How Do You Spell Love?
As rain hammered against the roof, Summer peered out of the tiny shed window on her allotment.
“It might be set for the day,” she frowned, turning to her companion.
Tom Harper shifted in his seat. “Typical, the first opportunity I get to come here and it’s tipping it down. I was really looking forward to helping out too.”
Summer smiled. She still wasn’t sure exactly why he was here. Was it just because he had a yearning to get back to working the soil? If so, why had he chosen her particular plot to want to work on? Why had he singled her out to be on the receiving end of his offer of a helping hand?
She had to admit, when he’d turned up as suggested, part of her had been pleased while part of her had felt irritated and annoyed. Whilst she could undoubtedly do with a hand – especially with the pesky weeds which were multiplying by the barrow load – she still felt uncomfortable and unsure about his real reasons for being there.
Confusingly, there had also been a part of her that had, for a second or two, gone all of a flutter. He looked even more gorgeous kitted out in scruffy jeans, a T-shirt and work boots than he did when he was all dressed up in a suit. No. No. No. She’d told herself firmly the instant the feelings had set in. She couldn’t – wouldn’t – allow herself to fancy Tom Harper. The sensible part of her brain reminded herself why it would be beyond stupid to do so. Firstly, he was involved; practically had been since junior school, with his girlfriend Lucy. Secondly, she was – well, she thought so anyway – still involved with Rob, no matter how dicey things were looking at present. Thirdly, he was Kat’s cousin. Getting involved with the relative of a close friend – and work colleague – was asking for trouble.
“So, maybe you’d better be getting off home, then?” Summer half stated, half asked. “Not much chance of getting any more things sorted down here today by the looks of it.”
Tom nodded but seemed reluctant to get to his feet.
“Can I ask you something?” Summer ventured, slipping into the seat opposite him.
He nodded. “Sure. Go ahead.”
Before she could get a word in he continued, “I imagine you want to ask me why I’m here.”
Feeling a bit awkward, Summer nodded.
“The truth, the whole truth and nothing but?” quizzed Tom.
“Please,” Summer nodded.
He let out a long sigh. “OK. Two reasons. One, I do miss this place and would like to get involved with growing fruit and vegetables again. It’s something that, for a number of reasons, I’ve had to give up over the years. I want to work the soil again but there’s a waiting list for allotment plots and…
Getting to his feet he added, “I’m sorry, Summer. I shouldn’t have asked if I could help out down here. I’ll get going and leave you in peace.”
Summer stood up and reached out to place a hand on his arm. “Don’t go just yet. You said that there was a second reason.”
He turned away. “It’s nothing. I should go.”
“Tom, please,” Summer linked an arm through his and pulled him gently back towards the table and chairs tucked in the corner of the shed. “Tell me.”
Slipping his arm free of hers he turned towards her and reached for her hand. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, absolutely,” she smiled encouragingly. Surprised that she hadn’t even tried to remove her hand from his, she added, “Tell me.”
“OK. The second reason I asked you is because I was drawn to you. The moment I saw you at that party I just prayed I’d have the chance to get to meet you, find out who you were.” Slowly, methodically linking his fingers through hers, he added, “I’m sorry. This isn’t something that I usually do. Please don’t get the wrong idea. I’ve never cheated on Lucy. I just wanted, needed to get to know you.”
Seeing the puzzled expression now on her face he added, “I know this is wrong. Besides the fact that I’m involved, I don’t know anything about you or your circumstances yet. Though, as you were at the party with Kat, and I don’t see you wearing a wedding or engagement ring…?”
Summer remained silent. Unsure what would be the right thing to say in answer to his question.
“You’re not married, are you?” he asked, still holding her hand in his.
Summer stayed perfectly still. The rain continued to hammer on the shed roof. Some thunder rumbled on, slowly fading into the distance. She still didn’t step away or move her hand from his grasp.
“I’m not married,” she managed to reply.
“OK,” he said, nodding and watching her carefully. “But? I get the feeling there’s more?”
“Do you still love Lucy?” Summer asked; her voice barely more than a whisper.
He nodded. “Yes, but not in the same way as I used to. I’m not in love with her anymore. It’s complicated. The relationship isn’t right and yet to leave would…”
“Break her heart,” finished Summer.
“Yes. Probably,” he nodded. “We’ve been together so many years. She’s pushing for an engagement ring this Christmas and I know it wouldn’t be right to go down that road. To agree to what she wants. Yet, to do otherwise…” he sighed again. “I just don’t know. It’s such a mess.”
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Author bio:
Zanna Mackenzie lives in the UK with her husband, 4 dogs, a vegetable patch that’s home to far too many weeds and an ever expanding library of books waiting to be read.
Being a freelance writer and editor of business publications is her ‘day job’ but, at every opportunity, she can be found scribbling down notes on scenes for whatever novel she’s working on. She loves it when the characters in her novels take on minds of their own and start deviating from the original plot!
Formerly a travel agent and therapist (she has qualifications in clinical aromatherapy, crystal healing, naturopathic nutrition and herbalism) she loves walking the dogs and gardening – that’s when she’s not writing or reading!
Zanna has written two novels, The Love Programme (Astraea Press) and How Do You Spell Love? (Crooked Cat Publishing) and both were published in early 2013.
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Find out more about Zanna at:
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Twitter: @ZannaMacKenzie
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Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10703273-zanna-mackenzie
Amazon Author Page – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zanna-Mackenzie/e/B00BKY1A18/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
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