Read Ivy Lane: Winter: for Free Online Page A

slightly dazed, trying to focus my eyes on all the activity around me.
    Nigel was stacking chairs, Roy was ostensibly sweeping the floor, although I noticed he only moved when Christine was in the room as she ran backwards and forwards to the kitchen carrying dirty crockery.
    I caught myself suddenly and jumped to my feet. This was my event; I shouldn’t just be watching everyone else at work! I strode towards the kitchen to find myself a job as Freya burst into the pavilion followed closely by Peter and a gust of cool fresh air.
    ‘Has Peter given you the tour, Freya?’ I asked.
    ‘Yeah, I didn’t see as much veg as I thought I would?’ She stared at me, wide-eyed, and pulled a face that I interpreted as meaning that she had some reservations. ‘I thought it would be all full of colour.’
    ‘I’ve explained that the allotment is not at its best in winter,’ said Peter, looking more than a little exhausted. ‘Let me know if you decide to go ahead with a plot and I’ll get the necessary forms to you. You’ll have to join the waiting list, mind you.’
    ‘I’ll think about it, Pete, yeah?’ she said, punching his arm.
    ‘Marvellous.’ Peter nodded to us both and scampered off.
    Freya pulled her phone out of her pocket and tucked her red tresses behind her ears. She stuck her tongue out in concentration as she tapped on the screen.
    ‘Me and some friends are going out for a few drinks next Friday, fancy coming along?’ she said with a grin.
    ‘Thank you. Er, Friday night? I’m not sure if I’m free, can I let you know?’ I stammered.
    Of course I was free. I was always free. And I did like her; she was full of life, just slightly more life than I was used to.
    She shrugged. ‘Sure. Let’s swap numbers.’
    ‘Of course,’ I breathed.
    She reeled off her number, I stored it straight into my phone and gave her mine.
    ‘I’ll give you a ring if I can make it,’ I said.
    ‘Great.’ She turned to leave and flashed me a big smile, her eyes sparkling wickedly. ‘It’ll be wild!’
    I gulped as I waved her off, trying not to look alarmed. I couldn’t remember the last time Tilly Parker went ‘wild’.
    A pang of guilt stabbed me as I took in the state of the room; it was virtually back to normal and I hadn’t as yet lifted a finger to help. My eyes were still looking for a useful task when Liz, pink-cheeked and looking lovely in a pale blue jumper and jeans, tugged on my sleeve.
    ‘I’m glad I caught you,’ she said. ‘I’m off to spend an hour in the greenhouse before it gets dark. But I wanted you to know how much I enjoyed the cake competition, Tilly. I can honestly say it has been my favourite allotment event ever.’
    ‘Thank you.’ I smiled and hugged her.
    ‘Baking is one of life’s joys for me and it has been lovely not to have to throw half a cake away, to be able to share my baking with others.’ She sighed and clasped her hands under her chin.
    An almost buried memory of Liz with half a cake at Easter popped up. That had niggled me at the time.
    ‘Why half a cake?’ I asked.
    A cloud passed over her face and she swallowed. ‘You’ll think I’m silly, but I don’t have anyone to share a cake with, so I always throw half of it away as soon as I’ve made it, to avoid eating it all myself.’
    I blinked at her. Part of me marvelled at her restraint (I could never throw cake away) and the other part wondered why she didn’t just make a smaller cake.
    She chuckled as she read my mind. ‘I could make a smaller cake, I suppose, but it just doesn’t feel right. A slice of cake should be a certain size. A slice cut from a small cake . . .’ She shuddered. ‘Oh no.’
    ‘I see,’ I said, pressing my lips together to supress a smile. Obviously I was just greedy; cake was cake, as far as I was concerned.
    ‘But baking aside, having a bit of male company in the kitchen . . .’ She sighed and her eyes sought out Nigel in the room and then drifted back to me. ‘It’s been,