Clover Cottage: A feel good cosy read perfect for your summer holiday reading (Love Heart Lane Series, Book 3)

by Christie Barlow

  ***

  Ping! Allie dropped her gaze to her phone. Three missed calls and three texts messages, all from Rory. She tapped and swiped the screen and sat with her head bowed reading his messages.

  Where are you? x

  Please pick up your phone x

  Ring me as soon as you get this x

  It looked like Rory was desperate to get hold of her, but at this moment Allie didn’t know what to say to him. A snap of a twig behind her caused her to spin round, and standing there she saw her friend Felicity.

  ‘I’m jogging! Don’t ask, just trying to shift a few pounds and get fit. All those cakes are piling on my waistline.’ She patted her stomach but as soon as she locked eyes with Allie her smile faded.

  ‘Bad day?’ asked Felicity, narrowing her eyes.

  Where do I start? thought Allie, blowing out a breath. ‘You could say that.’

  Felicity sat down next to her and for a second both women sat in silence, staring at the view, before Felicity spoke.

  ‘What’s going on? Do you want to talk about it?’ she asked tentatively.

  Allie had never been one for tears, and she knew Felicity would be surprised and worried to see her upset. ‘You know when you think life is great and then suddenly—’ Allie’s voice faltered as she wiped away a tear that was sliding down her cheek with the back of her hand.

  ‘Surely it can’t be that bad,’ said Felicity, trying to comfort her.

  ‘Do you think you will ever move in with Fergus?’ asked Allie, looking towards her friend.

  ‘That’s the plan,’ said Felicity, ‘but it’s not always that simple, is it?’

  Allie knew Felicity’s life and relationship with Fergus were complicated. Her heart went out to her friend who had made some brave decisions in the past, including walking away from Heartcross for eight years and living on her own in London.

  ‘Both Fergus and I talk about it all the time and I would jump at the chance of living with him and Esme – they are my life. But the timing and house need to be right. Let’s face it, no one seems to move from Heartcross and there aren’t many houses going up for sale, are there?’

  ‘That’s my point exactly.’

  ‘Huh? You’ve lost me.’

  ‘If someone gave you and Fergus a cottage in Heartcross, what would you think?’

  ‘Either I’m dreaming or I’ve won the lottery!’

  ‘I thought I’d won the lottery,’ said Allie solemnly, before sharing all the details about the evening so far with her friend.

  Felicity blew out a breath. ‘I wasn’t expecting that. Clover Cottage – wow … That’s amazing! And James left the cottage to Stuart and Alana in his will and they’ve given it to you and Rory?’ she said, obviously happy for her friend.

  Allie nodded, ‘That about sums it up, except Rory doesn’t want it and gave it back.’

  ‘Really? Is he mad? I’d be looking round there right at this second.’

  Allie wholeheartedly agreed. She looked at her phone once more. She’d switched it to silent but there was Rory’s name flashing away on the screen, trying to reach her again. She knew she should probably pick up the call, but she shrugged off any guilt, knowing she was going to let him stew for a little while longer.

  Over the past eighteen months Allie had built up a picture of their future together and this could have been the start of it. She sighed to herself again. She really hoped things were fixable between them.

  ‘Ignoring his calls isn’t going to help,’ said Felicity, looking at Rory’s name flashing repeatedly on Allie’s screen.

  Allie paused before she answered, and cast her mind back, thinking about Rory’s reaction to his parents’ offer more and more.

  ‘You know, Rory’s never even asked me to move into the terrace with him on Love Heart Lane. Do you think that’s strange when he already has a house and I’m living with my parents at the pub?’

  ‘I bet he just thinks it’s easier for you to live there, with your early starts. And you know, Allie, sometimes men just need a little push. Talk to him; find out what’s going on. There’s no point sitting here trying to work it all out without the facts. Rory is besotted with you, anyone can see that.’

  Allie shook her head. ‘You should have heard him, Flick.’

  ‘It’ll all be fine,’ reassured Felicity in a soft tone.

  Despite her worries Allie knew she needed to talk to Rory.

  ‘Ring him back,’ urged Felicity. ‘The sooner the better.’

  But before Allie could answer and let all her jumbled-up feelings settle, Rory came tumbling towards them both, raking his hand through his hair.

  ‘Thank God, I’ve been looking for you everywhere.’

  Allie looked up. Rory’s expression had changed from one of anger and now he genuinely looked deflated and upset.

  Allie waggled her phone in front of her. ‘I know, I’m sorry,’ she said, staring at the ground and avoiding Rory’s gaze. ‘I just needed to get my head straight.’

  ‘I’ll leave you both to it,’ said Felicity, standing up and hoping both of her friends would be okay. ‘If I don’t see you before, I’ll catch you both at the summer fair on Saturday.’

  Rory waited until Felicity was out of sight before speaking. ‘Why did you disappear?’

  ‘Why do you think? Probably overhearing the heated conversation with your mum … especially the part when you stated you may not even want to marry me or set up home with me. You could have broken it to me gently, Rory.’ Allie’s voice wobbled.

  Saying the words out loud, she did her best to squash the feeling of dread rising rapidly inside her, but she felt her heart-rate quicken.

  Since she had been a little girl Allie had always dreamt of the perfect proposal and the perfect wedding, and as far as she was concerned Rory was her happy-ever-after. She felt vulnerable as he perched on the bench beside her. She wasn’t sure where this conversation was heading.

  ‘Is it over?’ the words were out of her mouth before she could stop them, the comment hanging in the air between them. She braced herself, squeezing her eyes shut, preparing herself for the answer.

  ‘What? What are you going on about?’ Rory’s eyes were wide. ‘I love you—’

  Allie looked up. ‘But—’ she interrupted. Rory exhaled. ‘Oh my God, you are saying it’s over,’ she said, immediately standing up, not giving him a chance to answer. Her eyes were brimming with tears, her heart thumping fast against her ribcage. She couldn’t do this; she just wanted to get away.

  Rory pulled her back down to the bench and grasped both her hands in his. ‘God, I’m sorry. That’s not what I’m saying at all. It’s just—’

  ‘It’s just you don’t want to live with me,’ insisted Allie.

  ‘That’s not what I’m saying either.’

  ‘Then what are you saying, Rory? Because I’m sitting here not knowing what the hell is going on. One minute I feel like I’ve won the lottery and the next, in the blink of an eye, I feel like I’ve lost everything.’ Allie’s voice faltered but she held his gaze.

  ‘Do you not think the decision should be ours? Do you not think our future is our decision?’

  ‘I don’t understand, Rory.’ All Allie could think about was the cottage that he’d just handed back to his parents. ‘Clover Cottage is – was – perfect for us.’

  ‘Allie, I’m not saying it’s not perfect for us. What I’m trying to say is my parents always have a hold over my life. I work for them, I live in a house owned by them, they are now choosing where my future house should be and who I live there with! You know my frustrations with Dad; we butt heads all the time regarding business matters. I’m not saying he’s a bad guy, and the offer of the cottage is a generous gift, but I just want to make my own way in life. I feel stifled – suffocated – by them at times.’

  Allie didn’t interrupt but sat listening to Rory, who loosened his grip on her hands now he knew she wasn’t going to leave.

  ‘I want to ask my girlfrie
nd to move in with me when I’m ready to ask her. I felt like Mum and Dad were pushing for us to live together, inviting you to be their daughter-in-law. I’m over the moon they think of you in that way, I really am, but I couldn’t help feeling this was more about them than us.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ asked Allie, confused.

  ‘I think they’ve decided they are ready for the next stage of their lives – grandchildren. They want to see me, their only son, settled down. But this isn’t about them, it’s about me … it’s about us. I’m enjoying this part of our journey, dating, looking forward to seeing you in the evening, getting ready to go out … It’s a time we don’t get back. And what’s the rush?’

  Allie knew Rory had a point, but she felt ready for the next step. She was tired of living with her parents, waking up and working in the same place. Of course it was convenient but now she too wanted her own space and wanted to move in with Rory. The time was right for her.

  ‘Isn’t half the fun viewing properties and deciding where we want to live together?’ Rory continued. ‘When we are ready, I want us to look for a house together, choose where we want to live together.’

  ‘But houses in Heartcross don’t come up for sale often. This cottage could be the perfect answer,’ Allie pointed out gently. ‘And the garden is amazing too; it’s a perfect location …’ She bumped her shoulder against his lightly. ‘And we wouldn’t have to move out of Heartcross. Surely it wouldn’t cause any harm to take a look?’

  ‘You are beautiful and persuasive,’ he said, dropping a kiss on the tip of her nose. ‘But I want to make my own way in the world. Dad convinced me working in the family business was best for me yet I don’t feel equal and I’m convinced there’s more waiting out there for me.’

  ‘What’s wrong with Heartcross?’ Allie asked hesitantly.

  ‘Nothing – but there’s a big wide world out there to explore.’

  ‘Oh,’ said Allie, trying to read Rory’s expression before turning back to look at the scenery in front of her. Trying to digest the information, she felt confused, and a small tear slid down her face.

  ‘Please don’t cry, I’m just being honest with you. All I’m saying is there is more to life than Heartcross.’

  Allie’s heart sank. She loved her comfortingly familiar life, surrounded by what she knew, the friends she grew up with. Her home was Heartcross, her life was Heartcross. But maybe she was so caught up in her own little world, she’d never realised Rory didn’t feel the same way.

  ‘I don’t feel I can stamp my mark on the business until Dad retires. I want to bring the technology into this century, build a new surgery, an animal hospital. I still feel like I’m living in the dark ages and banging my head against a brick wall. And now I have the added worry of moving out of my home in a matter of days. Everything in my life so far revolves around my parents’ aspirations for me.’

  Allie knew she didn’t have the same frustrations with her own parents, but maybe that was because they weren’t as financially secure as Rory’s parents or as traditional in their views. And they certainly didn’t have more than one house. Money was tight at the pub: some months they barely made a living, but thankfully, due to Heartcross being put on the map over twelve months ago, there’d been an influx of tourists, which had helped to boost the business.

  ‘This isn’t about us, Allie, and I’m sorry I made you feel like this. But I do think moving in together should be our decision, not someone else’s. We’ve never talked about living together – it’s a major step, a commitment and I don’t want to let you down.’

  ‘Are you saying you still want to be with me?’

  ‘That was never in doubt. I always want to be with you.’

  A smile crept onto Allie’s face, and a feeling of relief swept over her, but at the same time she was still feeling a little disappointed about the cottage. She nodded her understanding, but she wasn’t about to give up. Rory had admitted it was down to timing, and surely if his father retired Rory would think differently. He could run the business just the way he wanted. Rory might think Clover Cottage wasn’t the place for them but how would he ever know if he didn’t go and look? Allie was certainly intrigued by what Clover Cottage might have to offer.

  Rory leant forward and kissed her tenderly on the cheek. ‘Thank you for understanding.’

  Even though Allie hoped this was just a waiting game she felt a tiny niggle begin to fester inside her. What if she and Rory did want different things in life?

  Chapter 3

  On Saturday morning Allie was up with the lark. Usually she’d clean the pub once the drayman had arrived, but today it was the summer fair on the green and already her parents were bustling around with the other villagers erecting the tents for the day ahead.

  She set to work dusting down the bar, putting out clean bar towels and restocking all the fridges. As she cleaned the lines and reconnected the ales and lager and made sure they tasted okay, her mind was firmly fixed on Rory. She hadn’t crossed paths with Stuart and Alana since Rory had refused the cottage, and she was hoping there would be no awkwardness between them today. She wondered what Rory was going to do. The clock was ticking and he had to move out of Love Heart Lane in a matter of days, but as far as she knew he hadn’t even started to pack up his things.

  She picked up her untouched cold mug of tea and leant against the bar thinking about Rory. When he’d refused the cottage she’d doubted his intentions, but Rory had been his usual attentive self since then and had confirmed to Allie that refusing the cottage was nothing whatsoever to do with their relationship, thus putting her mind at ease. Of course, she understood his frustrations with his father, but she still couldn’t shake the feeling that a cottage in Heartcross was a unique opportunity for them. She was surprised Rory wasn’t in the tiniest bit curious to take a look inside.

  Wandering into the kitchen to make a fresh cup of tea, she hummed along to the radio then heard the door of the pub opening. She quickly popped her head into the hallway and saw Isla standing in the bar frantically looking for her.

  ‘Allie! Allie! Where are you?’

  Allie appeared and locked eyes with Isla. ‘What’s wrong?’

  Isla flapped her hand in front of her. ‘Nothing, nothing whatsoever …’ The smile stretched across her face. ‘You’ll never guess what … honestly, I couldn’t believe it when I saw him.’ Isla pulled out a stool at the bar and perched on top.

  ‘Saw who?’ asked Allie, intrigued. She hadn’t seen Isla this excited since she decided to buy a herd of alpacas for Drew’s last birthday.

  Isla took a deep breath. ‘Zach Hudson!’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous – where the hell would you see Zach Hudson? Have you had a bump on the head?’ But Allie had to admit Isla looked radiant this morning and didn’t look like she’d been bumped on the head.

  ‘I kid you not, he’s staying at the farm – in one of my vans!’

  Allie laughed. ‘There is no way Zach Hudson is slumming in a caravan in the village of Heartcross.’

  ‘Hey! Don’t be cheeky; those vintage vans are the bee’s knees!’ said Isla, pretending to be insulted.

  ‘You know that’s not what I mean!’ Allie laughed at Isla’s expression. ‘But Zach Hudson is a celebrity. Why the hell would he be staying in one of your vans?’

  Isla looked like the cat that got the cream. Since she’d opened Foxglove Camping, Isla had been doing a roaring trade. Julia at the local B&B had helped to spread the word, along with her Facebook page, and with the increase of tourism to the area they were both fully booked.

  Zach Hudson was an actor in one of the most popular Netflix series, in his late twenties, and just the sound of his name made nearly every girl on the planet swoon.

  ‘I didn’t know it was him at first because he’d booked in under a pseudonym – Todd Jones.’

  ‘Obviously so no one would know it was him,’ interrupted Allie.

  ‘And when he arrived with the most adorable dog, Sydney, I
just kept looking at him and then I asked him outright, was he Zach Hudson. Honestly, I couldn’t believe it. I felt like pinching myself. He’s filming a documentary about the Scottish Highlands and chose Heartcross as he’d heard about us all when the bridge collapsed! Zach Hudson has heard about us!’ Isla flapped her hand in front of her face.

  ‘Isla, this is amazing for you, for Foxglove Camping. This catapults you right up there, puts you on a different level … celebrity clients … Just think of the publicity this could bring to your little business. What you need is a photograph – Zach with Sydney outside one of the vans. And I know just the girl to take that picture.’ Allie nudged Isla’s elbow playfully.

  ‘I was thinking exactly the same and Drew has convinced him to judge one of the dog shows this afternoon alongside Rory!’

  ‘No way! This is going to be brilliant! I’m taking photos for the local paper too, which obviously means I am going to need an introduction.’

  ‘Without a doubt!’ said Isla, glancing at her watch. ‘I’d best get back to the farm. Drew and Fergus are in charge of the hog roast and I need to go and put the gazebo up. And I’ve left Finn and Esme bathing Mop the alpaca. Finn is convinced she’s going to win best of show, especially if Uncle Rory is judging. The pair of them are so excited and I keep reminding them it’s a dog show, not an alpaca show, but they don’t seem to be listening to me!’

  ‘They are in for a fun afternoon. I’ll see you later on the green and make sure you look glam. I’ll get the camera at the ready!’