Ambitious Love by Rosie Harris

Author:Rosie Harris [Rosie Harris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House
Published: 2010-05-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Maria had developed bronchitis and was ill for several weeks. At first the doctor was afraid that it might turn into pneumonia and that she would have to go into hospital again, but with Fern’s careful nursing she slowly began to make a recovery.

Throughout the difficult weeks of trying to look after Maria and run both stall and pitch, Rhodri was a tower of strength. Fern knew she could never have managed without his help. She and Maria were so grateful to him that they invited him to come to their place for a meal when he’d finished work each evening.

‘Duw anwyl, you don’t need to go to that much trouble. I’m used to looking after myself so you don’t have to feed me every night; you’ve got enough to do as it is,’ he told Fern.

‘Maria likes to see you. She says it’s as good as a tonic to talk to you,’ Fern said, smiling.

‘Oh, does she indeed! Well, all she talks about is you, cariad. You and your future,’ he added.

‘I see. I did wonder why you wanted to come every night,’ Fern joked.

Although she tried to keep the banter between them light she was well aware of his feelings. His eyes seem to follow her every movement and she wondered what else Maria had said to him. She hoped that she hadn’t brought up the subject of marriage because, much as she liked Rhodri and was grateful for his help, she simply wasn’t interested in him other than as a friend.

It was the beginning of February, though, before Maria was fit to work again and then she agreed that she would take things easy. Fern insisted that for a short while Maria should serve on the stall on Fridays while she took her place outside the station.

‘If you are working on the stall then I won’t have to worry about you because Rhodri will be alongside you and he will keep an eye on you.’

‘Yes, and he’ll be worrying about you instead,’ Maria commented dryly. ‘I don’t like the idea of you selling out in the street while it’s dark so early.’

‘There’s no need for either of you to worry; I cut my teeth on the pitch, remember.’

Their conversation went through her mind as she loaded up a large trug with plants and flowers and a second, lighter, tray with small posies and buttonholes.

She had almost finished for the night and was putting the few remaining posies into the trug to make it easier to carry them back to the stall when a tall bearded man came up to her.

‘I’m afraid there’s not very much choice left this late in the evening,’ she murmured without looking up from what she was doing.

‘Oh, I’ve seen what I want,’ he said, and at the sound of his voice Fern looked up, startled.

‘Still selling flowers then,’ he commented, his blue eyes twinkling.

‘Glanmor?’ Fern stared at the broad-shouldered man in disbelief. ‘Glanmor! Is it really you?’ she gasped as she studied the tanned, bearded face.

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