by Lucy Coleman
We all settle down and I point a finger in the air, leaning forward to catch Tollie’s eye.
‘Before we begin, can I quickly introduce Patrick Hirst? He’s the charity’s latest recruit and has already met with Harrison at the Linden Hotel, so he’ll talk us through that meeting in the general round-up. If I can just work round the table by way of a brief introduction. Tollie is our chairman, Val sitting next to him is our secretary, then we have Fisher, Abe, Ethel, Martin, Kurt and Bernie. I’m the treasurer.’ I turn to glance at Patrick to see if he’s keeping up, and he gives me a nod. ‘David has sent his apologies. You might know him, Patrick, as he and his brother run the Middle Norton Brewing Company. They hold a fundraiser for us every Christmas, and David is also our company secretary.’
‘Hello, everyone. I recognise a few faces. Aysbury’s great sense of community is inspired by the charitable works organised by this committee. That’s quite a thing in this day and age, and I’m delighted to be here.’
It looks as though Patrick is going to fit in very well indeed, and a whole host of welcoming comments come back at him.
‘If we can all quieten down now,’ Tollie interrupts, ‘we have a lot to get through this evenin’. The first item on the agenda is a quick update from me, so I’ll just launch straight into it. As I confirmed at the last meetin’, I’ve walked the parish councillors around the parcel of my land abuttin’ The Bullrush Inn car park. It has now been cleared and fenced off, as agreed at that meetin’.’ Tollie passes around a handout.
‘This is a copy of the Land Registry title plan for Lock Keeper’s Cottage. The bit of land in question is outlined in red.’
He gives everyone a few moments to study it.
‘Once the playground has been installed and the technical support officer has signed it off, my solicitor will agree a date with the parish council for the land transfer to go through. Any questions?’
Fisher raises his hand. ‘What sort of timescale do we need to build in for processing the paperwork, Tollie?’
I asked Tollie the same question only yesterday, but he wasn’t expecting a reply in time for tonight’s meeting.
‘I had a call an hour ago, so even Immi isn’t it aware of this latest news. We need to have the technical support officer’s sign-off by the end of the first week of November, just in case of any last-minute hitches with the legal agreement and the transfer. If there are no other questions, that leads us on rather nicely to Fisher’s update.’
I’m already scribbling away, trying to pull together some dates and figures.
‘Most of you have had the pack from Charlton and Sons Playground Solutions with the detailed plans and their quotation…’ Fisher rifles around in his folder, pulling out a copy and passing it along the table to Patrick. ‘As I previously reported, the local authority is satisfied that the specification is fully compliant with the BS EN1176 and 1177 safety standards.’
‘Did you resolve the query over the proposed surface?’ Martin asks.
‘Yes. In the end we went for something called wet pour. It’s made up of a layer of impact cushioning with a rubberised finish on top. The effect on the bottom line was minimal and Immi is now liaising with them with regard to the payment schedule.’
Everyone is impressed and it’s good to see the smiling faces, but I fear I might be about to make those fade a little.
‘It seems things are really beginning to fall into place. Over to you, m’dear.’ Tollie looks in my direction. My goodness, he’s motoring tonight and at this rate we’ll be done in an hour.
‘Aside from giving us a discount of 10 per cent, they are donating two wooden benches and will waive the slight increase due to the change of surface, so the original quotation stands. Once the deposit of five thousand, two hundred and sixty-four pounds is paid, the job is added to their build programme. It’s usually a ten-week period from that point to installation.’
Looking around, I can see it’s beginning to hit home that time is running out and Patrick isn’t the only one with a grave look on his face.
‘As a family-run business they have been most understanding and, luckily, our reputation has put us in good standing with them. We have agreed that half of the remaining balance will be paid six weeks prior to installation, when they begin the build process.’ There’s a sucking in of breath as people do the maths in their head. ‘Recognising that fundraising isn’t a steady stream of money coming in, we have provisionally agreed that the final payment will be made within four weeks after installation. But there is a little flexibility, if we need it.’
The silence is eerie as the committee wait to find out exactly how much we have in the kitty. ‘The balance at the bank, including another one hundred and eighty-seven pounds and fifty-three pence from the latest emptying of the collection boxes, stands at a whopping eleven thousand and forty-six pounds.’
It’s a sound figure and I want everyone to realise that.
‘I’m not good with figures off the top of me head, Immi. What do we still need to raise?’ Abe asks the fateful question, always one to get straight to the point.
‘Bottom line is we need another fifteen thousand, two hundred and seventy-four pounds.’ As I glance around the table, jaws have dropped. ‘Before everyone goes into panic-mode, let me explain two things. To make the deposit and the first part-payment in the middle of August, we need to raise just under five thousand pounds. We already have pledges for half of that, plus whatever updates on new initiatives anyone has for today’s meeting. With things now gathering momentum, I’m confident we can do it.’
‘But that last payment, it’s daunting,’ Martin replies.
Kurt unexpectedly speaks up and I’m grateful to sit back and listen to what he has to say. ‘And it wasn’t that long ago that the mention of just over twenty-six thousand pounds sent us into a tailspin and look how far we’ve come. We have until the end of December, it seems, to raise that final payment. Every year in December we beat the previous year’s total and that’s the way it’s been for ten years now. How much did we raise last year, Immi?’
I have the figures in front of me ready to reel off, but I’m so grateful to Kurt as sometimes people’s eyes glaze-over, but he’s caught everyone’s attention.
‘The Santa Ahoy cruises, together with various local events in the lead-up to Christmas, plus the donations from the pop-up Christmas market run by Bernie, including the car-parking charges, raised two and a half thousand pounds.’ I stop for a moment and let that sink in. ‘And thanks to David, his brother, Kurt and Sarah, the Middle Norton Brewing Company raised a further three thousand pounds in three months from the sales of The Bullrush Christmas Brew.’
‘And David has already confirmed we’re planning an even bigger campaign this year,’ Kurt informs us. ‘Regard last year as the dummy run. We didn’t start selling it until the start of December and I’m fully aware that their promo ran through until the end of February. However, this year the plan is to put The Bullrush Christmas Brew on sale at the start of October to bring it in line with our deadline. David and his brother are going to link it to a feature about Aysbury in their newsletter, too.’
‘Thank you, Kurt, that’s great news. I know that nothing is guaranteed until it hits the bank account, but I really do believe the target is achievable. It’s time to begin thinking outside the box, as well as progressing what’s in the pipeline.’
‘Hear, hear, m’dear. Before we run-through the general updates, can I just ask for a quick vote of confidence? Hands in the air for those who are reassured that we are headin’ in the right direction.’
All hands fly up in the air, except for Patrick, who isn’t sure if he should join in, but I give him a nod and he raises his hand.
‘Right, let’s have your news, then. Every pound that comes rollin’ in gets us closer to our target.’
We’ve climbed halfway up the mountain and it is hard not to keep looking up and thinking how far in the distance the summit appears to be. But if
we stopped for one moment to look at how far we’ve come, we’d realise it’s a real achievement. An achievement that is going to fuel us going forward.
11
Isn’t Every Cloud Supposed to Have a Silver Lining?
I leave Patrick deep in conversation with Fisher and Martin. It’s obvious they are kicking around some ideas and I offer to walk Val back, so we can leave them to it. I’m sure they will end up in The Bullrush for a pint, but I’ve had enough for one day.
‘I know it’s not brilliant news,’ Val acknowledges as soon as we’re alone. ‘But you were right, pointing out how well it’s going. It’s easy for us all to become a little complacent and I think tonight’s meeting was enough of a push to re-energise us all.’
We saunter along the winding path that leads to the footbridge over the canal. I turn to look up at the viewing gallery, above the marina’s offices.
‘You miss working with Fisher, don’t you, Immi?’
‘I do. We had a lot of laughs and sometimes I’d grab us some sandwiches and we’d go up and spend our lunch break just watching the boats go by.’
‘He misses you, too,’ she replies softly. ‘But I keep him out of mischief. Can’t let him loose in the workshop until he’s had his caffeine and is more approachable. He’s a good man.’
The way she’s speaking is enough to tell me that he hasn’t said anything to her yet, so I decide it’s best to change the subject.
‘He is. Anyway, I’m glad what I said this evening didn’t come across as negative, given how much effort everyone has put in already.’
‘Well, there was a lot of enthusiasm in the room tonight, that’s for sure. Patrick is keen to get started and he has joined us at just the right time. Often, a little fresh blood and a different perspective can stir things up a bit.’
‘Hmm. I was thinking the same thing. Oh, by the way, Gray said something about the invitations being ready when we spoke earlier on.’
‘Ah, yes. I was supposed to mention it to you. Do you want to part company here, or do you have time to collect them now?’
‘There’s no one home and it’s a pleasant walk, so why not?’
‘What time does Gray get back tomorrow?’
‘The flight doesn’t land until the early hours of Wednesday morning. I’m not expecting him to get here until at least 7 a.m. Later, if he stops off to have a nap in the car on the drive back.’
‘And Rona tells me that you’re still staying in The Retreat?’
‘Yes. The paint bubbled up on one of the walls and the decorators were in over the weekend sanding them down and doing a repaint. I had planned to do a clean through, but when that plan went awry, I booked a local cleaning company to come in tomorrow to make it sparkle.’
When we find ourselves level with The Merry Robin, Abe and Ethel’s forty-five-foot Admiral narrowboat, it’s a joy to behold. Ethel is a colourful lady in all senses of the word, and the middle section of the cabin top is her garden. An array of pots bursting with summer colours makes every passer-by stop to admire the display.
‘It must be lovely to lead a simpler life, living on the canal,’ I ponder.
‘Small can be beautiful and less of a burden, but it wouldn’t do for me. I like to keep my feet firmly on the ground.’
‘Is that why you don’t ever come with us on the Santa Ahoy cruises? I did wonder.’
A little smile plays around her mouth. ‘I’m happy standing at the end of the gangplank and clipping tickets.’
Poor Fisher. That’s not something that’s even crossed his mind. Inwardly I groan. Whenever he’s behind the wheel of The Star Gazer, there’s a look that comes over his face and it’s of a man whose worries have all fallen away. Boating is in his blood and an integral part of him. I wonder if Val understands that, or whether she’s happy enough living in Byre Cottage with Ziggy, knowing that Fisher is within walking distance. It is convenient for them both as it stands, but from the way Fisher is acting, I don’t think that’s going to be enough for him.
‘And Gray’s trip is going well?’
‘He’s had a wonderful time by the sound of it, but, with the time difference and meetings, most of our contact has been via text. He’s taking a few days off this week and he’s um… pressing me to go to London at the weekend to introduce me to his friends. I can understand that he wants me to meet them before the wedding, as our worlds are very different. It’s only his boss, Ollie, and his wife, who have come into his life recently. The rest of them have known each other for almost ten years and have formed a real bond, one that I’m not a part of – yet.’
Val turns her head to look at me. ‘I appreciate how it must feel, the thought of meeting such a closely knit group of people for the first time. Gray is a part of our community and he knows everyone you know, so your guest list is his, too. But that’s not true the other way around. Take heart, though, Immi. Trust in the fact that his friends know how much Gray loves you, and, as he talks about them often, they aren’t total strangers. There’s no reason to expect they won’t welcome you with open arms.’
Val’s words touch my heart. It’s the sort of thing that Grandma would have said to me if she were still alive.
‘Thank you, Val. I guess I needed to hear that from someone I trust.’
Aside from Tollie, Fisher is my sounding board, but increasingly Val has become a voice of reason. Someone who can put things into perspective for me from a slightly different viewpoint and I appreciate that.
‘It’s lovely of you to say that, Immi. I’m always here if you want to talk. Now let’s pick up our pace as the light will be fading soon and I don’t want you walking back in the dark.’
It’s unheard of for Sarah to take a night off. Miraculously, though, Ursula managed to talk her into coming to the yoga class and then going back to her place for the grand measuring ceremony.
‘I refuse to feel guilty about having this glass of wine,’ Sarah declares as we raise a toast. ‘Um… what are we toasting?’
‘A few hours of freedom.’
‘Ah, yes,’ Ursula joins in. ‘Tonight, I’m not a mum, a wife, or a daughter, I’m just plain old me.’
‘And I’m not mopping my brow in a hot kitchen, with three people trying to talk to me at the same time,’ Sarah says candidly. They both turn to look at me.
‘I’m not curled up on the sofa with a calculator next to me reworking figures and balancing budgets,’ I join in, shrugging my shoulders.
‘What a sad bunch we are!’ Ursula replies, sounding a tad exasperated. ‘But isn’t it refreshing to have a few hours to ourselves?’
‘Are you thinking what I’m thinking?’ Sarah asks, and we both nod in agreement.
‘The classes are only once a week. The sky isn’t going to fall in if we aren’t around. And if it saves our sanity…’ Ursula replies enthusiastically.
‘Then it’s a necessity,’ I state as we chink glasses. ‘But won’t it leave Kurt with a problem?’
‘Maggie will fill in for me. She’s always happy to do an extra shift. When it’s quiet, Kurt will go sit and have a drink with one of the club members, but if I’m not cooking, plating up, or serving, I tend to clean. The girls slope off to do their homework, or play online with their friends, while I scrub the grill and start prepping for the next day.’
‘Working in the hospitality industry is a hard life,’ Ursula replies with a frown. ‘Don’t you ever get bored of the constant demands, Sarah?’
‘No. We’re grateful as a family to be able to build our business and work as a team. The girls love helping whenever they can, but things will change when they leave school and that’s only a few years away. That’s the point at which we’ll all sit down and decide how we move forward. Maybe I’ll end up running a team of part-timers and taking more of a back seat, but we’ll see. I suppose working from home is the only option for you, Ursula,’ Sarah remarks.
‘Yes, and it’s going to be like that for the foreseeable future. Olivia has good days and bad
days, fortunately more good ones than bad. But if she’s taken poorly at school, I’m only a phone call away and I love being my own boss.’
They turn to look at me. ‘Will things change when you are Mrs Immi Adams?’ Ursula enquires, peering at me with interest.
‘Oh, that sounds funny. Imogen Adams… that sounds like someone else!’
‘Does Tollie have any brothers to carry on the Tolliman name?’ Ursula asks.
‘No. Sadly he lost one sibling at an early age, but it was a girl, I think. Tollie already regards Gray as his son, though. But beyond the wedding, I have no idea what’s going to happen. Hopefully, we’ll settle down in our spanking new cottage with everything in working order. I would like Gray to work from home sometimes, just to save him that awful drive. And the loneliness of being apart, of course. But in all honesty, unless he can afford to buy a few more expensive pieces of kit, he doesn’t have a choice.’
‘Aww. That’s a shame. Still, life isn’t meant to be easy, according to my mother-in-law,’ Ursula declares. ‘It’s meant to build character.’
We burst out laughing in unison.
‘I don’t know about the two of you, but I feel like I’ve already learnt enough lessons to last a lifetime and I’m waiting to get to the stage where life begins to even out!’ I declare with passion.
‘Well, that’s when you and Gray will begin talking about starting a family. You swap one set of highs and lows for another. Life is just one big circle, but each time you go around it, the circumstances change slightly. Anyway, are we going to let Sarah have a peek at the designs?’ Ursula asks, leaving me to ponder the fact that we all have challenges even if they’re very different.
As Ursula goes off to grab her design pad, Sarah and I take a seat on the sofa.
‘If you like the sketches, then it’s simply a case of choosing the colour. My dress is going to be silver-grey, with a hint of silver and a little pop of soft heather,’ I inform her.