The House at Greenacres

by The House at Greenacres (retail) (epub)

  ‘You okay?’ Fran asked as she set two glasses on the table.

  Holly blinked hard. ‘Yes… it’s just been a challenging few days.’

  ‘Your grandpa?’

  ‘In part. It’s so strange at Greenacres without him around. I keep expecting him to call me for dinner or to find him sitting in his chair in the lounge.’ Her throat ached as emotion welled. ‘I miss him so much.’ She covered her eyes and took a few slow breaths as she tried to control herself.

  Fran hugged her, resting her chin on top of Holly’s head. ‘Let it out, Hols. It’s okay.’

  Holly gave a small laugh. ‘Sorry. I came here to see you and to catch up, not to cry on your shoulder.’

  ‘Hey, it’s what I’m here for.’

  ‘I don’t deserve you.’ Holly looked up at her friend.

  ‘We’ve been friends for years, Holly, and I hope we’ll always be friends. I’ve cried on your shoulder too, so please don’t turn all formal on me.’

  ‘Okay,’ Holly squeaked. ‘Thank you.’

  Fran sat down. ‘How are things with Rich?’ she asked gently.

  Holly filled her in on their meeting. She hadn’t told her about it when she’d rung her yesterday, as she’d been keen to discuss her plans for the vineyard shop, then Fran had needed to rush off to deal with a puppy emergency.

  ‘How do you feel about it now?’ Fran pushed her glasses up her nose, with its tiny diamond stud.

  ‘Confused.’

  ‘I’ll bet.’

  ‘He said he wants to be involved in Luke’s life, which is wonderful, but it will be strange being around him now that we’re no longer together and he’s seeing someone else.’

  ‘Is he?’ Fran looked surprised.

  ‘Well… I don’t know for certain, but when I saw him at the diner in Newquay, he was with a woman. A very beautiful woman.’

  ‘Didn’t you ask him about her when you met up?’

  Holly shook her head. ‘It didn’t seem like any of my business really.’

  Fran nodded.

  ‘Fran?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Why are your dungarees wet? I meant to ask when I got here, but I was distracted.’

  ‘I ran the bath for scruffy dog there, because I wanted to get him cleaned up before you arrived, but as I lowered him in, he escaped. The water was only a few centimetres deep and I managed to save myself from a complete soaking, but I still got splashed when he jumped out.’

  Holly looked down at the dog, who was resting his chin on his paws and gazing up at her.

  ‘But he looks so cute. I can’t imagine him being any trouble.’

  ‘He’s not. He just likes his own whiff.’

  They giggled then and Holly picked up her glass.

  ‘This is good.’

  ‘Dad never scrimped on wine.’

  ‘It’s one thing you shouldn’t scrimp on.’

  ‘How are things at the vineyard?’

  Holly sighed. ‘In a bit of a mess.’

  ‘Want to talk about it?’

  She nodded.

  ‘Tell you what… I’ll get changed out of these wet dungarees, then you can tell me all about it. I’ve got pizzas for dinner.’

  ‘Sounds wonderful.’

  ‘Back in a bit.’

  When Fran had left the kitchen, Holly leant forward and stroked the dog’s head. He emitted a low sound that startled her, and she pulled her hand back. Had he just growled at her? He raised his head and nudged her hand. No, that couldn’t have been a growl. He wanted her to do it again. This time, she kept stroking him, and he closed his eyes and his body relaxed.

  ‘You’re a little cutie, aren’t you?’

  She had always liked dogs, but never had one herself, and that made her slightly nervous around them. But this little lad was sweet and had the most adorable eyes. Fran had said he needed a home, but Holly had enough on her plate without thinking about adopting a dog.

  Didn’t she?

  * * *

  After they’d eaten, they moved into the lounge, and Holly told Fran a bit more about the financial forecast for the vineyard, to clarify why she’d rung her yesterday.

  Fran nodded. ‘I’ve had a good think about what you asked me, and I can definitely help.’

  ‘You can?’ Holly squealed.

  ‘Of course. I still have some of the paintings of Greenacres here, and I’ll get to work on the order of clay condiment bowls and goblets after the weekend.’

  ‘I was thinking that perhaps we could have them in a variety of colours.’

  ‘Definitely. Blue always looks nice, but so do multicoloured ones.’

  ‘I was thinking that if I set up a proper website, then I can sell everything on there too. Although I might need some help at some point, I think I can do the basics.’

  ‘That sounds amazing. I could even design a logo for you.’

  Goose bumps rose on Holly’s arms. ‘Oh Fran, I’m getting quite excited about it. Grandpa wouldn’t hear of us using the internet or consider modern ways of promoting the vineyard, and it could do so much for Greenacres. I have lots of ideas, and so does Dad, and with your help, I’m sure we can build the business up again.’

  ‘I’m happy to be involved, especially if it means you’ll stay local.’

  ‘You know what, Fran… I’m pretty certain that’s what I’m going to do now.’

  They clinked glasses and drank to a successful future, and Holly was happy to think about something other than the past. Yes, it had been tough in many ways, but there was today and tomorrow, next week, next month and next year to consider too.

  Fran began to regale her with some of her dating app stories, or rather tales of dating disasters.

  ‘You really pretended to work there?’

  ‘Well, yeah… I walked into the restaurant and saw my blind date sitting there, looking more like David Cameron than David Beckham, and… well let’s just say the ex-PM is not my cup of tea. So I followed the waitress to the table, and as she walked away, I asked him for his drinks order.’

  ‘Didn’t he recognize you from your online photo?’

  ‘I might have used a few filters myself, you know, to ensure that if I did enter an establishment and find someone there that I didn’t like the look of, I’d have an escape plan.’

  ‘Oh Fran, you crack me up!’ Holly held her belly. It was full of pizza and aching from laughter. Coming here this evening had been a good idea; she couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed so much. Fran had always been able to take her mind off her worries, and Holly hoped that over the years she’d supported her friend just as much. Her life had changed dramatically since last year, but being with Fran made it all a bit easier to deal with. Holly was still the same person, regardless of what she’d been through, and she’d missed spending time with her friend. Over recent months, she’d felt at times that she’d lost a part of herself, that she’d changed beyond all recognition. Now that she was back, she felt that the original Holly was still there, just below the surface, and it was good to know. She had needed to evolve in order to deal with what had happened, but it was only an evolution, not a complete transformation.

  Fran was sitting at the other end of the squishy sofa wearing her pyjamas – she’d changed into them after removing her dungarees, because they weren’t going out anywhere, and what was better than pyjamas – with Scamp curled up in her lap. Her other dogs were lying side by side in front of the log burner, and the pup was on the sofa next to Holly. She didn’t know whether it was the three glasses of wine, or the fact that she was having such a good time, but she hadn’t protested as the lurcher had gently placed his paws on the sofa cushion, then tentatively climbed up next to her.

  Her mobile buzzed on the coffee table, so she picked it up. The message was from her dad, telling her he’d be there in ten minutes.

  ‘Wow, is that the time?’

  She told herself to get up, but her body stayed where it was.

  ‘I don’t feel like
moving at all.’

  ‘Me neither. I’ll probably wake up here at about three a.m., flanked by dogs and with a stiff neck from being squashed.’ Fran drained her glass, then set it on the table. ‘Thanks for coming, Hols. It’s been great to catch up. I’m so happy you’re thinking seriously about staying in Penhallow Sands.’

  Holly smiled as she finished her own wine. ‘I know. Me too. I just hope it’s for the best.’

  ‘What’s for the best is what’s right for you and Luke.’

  ‘I don’t think I actually want to leave again, Fran.’

  She rubbed the lurcher’s head, then slid carefully off the sofa, trying not to disturb him, and stood up. When she looked back at him, he was yawing and wagging his tail.

  ‘He’d come home with you right now.’ Fran extricated herself from underneath Scamp and walked out into the hallway with Holly.

  ‘I can’t take on a dog at the moment, lovely as he is.’ Leaving him there was proving more difficult than she’d expected; she’d grown fond of the pup over the course of the evening.

  ‘I know that.’

  ‘I need to know what my next move is… if that makes sense.’

  ‘Of course it does.’ Fran hugged her.

  ‘Fran… I didn’t get to explain myself properly. You distracted me with wine, food and laughter. I wanted to apologize again for running off as I did and not contacting you.’

  ‘I understand. I’ve never really been in love, but I know how you felt about Rich.’

  Holly slid her arms into her coat, then hooked her bag over her shoulder.

  ‘I keep feeling as though I’ve forgotten something. It’s strange travelling so light after months of being responsible for a baby.’

  She’d sent three texts to her dad asking after Luke during the course of the evening, and he’d replied each time that he was fine and she shouldn’t worry. It was so nice to have some help, to know that there were people around who would support her with Luke. It was another wonderful bonus to being home, and reminded her how lonely she had been in Exeter.

  ‘Hope everything works out for you now.’ Fran scuffed her socked foot on the flagstones. ‘Don’t be a stranger.’

  Lights coming up the road shone through the glass pane to the side of the front door.

  ‘I won’t. I’ll text you soon, and I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with for the shop.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I’ll make some beautiful things to help you boost business at Greenacres.’

  Holly opened the door and walked down the path to the car. Once she’d buckled her seat belt, she turned to wave. Standing next to Fran in the pool of light was the little grey lurcher, his head on one side. If it was possible for a dog to look sad, he certainly did.

  ‘Cute pup,’ her dad said as he pulled away.

  Holly nodded, unable to reply.

  With everything else that was going on in her life, why was she getting emotional over a dog?

  * * *

  Holly stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Bleary-eyed was an understatement, but it had been at least a year since she’d had a good drink, and the wine she’d put away last night had gone straight to her head.

  She ran the cold tap and splashed water over her face, shivering as droplets landed on her chest and arms. She needed coffee and carbs, then she’d be in a better state to deal with whatever today had in store.

  Luke had woken once in the night, but once she’d given him a cuddle and his dummy, he’d settled again, clearly enjoying the quiet of the countryside as much as she was. It was so different to her flat in Exeter, where sirens could be heard at all times of the day and night and her upstairs neighbours argued or played music into the early hours.

  The air was different here too. When she opened the window, it rushed into the room, making everything feel cleansed and refreshed. If it stayed fine, she’d get their washing out on the line in the back garden later. Line-dried laundry was always nicer than clothes dried indoors.

  She returned to the bedroom and lifted Luke from his cot, pressing her nose to his head and inhaling his scent. She’d know his smell anywhere; it was a part of her now. Did he have some of Rich’s smell too? Was that even possible? She shook her head. It was probably silly to think so. Everyone had a unique scent, and Luke only carried some of hers because she held him all the time. But if Rich held his son regularly too, would the baby smell of him?

  That would be a challenge to deal with.

  Downstairs, her father was frying eggs and bacon.

  ‘Morning, angel. Thought you’d appreciate a good breakfast this morning.’

  ‘You were right, Dad. I didn’t drink much, but I don’t feel great.’

  ‘You did seem quite merry when you got in the car, but I didn’t think you were drunk.’

  ‘I should hope not, seeing as how I had Luke to care for. But I do feel as though there’s mist on the mountain this morning! Anyway, Fran and I got chatting about Greenacres and the shop, and I think I’ve managed to persuade her to make us some more stock. Pottery bowls and goblets and any other ideas she has. Plus she said she still has some paintings stored, so we can have those too.’

  ‘Sounds wonderful.’

  ‘I know you think it’s only a small step, Dad, but I was also thinking of setting up a website.’

  Her dad raised his eyebrows and nodded. ‘I’m impressed, Holly. You’ll have to tell me more.’

  ‘I will.’ She smiled. ‘But for now, this boy needs his breakfast.’

  She made Luke a bottle, then sat down. As she was feeding him, her granny wandered into the kitchen wearing a navy silk tea dress covered with bright red poppies, a lace and feather fascinator clipped to her bobbed hair. She shuffled over to the kettle in her slippers, and Holly caught her dad’s eye.

  ‘Morning, Granny.’

  ‘Hello, darlings!’

  ‘Are you going somewhere nice?’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Well… you look very smart.’

  Glenda peered down at her dress, then raised a hand to her head and straightened the fascinator.

  ‘Yes, actually, I’m going out to lunch with the girls.’

  Bruce frowned. ‘The girls?’

  ‘Yes, of course! My book club.’

  ‘Who’s in your book club, Granny?’ Holly placed the empty bottle on the table and shifted Luke on her lap. Once he was sitting upright, she cupped his chin in one hand and rubbed his back gently with the other. His little head moved and his eyes roamed the kitchen. It was as though he was taking in his surroundings, learning where everything was.

  ‘Oh… Yolanda Greene, Deidre Filpot, Hettie James. And others.’

  ‘Where are you meeting?’

  ‘At the library at two. I was hoping you’d drive me, Bruce dear.’

  ‘Of course I will. So you’re dressed this early just to be organized?’

  She shook her head and emitted a little chuckle. ‘I couldn’t sleep, so I had a bit of a fashion show instead. I settled on this outfit but thought I’d check what you two thought first.’

  ‘It’s very nice.’ Bruce smiled at her. ‘You look lovely.’

  ‘Why thank you! I know you both think I’m going potty, but I’m still here and fully present. Well, almost! However, I do know that I need to keep my mind active, so I phoned Yolanda last night and asked if I could attend a meeting. That husband of hers, Samuel, is such a flirt! I fancied him a bit when we were younger, you know? He looked just like Marvin Gaye.’

  Luke let out a loud belch and Holly quickly dabbed at his chin with his bib.

  Granny approached the table and stroked the baby’s cheek. He gazed at her intently, then reached for the fascinator and grabbed it.

  ‘Ouch!’

  Holly tried to unclip the headpiece from her granny’s soft white hair. When she managed to release it, Luke’s hand flew backwards and the fascinator sailed across the kitchen, landing in the frying pan and splashing oil everywhere.

  �
��Granny, I’m so sorry!’

  ‘It’s fine, darling. That’s what babies are for… keeping us grounded. Luke clearly thought the lace and feathers were a bit much for book club.’

  Bruce picked the egg-covered fascinator out of the pan and dropped it into the sink. ‘I don’t know if that can be saved, Glenda, and I’d better fry us some fresh eggs too, as I prefer mine without feathers.’

  Granny took a seat next to Holly and held out her arms for the baby. Holly gently handed him over and then poured them all some coffee, hoping as she did so that the rest of the morning would run a bit more smoothly.

  Chapter 10

  ‘What’s so important that you need me to come shopping, Richard?’ Lucinda asked from the passenger seat as they drove through the country lanes on Saturday morning.

  Rich glanced at her, taking in her rosy cheeks and ready smile, and realized that she probably knew already.

  ‘Well… I thought you’d want to be involved, Mum, seeing as how I’m off to get some things for your grandson.’

  Her face contorted and he wasn’t sure if she was about to laugh or cry.

  ‘That’s wonderful, Rich. Thank you for thinking of me.’

  ‘I know how you feel about him, and I want you to be part of his life too.’

  ‘He’s your double, Rich, just like your brother was. When Dean was born, he was…’

  Rich waited for her to finish her sentence, but she didn’t, and he knew why.

  ‘I can’t see it to be honest,’ he said. ‘Luke just looks like… well, like a baby to me. Mostly bald except for some fluff; small nose, big eyes, tiny hands and feet.’

  ‘Men!’ Lucinda shook her head and huffed. ‘Your father said exactly the same thing.’

  ‘Typical Dad!’ Rich suppressed a laugh. His mother was a live wire at the best of times, but now that she had a grandchild, he wondered how she’d manage not to pop. ‘Anyway, I’d really like to pick up a few things to take over to Greenacres.’

  ‘This is very exciting!’

  ‘It is.’ He nodded, wanting to feel that sense of excitement, but he was still reeling from the shock of finding out he was a father. He hoped that if he embraced it with enthusiasm, it would sink in properly. Since the wake on Monday, he’d felt a bit strange, as though something was missing. Perhaps it was because he had a son but he wasn’t seeing him every day; perhaps it was because Holly was back in Penhallow Sands but they weren’t together, and without her he felt a bit… lost.