show up for a final wrap-up and motivational send-off liberally scattered with feminist quotes. After everyone had dispersed Roberta took Anna to one side.

      ‘Nice job with this team event, Anna, I’m impressed.’

      ‘Thanks.’ Anna was quickly buoyed by a little praise.

      ‘I’ve just found out about you and Liam. I’m not sure what to say. Obviously, he didn’t mention it otherwise I would have objected.’

      ‘So, you didn’t hire him?’ said Anna, her left eye twitching slightly.

      Roberta shook her head. ‘No, this has come from on high. But I’m fully supportive obviously.’ She gave an expression that said she wasn’t.

      ‘Obviously. Thanks for the heads-up, I’ll make sure he only sees what he needs to but to be honest I think Hudson and I are working far better together now than we were. There are no holes for him to pick on the project.’

      ‘If you want something done, ask a woman. That’s what the late, great Margaret Thatcher told us,’ said Roberta. She straightened her dress and went to speak to someone else.

      Hudson sauntered over and made sure his bicep brushed Anna’s shoulder. ‘Hey, girlfriend, how you doing?’

      ‘Really?’ said Anna in a mocking tone but the truth was she was enjoying their play-acting. She was seeing a whole new side to Hudson and it was one she liked.

      ‘I forgot I don’t need to try to win you over, you’re already dating me.’ He gave her another nudge.

      ‘Careful or you’ll be filed in the same section as Karl.’ They both watched as he chased after Priya whilst swinging his wet T-shirt around his head. Roberta was looking unimpressed.

      ‘I was wondering if you fancied grabbing something to eat?’ he said. Anna stared at the hot dog she was holding. Hudson seemed to go a little pink. ‘I figured we’d be hungry again later and I’d like to hatch a plan of attack now we have Liam snooping around the project.’

      ‘Good call. And it’d be a chance to get our whole girlfriend, boyfriend story straight. I’m not sure I feel like going out though.’ Anna was looking forward to a shower and an early night but Hudson’s suggestion made sense and she liked to be on the front foot. ‘How about a takeaway at mine?’

      ‘Takeout? Great. About seven thirty?’

      ‘Perfect. Here’s my address,’ she said pulling a Post-it Note pad and pen from her bag and jotting it down.

      ‘Always prepared. You’d have made an excellent Scout.’

      A few hours later Hudson and Anna were sitting at her small dining table munching pizza. They had drawn up a list of everything they needed to check to ensure Liam couldn’t find fault with the project governance and had now moved on to their fake relationship.

      ‘We know how we met,’ said Hudson.

      ‘At work. Very clichéd but also very common.’

      Hudson nodded. ‘I asked you out and—’

      ‘I could have asked you out.’ Anna was slightly put out because she wasn’t keen on gender stereotypes.

      Hudson’s mouth tweaked at one corner. ‘Okay, but I warn you, I play hard to get. How would you have got me to say yes?’

      Anna’s smile reached her eyes. She liked him challenging her. ‘There’s my cute British accent.’ She started to tick things off on her fingers.

      He screwed up his nose. ‘Everyone here has one of those. Even Karl.’

      ‘Fair enough.’ Anna had a think. ‘You were missing America and I invited you to a breakfast meeting with … Pop Tarts, bagels and syrup.’

      Hudson was giving her an odd look. ‘It’s a nice thought but Pop Tarts?’

      ‘Yes. Pop Tarts, you thought it was adorable and we laughed about it and I promised to make you a proper breakfast next time we went out.’ She gave him her best flirty expression.

      Hudson nearly choked on his drink. ‘You floozy. But you’ve got yourself a date.’

      This was fun – all the flirting with none of the consequences. She thought to herself that she should probably date gay guys more often. They clinked glasses and got back to demolishing the pizza. Anna put a few more turns of black pepper on hers.

      ‘You like black pepper huh?’

      ‘On everything.’

      ‘I make a mean pepper sauce to go with steak.’

      ‘Mmm, sounds good. Old family recipe?’

      ‘Err, yes and no. My ex’s old family recipe actually.’ Hudson broke eye contact and seemed to be studying her laminate flooring in great detail. The mood had changed quickly.

      ‘Bad break-up?’ She had to ask.

      ‘You could say that. I got unceremoniously dumped by someone I thought was the one.’

      It was oddly reassuring that he too had been in Anna’s situation – both dumped by a man. ‘You want to talk about it?’

      He pursed his lips and shook his head. ‘All water over the dam now.’

      ‘Still hurts though, doesn’t it?’ She reached across and gave his arm a squeeze.

      ‘Sure does. Now tell me about this Bert character, he sounds awesome.’ And just like that the smiles were back.

      After the meal Hudson dutifully helped her clear the table and they settled on the sofa with coffees. The door swung open and in marched Maurice. He loved to make an entrance.

      ‘Are you okay with cats?’ she asked as Maurice made a beeline for Hudson.

      ‘I love cats,’ he said. ‘And aren’t you a beauty?’ he added, turning his attention to Maurice who responded by swishing his tail in a diva-ish manner.

      ‘The rescue centre think he’s a …’ She had to think of what breed they’d called him. ‘A Maine Coon I think.’

      ‘He looks like it. We used to have one when I was a kid. You know they’re an American breed, right?’

      Anna rolled her eyes. ‘I’m surrounded.’

      Hudson gave a cheeky smile. ‘You’re a lucky lady.’

      ‘I think Maurice is officially a Brummy now. You’ve got a bit further to go.’ Maurice jumped up and made himself comfortable stretched out on Hudson’s lap, staring up at him adoringly. Goodness, was nobody immune to his charms?

      ‘Anything I should know to avoid Liam catching me out?’ asked Hudson as he fussed Maurice and Maurice lapped it up.

      Anna had a think. University shot into her mind and she instantly dismissed СКАЧАТЬ