“No but you gave his wife a cottage. I’m surprised he hasn’t been bothering her to let him live there.”
“He did to begin with, but the cottage is with a group of others and the men there warned him off. I don’t think today’s the first time he’s ended up with a bruised jaw.”
“Then perhaps he blames you for that.”
Roman nodded “I suppose a coward like him would go for the weakest area in my life.”
Bella punched him on the arm “Hey, who are you calling weak.”
“Not you love, but the cottage is isolated and easier to get to than the Hall.”
“Thanks, now I feel so secure in my new home!”
“I’ll make sure he’s warned off, don’t worry, he’s a coward.”
Bella blew out a breath, it was no use worrying, and customers were once again looking at her cushions and bags. Roman had a word with Sid, then walked back to his marquee, straight into an argument about whether the unwanted Dartmoor ponies should be sold for meat, to help the farmers cover the cost of keeping them. He personally thought it was a good idea, it would help keep the breed pure and healthy and make sure that the iconic ponies would always be kept on the moor. At the moment many colts were killed in their first year, to stop inbreeding, and keep the moor from being overgrazed. The farmers had to feed them during a hard winter and many were struggling with the cost. It was an emotive subject but slowly people were coming round to the idea.
Back at Bella’s stall she was busy with an American couple who loved her cushions and throws but were worried about the bulk in their luggage. “I could take the cushions pads out, the covers have a zip for ease of removal, and of course I’d deduct the cost of the pads.”
“That would be great,” the lady said, “in that case I’ll take all the ones you have left. They’ll be real good presents, from the Uk, for our friends.”
Bella was delighted, there were nine cushions left, so she stripped them of their pads and placed them in a pile to wrap up.
“Don’t wrap them” the lady said, “they’ll be easier to pack if they’re loose.” She was fingering the last two throws and went on, “I’ll take these as well, they’re real pretty.”
Delighted that she’d sold nearly everything Bella picked up two of her hessian bags and said “I’ll put them in these, no charge for the bags.”
“That’s great honey,” the man said, “now how much do I owe you?”
Bella totted up how much the things they’d bought came to and rounded it down to a nice round sum. When she told them the price, the lady said “My are you sure, that doesn’t sound a lot.”
“Yes, absolutely,” Bella said as she put the covers and throws into the bags.
“They’re so pretty and I love the little labels that say `Wishing Well Crafts, Dartmoor. You ought to put your website on them then folks can get more if they like them.”
Bella had designed and printed off the labels herself, to save money, and attached them to the zips of the cushions and through the corner of the throws with fine ribbon. Although she knew that if someone put `Wishing Well Crafts into their search engine they’d find her, she said “That’s a good idea, i’ll do that with the next batch.”
When the Americans took their leave, laden down with things they’d bought at the fair, Bella folded down her tables, lifted down her sign and carried them over to her van. She’d take the gazebo down once she could bring her van over to it when the fair finished. Sid still had some heavy things on his stall so he said he’d keep an eye on her gazebo. The stall keepers all around her had kindly cleared up the debris of the table for her and put them in the rubbish bins, as they all knew how devastating it was to have, something you’d worked on, smashed, so with everything tidy she walked through the fair to Roman’s marquee.
There was a great diversity of crafts, from card makers to bakers, and she spent some time talking to many of the stall holders, telling the ones who hadn’t called by her stall and picked up a flier, all about the craft studio she intended to open in the New year. Like her, the professional crafters were booked into many fairs running up to Christmas, but quite a few of them promised to look her up once the festive season was over. The fair had been good for a lot of them with even the less popular crafts having sold quite a bit, but none of the stalls were empty, like hers, which made her wonder whether she hadn’t had enough stock or her prices were too low. However as she looked around at similar products to hers, she saw that her prices were on a par with others, so she came to the conclusion that she must get down to work immediately, to build up her stock for the Christmas fairs, the first of which wasn’t very far away. No more long walks with the dogs and Roman, no more lazy evenings talking or making love.
Roman’s marquee was crowded, mostly with locals standing around chatting, while drinking beer or coffee, dispensed from a bar at the back. As she made her way through the crowd people greeted her and she realised that she was slowly being accepted by them. When she reached Roman’s side he flung his arm around her shoulder, so naturally, that there were a few meaningful looks passed between the people around him.
“I didn’t know that this was the beer tent,” Bella said as she relaxed against him.
“Unofficial” he replied, “just drinks for my friends and neighbours at the end of a busy day. Anyhow, what are you doing here? There’s another hour before the fair closes.”
Bella smiled “I’ve sold out, an American couple bought everything I had left, so I put the tables and sign in the van and Sid’s keeping an eye on my gazebo.”
“That’s brilliant, I knew people would love your stuff.”
“I think I was understocked, so I’ve got to put my head down and get making. No more lazy days for me.”
Roman looked at her quizzically “Are you saying that I’m a bad influence?”
“No it’s my own fault, everything seems to have become so easy, I’ve got lazy.”
“Never,” Roman frowned, “no one would ever call you lazy.”
“Seriously though, I haven’t got anything to sell at the first fair I’m booked into. I think I should cancel, but then I’d lose my stall money, so I’ll just have to do what I can.”
“Ok, my love, I know this is important to you so I won’t interfere or stop you working no matter how much I want to.”
“Thanks. On a lighter note, I’ve had a superb sale and can give you the final payment for Misty’s vet bill and pay for the work on the barns.”
Battling against the inclination to tell her to forget it Roman said “That’s great, let’s celebrate, would you like a drink?”
“Nothing alcoholic, I’m driving, but I’d love a soft drink.”
Roman turned to the man behind the bar and said “Have you any fresh orange left, Luke?”
“Yes there’s some in the cooler.”
“Right fresh orange ice and lemon for Bella please.”
As she was collecting her drink Roman was joined by a serious looking older gentleman who engaged him in conversation. After taking a long cool drink she rejoined Roman and heard the tail end of the conversation.
Roman was saying “So what happens now, have you got the authority to sell the land to me?”
“Yes,” the gentleman said, “with Louisa so seriously impaired, the running of her estate falls to us trustees. You know, I think her father was aware how flaky she is and did his best to make sure that the estate would keep functioning. At least there is no problem paying for her care while the estate is viable.”
“So are you saying that she’ll never be cured? I thought she’d just had a breakdown because of her cocaine habit.”
“Well, Roman the thing is, um, she suffers from polar disorder, and now that she’s going through cocaine withdrawal she is absolutely suicidal.”
“God, that’s so aw
ful for her,” Bella couldn’t help saying.
Roman turned to her “Bella this is James Ferguson, one of Louisa’s trustees, James meet Bella, my fiance.”
Startled at being called his fiance, she gazed at him open mouthed, before remembering her manners and shaking James’ hand.
“Oh. Nice to meet you Bella,” James too looked startled, “I didn’t know that you got engaged Roman.”
“Only provisionally,” Roman grinned, “ she knows that she’s going to marry me, she just hasn’t said `yes` yet.”
Bella frowned at him “If you keep on trying to coerce me, I might just say `no`.”
Taking pity on James, Roman told him that they’d talked about marriage but Bella needed time to get her business up and running, to prove to herself that she could go it alone.
“Well, very commendable, but you know we all need someone on occasion,” James said wisely.
“Yes I know, but I’ve just spent eight years thinking that I was useless, so I need time to sort my head out.”
Roman chipped in “And I’m prepared to wait, as long as it takes.”
Bella smiled at him gratefully and leaned against him as he put his arm around her waist. “Right,” he said, “back to business James. Let me know when the purchase papers are ready and I’ll come to your office. If you don’t mind I’ll bring my solicitor with me. It’s not that I don’t trust you but my father drummed caution into me from birth.”
“Quite right too, I’ll let him have a copy ASAP, so he can do any land checks before you come in.”
“Thank you, now can I get you a drink?”
“No, must be off, my wife will be wondering what’s keeping me. Nice to meet you Bella.”
They shook hands and he left, weaving his way through the thinning crowd. The fair was slowly winding down, so Roman left his manager to see to the dismantling of the marquee and went with Bella to pack up her gazebo. It came to pieces as easily as it went up and once it was in the van, Roman collected his car and followed her back to the cottage. After being ecstatically greeted by Misty and letting her out Bella collapsed into her armchair .
“What a day,” she said as she opened the bag she’d used to keep her money in.
Roman dropped into the other chair and said, “My throat hurts from all the talking.”
“I must admit that the crowds were a bit overwhelming after the quiet life I have here. I just didn’t expect it to be so busy, after all we’re a long way from anywhere.”
“Not really, it justs seems like it as the roads are usually so quiet and the moor seems to go on forever.”
Bella was counting the money, “I’ll work out what I owe Joy, then I’ll pay the estate what I owe, I’ve got it all written down. I’m thrilled as I’ve got plenty leftover to spend on stock for the Christmas fairs. I must get straight down to work.”
“Tomorrow,” Roman said,”there should be a casserole in the oven, one of Mrs’ B’s. and a pudding in the fridge.”
“How come?”
“I gave Mrs. B my key and George brought her over earlier to put it in the Aga.”
“I wondered what that delicious smell was,” Bella said getting up to investigate.
Roman followed her through to the kitchen, “It’ll be alright for a while,” then he swept her up into his arms and carried her through to the bedroom. As he dropped her onto the bed she squealed and said “I’m all dirty and sweaty.”
“Just the way I like my women, dirty,” Roman grinned as he captured her mouth with his. “We’ll take a bath before we eat.”
As he kissed her Bella relaxed, then as he moved down her body, removing her clothes one by one, paying attention to every bit of her revealed, she squirmed beneath him as a delicious warm feeling pooled in the pit of her stomach, and she dragged at his shirt until it was off. When he reached her throbbing core she could restrain herself no longer and arched up to give him more access, begging him to enter her. Roman pushed off his jeans while he teased her with his tongue, groaning in satisfaction as an orgasm burst through her. Then he was inside her and she bucked against him as another wave started to grow. Her body wrapped itself around him squeezing and throbbing against his aching shaft and he shouted her name as he came, the hot jets making her orgasm even more intense.
Collapsed to one side of her Roman relaxed, his mouth gently kissing the hollow of her neck. “Mmm,” he murmured, “you taste so good.”
Bella smiled, this man adored her, in whatever state of cleanliness her body was in. No more having to have a shower before sex, or make sure she was waxed to perfection, like she’d been ordered to do over the last eight years. He had slowly rebuilt her confidence and she no longer felt the need to be perfect all the time. They would bathe together, wash each other, then eat the casserole, and fall into bed, either to make love again or collapse into sleep after the busy day they’d had. It didn’t matter as long as they were together.
Chapter 12
Over the next month Bella worked flat out. Roman came over when he could to walk Misty, go with Bella to boot sales and even sanded down pieces of furniture for her to work on.
Work in the cottage had come to a stop, it was comfortable and liveable in, and after Christmas she’d have plenty of time to add the finishing touches. If Roman was worried about her tiring herself out, he didn’t say anything, just did all he could to help her and made sure that she ate regularly. He only stayed over a couple of nights a week and knew that when he wasn’t there she’d work until all hours of the night. The piles of cushions, throws, bags and painted things grew at an amazing pace and he marvelled at her artistry, beginning to understand what she had sacrificed for Gervaise. His contempt for the man grew as his pride in her did.
As well as the usual items,, Bella was busy designing things especially for Christmas, like table runners, placemats and Christmas tree decorations. She hadn’t had her craft studio sign put up yet but locals quite often popped in to see her in her workshop. Usually on seeing how busy she was they’d decline a drink, but quite often left with something they couldn’t resist and to her delight her nest egg kept on growing. All she needed was to have reasonable sales at the Christmas fairs and she could stop worrying. She’d have enough money to see her through the quiet season, of January, February and March.
Joy had rooted out a lot of her paintings that had never been framed and with the money she’d made from the Widecombe fair was having them mounted professionally. It was expensive, so only the best were given frames, and the others, that she considered good enough were just being mounted on board and covered in cellophane. Bella’s studio was becoming quite full and with Roman’s help she and Joy had arranged displays of everything she’d made. Joy’s framed paintings were hung on the walls and Bella had made a high backed open box to display the cellophaned ones. The shelves and tables around the walls were full of cushions and throws; a table had been setup to display the Christmas goods and Bella’s upcycled furniture and painted ware took pride of place under spotlights.
As word got round that the studio was full of beautiful gifts for Christmas, more and more people called in to browse, making it difficult for Bella to work. In the end she had the Wishing Well Crafts sign board hung at the entrance to her lane, with a sign underneath stating that she was only open on Tuesday morning, nine until twelve, and Wednesday afternoon two until four. For the rest of the week she locked herself into her workshop and refused to answer the door.
With the first fair near London drawing close she began to worry. What if the sophisticated people in the home counties sneered at her country made goods? Perhaps she wouldn’t sell anything?
Roman told her not to be silly, people from that area had bought her things off ebay so obviously there was a market there for them. Cuddled in his arms she felt safe for the first time in her life and asked herself why she was doing this?
She could marry Roman and never have to work or worry again, but her need to prove to herself that she could make it, financially, on her own kept her determined to succeed.
It had been decided that Roman would take her up to London, on the Thursday and introduce her to his housesitter. She could take it easy on the Friday morning and they would go to the building where the fair was set up in the afternoon. The fair was on for the Saturday and Sunday and they would travel home on the Monday.
Misty had been left in Mrs. B’s care along with Hamish and had settled in quite happily.
“Well” Roman said as Bella pushed the last of her sale goods into the back of the overflowing van, “off we go, sure you haven’t forgotten anything, like the kitchen sink perhaps?”
She swatted his arm “Oh you! I’m determined that I’m not going to be understocked again. I learn from my mistakes.”
Roman laughed “No danger of that, love. We could outfit Harrods.”
“You’ll be surprised. But there’s a thought, I wonder if they’d like to sell my cushions and throws?”
“That’s my girl. Got over your worry that they’re not good enough?”
“Mmm, you give me confidence.”
“Good” he squeezed her hand, holding it until they met the main road, “London here we come.”
* * *
They took the cross country route to London, but even so the roads were much busier than those in Devon and when they stopped to eat, the roadside cafe was packed and the food disappointing. Still, it was fuel and they felt refreshed when they set off again.
Roman’s house on the outskirts of London, in Chelmsford, was situated on a leafy street with larger houses than Bella had expected. As they turned into a decent sized drive, she gazed in surprise at the large detached pre 1940’s house in front of her.
“Is this yours?”
“Yes, my uncle bought it in the seventies, updated it in the nineties and left it to Dad in his will. He’d never had children and his wife died before him.”
The Wishing Well Page 13