Page 19 of In at the Deep End

“Sure. We’ll meet back at the car.” Owen tossed him the car keys. “I have a feeling you might get done faster than us.”

Callum grinned. “I was going to suggest that.” Then he strolled towards the left of the store.

“This way.” Matt pointed to the right. “The garden centre is at the end, and all the stuff I need is by the doors to it.” Then he paused. “Before we start filling a trolley, we need a plan.”

Owen frowned. “That sounds awfully organised.”

Matt smiled. “Relax. Look… Don’t think of this as shopping for plants or water features. Think of it as designing a space.” He pointed at Owen. “You know what you like. I know what’s possible. Probably.”

Owen smirked. “Probably?”

He laughed. “I’m not selling myself very well, am I?” Matt glanced towards the left. “There’s a cafe over there. First things first. Coffee. Then you answer the most important question.”

“Which is?”

“What do you want? We need to figure out what kind of garden you’re after. Just because the house comes with a perfectly good garden doesn’t mean you have to stick with it. This is your space now, so here’s your chance to make it reflect you. After all, you’re the one who has to live with it.”

Owen stroked his beard. “We should’ve discussed this before we left the house, instead of me dashing us all out of there.”

Matt gave a shrug. “It’s fine. We’ve got time. Callum’ll sit in the car and play on his phone.” He grinned. “You know, the way he did the whole way here?”

Owen chuckled. “You noticed that? You know, when I was his age, we’d have argued over who got to unfold the road atlas.”

Matt laughed. “I saw one of those once. I think it was in a museum.”

“Very funny.” He nodded. “Fine. Coffee and a chat.”

As they walked towards the cafe, he replayed the conversation.

Matt isn’t asking where I want to put a water feature. He’s asking how I want to live.

The thought lingered.

This wasn’t just another house. It was the first home Owen had chosen for himself since Ben. Every room still felt temporary. Every decision could wait until tomorrow, or next week, or even next month.

Matt, on the other hand, seemed to assume the opposite.

What do you want?

It was such a simple question.

The trouble was, Owen wasn’t sure he knew the answer anymore.

Five minutes later, they were sitting next to each other on the only seating available, a two seater couch complete with cushions, two lattes on the low table in front of them. Matt had his phone out.

“I guess the first question is what style of garden you’re after.”

Owen thought for a moment. “I’d like it to feel… peaceful.”

Matt’s lips twitched. “Peaceful isn’t a style.”

He laughed. “Are you sure about that?”

“Pretty sure. It’s more of a feeling.” Matt cocked his head. “Do you like formal gardens? Or do you prefer something less structured?”

For ten minutes, Matt pressed him.

Do you enjoy birds?