Free Ivy Lane: Autumn: by Cathy Bramley Page B

waiting for me to speak. My mouth had gone dry and words escaped me. What could I possibly say to that?
    The moment stretched on interminably until Aidan cleared his throat.
    ‘Evidently absolutely nothing,’ he said. ‘I’d better start packing up to go. Good night.’ He nodded curtly, spun on his heels and with head bowed and hands in pockets strode off towards the pavilion.
    My eyes brimmed with tears of frustration as I watched him disappear into the fog.
    Nicely handled, Tilly.
    There were a million things I could have said in answer to Charlie, any one of them better than drying up completely. No wonder Aidan had got the wrong end of the stick. I was an absolute disaster zone when it came to saying the right thing.
    A sudden surge of emotion flooded me and I wriggled free from Charlie’s grasp. Actually, I wasn’t prepared to let this go. ‘Aidan!’
    I ran as fast as I dared through the blanket of fog. The door to the pavilion was open and light spilled out on to the road. I darted up the steps following the sound of voices. Aidan was dismantling the TV equipment and talking to Peter.
    He glanced up briefly as I came in and then turned away.
    I’d have preferred to be alone, but maybe this was better, maybe Peter being here would strengthen my case.
    ‘Charlie and me . . .’ I said quietly. ‘We’re just friends.’
    Aidan flicked his eyes my way and made a noise somewhere between a grunt and a laugh. ‘If you don’t mind me saying—’
    ‘I’ll, er . . .’ Peter pointed towards the kitchenette and made himself scarce.
    ‘I think you’re kidding yourself,’ continued Aidan. ‘I’ve seen how attentive he is. And the way he looks at me . . .’ He shook his head. ‘He obviously sees me as a threat.’
    I couldn’t deny that; I’d spotted Charlie giving Aidan dark looks myself, but I was amazed that Aidan had picked up on it too. A tiny part of me was thrilled, though. Jealousy, although not necessary an attractive trait, had to be a good sign.
    ‘I’m sorry about that,’ I said. I took a step closer until we were within touching distance. There were footsteps approaching the pavilion, I had mere seconds to get this right. ‘But it’s not reciprocated, I promise.’
    Aidan took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. ‘Then why is it complicated?’
    ‘I—’ I broke off as the hordes poured noisily back into the pavilion.
    I pleaded with my eyes.
Give me another chance to explain, another time.
    He shrugged sadly and turned as Nigel slapped him on the back.
    ‘It’s our Hallowe’en party next Friday. We’d love you to come as our guest of honour, do the judging and what have you. If you’re not jetting off somewhere exciting that is?’ he said.
    ‘Oh. Er . . .’ Aidan looked at me.
    My heart started to beat double time.
    Say yes. Don’t just think it, Tilly, tell him.
    ‘Please come,’ I said, holding his gaze.
    ‘In that case, thank you, Nigel,’ said Aidan quietly, still looking at me. ‘I’d be delighted.’
    ‘It’s compulsory fancy dress,’ added Nigel.
    I grinned at the look of horror on Aidan’s face and let out the breath that I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
    Hallelujah.

Chapter 9
    ‘Right, let’s go through the plan again,’ said Gemma, plunging a knife into her pumpkin with surprising force.
    I grinned at her. ‘OK. I leave a mysterious note on Aidan’s windscreen inviting him to a secret love tryst in my shed and then I light the candles and wait for him to come and take me in his arms and, well, we know the rest, hopefully.’ I giggled.
    ‘TMI,’ Mia interjected with a grimace.
    ‘Sorry,’ I laughed as Gemma rolled her eyes.
    ‘Why don’t you just drag him to your shed?’ said Mia. ‘Why all the secrecy?’
    ‘Drag him?’ cried Gemma. ‘Is that the London Zoo school of romance, by any chance? Unromantic dot com, that’s you.’
    She tutted and bent back over her pumpkin. Mia responded maturely by sticking her tongue out.
    ‘Well, I