Family Secrets at Hedgehog Hollow: Hedgehog Hollow Book 3 by Jessica Redland

Author:Jessica Redland [Redland, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

30

CHLOE

Twelve and a half years ago

Mr Bowes welcomed me back to my job in Kellerby Kids’ Club for October half-term. On the first Saturday, I reported for duty and was stunned to see Scarlett wearing the bright yellow polo shirt worn by the kids’ club staff.

‘Surprise!’ she cried, rushing up to hug me.

‘What are you doing here? I thought you couldn’t stand kids.’

‘Ssh!’ She pulled me to one side. ‘I wanted to spend time with you. It’s been lonely here since you bogged off to college and Lorna sodded off to uni with Saint Seb. So when I heard someone had dropped out last minute, I told Mr Bowes I adored children and would be happy to step in. It was easier for him to find cleaning cover for a week than someone reliable to work here so I did a two-day trial last week and here I am to brighten up your half-term.’ She planted her hands on her hips and glowered at me. ‘Can’t you pretend you’re pleased to see me?’

I smiled at her. ‘Sorry. I am. You just really surprised me but it’s a good surprise. It’ll be fun.’ And I was confident it would be, as long as she kept the X-rated conversations away from innocent ears. She really didn’t strike me as kids’ club material.

I hadn’t seen Scarlett since starting college but we’d stayed in touch by text and social media. I was Facebook friends with Lorna but we never phoned or texted and I suspected we wouldn’t stay in touch long-term. She’d definitely pulled away from me after I lost my virginity. She’d pulled away from Scarlett, too. I got why. There’d been so much I wanted to learn and Scarlett had the answers and Lorna didn’t.

‘Can we have lunch together?’ Scarlett asked.

‘I’m meeting Travis.’

‘And I’m meeting Greg.’

‘Who’s Greg?’

‘One of the lifeguards. He started here just after you left and he’s mmm mmm mmm. Had to bag him before anyone else got their grubby mitts on him.’

‘He’s your boyfriend?’

‘Be off with you! My boyfriend? I’m not you or bloody Lorna-Closed-Legs devoted to one man only. But he is a regular feature. Although he’s far from regular. Large. Maybe even extra-large.’

I laughed. Those sort of discussions didn’t embarrass me anymore. ‘Well, I’m very pleased for you and your extra-large lifeguard.’

‘So can all four of us be all disgustingly coupley and have lunch together?’

‘I suppose so. But not every day. I hardly get any time with Travis as it is.’

But it did become a regular thing when Travis’s shifts allowed and, actually, it was fun. Travis and Greg got on immediately and it felt very grown up having a couples lunch, even though Scarlett was adamant she and Greg weren’t exclusive and ‘couple’ was a label she never wanted.

Scarlett seemed really pally with Travis, which surprised me.

She laughed loudly when I mentioned it. ‘You’re not jealous, are you?’

‘No. It’s just that I didn’t realise you knew each other so well.’ I’d managed to introduce them during the summer but it had been brief.

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