Whilst driving to Summer Haze this week, I pass a familiar lanky figure jogging along the roadside. Mick is wearing fluorescent yellow running shoes, black running top and shorts and his long curly locks are tucked up inside a ribbed beanie. Mine is the only car on the road but he doesn't look up as I pass. He's totally focused straight ahead and running in the opposite direction from the house. It seems he has just started his exercise and will probably be gone for sometime. Before I leave today, I need to mention a Friday delivery to him and mustn't forget.

I spend the whole day doing odd jobs around the entire garden. It's one of those boring laborious days that passes by slowly in a disorganised mess. I am frustrated at myself as I usually have a clear idea of what I want to achieve each week but not today because of my poor pre-planning. I mentally scold myself but then remember that College exams are looming, I am studying hard plus I'm really worried about Percy who isn't with me today.

Unbeknown to me, he got something stuck in his paw whilst we were out walking the previous day and spent the whole night chewing and aggravating it. I woke up this morning to his beautiful doleful face as he whimpered in pain at his raw and bloodied paw. Mum dropped him at the vets for me on her way to work and I am due to collect him after I finish up at the house. He was seen first thing and is all fixed up with the addition of a huge bandage. I am already preparing myself that it's going to be a long night as I am sure the wrapping will irritate him and he'll spend all night gnawing at it to try and tear it off.

As usual I pass by the kitchen door on my way home and am surprised to find it ajar. Just as I lift my knuckles to knock and make my presence known, a mobile rings inside. Mick is clearly in the kitchen and appears to be cooking again judging by the mess of ingredients strewn over the kitchen island. He answers his phone on speaker and instinct tells me I should walk away but intrigue keeps me rooted to the spot to listen in.

"Hey Li, how are you mate?" Mick's greeting sounds happy and carefree in complete contrast to the tone he uses with me.

"Great, how's the house, hope it's all going well?" A Midlands accent streams through the mobile.

"Yeah, I was really worried about it and its taken time to adjust but I'm just about there. It feels great for now. What about you?"

"Well yes the same really, just taking it a bit at a time before the madness starts. Sophia and I are moving into the new house in a few weeks so we're busy packing up the old apartment. Can't wait to finally get settled in."

"That's great, exciting times eh? Have you spoken to the others at all?" There's warmth through his tone as he chats to his friend, they are obviously close.

"No, not since Baby Freddie's christening. You?"

"No same. I know Louis is busy with Freddie and well, you know Niall, he'll probably just spend his time playing golf, watching sport and eating!"

The friend Li chuckles down the line. "Yeah it'll put a new meaning to 'when I'm fat and old' won't it!"

"Sure will!" Both men laugh before a loud vibrating clang sounds as something hits the stone floor in the kitchen. "Shit!"

"Are you ok?" His friend appears concerned at what's unfolding on this end of the line.

"Yeah, just dropped a cake tin on the floor." Mick laughs it off.

"Cake tin, what? Are you baking?" Li exaggerates his words in disbelief at the thought.

"Don't start taking the piss Liam. The garden here is the most amazing thing about this house and it has an orchard full of fruit trees. So yes, I am baking, it's very relaxing." Mick answers honestly.

A smile ghosts my lips at his compliment of the garden.

"You are such a girl Haz!" His friend uncontrollably snorts.

"Thanks for that! Now I need to rescue my girlie cake so I'll catch you soon." Mick chortles.

"Yeah same, take care Master Baker, speak soon."

The call finishes and before I am able to raise my fist to knock, Mick suddenly appears in the doorway. His green eyes widen as they meet mine and his lips press together into a hard line. We stand watching each other not uttering a word. His breathing is heavy in annoyance and I swallow in nervousness because he is stood on the raised doorstep, towering intimidating over me.

His face is in full view today and finally being able to see all of him he looks familiar to me but I cannot for the life of me recall from where. One thing's for sure, under his disapproving glare his eyes shine the brightest green and he is handsome as hell. His facial features are so prominent in a moody 'I am really pissed that you've earwigged my conversation' type of way.

I feel like a naughty schoolgirl getting caught out at being up to no good. I'm so guilty I actually feel sick as I stumble over my words. "I, I just stopped by on my, my way home to say they'll be a large delivery of compost on Friday. You don't need to be here though as they've got instruction to place it in the spare unlocked garage. I, I hope that's ok?"

He remains silent but his jaw juts out and his hooded eyes look down at me. Then he unleashes a stern but passive low rasp, "no problem about the delivery but if you wish to carry on gardening here, I'd appreciate it if you would please refrain from listening into my private conversations in future."

I know I shouldn't have listened but the timing of my arrival to tell him about the delivery and the start of the conversation with his friend couldn't have been more coincidental. He is so daunting and I dislike the way it makes me feel. Something snaps inside of me and I refuse to put up with him anymore.

"Well in that case, don't have private conversations with the door open when I'm around." I throw fiercely back at him.

He glares towards me as his whole body straightens up, seemingly shocked at my comeback. "Do you know something, I didn't have to let you continue gardening here but as I have, the least you could be is grateful." The calm demeanor remains but it's laced with a hint of irritation through it.

"Be grateful? More like you knew you couldn't manage the garden yourself so were forced to keep me on." I retort patronisingly at him.

His mouth falls opens and he frowns in disbelief. "You couldn't be more wrong about that but think what you like. I don't like people snooping around so please just don't do it." He emphasises the word 'snooping' in an accusatory way that really gets to me. I'm the small cog and he is the big wheel winding something up so tight inside of me I feel like I am about to burst.

"Then don't be around when I'm around." I cock my head to one side, shrug my shoulders and screw my nose up at him.

"Hang on a minute, I live here!!" He is finally so exasperated at me it comes out as an unbelievable guffaw.

I can't believe how bullish I am being and I realise I'm treading on very thin ice but I can't help but carry on retaliating at him. "So, I garden here!"

"Well perhaps not for much longer." He sneers.

That finally hits my raw nerve and this along with my bad day, the stress of my looming exams and my poorly puppy everything suddenly comes crashing down as I fight the tears that well-up completely out of nowhere. "Do you know what I can't be bothered annyyymoore. I've tried to be nice and tip toe around you but you, you are so excruciatingly unwelcoming. Fuck you, do the gardening yourself from now on!" I feel my cheeks flush as tears of frustration spill down my face.

Mick's face drops as he pulls his bottom lip into his mouth and with that I turn and stride towards my car without so much as a backwards glance.