Want to see more from this author? Here’s a taster for you to enjoy!

 

Love’s Bloom:

Second Chance at First Love

Zoe Allison

 

Excerpt

 

Eva unloaded her bags from the car and surveyed the large house along the driveway. Home sweet home. Well, her parents’ home anyway. It hadn’t been hers in over a decade and now she’d come full circle. Ugh, that’s pretty depressing.

She pulled on her shoulder bag, grasped the handle of her wheeled suitcase and lifted her tote. Trying not to trip on the uneven paving, she dragged her stuff to the front door. The scent of spring flowers caught her attention and she glanced over to where her mother’s crocuses and hyacinths were blooming along the garden path. Is it crocuses or croci? Eva remembered the tale of a mischievous local man who’d been given community service for minor misdemeanours. His job had been to plant crocuses along the main road through their small Yorkshire town. After dutifully completing his task, he went on his way. That spring the blooms came into full force, planted in such a pattern as to spell out the most pearl-clutching of four-letter words. The women’s bridge club had been most affronted, unlike the community teens, who gathered at every opportunity to take selfies by the flowery swear words before the local council cut them down.

Eva sniggered despite her low-key misery as she remembered the tale. She inhaled the sweet smell of her mother’s hyacinths and reached for the doorbell, but before she could press it, the door whooshed open and she was enveloped in a hug. The scent of Chanel overpowered the flowers.

“Hi, Mum.”

Her mother pulled back and studied her face. “Come in and get your feet up, beti, I’ll make you a nice cup of tea.”

Eva smiled at the sound of her pet name. It meant ‘daughter’ in her mum’s native tongue, Urdu.

Her mother seemed to be under the impression that tea possessed healing powers that cured all ills. However, Eva wasn’t sure it was strong enough for her current predicament. She climbed the stone steps into the house and set down her bags.

“Matthew!” her mum yelled. “Come get Eva’s bags!”

Her dad appeared on the upstairs landing. “No need to shout, Meena. I’m right here.”

Eva shook her head. “I can manage, Mum.”

Matthew came down the stairs. “No, I’ll get them.” He enveloped her in another parental hug. Eva inhaled the soothing scent of his aftershave and was overcome by a flood of childhood memories.

She smiled against her father’s chest. “For goodness sake, I’m being hugged to death here. Death by cuddle.”

Matthew laughed and released her, grabbing her bags to take upstairs. Eva followed her mum along the hall into the kitchen and took a seat at the table.

Meena busied herself about the kitchen, brewing her signature tea to perfection. “How was your journey?”

Eva leaned back and gazed out of the patio doors onto her mum’s well-kept back garden. “Fine. A bit of traffic going through Cumbria but, on the whole, not too bad.”

Meena poured the tea into two china cups. “It’s a bit of a boring journey on your own all the way from Scotland, isn’t it?” Whenever Meena said ‘Scotland’ she attempted a terrible Scottish accent, which made Eva cringe and smile at the same time.

Meena brought the cups and saucers over and placed one in front of Eva. “I used to get fed up when I did the journey after dropping you off at university.”

Eva sipped her tea. “I like listening to the radio. It takes my mind off things.”

Meena nodded, shifting in her seat and fiddling with the milk jug. She cleared her throat. “When does the new job start?”

Eva grasped her cup, enjoying the warmth that transferred into her fingers. “I wanted to give myself enough time to get settled here, so I don’t start until the beginning of next month.”

Meena lit up. “Great. That gives us a few weeks to do some cool mother-daughter bonding.”

Eva laughed. The word ‘cool’ wasn’t her mum’s usual vernacular. “Sounds awesome.”

She sipped at her tea again. Meena Mathers did indeed make a mean brew and it was soothing—but unfortunately not problem-solving. Eva doubted there was any solution to her problems. She shook her head in an attempt to dispel those thoughts and shifted her gaze from the floral pattern on the cup over to her mother. “What room am I in?”

Meena placed her teacup down with a clatter. “Your old room, of course. Go and have a nosy. I’ve redecorated for you coming.”

Eva raised her eyebrows. “Aw, Mum, you didn’t need to do that.”

“I wanted to,” Meena said, reaching over and topping up their cups. “I thought it would be nice for it to look different from when…” She trailed off, her cheeks flushing.

Eva smiled. “What? From when I was last here with Callum?”

Meena glanced up from where she’d been stirring her tea a little too aggressively. “Well…yes. Sorry. My mouth ran away with me. I need to engage the brain before speaking, as you keep telling me.”

Eva stood and hugged her. “It’s okay. You’re allowed to mention him. I’ll go have a peek at the room.”

Meena smiled and kissed her cheek.

Eva left the kitchen and climbed the stairs, walking along the hallway to her old bedroom. Sunlight enveloped the space in a bright haze. It really did appear different. Interior design was Meena’s passion, along with gardening and tea drinking. So, as a British-Pakistani, she fitted right into the Yorkshire tea culture.

None of those things were Eva’s interests but she could appreciate that the room looked good. She ran her hand across the bedspread, trying not to think about the fact that last time she was here at Christmas, Callum had shared the bed with her.

She made her way around the room, unpacking and putting clothing and other items into drawers and the wardrobe. She found the paperwork for her new job at the Riverside Medical Practice, which was in the neighbouring town, and placed it neatly into her doctor’s bag. She thought of her friends and colleagues at her old practice in Edinburgh and how supportive they’d been when she’d handed in her notice. ‘We’re so sorry to see you go,’ the senior partner had said, ‘but everyone understands your need to return home for support after all that’s happened.’

The requirement for family support wasn’t the only reason for her leaving. There was also the need to put as much distance between her and Callum as possible, plus to give herself mental space from her pain. She’d become adept at burying it. If she didn’t think about it, then she was over it. Right?

Eva wandered back down the stairs and into the living room. She plonked onto the sofa next to her dad.

Matthew glanced away from the horse racing on TV, raising his eyebrow. “Still bouncing me off the sofa whenever you sit down, I see.”

Eva grinned. “Shut up, Dad.”

Meena entered the room carrying a tray containing yet more tea. She cleared her throat loudly as she placed it on the coffee table. “Matthew, that was Lily on the phone. She says Damon and Sarah are definitely splitting up.”

Eva was only half listening as she studied the messages on her cell phone. Her friends back in Scotland were texting to ask if she’d gotten there safely, and her best friend here in Oakcastle had contacted her to suggest meeting up. She glanced at Meena. Funny, I didn’t hear the landline ring. Her mum’s best friend Lily always called the house phone rather than Meena’s mobile.

Matthew raised his eyebrows. “Oh yes? She just called, did she?”

Eva gave them her full attention. Her dad used that tone when mum was up to something.

Meena nodded. “She was on the phone a moment ago.” She sat in an armchair and gazed at the ceiling. “It’s such a shame, isn’t it?” She let out a loud sigh. “We were hoping they’d manage to work out their problems for the sake of the children. But Sarah said it had to end, that they seemed more like brother and sister than a couple. Poor Damon is heartbroken.”

“Damon?” said Eva, finally realizing who they were talking about. Her mum’s best friend’s son was someone she hadn’t thought about in a while. They’d been in the same year at school and Damon had been Eva’s first love. Though it was a shame that she hadn’t been his—and that he hadn’t noticed her at all.

“Wow, that’s so sad,” said Eva, “especially when they have two kids. And they’ve been together forever.” Damon and Sarah had been going out since before she and Callum had met. They’d never married but were so solid in their relationship and had gone on to have a daughter named Adele and a son called Sam. Eva pursed her lips and blew out a deep breath. Everyone is splitting up nowadays. Has it come to that time of life already? I’m not even thirty yet.

Eva glanced at her dad. He had a wry expression on his face. She rolled her eyes. Auntie Lily hadn’t just phoned. They’d clearly discussed this piece of bad news a while before, and here Mum was trying to mention it in a nonchalant way for Eva’s benefit…and failing badly.

In the past, Meena Mathers and Lily Evans would’ve loved nothing more than for their two offspring to become a couple, though neither of them had known about Eva’s feelings for Damon during their school days together. No one did, because she’d never confided in anyone. She wasn’t comfortable voicing those kinds of emotions for fear of appearing foolish, especially when it was regarding a ridiculous crush on someone who was way out of her league.

Eva preferred to play her cards close to her chest. The more she liked someone, the more inclined she was to keep it quiet. The only reason she and Callum had gotten together was because he’d made the first move—and the second, third and fourth… He was super-confident and always went after what he wanted. Sometimes Eva wished she were more like him.

Eva played dumb to her mother’s game and acted like she wasn’t interested, even though old feelings were starting to surface. She remembered Damon’s warm brown eyes and his playful smile. They’d only had one class together in high school and she’d deliberately chosen the seat behind him so that she could stare at the back of his head. He had dark brown hair with a soft curl and she used to fantasize about running her hands through it.

Eva shook her head. Stop being an idiot. That was a lifetime ago. “I suppose that was the saving grace for Callum and me. No kids. So I don’t ever have to see the bastard again.”

Normally she’d expect a ‘Language, Eva,’ from her mother. But on this occasion, Meena must’ve thought it well deserved because not only did she let the comment pass but it appeared she was nodding in agreement.

Matthew stared at the TV. “Good riddance to bad rubbish.”

Eva glanced over. He was normally good at hiding it, but since their split, she’d gotten the feeling he’d never really liked Callum.

“So,” Meena said, “Damon has moved out into a lovely house a bit down the road from Auntie Lily, and Sarah and the kids are staying in the family home. Damon gets them every other weekend. You should see his house, Eva. It is huge. His company is doing really well.”

Eva raised her eyebrows. “Wow. That house sale was organised very quickly when Auntie Lily’s just called you to tell you they only just split up.”

Matthew snorted with stifled laughter.

“Yes, I know,” Meena said, her cheeks colouring. “Anyway, I’m just going to check on dinner.”

Meena left the room and Eva and her dad both broke down laughing.

Eva shook her head. “She’s hilarious. She never changes.”

Matthew smiled. “I know—and I wouldn’t want her to.”

Eva cuddled into his side. Her mum and dad were the best, and she was lucky to have such loving parents who cared for her, her big sister and each other in equal measure. “Dad?”

“Yes?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Is it about Callum?”

Her dad had always been exceptional at reading her. He was the most intuitive man she knew. “Yes.”

He sighed. “Before you ask… No, I never liked him. He wasn’t right for you or good enough for you either.”

Matthew Mathers was also very matter of fact when his opinion was requested.

Eva met his gaze. “What makes you say that?”

Matthew frowned. “He didn’t appreciate you. Treated you like some sort of trophy and didn’t look out for you.”

She grimaced. “I don’t need looking after. I’m a grown woman and my actual job is to take care of other people.”

He smiled. “I know, and you’re very good at it. But what I mean is the way a husband and wife both look out for each other and put one another first.”

Put one another first. Callum had never put her first, always himself. He was out for number one and did what he wanted without any regard for her needs or feelings. Looking back, she wondered how she hadn’t noticed the warning signs earlier, but they’d been madly in love. Then, as time had gone on, she had just accepted how he operated, though she’d never dreamed in her worst nightmares how things would end. I was a supreme idiot for falling for his crap, so maybe I deserved everything I got.

 

* * * *

 

Damon kicked off his shoes and followed the smell of steak pie into his mother’s kitchen. Lily stood in front of the stove, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.

He went over and hugged her. “You okay? Your eyes are red.”

Lily cleared her throat and smiled. “I was just chopping onions.”

Damon studied the kitchen counter. “There’re no onions here.”

Lily waved her hand and opened the oven to check on the pie. “That’s because I’ve started cooking them already, silly.”

He touched her arm. “Mum.”

She shut the oven door. “I’m fine, honestly.”

Footsteps sounded on the hallway flooring and Alastair Evans came through the kitchen door. He grinned and strode towards Damon to ruffle his hair. “Alright champ, how you doing?”

Damon ducked his head. “Watch it, old man. This do is styled to perfection.”

“Yeah, right.” Alastair laughed. “Dragged through a hedge backward more like.”

Damon smiled. His dad’s answer was to be jovial and make a joke out of every situation. Light relief was welcome in Damon’s book, especially right now. But he could tell his mum was lying about the onions, and he knew what she’d really been crying about.

Damon helped dish up and the three of them sat down to dinner. Lily chattered away about all the latest gossip and Alastair interjected with rubbish cheesy jokes. Damon watched them, smiling. He was glad they were all laughing together, because he was guilty that his situation upset his mum so much. Lily still had Adele and Sam once a week when he and Sarah were working, plus she saw them on his weekends. Her contact with her grandchildren hadn’t diminished, but she was devastated that his family had fractured and that he was so torn up by it.

Damon wasn’t particularly upset about splitting with Sarah. Their relationship had been over for a while, but he’d just put a brave face on it for everyone. It was the fact that he was no longer living full time with his kids that got to him. Only seeing them every other weekend was alien.

At least he was a master of his own destiny when it came to his career. Being a partner in his own company meant he could work flexibly from home and see more of Adele and Sam in the week. He and Sarah were still fine-tuning the details. Their relationship was amicable, which made shared parenting so much easier.

He studied his mum while she gossiped to his dad. Maybe he should take her to one side and reassure her that everything was going to be okay. He’d tried already, but she couldn’t stop worrying and trying to find little distractions for him. He tuned back in to the conversation between his parents.

Lily waved her hand in the air. “…so that’s Eva just arrived home this afternoon.”

“Mm-hmm,” replied Alastair, looking at the TV over Lily’s shoulder.

Lily turned to Damon. “It’s a shame, isn’t it?”

He paused, his fork en route to his mouth. “What’s a shame?”

Lily sighed. “About poor Eva and that nasty Callum.”

Damon frowned. “Eva Mathers? What about her and Callum?”

Damon hadn’t seen much of Eva since she’d gone to university. She’d married a Scottish guy called Callum but he’d only met him once, at Eva’s sister’s wedding. He and Sarah had been invited to Eva and Callum’s wedding, along with the rest of his family, but in the end, only Lily and Alastair had gone because Sarah had been heavily pregnant with Adele at the time.

Lily raised her eyebrows. “Remember I told you a few months ago they’d split up? And Eva decided to leave her job in Edinburgh and come home to stay with her parents. Well, she’s back now and she’ll be starting a new job nearby.”

Damon shook his head. “You didn’t tell me that. I would’ve remembered.”

Lily’s set her mouth in a hard line. “I doubt it. You’ve been so distracted by the kerfuffle between you and Sarah that you hardly listen to a word I say anymore…like your father. Though he never listens to me anyway,” she added under her breath.

“What’s that, dear?” Alastair replied, right on cue.

Lily rolled her eyes.

Damon took a sip of his drink. “What happened between them?”

Lily shook her head. “I don’t know. Meena does, but she’s sworn to silence. She’s the only one Eva’s told, except Matthew, of course. But it must be really bad, because Meena called Callum the ‘C’ word.”

Damon nearly choked on his dinner. “She called him what?”

“You know,” whispered Lily. “Crap.”

“Phew,” said Damon, glancing at Alastair, who was doubled up with laughter.

“It’s not funny,” Lily said. “The poor girl’s devastated. She’s had to give up the GP partnership she worked so hard for to get away from it all.”

Damon leaned back in his seat. Eva Mathers. They’d played together as kids. Not only were their mothers best friends but their older sisters had also been as well. The two of them were in each other’s company a lot and had become good friends. But they’d drifted apart through high school because they’d ended up mixing with different crowds. She was very academic and worked hard. He’d always known she’d go off to university and become a doctor or a lawyer or something. For him, school had been a laugh. He wasn’t bothered about studying, just chased girls and had fun. In Eva he remembered a feisty girl at primary who had morphed into a shy, quiet one at high school. It had likely been a defence mechanism because being smart hadn’t made you very popular at their school. When they had been younger, she’d given him a run for his money—always an answer for his cheeky comments. Later in their school careers, if their paths ever crossed, he’d just gotten a ‘Get lost, Damon’, and she’d walk off.

Lily was staring at him. “What’s your opinion on it?”

He focused his attention back on his mum. “On what?”

Lily huffed out her breath. “On Eva and Callum, of course.” She shook her head. “I don’t know why I even bother talking to you pair.”

Damon smiled. “I hardly think my opinion matters. I’m not much of a relationship expert, am I?”

“Well,” said Lily, “I just wondered, seeing as you two are in the same boat…”

Damon laughed. “Yeah. I’ll need to get her number to call to see if she wants to start an Oakcastle lonely hearts club.”

“Good idea,” Lily said.

Damon paused. “I was being sarcastic, Mum.”

Lily’s face fell. “Oh right. Well, I’ll just get the pudding sorted.” She stood and went over to the kitchen counter.

Normally Damon would offer to help, but he was too distracted. For some reason, Eva had settled into his brain. She’d always been really pretty but lacking in confidence. He couldn’t remember her having a boyfriend at school. The first one he’d known about was when they were eighteen at sixth form college, although he hadn’t seen as much of her then because he’d dropped out to start his own business. In contrast to Eva, Damon had had a different girlfriend every month at school.

He wondered how many others from their year were now coming out of long-term relationships. God, I feel old.

Damon was talked into staying over at his parents and having brunch with them the next morning. He didn’t have anything to do until the following afternoon and being home alone in that big house just made him miss the kids more acutely, so he agreed.

As he settled into bed in his old room, he found Eva drifting across his thoughts again. It was funny how someone he hadn’t seen in years could start playing on his mind constantly. He drifted off to sleep, dreaming that he was back in school, turning round in his chair and seeing Eva’s dark curly hair flicking as she turned her head towards the window. He’d always gotten the feeling that she’d been looking at him seconds before. But that couldn’t be right, could it? She’d definitely thought he was a bit of an idiot.