The House at Greenacres

by The House at Greenacres (retail) (epub)

  ‘Mum rang about… oh, about an hour ago, I think. It’s all been a bit of a blur. Anyway, she said Dad was complaining about heartburn last night but she put it down to overindulging on cannoli, but by the early hours, he was in a lot of pain and nothing seemed to be helping. Then…’ she released a slow breath, ‘then he got out of bed and collapsed.’

  ‘So is he in hospital?’

  Fran nodded.

  ‘What are you going to do?’

  ‘I have to go out there. I can catch a flight later today. I can’t not go… just…’ She bit her bottom lip and blinked hard.

  Holly reached across the table and squeezed her hand. ‘I understand. What can I do to help?’

  On her lap, Luke bounced up and down and slapped the tabletop with his chubby little hand.

  ‘I didn’t know what to do about the animals, but I rang Shell and she said not to worry. She’ll look after them and Bella will give her a hand.’

  ‘Can she manage that with running the shack?’

  ‘I know it’ll be a stretch, but who else can I ask?’

  ‘I could always go over and stay at yours.’

  Fran shook her head. ‘No, it’s fine. You’ve got Luke and your granny to think of, plus everything that’s going on here. Besides which, it takes ages to feed the animals and clear up after them, and I couldn’t expect you to do that. Shell will sort it; she said she’s got a new employee who’ll help her with the shack, so she reassured me she’ll be fine.’

  ‘What about this little chap?’

  Fran looked down at the pup.

  ‘He’s doing so well with his training, but I’m worried about leaving him. He’s such a sweetie, but he hates being without human company, which he would be when Shell has to leave for work. The others are older and more relaxed, but he’s still at that needy stage.’

  As if he knew they were discussing him, the pup emitted a low whine, then shuffled forward on his bottom and pawed at Holly’s legs. She stroked his head and he licked her palm. She didn’t know if she’d regret this, but it seemed like the only answer.

  ‘I’ll take him.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Leave him here.’

  ‘I can’t ask you to do that, Hols. You’ve got your plate full.’

  ‘No arguing about it, Fran. He can stay with me.’

  ‘Thank you so much.’ Fran rubbed the pup’s ears. ‘Did you hear that? You’re going to live with Holly and Luke.’

  ‘Live?’

  ‘Stay. I meant stay. Holly’s going to foster you… for a while.’

  The dog gazed up at Holly with his big brown eyes and she knew that she’d made the right decision.

  ‘He still doesn’t have a name?’

  ‘I’ve been calling him doggo and pup, but he does need a name of his own.’

  ‘I’ll have a think.’

  Fran sipped her coffee. ‘Holly, are you absolutely sure about this? The last thing I want to do is add to your workload.’

  ‘I’m sure. How could I resist those eyes? Now, can I do anything else to help?’

  ‘I’m hoping I’ll only be gone for a few days. You know my dad… he’s strong. He’ll pull through.’

  ‘I’m certain he will. Just tell him to stay off the cannoli.’

  Fran smiled. ‘Bloody greedy pig! Bet he’s piled on the weight with all that delicious Italian food.’

  * * *

  Holly waved Fran off, making her promise to call if she needed anything else, then returned to the house. All the time, the pup was at her heels, trotting along like a scruffy little shadow. Luke had already taken to him, clapping his hands and laughing when he responded to his noises. Holly had a feeling they’d be great friends. For as long as the pup stayed, that was. Which would be temporary, of course. He was going right back to Fran’s when she got home. She wouldn’t soften on that decision.

  Would she?

  Fran had left a harness and lead, a bed and a few toys, along with a bag of dried dog food. Holly knew nothing about feeding dogs, so she’d got Fran to write down instructions, along with when to let him out, how much to exercise him and when to call the vet, although she hoped that last one wouldn’t be necessary.

  She checked the time and was surprised to find it was gone twelve.

  ‘I guess now could be a good time for a walk. We could take Dad some sandwiches and get some fresh air in the process.’

  She strapped Luke into his pram, packed a bag with sandwiches, a flask of coffee and a bottle for Luke, then called the dog to her to put his harness on. He wheeled around excitedly as she tried to slide it over his head, then grabbed the lead off her and raced around the kitchen table.

  ‘Doggo!’ She sharpened her tone. ‘That’s naughty!’

  She strode across the kitchen, but he ran the other way, so she turned and caught him by surprise as he made for the back door.

  ‘Come here!’ She clipped the lead to his harness. ‘Fran failed to tell me that you get overexcited when you hear the word walk. I’d better remember that one.’

  He bounced up and down, scrabbling at her legs, and she sent out a silent thank you that he was a small dog. A heavier one would’ve hurt her, but his paws were light as they patted her thighs.

  Somehow she manoeuvred the pram out of the door, along with the dog, then slid the strap of the bag over the pram handle. She already felt as though she needed a sit-down; goodness only knew how she’d feel after a walk with these two.

  She crossed the yard, holding the lead with one hand and pushing the pram with the other. It was a beautiful day and the sun was high in the sky. The breeze was cool enough for her to keep her cardigan on but not enough to chill her, and it ruffled her hair gently, making her feel relaxed and content.

  As she walked along the road towards the cottages, where her dad had said he’d be today, she breathed in the sweet floral aromas that rose to greet her. She had to stop a few times for the pup to water the flowers, but it was fine, as she wasn’t in a rush. From up ahead she could hear the noise of a saw, and carpenters calling to one another as they worked on the cottages. Soon there would be two gorgeous self-catering holiday rentals ready to start earning.

  As she emerged from the trees, she smiled at the sight that greeted her. The land around the cottages had been tidied up and the gardens restored to their former glory with new plants, neatly trimmed hedges and freshly mown grass. The small-paned windows shone in the sunlight, framed by newly painted shutters. There were workers on the roofs painting the chimneys, and some outside painting the exterior of the cottages. She could picture how they would look when the work had been completed, and it was exciting,

  With the beach a short car journey away, along with the pretty fishing village of Penhallow Sands, the rentals would hopefully prove popular, especially if Nicole’s media contacts gave them some favourable coverage. Once the work was finished and the new furniture and furnishings Holly had ordered were installed, she would take photographs to post on the website. She felt so proud to be a part of this venture, and it had rekindled her interest in business and business law. It made her want to give something back to the world if she could, though she wasn’t quite sure how to do that yet.

  As she neared the cottages, she looked around for her dad. She couldn’t see him out the front, so she went to the first cottage and knocked on the door. It swung open to reveal a workman in baseball cap, jeans and T-shirt covered in sawdust.

  ‘Hi, Barry, I was wondering if my dad was around.’

  Barry frowned, his bushy eyebrows meeting under the rim of his cap.

  ‘He was here earlier. Think he might be around the back, working on the summer houses. You want me to shout for him?’

  ‘No, it’s fine. I’ll go round myself.’

  Holly pushed Luke’s pram around the cottage and opened the side gate. She closed it behind her, checked that the garden was clear, then unclipped the dog’s lead. It would do him good to have a run around and burn off some of the energy that h
ad made him pull at his lead on the walk. Holly’s arm was aching from trying to hold him back. Hopefully he’d get used to walking alongside the pram, or she’d end up with one arm longer than the other.

  ‘Hello!’ she called in the direction of the summer houses. They were so newly built that she could smell the timber and the sealant that had been used on the boards. She’d helped her dad pick out furniture, wanting to make the little houses perfect for their guests.

  She pushed down the brake on the pram and peered in at Luke. He’d drifted off in the fresh air, so she had a while before he’d want his next feed.

  ‘Hello! Dad?’

  The dog raced towards the nearer of the summer houses and disappeared though the open doors. Holly followed him, anxious to find her father. After hearing Fran’s news, worry pierced her and she experienced a slight uneasy fluttering under her ribcage. She hoped Bruce was all right. She didn’t know how she’d cope if anything happened to him.

  ‘Bloody hell!’ A shout came from the summer house and her dad emerged looking red-faced and flustered. ‘Where did you come from?’ He questioned the dog as if expecting it to answer.

  ‘Hi, Dad. He’s with me.’

  ‘Holly?’ Her dad frowned.

  ‘Yes, it’s me. Everything okay?’

  ‘Yes…’ His eyes flickered towards the summer house. ‘Fine. Everything’s fine.’ His Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat and the blush in his cheeks deepened. Holly wasn’t used to seeing her dad so ruffled.

  ‘Well, Bruce, I think we can safely say that you’ve checked out my toolkit.’ A female voice came from within the summer house and was quickly followed by a tall, broad figure in scruffy jeans, checked shirt and cap. ‘And thanks for allowing me to check your hard wood… floors, that is!’

  Holly’s mouth fell open as she looked from the woman to her dad, and the woman’s eyes widened.

  ‘Holly… uh… this is Janine.’

  ‘We’ve met already,’ Holly replied. Janine was a senior carpenter and had been at the vineyard for some time.

  ‘Yes, that’s right.’ Janine nudged Bruce.

  ‘Of course.’ He rubbed a hand over his eyes. ‘Janine was… uh… checking that the finish in the summer house is…uh… satisfactory.’

  ‘Right.’ Holly stared at them, not quite sure what she was feeling, although it was so awkward that she was worried she might start laughing. ‘I brought you lunch.’ She went to the pram and unhooked the bag, then removed the flask and sandwiches, which she set down on a picnic table in the garden. ‘I’ll leave you to it.’

  ‘No! Stay, Holly, please.’

  ‘I don’t want to… disturb you and Janine.’ She knew she shouldn’t laugh at her dad’s embarrassment, but it was so sweet that he was blushing, and it was clear that there was something going on here.

  ‘You’re not disturbing anything.’

  ‘I should be going anyway. I need to get that order processed at the builder’s yard.’ Janine kicked at a tuft of grass with her work boot, then flattened it down.

  ‘Okay.’ Bruce nodded.

  ‘Speak later.’ Janine briefly touched his arm, then smiled at Holly. ‘Bye, Holly.’

  Holly nodded, and the woman walked towards the back door of the cottage.

  The pup raced to the picnic table and jumped up, setting his front paws on the bench and sniffing the air.

  ‘He can smell the sandwiches.’ Bruce rubbed the animal’s ears.

  ‘Fran dropped him off earlier. She’s had to go to Italy to see her dad. He collapsed this morning.’

  ‘That’s awful.’ Bruce shook his head. ‘Poor Christopher. Hope he’ll be okay.’

  ‘Yes… I really hope so.’

  They sat opposite each other and ate the lunch Holly had prepared, washing it down with cups of coffee from the flask. Holly bit back her questions about Janine, believing that her dad would tell her when he was ready – if there was anything to tell, that was. From inside the cottages, the sounds of sawing and drilling drifted into the air, punctuating the silence that hovered between them.

  ‘So how long’s this little fellow staying?’

  ‘I don’t know yet.’

  ‘Does he have a name?’

  Holly shook her head. ‘I said I’d try and think of one.’

  ‘Risky, that.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘If you name him, you might want to keep him.’

  ‘No I won’t.’ She didn’t sound convinced, even to her own ears.

  ‘You’ll get attached, Hols.’

  ‘I’ll try not to.’ She drained her coffee.

  ‘Are you okay, angel?’ he asked, his eyes wary as they roamed her face.

  ‘I’m fine. Are you?’

  He nodded. ‘What you saw then… I mean, what you heard, rather—’

  ‘It’s none of my business, Dad.’

  ‘Well it is kind of, because you live here and I’m your dad and… well, we should be honest with each other. I hadn’t said anything before now because I wasn’t sure there was anything to say.’

  ‘Are you seeing Janine?’ Holly gazed at his familiar features, his broad shoulders and his kind eyes. He’d been alone a long time and deserved to be happy. It was just the shock of hearing a woman joke about sexual activity with him that had thrown Holly, making her want to giggle. Her dad had every right to a sex life – even if it was something she’d prefer not to think about.

  ‘I don’t know that we’re seeing each other. I mean… I like her and I’ve been enjoying her company while she’s been working here. She’s sweet, funny and self-deprecating, and I feel comfortable with her. I’m not really an old man yet… well, when I was your age, fifty-five seemed ancient, but I don’t feel any different than I did when I was thirty-five. I do creak a bit more in the mornings when I get out of bed, but that’s to be expected.’

  ‘You have every right to be happy, Dad. I’m pleased for you. Delighted, in fact. Though she’d better treat you right or she’ll have me to deal with.’ She scowled at the thought.

  ‘Thank you.’ He screwed up the foil that the sandwiches had been wrapped in. ‘We haven’t even been on what could be classed as a date yet. We’ve met for coffee, and we went for a drink one evening, but the lads were there too. But she makes me laugh, and that’s something not be sniffed at. I feel relaxed with her, and that I can be myself.’

  ‘That’s good, Dad.’ Holly smiled, reaching out and covering his hand with hers. ‘I want you to be happy. I was simply a bit… surprised to hear what I did when I arrived. I hope it didn’t seem as though I was being judgemental.’

  ‘No, of course not.’ Bruce lowered his eyes and chuckled as the flush returned to his cheeks. ‘Nothing happened, I promise. She’s just a bit of a joker.’

  It was good that Janine was able to make Bruce smile, and that he felt at ease with her. Life could be lonely, and finding someone who understood you was important. Holly couldn’t imagine finding another man she would care about the way she’d cared about Rich. She couldn’t, now she really thought about it, visualize herself with anyone else. Whenever she thought about the future – which she’d been trying not to do too much, because it meant making some big decisions – the only man she could picture with her and Luke was Rich…

  A murmur came from the pram, and before Holly could get up, the dog had hurried over and started circling the wheels, whimpering.

  ‘Seems like you’ve got yourself a guard dog.’ Bruce stood up and went to the pram, then lifted Luke out. The pup stopped making a noise and followed him back to the table. Bruce sat down with Luke in his arms.

  ‘He’s a good dog.’ Holly patted the bench next to her, and the pup jumped up and settled down, watching as Luke babbled at his grandad.

  ‘You know, there’s a story… I think it’s a Welsh legend, about a dog that gave its life for a baby.’

  Holly nodded. ‘Yes, of course. It had a terribly sad ending, though.’

  ‘It did. But looking at that scruffy
grey boy, I think the name would suit him.’

  ‘You mean Gelert?’

  They both gazed at the dog, and he tilted his head as he gazed back.

  ‘Do you like that name?’ Holly asked him.

  Gelert answered with a bark.

  Chapter 16

  ‘Who’s this little chap?’ Rich asked as he received a very enthusiastic greeting from Gelert at the back door.

  Holly finished wiping the kitchen table.

  ‘That is Gelert.’

  ‘Hello, Gelert.’ He crouched down and rubbed the pup’s chin. ‘I didn’t know you were getting a dog.’

  Holly shook her head. ‘Neither did I, but Fran needed someone to look after him. She had to leave suddenly yesterday after her father was taken ill.’

  She rinsed the cloth in the sink, squeezed the water from it then washed her hands. As she dried them, she stood for a moment gazing out at the yard. It was early Saturday morning and sunshine warmed the kitchen, making her feel relaxed and a bit sleepy. She was still in her pyjamas, with her fleecy dressing gown over the top; she’d had a restless night, getting up to Gelert as he settled into his new surroundings. In the end, she’d taken his bed upstairs and set it on the landing outside her door – which she’d left open a crack – and the pup had finally settled.

  ‘Sorry I couldn’t get here last night. I was waiting for a delivery at the… at the office, and by the time it came and I’d sorted the paperwork, it was late.’

  ‘It’s okay.’ Holly smiled at him. ‘I got your text.’

  ‘I know, but I hated not being here. I like saying goodnight to Luke properly.’

  Rich stood up and approached the reclining highchair, where Luke was chewing on a teething ring, held in safely with a five-point harness designed for smaller babies. Gelert followed him closely, watching what he was doing.

  ‘Good morning, Luke!’

  The baby squealed with delight as his dad lifted him from the chair and blew raspberries on his cheeks.

  ‘Do you fancy doing something today?’ Rich asked Holly as he bounced his son on his hip.