The House at Greenacres

by The House at Greenacres (retail) (epub)

  ‘My Richard was a boy and a half.’ Lucinda chuckled. ‘He came into the room one time when Rex was watching a nature documentary and asked him, “Why has that octopus got so many testicles?” It sent us into fits of giggles.’

  ‘Of course I meant tentacles,’ Rich said from Holly’s side. ‘But I was only about five.’

  ‘Ah yes, so you were.’ Lucinda nodded. ‘And there was that time when he was even younger and we’d taken him to the fair. We were waiting in line to go on the baby rides and I was handing him popcorn one bit at a time. There were people in front of us and behind us, and lots of little children eager to get on the ride. All of a sudden Rich shouted out, “Can I have more COCKPORN, Mummy?” I swear I was so embarrassed I thought I’d faint.’

  Holly laughed, holding her sides as tears rolled down her face. ‘That is so funny, Rich! What a rude thing to say.’

  ‘It wasn’t my fault. What was I… about two or three?’ Rich was smiling too, clearly enjoying seeing his mum so relaxed.

  ‘Would you like some more wine, Holly?’ Lucinda pointed at the bottle on the table.

  Holly glanced at Rich. He hadn’t touched a drop as he was driving her and Luke home, but Holly had enjoyed a glass with dinner.

  ‘Have another one, Hols, it’s fine.’ Rich picked up the bottle.

  ‘Go on then, just one more.’

  ‘I guess we have plenty of funny times ahead to enjoy with Luke, don’t we?’ Holly said.

  Rich nodded.

  ‘He’ll bring you so much happiness. That’s the thing about parenthood.’ Lucinda gazed down at Luke, her expression softening as he gripped her thumb in his little fist. ‘Your children bring you worry, they bring you a vulnerability you never knew existed, but they bring so much joy and so much love.’

  Holly’s throat tightened. She knew what Lucinda had been through and wished she could take that pain away. She bit the inside of her cheek to try to stop herself getting emotional. A gentle touch on her shoulder made her turn to meet Rich’s reassuring gaze. He knew what she was thinking. Of course he did. She reached out and took his hand, lacing her fingers between his.

  There was so much in life to fear, so much to worry about and so much that could go wrong, and yet… there was so much to enjoy and to treasure.

  Moments like this, for example.

  Chapter 17

  ‘They’re perfect, Dad. We’re all ready to go.’

  Holly stepped into her father’s embrace outside the stone cottages. Another two weeks had passed and progress had been amazing.

  ‘I’m really pleased.’ Her dad released her, then nodded towards the cottages. ‘I wish your grandpa could see them. I mean… I know they needed some work to renovate them, but it wasn’t as big a job as Grandpa would’ve had me believe. The way he described it, we’d need to knock them down and start again.’

  ‘It’s probably a good job that he’s not here to see them then.’ Holly tucked her arm into Bruce’s. ‘He hated to be wrong about anything.’

  ‘True.’

  ‘This is it then!’ She took a deep breath. ‘The new beginning for Greenacres.’

  Her dad’s eyes widened. ‘I’m quite nervous.’

  ‘It’s going to be fine.’

  ‘Are you sure about giving notice on your place in Exeter?’

  ‘Positive. I’ve given it a lot of thought and I don’t want to go back there… except to collect my things, that is. And I have three months to do that anyway. I brought everything I needed with me, and none of the furnishings are mine, except for the cot, and seeing as how I have one here, I can donate it to a charity shop or see if the landlord wants it left at the flat.’

  ‘I wouldn’t have tried to change your mind if you’d wanted to go back, Hols. It’s entirely your decision, but the fact that you’ve decided to come home for good makes me so happy. Granny is delighted too. It will be wonderful to have you around, and to be able to see Luke all the time.’

  Holly leant her head on his shoulder. She had thought carefully about what to do, but over the past two weeks her decision had been made for her. The shop had started to get busier, with orders coming in for wine and for Fran’s paintings and pottery, as well as lots of emails requesting more information about the cottages and events that could be held at the barn. The website was proving to be particularly popular and getting plenty of hits every day. Holly had suggested the idea of setting up a blog to run alongside it, where they could tell people about their wine-making processes and also host guest bloggers who could write about their lives in Penhallow Sands.

  She looked up at her dad.

  ‘I don’t want to miss the grand opening or to be away from you and Granny again. Plus, I want Luke to grow up here like I did.’

  ‘What about Rich?’ he asked cautiously. ‘Does he feature in the equation?’ His eyes scanned her face. He wanted the best for her, she knew that, and whatever that was would be fine with him. Holly knew she could have decided to live on the moon and marry an alien, and as long as she was happy, her dad would have supported her.

  ‘I’m not sure yet. I have some very… confusing feelings. It’s even more complicated because of Luke.’

  ‘Of course it is. You must take your time. No sense in rushing anything. Are you happy to continue running the shop and the website?’

  ‘Definitely. I love what I’m doing and there’s potential for so much more. I really think the blog is a good idea. People love to find out more about how our wine is made, and it will hopefully encourage them to visit and take one of our wine-tasting vineyard tours.’

  ‘There’s always work here for you, Holly. But what about Luke?’

  ‘Lucinda has offered to help with childcare, and there are several options in the village too, when I’m ready to leave him. I might even return to college eventually, possibly night school, and get some qualifications. I was thinking that I could do a degree in business law, like I wanted to do all those years ago, or perhaps I’ll do something involving website design. There are so many possibilities, but whatever I do decide will be of benefit to Greenacres.’

  ‘When you were growing up, I didn’t think you’d stay around, but after your mum died, I thought your dreams had changed and I worried about you. I’ve always wanted the best for you, Holly.’

  ‘I know. I did have different dreams before we lost Mum, and although I brushed those dreams under the carpet for a while because I couldn’t face the idea of leaving, I never completely forgot them. Back then, I thought I’d need to go away to realize my ambitions, but now I know that’s not the case at all. Greenacres and Penhallow Sands have everything I need to be fulfilled; I just needed to see that through different eyes and to be given a new challenge. I want to stay and build something great here, something that we can leave as a legacy for Luke, and even for his children.’

  Her dad smiled at her, his eyes full of approval.

  ‘Holly, your mum would be so proud.’

  ‘I hope so.’

  ‘No one will ever replace her in my heart. You know that, don’t you?’ He dropped his gaze to his boots and Holly knew he was thinking about Janine. It was his way of letting her know that if things did become more serious there, he’d always remember her mum.

  ‘I do. But you also have a life to live, and Mum would want you to live it as fully as possible.’

  ‘She would.’ He nodded. ‘I still feel guilty at times, though.’

  ‘What on earth for?’

  ‘Well, I loved your mum and I thought we’d be together for the rest of our lives. I feel guilty because it’s like I’m betraying her.’

  ‘Oh Dad, you’re not betraying her. She’s been gone a long time and you’ve been alone since she died. I know how much you loved her, and she did too, but happiness doesn’t always present itself to us, so when it does, you have to grab it and hold it tight.’

  As they walked back to the big house, arm in arm, with Gelert trotting along next to her, Holly thought about what she’d s
aid to her dad. Happiness was hard to find, as was finding someone to connect with. If it happened, it was precious. Despite everything she had gone through with Rich, she did feel connected to him, even more so now that they had a child together.

  She’d left Luke at the big house with her grandmother. He had been sleeping, so she’d given Granny instructions to ring her immediately if he woke and she’d hurry back. She knew the old lady could cope with Luke, and that she loved caring for him, but she didn’t want to take anything for granted, especially as Granny tired easily and Luke was getting quite heavy. The sea air was doing wonders for his appetite.

  When they reached the yard, she was surprised to see Rich’s car there.

  ‘I hope everything’s all right,’ she said as she quickened her pace. ‘Rich should be in work on a Friday morning.’

  Her dad placed a hand on her arm to stop her.

  ‘Holly… I want you to know that whatever you decide to do is fine.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  He sighed, then took hold of her shoulders.

  ‘Look… I’ve known about what Rich has been planning, and I didn’t like not telling you, but he asked me to keep it secret and I hope you’ll forgive me for it.’

  ‘Forgive you? For what? What’s going on?’ Her chest had tightened and her heart was thrumming.

  ‘It’s nothing horrid, I promise. Rich has done something to try to make up for last year. Please give him a chance and listen to what he has to say. Lord knows I wanted to have words with him back then, and a few times before that when I saw how you had been hurt by his behaviour, but I’m fairly certain that things have changed now. He’s told me some things about why he acted as he did, and I’ve told him he’d better not even entertain the idea of messing you around again, but I honestly don’t think he will. After his time away, he seems… reformed isn’t the right word, but perhaps… fixed?’ He shook his head. ‘Anyway, I don’t want to give the game away as it’s meant to be a surprise. Go and talk to him. I’ll watch Luke.’

  Holly opened and closed her mouth a few times but no words came out, so she decided to take her dad’s advice. She had no idea what was going on, but Dad had told her to give Rich a chance.

  He deserved that at least.

  * * *

  Rich was more terrified than he had ever been in his life – except for when he’d found himself unable to save his brother, but he wouldn’t think about that now. He needed all his energy to focus on the here and now, on him and Holly and what he was about to do.

  ‘Are your eyes still closed?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes, Rich, but how long will this take? I don’t like not being able to see the road.’

  ‘Not long, I promise. In fact, we’re nearly there.’

  ‘Okay. But… why can’t you tell me what this is about?’

  He glanced at her profile in the passenger seat of the car, and his heart leapt. She was so beautiful and so precious to him.

  ‘I want you to see something, and if I give you any clues, it will ruin the surprise.’

  He took the next turning and drove along the narrow country lane. Holly exclaimed as the car passed over a large bump. The road would need to be evened out, but he hadn’t had a chance to see to that yet.

  When he cut the engine, he released his seat belt then undid Holly’s.

  ‘Keep your eyes closed until I tell you to look, all right?’

  ‘All right.’

  He got out, then went around to her side and opened her door. Taking her hands, he led her around to the front of the vehicle.

  ‘Before you open your eyes, I need to tell you something.’

  ‘I’m listening.’

  In the morning light, her cheeks had a soft peachy glow, her hair shone with health, and her fair eyelashes fluttered on her cheeks. Her lips were slightly parted and her chest rose and fell quickly, suggesting that she was nervous or excited or both. He experienced an overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her, to carry her inside and make love to her, but that would be too much, too soon. He had to see how she reacted to what he’d done first.

  He had come to a realization over recent weeks. It had crept in at first as he’d spent time with Holly and Luke, watching her with their son and observing her hard work at the vineyard. He had known that he still cared for her, that he was sorry for hurting her and would take it back if he could, but it was more than that. More than he could understand, more than he could control, more than he could convey with words. He hoped his actions would do his feelings justice. Telling Holly how he felt wouldn’t be enough – he needed to show her.

  A wood pigeon cooed in the trees bordering the property and the gentle breeze rustled through the leaves. The air was sweet with the scent of freshly mown grass, making Rich think of summer days gone by, of a time when life was full of potential and freedom from pain. Surely it could be that good again? Better, perhaps. There were possibilities for happiness ahead, if they only chose to take advantage of them.

  ‘Okay… open your eyes.’

  He watched as Holly slowly looked around. She blinked at first as her eyes adjusted to the bright light, then a line appeared between her eyebrows. Rich’s stomach clenched and he held his breath.

  ‘What are we… Why are we…’ Holly shook her head, then met his gaze. ‘Is this some kind of joke?

  * * *

  Holly didn’t understand what was happening. Was Rich being really mean?

  ‘If this is a joke, Rich, it’s not funny.’

  He took hold of her shoulders and shook his head.

  ‘No, Hols, this is no joke.’

  She slid out of his grip and walked closer to Plum Tree Cottage. She had been impressed by the renovations on the cottages up at Greenacres, but this surpassed what she had seen there. The isolated house was more beautiful than she had ever seen it before. It had been given a fresh coat of white paint and the broken windows had been replaced with small panes that sparkled in the sunlight. There were new shutters at the windows, painted duck-egg blue to match the frames and the front door with its V-frame portico. Pink and red roses climbed the trellises either side of the door, and their scent filled the air, heady and sweet, potent with summer.

  ‘Someone has bought the cottage.’ It wasn’t a question, and Holly felt as though her heart was breaking anew. ‘And done all of this.’

  ‘Yes.’ Rich pulled something from his pocket and took her hand.

  ‘What?’ She looked down to see that he had pressed a key into her palm. ‘You?’

  He nodded.

  ‘I bought the cottage… just as we should have done last year. I bought it for you and for our son.’

  He led her through the gate and along the path towards the door. Everything felt surreal, as if she was dreaming and could wake up at any moment.

  She pushed the key into the lock with a trembling hand and the door swung inwards, revealing freshly painted walls. The hallway they’d walked through only weeks before was clean and fresh, the flagstone floor scrubbed clean and the woodwork of the skirting boards and the staircase sanded down and varnished.

  It was perfect.

  The kitchen had been cleaned, the cupboard doors replaced, the fireplace filled with logs and pine cones waiting to be lit. There was a solid oak table with four chairs, a vase of colourful sweet peas and pure white gypsophila at its centre.

  She followed Rich back through the cottage to the hallway. As they climbed the stairs, none of the boards creaked as they had when they’d viewed the house last year, and Holly realized that the whole staircase had been replaced.

  On the landing, they turned left and Rich showed her the two bedrooms on this side of the house, both with neutral colour schemes but without furniture, waiting for the occupants to decide what to fill them with. They retraced their steps and Holly looked into a family bathroom with a white roll-top tub, walk-in shower, sink and toilet. Further along, they entered another double room. This one had a cast-iron double bed with
the mattress still in its plastic packaging. There were two double wardrobes in limed oak and two chests of drawers. Next to the bed were small side tables with silver lamps with cream shades.

  ‘One more,’ Rich said as he went to the next door and opened it then stood back.

  Holly entered the room first and sighed. It was beautiful. There were wooden floorboards and a soft cream rug, a pine cot against the far wall with a mobile of farmyard animals hanging over it. On top of the brand-new mattress was a bundle of bedding. Next to the window was a changing table with wicker baskets underneath it; she could make out a nappy packet sticking out of the top of one of them. There was also a pine chest of drawers and a matching cupboard.

  Rich stepped forward and wound the dial on the mobile, and the animals danced in a circle, bobbing and swaying as a familiar lullaby filled the room.

  ‘What do you think?’ he asked, and she noted the uncertainty in his face. In her surprise, she hadn’t given anything away, and he wanted, needed, to know how she felt.

  But she wasn’t sure. Not at all.

  Everything she’d thought she’d known about Rich and about how things had gone last year had changed. She’d thought they were rebuilding their relationship but hadn’t been sure in what way. As parents, yes, but as anything else? She’d wondered, considered, yearned at times for something more, but feared it too. Because with love came vulnerability.

  And now he’d done this… created this perfect cottage of her dreams, renovated, renewed and given new life, all ready for her and Luke to move into. It could be their home.

  ‘Don’t say anything yet.’ Rich held up a hand. ‘Come and see outside.’

  They made their way down the stairs and through the kitchen to the back door.