So much for escaping Harry – Maddy now saw him every day, usually in the morning, as she passed him in the garden on her way to the gallery. Or she would bring him out a cup of coffee. She always asked how Sookie was and felt bad she hadn’t called home to check on her herself, but the schools were breaking up soon, and she needed to get as much painted as possible, in preparation for the busy period. She spent nearly all her waking hours in the gallery, only sleeping at the cottage.
She did wonder if Harry showed up more often at the cottage now she was here. She’d heard Simon mutter something along those lines.
As far as she could tell, the builders were working hard. Maddy wasn’t sure what she would report to Roy if he asked. Maybe this had been Roy’s intention: install a house sitter to get the builders working faster. Simon (or his men) had finished painting the main bedroom, and had hung a curtain pole, so now she had curtains, and didn’t wake so early in the morning. She noticed the tiles on the roof had been fixed too. With each day, the cottage was coming back to life. Unfortunately, she couldn’t say the same for the shrub climbing over the front porch. Yet, she still watered it.
‘It’s dead, Maddy,’ Harry said, arriving armed with some garden tools. She knew this, of course, the fact it had no leaves on it was a bit of a giveaway. But still, she wanted to persevere. She emptied the old galvanised watering can complete with dents that she’d found abandoned in the back garden.
Simon followed behind him. ‘And it’s coming out, too, isn’t it, Harry? It’ll make it easier to paint the outside of the cottage.’ Harry gave Simon a curt nod. Simon smiled at Maddy and entered the house. Harry lingered behind.
‘What was it?’ Maddy asked him. Harry rubbed a thick part of the trunk, twisted up the wall.
‘Wisteria,’ Harry said, then mumbled, ‘It’s going to be a bugger to dig out.’
‘Oh!’ Maddy found the broken nameplate hanging by the front door, near to the dead trunk of the shrub, with only the W remaining loosely fixed to the wall. ‘I wonder if the W stood for Wisteria. Wisteria Cottage …’
Harry moved dead leaves and debris about. ‘Can’t see the rest of the plaque. It’s a good name for a cottage.’
‘Yes, if it were my cottage, I would call it that … and plant another wisteria,’ Maddy said, pensively.
‘I’ll consider a wisteria plant in the garden design,’ Harry said, giving her a wink.
Her heart lighter, Maddy headed towards the gallery, unable to get the cottage out of her head. She grabbed a sketchpad and started to draw a picture of it from memory, with the wisteria twisting up and over the porch and resting under the top windows. She knew what the flowers of wisteria looked like, as once she’d been commissioned to paint a house in Devon during late May when the creeper had been in flower. It looked beautiful with pendants of lilac-mauve flowers, heavily scenting the air.
‘That’s not your usual subject matter. I thought you were moving away from painting cottages.’ Val stood next to Maddy watching her work.
‘I know. It’s Roy’s cottage, the one I’m staying at. I’m imagining it finished and with wisteria climbing up the outside.’
‘I’ll have to come up and see how the work is coming along.’
‘Yes, you must. It’s a shame it’ll probably be sold as a holiday home as it would make a great home for a family.’
‘You don’t know that. Someone might buy it to live in.’
‘I doubt it in this area. They’re usually second properties bought to let out. The locals can’t afford to buy them.’
Maddy returned with Valerie that evening, to show her around. The builders had left, and so had Harry by the looks of things, as they strolled up the garden from the coastal path. It was a quicker route, and Harry had freed up the gate so that it opened with ease for her.
More brambles had been cleared and piled up, making Maddy wonder if Harry would be back to light another fire.
‘Has Harry told you the plans he’s got for the garden?’
‘I haven’t really asked. I think Roy just wants him to tidy it up for the sale.’
The small extension at the back of the house was starting to take shape.
‘Apparently, the doors will be positioned so they can be open even on the windiest of days,’ Maddy said, taking Valerie around to the front of the cottage to the shabby lilac front door.
‘Oh,’ Maddy said, as she slid the key into the lock, noticing the branches that had twisted up over the porch had now gone. ‘Harry must have dug the wisteria out today.’
‘You did say it was dead.’
‘Yes … but …’ Oh, Maddy, be sensible, it was a dead shrub.
Maddy showed Valerie around, leading her through the lounge, then into the kitchen-diner.
On the counter stood a couple of pink roses in a half-pint glass that had probably been pinched from a pub. There was a note tucked underneath.
‘That’s nice of Harry. I think he’s sweet on you,’ Val said, admiring the flowers.
Maddy read the note. ‘It’s not from Harry.’
‘Then who’s it from?’
‘Simon.’
‘The project manager?’
‘Yes.’
The note read; Let me know when you’d like that drink, Si x p.s. There’s a surprise for you in the bedroom.
‘Doesn’t hurt Harry to have a bit of competition,’ Val said, nudging Maddy. ‘Let’s check out his surprise.’
Curious about Simon’s note, Maddy climbed the stairs, Val following, heading straight to her bedroom. The camp bed had been stripped and packed away to make room for a double bed. It was a pine bed, which had a few knocks and chips, so clearly wasn’t brand new. It had been made up with the bedding from the camp bed. Before Maddy could, Val checked the mattress, sitting on it and giving it a bounce.
‘Not bad,’ she said, raising her eyebrows. ‘I wonder if Simon wants to share this with you.’ She gave a little chuckle.
‘Stop it! You’re such a tease.’ It was kind of Simon to do this, though. The camp bed was OK to sleep on, but this would be a lot comfier.
Val stood up. ‘Now show me this bathroom you keep harping on about.’
***
Harry pulled up outside his house, reversing his pickup onto the drive. He wanted to think of another excuse to meet Maddy at Wisteria Cottage, but thought it best to leave her be. If he crowded her, she’d push him away. He’d hung around there long enough, hoping she’d come home from the gallery earlier, so he could see her. What was he like? Maddy would think he was a stalker if he continued like this. He’d thought of lighting another bonfire, but the other night had put his nerves on edge. He’d forgotten what the smell of smoke did to him. He’d buried his fears, and in the end, it had been such a good night, sitting there toasting marshmallows and laughing with Maddy, it felt worth it.
Across the road, he could see a man dressed in jeans and a baggy grey T-shirt on Maddy’s driveway stroking Sookie’s head. She was weaving around his legs in her feed-me-human way.
‘Can I help you?’ Harry said as he crossed the road to join the man outside Maddy’s house. The man looked up at Harry. Knowing where her bread was truly buttered, Sookie trotted over to Harry, and he picked her up.
‘I’m looking for Maddy,’ the man said. He had a similar accent to Maddy, so Harry assumed he was from Bristol. Shorter than Harry, the man had dirty brown hair with a long fringe that he flicked across his face using an annoying movement of his head. He dropped a cigarette on the ground and stubbed it out with his trainer. ‘Do you know where I can find her?’
‘Are you a friend? What’s your name?’ Harry observed the scruffy man. He looked like he needed a bath, a shave and a good night’s sleep. The long drive from Bristol to Cornwall couldn’t have been that bad.
‘Yes … yes, I am.’
‘She’s had a house fire and has had to move out.’ And should be staying with me.
‘Do you know where she’s moved to?’
If this guy was a friend, wouldn’t Maddy have told him where she was staying?
‘Sorry, I didn’t catch your name?’ Harry said, still stroking Sookie’s head, who was getting restless in his arms. She wanted feeding.
The man looked at Harry, narrowing his eyes. ‘It’s Connor.’
Harry’s instincts confirmed, he replied, ‘Sorry, Connor, she didn’t say where she was staying, only asked me to look after Sookie. Next time she calls, I’ll tell her you dropped by. Okay?’
Connor shrugged, hanging his head. ‘Don’t bother, I’ll get hold of her.’
Harry watched Connor walk back off down Annadale Close. He’d parked his car further down, as if he’d not wanted Maddy to notice his car. Strange.
Inside his house, and after he’d fed an impatient Sookie, Harry dug out his phone and sent a text Maddy.
Hey, you’ve had a visitor. Connor. Don’t worry, I didn’t tell him where you’re staying.
***
Maddy sank deeper into her bath and sighed. She loved this roll-top bath. One day she’d own one just like this, she promised herself. Valerie was long gone, and Maddy had run a bath and was soaking in bubbles up to her chin. She always forgot to use less bubble bath in Cornwall. The softer water made the bubbles go further. Unfortunately, she couldn’t fully enjoy it and relax, though. She was churning over Harry’s earlier text. Why was Connor in Cornwall? Harry had confirmed he hadn’t told Connor where she was, but this didn’t mean he wouldn’t turn up at the gallery tomorrow. She toyed with the idea of texting Connor. Maybe she wouldn’t have to meet him then.
She chickened out. Refreshed from her bath, and feeling tired, the last thing she wanted to do was contact Connor. Sitting in the lounge, on one of the folding garden chairs Harry had left, Maddy sipped a glass of red wine and read her book. Well, tried to; she was fascinated watching the sun set over the ocean in a dramatic cloudy sky. She took plenty of photos with her phone to use for another painting.
The double bed proved more comfortable, but it didn’t aid her restless sleep.
The next day, Maddy’s heart was filled with a dread every time the bell over the door chimed in the gallery. She was on edge expecting Connor to enter, regretting not texting him the night before. It was a windy day, coming straight off the sea, so the door had to remain closed, otherwise they’d have propped it open and the bell wouldn’t have been ringing.
‘Don’t fret, I’ll be here too, if he does show his face,’ Valerie said, giving her a comforting rub on her back. Maddy wondered if it would be okay to open a bottle of wine to take the edge off her nerves. Living at Wisteria Cottage meant she didn’t need to drive anywhere that day. But it probably wouldn’t help her artistic productivity, so she thought better of it. Valerie supplied copious amounts of tea instead.
Maddy was out the back washing her brushes when the doorbell chimed again. Valerie had popped to the Spar; they’d run out of milk. All that tea.
‘Be with you in a minute,’ Maddy called as she shook out the brushes and then dried her hands.
‘Okay,’ a male voice called back. Maddy froze. She recognised the voice, but it wasn’t Harry’s. She realised she would truly welcome hearing Harry’s voice right now. Taking a deep breath, she entered the gallery, still holding the towel she’d been using to wipe her hands on. She relaxed a little seeing the guy standing there admiring a painting.
Not Connor — Simon.
‘Hey, what can I do for you?’ Maddy said, plastering on a smile. She still felt suspicious. Why was he here? Had something happened up at the cottage?
‘Thought I’d call in as I was passing.’ He walked towards her, smiling in the cheeky way he carried off so well. He was dressed in his work clothes, his black T-shirt and khaki shorts covered in dust. What flesh was revealed, was tanned golden. ‘How was the bed?’
‘Great, thanks. You didn’t need to do that,’ Maddy replied. She hadn’t seen Simon this morning to thank him as he hadn’t arrived early like the other builders.
‘Someone was giving it away. It was their spare bed, and they don’t need it anymore,’ Simon said, casually stuffing his hands into his pockets. ‘Hey, while I’m here, would you fancy that drink tonight?’
‘Tonight?’ Maddy paused. Think of an excuse. ‘Oh, I can’t do tonight … Valerie invited me to dinner,’ she said, as Valerie entered the gallery holding a two-pint poly bottle of milk.
‘Did I?’ Valerie said. Luckily, she quickly realised Maddy’s glare was a cry for help, although her response was hesitant and unconvincing. ‘Yes, I did. Sorry, I was forgetting what day it was. Yes, Maddy’s coming for dinner tonight.’ Valerie turned to Maddy. ‘But you don’t have to, dear. You know, I’ll understand if you get a better offer.’
‘No, I don’t want to muck you about. You said you’d made something special.’ Maddy glared at Valerie again. But their telepathic communication was suddenly interrupted by the sound of the doorbell chiming again — and Maddy’s discomfort reached a whole new level as Connor walked through the door. She couldn’t believe how scruffy he looked. Had he been sleeping rough in Cornwall?
‘Maddy, I need to talk to you—’
‘I have nothing to say to you. Get out. Go home, Connor.’
‘Please, Maddy, you’ve made a mistake.’
‘It’s over, Connor. I’m sorry.’ Maddy stepped back.
‘Look, mate,’ Simon stepped in front of Connor before he could come any closer, ‘Maddy doesn’t want to talk to you, so I suggest you make it easier on yourself and leave.’
Connor looked at Maddy pleadingly, but she shook her head. She had nothing to say to him. Her relationship with Connor was over. Anything she said would be going over old ground, scratching at old wounds. With a few more pleas, but Simon standing firm, Connor made hesitantly for the door.
Once Connor had left, Maddy let out her breath, realising she’d been holding it in. Her body was shaking, the adrenaline of confrontation and fear flowing through her. Valerie gave her a hug.
‘You all right?’ Simon asked, his hands on his hips and a worried frown on his face.
‘Yes, thanks, I’m fine.’
‘Who the hell was that?’
‘No one important,’ Maddy shook her head at Simon, ‘look, thanks for doing that.’ Maddy felt awful now for fobbing him off about the drink, but she still didn’t want to commit to anything. ‘Can we put the drink on hold? This time of year is really busy for me, I need to make this gallery work,’ or she would be returning to Bristol, or having to find a ‘proper’ job, ‘I need to put the hours in painting, I’m working late most evenings, so I just can’t commit to anything at the moment.’
‘Yes, sure, I understand, really I do. Let me know when you’re free, yeah?’ Simon smiled, and Maddy nodded, albeit hesitantly. ‘Better get back to the cottage, otherwise the boys will be wondering where I’ve been. Only popped down to grab more milk,’ he said, pointing to the milk Valerie was still holding. It sounded more like an excuse. As Simon left the gallery, Maddy watched which way he went, to see if he really was going to the Spar for milk. He turned right out of the gallery, which could mean he wasn’t lying. But then he’d need to turn right to walk up the footpath to the cottage anyway.
Oh, why was she caring about this, whether Simon wanted milk or not? Connor had turned up, and she was grateful he’d been there to shoo him off.
‘Why don’t you want to go for a drink with Simon?’ Valerie asked, wearing a puzzled expression. ‘He’s hardly unattractive … And he must be fairly well off if he runs his own business.’
Maddy rolled her eyes, and she laughed, glad to be distracted from the thought of Connor reappearing in her life. Would it sound odd if she said it felt like she’d be being disloyal to Harry?
‘He’s very charming, but I do get the impression he’s a bit of a ladies’ man.’
‘And Harry?’
Maddy shrugged. ‘What about Harry?’
‘You don’t think he’s a ladies’ man?’
‘I think Harry would be loyal and trustworthy. One woman would be enough for him. Simon, I’m not so sure about.’
‘You could just have a little bit of fun, and play him at his own game. He did provide a double bed.’
‘Val! Even if I did, it would always backfire on me.’ She’d fall for the guy, and he wouldn’t fall for her. Maddy grew attached too quickly. ‘Besides, I really am busy.’ And she already liked Harry too much.
Again, proof that she grew attached too quickly.