Bella Osborne - A Walk in Wildflower Park

‘Shut up, Karl,’ they chorused.

He held up his hands in defence. ‘Okay, okay.’ He turned to Sophie. ‘I read your outline paper. It’s really good. When this syncs …’ he pointed at the laptop ‘… there’s some feedback coming your way. Then you can update and issue it.’

‘Thanks,’ said Sophie, viewing him as if he were an unexploded bomb.

‘What? Don’t look at me like that. I can do a good impression of a sensible person, you know. I’ve got a certificate and everything.’

Silvie wandered over and they all tried to appear as if they were busy. ‘Can we move our three o’clock to four?’ she asked Karl.

He checked his diary.

‘Have you lost weight?’ Silvie asked Anna.

Anna was standing next to Sophie and she immediately straightened. ‘Um, no. I don’t think so.’ Anna’s size was fairly static thanks to her running.

‘Actually, I think it’s just where you’re standing,’ said Silvie, eyeing Sophie.

Karl coughed. ‘Yep, no problem moving the meeting. I’m loving your tan, Silvie.’ Silvie beamed at him and sauntered off.

‘You are such a liar,’ said Anna, once Silvie was out of earshot.

‘What? It’s not a lie. Orange happens to be my favourite colour,’ said Karl, putting his hand to his chest as if saying an oath.

Sophie was looking puzzled. ‘Did that cow imply I was fat?’

Roberta managed to intercept Anna first thing by thrusting a scribbled note at her and demanding she and Hudson organise a team event, and that it should be treated as their absolute priority, thus sending Anna’s day immediately into a tailspin. Despite her best efforts she had failed to track Hudson down, which was typical, so she had ended up doing most of the legwork herself.

Anna checked her phone whilst walking back to her desk after lunch and found a text: Hi, A. How is your week going? Any more texts from strange men? C. It made her smile involuntarily.

She replied: Hi, C. Week going okay. How about yours? pressing send and then instantly regretting it. His text had been witty whilst hers was simply dull – and who was she kidding anyway? Her week wasn’t okay, it was utter rubbish.

As she sat down her phone pinged again: My week is going great, just bought a new car.

Anna replied without engaging her brain: Exciting! My week has been rubbish by comparison.

The response was almost instant: You need cheering up. Anything I can do? C. Anna smiled again. He was quite sweet really, for a total stranger.

No, but thanks for asking. Got to go, I’m at work.

Anna was aware someone was watching her and she looked up suddenly. Hudson was right behind her. ‘Did you want something?’

‘Nope.’ Hudson slunk back into his desk and started to work. Anna slid her chair over to him.

‘Actually, Roberta was looking for you.’

Hudson glanced over his shoulder in the direction of Roberta’s office.

‘On top of this project we’re also managing a team event – like an away day thingy.’

‘Another clear brief from Roberta I’m guessing,’ he said, with a wry smile. It was a lovely smile, warm and reassuring.

Anna blinked and pulled her concentration back to the matter in hand. ‘Yep, there’s virtually no budget and she’s expecting lots from it. I’m thinking something outdoors and a hostel in the Peak District.’

‘Sounds perfect.’

‘Really?’ Anna couldn’t read if he was serious or not.

He nodded. ‘I’ve been once for a wedding but the scenery was beautiful and who doesn’t like bunking up?’

Anna’s eyebrows did a little jump. ‘Some people object to … bunks.’

‘Not me.’

No, she thought studying his perfect bone structure, your partner is a very lucky man. ‘There’s not much choice as it has to happen next week apparently. Roberta’s usual forward-planning skills.’

Hudson’s expression had changed. ‘Or it’s just been dumped on her.’ He narrowed his eyes. ‘Did she give any clue as to what had triggered it?’

Anna thought for a second. ‘Came from above she said.’

Hudson pouted. ‘I’m sure you’ve thought the same but I’ll voice it anyway. Sounds like something might be going on. Why would you suddenly send the whole team out of the office when they’ve just started a critical project? Makes no sense.’

Anna was nodding. She hadn’t queried it at all, but now she was. He was right, it was very odd. She tried to put it to the back of her mind and fired off an email to Roberta with the details of what she’d discovered.

Anna was mentally planning what she was going to have for dinner when Roberta appeared at her desk. ‘Bunk beds in Derbyshire – is that the best you could do?’ Anna felt something deflate inside and took a deep breath to try to pump it back up.

‘On this small a budget and at such short notice, yes, it is. But it will provide us with a series of team challenges, which I believe will help us to bond as a team and it’s not too far away, which is a bonus.’ Anna’s voice went up at the end. She waited for Roberta’s reaction.

Roberta snorted her derision. ‘I’m not sleeping in bunk beds.’

‘Ah, no, but …’ She hated herself for stumbling over her words. ‘You didn’t say you were coming.’

‘Aren’t I part of the team? Aren’t I, in fact, an integral member of the team?’

It was hard to disagree without it being a career-limiting conversation. ‘Of course you are, but I assumed you’d be too busy.’

Roberta’s perfectly pencilled eyebrows moved up a degree. ‘A fair assumption but no, on this occasion, I will be there. I’m keen to see how everyone performs.’ Things were getting more bizarre.

‘Great, there’s a pub in the village. I’ll book you a room there.’

‘En suite,’ said Roberta, and she strode back to her office.

Anna’s instinct was to run to Hudson and share what she’d learned as it added more fuel to his theory that something didn’t add up about the team event but that would make her look desperate to please him and she wasn’t.

It was warming up outside and Anna and Sophie decided to take their lunch in the square. A simple sandwich seemed better when eaten in the fresh air as long as you could keep the pigeons away long enough to enjoy it.

‘Here,’ said Anna, handing Sophie her phone. ‘This guy sent me a text by mistake.’ Anna wasn’t sure what the sensation was in her gut as she watched Sophie’s expression change as she read the series of messages from the mystery person known only as C. There was definitely a hint of excitement and more than a smattering of intrigue about him and the fact he had bothered to message her again.

‘Bloody hell, Anna. Who is it?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘But who do you think it is?’

‘It’s a random stranger.’ Anna ate the last of her sandwich.

Sophie tilted her head. ‘Or it could be a celebrity who wants to remain anonymous.’

‘Not likely,’ said Anna. ‘And if it is, knowing my luck it’s one of the Jedwood twins.’

‘No, think about it. It could be a famous actor or reality star.’

‘Who happened to stumble across my number because it’s like their friend’s? I think it’s just some guy. But he seems kind of sweet.’ Anna felt a flutter of something and almost rolled her eyes at herself. What was she doing? She was sworn off men. Especially ones she’d never met and who were incapable of sending a text to the right person. The last thing she needed was to get caught up in another fruitless relationship. She needed to focus on being an individual, not part of a couple, and on furthering her career because she knew that wouldn’t let her down. She had a plan and she was going to stick to it, but there was no denying that with a mystery texter and some innocent flirtation, she could do both. She was keeping her promise to herself and she also had the opportunity for safe flirting by text. Did it even have a name? Flexting perhaps? And if at any point she wanted to stop she could block his number. Yes, it was the best of both worlds.