by Emma Davies
Grace had just taken another sip of her drink and she coughed slightly.
‘Because what you just said sounded like the kind of thing that would have come out of Hannah’s mouth when I first got here,’ she continued, frowning. ‘That whole “a woman’s place is in the kitchen” thing, and you are so much more than that, Grace.’ She pulled a face. ‘I’ve been in your house don’t forget, on many occasions, and it’s an absolute oasis of peace and serenity. It’s beautifully decorated because you have an incredible eye for what works and what doesn’t, and I’ve also eaten enough of your food to know that you’re an amazing cook. You have plenty of skills, Grace, but you’re in danger of lumping them under the “domestic trivia” heading and thinking them worthless.’
Amos sat back slightly and smiled.
‘Go on…’ said Grace. ‘I think I want to hear this…’
Judging by the expression on her face, Flora was still marshalling her thoughts. She narrowed her eyes. ‘So, I’m thinking off the top of my head here, but…’ She broke off suddenly, looking across at Amos. ‘Oh, that was clever,’ she said. ‘How did you know this is what I was going to say?’
Amos shrugged. ‘I don’t know what you mean…’ he said, innocently. ‘But now that you come to mention it, I believe my own thought processes were heading the same way as yours. But don’t let me stop you, Flora, do carry on.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘So, as I was saying, off the top of my head, it strikes me that instead of thinking about the battle ahead we need to look at this situation as an opportunity. And, far from lacking in skills, Grace, I’d say you have a huge range of talents, we just need to find a way that utilises them in a better fashion than as a prop for Paul’s glittering career. You do need to be able to provide for yourself in the future, but the way I look at it you have two huge assets at your disposal.’ She gave Grace a warm smile. ‘And the first of those is you…’
There was a slight crinkling at the corners of Grace’s mouth, but her eyes showed her indecision. She’s pleased by the compliment, thought Amos. But she doesn’t quite believe it, yet. He held Flora’s look.
‘And the second…’ she continued. ‘Well, perhaps you’d like to say what the other asset is, Amos.’
There was a teasing smile on her face, which Amos matched.
‘Oh, that’s easy,’ he replied. ‘Your house, Grace.’
‘Exactly!’ cried Flora, excitement brewing. ‘Oh, Grace, think about it. There must be a million and one things you could do there, things that you would be absolutely brilliant at. A guest house, running courses… a cookery school? And your house would make a wonderful setting for all of those things. We could even tie it in with the farm somehow, make it into a joint venture. Oh I don’t know, but it’s just alive with possibility! Don’t you see?’
For a moment Amos could see the light dawning across Grace’s face as Flora’s enthusiasm flowed between them, but then he saw the emotional weight of what she was going through gain the upper hand and the light died.
‘But I don’t have the money for any of that,’ she said. ‘Even if it were possible. Getting a business off the ground can cost a huge amount and I’d need income to be coming in pretty much straight away. I don’t have the time to build a reputation, for word of mouth to spread. It’s a lovely idea, Flora, as were your words, but I’m really not sure—’
‘There must be a way around all of that, surely?’ Flora was looking at Amos for guidance. ‘We’d all help and, after all, you know what they say, necessity is the mother of invention…’
But Grace’s face wore a closed expression. She had made up her mind, for now at least.
‘Perhaps Grace needs a little time to have a think about all of this,’ said Amos gently. ‘I imagine today has been somewhat trying and maybe now isn’t the best time to make decisions.’
Grace smiled gratefully. ‘I confess, I’m suddenly feeling utterly drained. But I will think about what you’ve said, Flora, I promise. I have to do something.’
Flora gave a rueful smile. ‘I’m sorry, Grace. I do tend to go off on one when I get the bit between my teeth.’
Grace patted her hand. ‘And we all love you for it,’ she replied, and then she got to her feet and gave Flora a hug. ‘I’m going to go home now, have a bath, and hopefully fall into a deep refreshing sleep. And on the way I shall ask the bees what they think. No doubt tomorrow I will wake up with the answer in my head, clear as a bell.’
She smiled at Amos. ‘And thank you for all your help today too.’ She cocked her head to one side. ‘It’s so odd,’ she added, ‘because I feel as if I’ve known you my whole life…’ And then she paused. ‘I obviously have had far too much to drink. Please say goodnight to everyone for me, Flora, and thank you for a lovely meal.’
‘Oh, Grace, you’re always welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
Grace dipped her head and began to move away from the circle of chairs. Flora was looking helpless.
‘I’ll walk you home,’ said Amos, stepping forward. ‘I usually go for a wander around this time of night. The air is so lovely, don’t you think?’ He picked up Grace’s bag and handed it to her, before raising a hand in farewell to Flora. He wasn’t about to give her a reason to refuse.
It seemed to take only a matter of minutes before they were at the bottom of Grace’s garden. The air was beautiful, cool now, but still fragrant from the flowers and filled with birdsong. He stopped to listen for a moment.
‘Did you hear that?’ he said to Grace. ‘Nightingales.’
She lifted her head. ‘Beautiful, aren’t they? I come down here sometimes just to listen to them.’
The words hung in the air between them, a poignant reminder of the earlier conversation.
‘What do I do, Amos?’ she asked.
The question itself didn’t surprise him, but the fact that she had asked him did. She was still looking up into the canopy of trees, the last golden rays of the sun casting a soft glow on her face. He had a sudden urge to hold her hand.
‘You do whatever you want to do,’ he replied, waiting until she lowered her gaze to look at him before continuing. ‘But only you can really know what that is, Grace. You’ve taken the first, hardest step in the right direction and I think you already know that, as a result, things cannot stay the same.’ He smiled softly. ‘I like to think, however, that the universe rewards bravery by lending a helping hand where it can. So, if whatever you decide is the right thing for you to do, and you honestly believe that with all your heart, then I don’t see how you can fail. Take the opportunity you’ve given yourself, Grace, make something of it and forge the life you want for your future.’
‘But what if I don’t get to keep the house?’
‘Then you will have a slightly different opportunity to forge the life you want. The path it leads to may be different but the opportunity is still there. Don’t let it slip through your fingers.’
Grace nodded and indicated that they should continue walking, turning her face away. Amos would have liked to have said more but he could sense that Grace was struggling with her emotions and needed a few minutes to collect herself. He let her walk slightly ahead, following as they made their way up the hill towards the beehives. It seemed as if an age had passed since Amos had taken that very same route earlier in the day.
Attuned as his ears were to the sounds around him, they had gone only a matter of a few yards up the slope when Amos suddenly stopped. He could hear something vibrating, almost like a hum but deeper in tone although it was hard to decipher just where it was coming from as the trees deflected the sound. He walked forwards, concentrating, overtaking Grace as he quickened his pace.
‘You have very good hearing,’ came the voice from behind him. ‘Most people don’t even notice.’
‘What is it?’
Grace came to stand beside him. ‘The bees…’
‘But it sounds like it’s coming out of the bowels of the earth. Like some huge machine coming to life.’
Now that he knew where the sound originated from, he moved a little closer to one of the hives.
‘What are they doing?’ he whispered. ‘Holding mass or something?’
She smiled. ‘No, they’re cooling the hive… The noise you can hear is thousands of tiny wings all beating at once. Clever, isn’t it?’
Amos’s mouth had fallen open. ‘I had no idea they even did such a thing.’
‘They are their own air-conditioning system. It’s their busiest time of year and honey production is at its height just now. They have to remove most of the water from the nectar they’ve gathered in order to make honey and this raises the temperature and humidity levels inside the hive. By beating their wings en masse they set up currents of air and it helps to regulate it.’
And now something else was literally buzzing around Amos’s head because his thoughts were coming thick and fast.
‘How long have you been a beekeeper, Grace?’ he asked.
‘Too long… It makes me remember how old I am.’
‘And have you ever thought about passing on your skills to anyone else?’
‘Like who? Who’d be interested? Most folk just pick a jar of honey off the shelf and like it that way. They don’t want to know how it gets there.’
‘Well I would…’ He broke off, thinking some more. ‘Grace, can I make a deal with you?’ he said.
She narrowed her eyes. ‘Go on,’ she said. ‘What am I about to let myself in for now?’
The more Amos thought about it, the more it seemed like the perfect solution. And it certainly answered the questions he had about why he was there. He rubbed the back of his neck.
‘Are you going to think about Flora’s suggestion? Seriously, I mean.’
Grace sighed. ‘I admit, right now, I just want to curl up somewhere and not have to think about anything much, but, yes, I will. I have to, Amos, I have no choice. And I am not giving up this house.’ A hint of steel had crept into her tone.
‘Then, as you said earlier, there will be things that need doing. Only you can decide what those need to be, but I can pretty much turn my hand to anything of a practical nature and I’m going to be around for a bit working on the cottage at the farm. If I promise to help with whatever you need, would you teach me about the miracle of your bees, Grace?’
She was so still, he thought for a moment that he might have offended her, that he had pressed her too hard to think about things she wasn’t ready for yet. But then he saw a ghost of a smile flicker across her face.
‘Thank you for accompanying me home, Amos,’ she said. ‘But I think I’d like to go the rest of the way alone now.’
It wasn’t a rebuke, her voice was soft.
‘Of course.’ He took a step backwards. ‘Goodnight, Grace.’
‘Goodnight.’ She turned to go. ‘Oh, and Amos?’
He stood among the birdsong and the humming of the bees. His eyes met hers.
‘I’ll give you your answer tomorrow.’
7
Grace hadn’t imagined for one moment that she would sleep but, to her amazement, she had drifted off almost immediately and woken feeling a little stiff but otherwise none the worse for wear.
Her soothing bath and good book had undoubtedly helped, but more than that was the feeling of utmost peace which had stolen over her as she had stood at her bedroom window for a few moments before climbing into bed. The garden lay shrouded in shadow, but it wasn’t at all threatening, more the caress of a light blanket. She had climbed beneath her own covers with thoughts of her garden sleeping peacefully through the night beside her.
Now, the mid-morning light was harsh by comparison, but it was energising too; the bees had been up and about for hours. Several had already buzzed around her cup of tea before going on their way and something about them brought Amos to mind. She smiled at the thought of his offer the night before.
She picked up her mug from the table beside her on the patio and swallowed the last of its contents. It was hard to decide exactly what she thought about Amos. On the one hand, she felt as if she had known him for most of her life. He was kind, considerate and had an uncanny ability to see exactly what she was thinking. She had never met anyone who seemed so in tune with his surroundings before. But on the other hand, there was something about him that seemed… dangerous. Not in the traditional sense, but that he was more than capable of pushing her far outside her comfort zone. If she let him, that was.
Walking into the kitchen, she put down her mug beside the sink and was about to go upstairs to collect some washing when there was an unexpected ring of the front doorbell. Still deep in thought, she opened it without thinking, and was shocked to see who was standing on the other side.
‘Dominic!’
The tall figure stepped forward, his arms full of flowers.
‘Grace, it’s so lovely to see you.’ He kissed both of her cheeks, oblivious to any damage the blooms might incur as they sandwiched between them.
‘I do hope you bought those at the farm next door,’ she said, opening the door wider.
His brow creased in confusion. No, of course he hadn’t. Don’t be silly, Grace, his secretary had bought them.
‘Our neighbours have opened a flower farm,’ she explained, stepping backwards as Dominic’s spicy aftershave enveloped her. Some things never changed.
She smiled as she took the bouquet from him. ‘These are beautiful though, thank you. Come in.’
She led the way down the wide hallway to the kitchen.
‘I must say you’re the last person I expected to see,’ she said, opening a cupboard to take down a vase. She turned around to look at her husband’s boss, assessing what damage the last few years had done to him. But he looked to have hardly changed at all since she had last seen him. Still impossibly handsome. Slender-hipped, broad-shouldered, tall, and with floppy dark hair shot through with grey, Dominic struck an imposing presence in her kitchen. His sharp suit was softened by his relaxed pose and his round tortoiseshell glasses which gave him a rather owlish appearance; one he certainly knew how to use to maximum effect. He did it now, peering at her in that innocent way of his that had all the women queuing up to mother him.
‘Grace… how could I not?’ He fished inside the inner pocket of his suit jacket, drawing out a sheet of paper. ‘I came as soon as I got this.’
Straight down to business then.
‘I’m so sorry. I had no idea that things had got so bad.’
‘Would you like a coffee?’ she asked. ‘It’s a beautiful morning, we could sit outside if you like.’
He nodded and she reached for the cafetière, knowing Dominic wouldn’t tolerate instant. She busied herself running water into the vase, filling the kettle and spooning out the coffee, all the while aware that, behind her, Dominic would be watching.
‘It’s been a couple of years,’ he said, after a moment, coming to stand beside her. ‘And I don’t know how, but you’ve managed to make this place look even more gorgeous than before.’
He looked around at the lovely light airy space that was Grace’s kitchen. When she had first met Dominic, it had been two rooms, but now, opened up and with only a wall of glass separating it from the garden, it was a stylish but welcoming centre of the house.
‘Yes, well, over the years, as my husband’s interest in it has declined, I’ve been able to add a few things about the place that are more to my liking.’
Dominic gave her an amused smile. ‘Grace, let’s not kid ourselves, all that entertaining, the parties, the weekends away, the charity events you organised, we always knew that the creation of the seemingly effortless stage on which Paul could shine was down to you, all of it. Things don’t become as effortless as you made them seem without an awful lot of hard work.’
She nodded, but bit her tongue. She had no wish to score points. What was done was done and it was time to move on from that. She took a jug of milk from the fridge and placed it on a tray, which she began to load with everything else they would nee
d. Dominic, she noticed, had crossed to the double doors at the far end of the room which opened out onto the patio.
He inhaled an exaggerated deep breath. ‘Ahhh… I always did love your garden, Grace. The house’s crowning glory, and still the same, I see. It has this air of… I don’t know… tranquillity? Serenity?’
She rolled her eyes behind his back.
There was silence for a moment.
‘Listen, Grace, what happened before, well I—’
‘You apologised before, Dominic, and I accepted your apology then, there’s no need to go over old ground.’ She really wished he wouldn’t, she had no desire to revisit that particular episode in her life.
‘No, quite. It’s just that… well, I wish we hadn’t parted on such bad terms.’
‘We didn’t. You made an arse of yourself by making a pass at me. I called you out and you took offence at being rejected. You apologised because you didn’t want to lose face, and I accepted that apology because I could see that you were acting completely out of character.’
The shriek of the kettle coming to the boil invaded the silence between them.
Dominic gave a wry chuckle. ’Well, that told me, didn’t it? But you know I only did it because I could see how unhappy you were.’
‘And that makes you the perfect gent, does it?’ Grace squared up to him. ‘Dominic, when my husband made me a laughing stock in front of a house full of guests, the thing to do would have been to offer me support. As his boss, you could have taken him to one side and told him to shut up. But what did you do…? Corner me in the kitchen and make a clumsy pass at me. How in the world did you think that was going to make me feel any better?’
He hung his head. ‘I wasn’t thinking straight, I know. We’d all had a lot to drink.’
‘I hadn’t, Dominic. I was stone cold sober, especially after several hours of trying to fend off my husband’s drunken advances in front of a bunch of people I scarcely knew and then suffering the indignity of him snogging one of the guests right in front of me. Do you remember how everyone teased me for not finding it funny? There was nothing funny about the whole thing and you made it ten times worse!’ She glared at him, trying to push the memories back where they belonged.