by Emma Davies
She looked at Maddie’s hopeful expression. Everything that Isobel needed was right here, even her music. She could feel the notes inside her head, pressing to be let out, and once they were, others would follow, as sure as night followed day. How could she even think about going anywhere else? The others were coming now, she could hear their voices, but as she sensed her time to respond to Maddie was running out, suddenly one thought arrived in her head with crystal clarity. So strong it actually made her smile. The reason that things seemed so simple at Joy’s Acre was because they actually were. And with that, Isobel’s mind was made up.
The next minute the kitchen was full. Tom sat beside her, leaning in and gently pressed her shoulder with his. She answered his silent How are you question with a beaming smile, which she then extended around the table as Seth and Clara also took their seats.
Trixie took the lid off a pan standing on top of the cooker, releasing a wonderful scent of the summer into the air, like a greenhouse on a hot day, full of concentrated aromas. She began to spoon crimson-coloured soup into bowls, looking around the table as she did so.
‘I hope you like this,’ she said, ‘only we, er, seem to have rather a lot of tomatoes at the moment.’ She caught Clara’s eye and winked. ‘And if anyone hates ratatouille, speak now or forever hold your peace…’
‘Or should that be peas…?’ put in Tom.
Clara frowned at him. ‘No, the peas are perfectly under control, thank you. It’s just the courgettes and tomatoes that are being rather, um… exuberant at the moment.’
Seth rested his spoon back in the bowl after taking a mouthful. ‘Well, this is gorgeous, Trixie,’ he said, ‘I certainly wouldn’t mind having this again.’
She took her seat. ‘Not when you bloody get it for breakfast too, you won’t,’ she muttered.
The laughter rippled around the table, and Isobel helped herself to a hunk of bread. She would miss this.
After that the conversation flowed, even though everyone was intent on finishing their meal. They all had work to get back to. Seth was the first to leave and although Isobel offered to help with the washing-up, Trixie wouldn't hear of it, and so she and Tom were soon heading back up the path to the cottages. They were just about to enter the gardens when she suddenly remembered what she wanted to say.
‘Tom, go on ahead and I’ll catch you up. There’s something I need to talk to Maddie about. I won’t be long.’ She retraced her steps back to the main house.
Trixie was still clearing up, but she waved Isobel through to the study where Maddie had already returned to work, standing by a filing cabinet with a pile of papers. She suddenly felt a little shy.
‘I just wanted to say,’ she began, ‘well, thank you really… We got interrupted earlier, when you said about me staying I mean, and the thing is… I would so love to stay, Maddie, but I don’t think I can…’
An immediate sense of disappointment hung in the air between them. She carried on.
‘So, being sensible, for the sake of your business, I thought I ought to let you know so that you could get back to the person who enquired as soon as possible. I’d hate you to lose the booking.’
Maddie nodded and smiled. It was a grateful smile, but she couldn’t hide the regret there too.
Isobel bit her lip. ‘But I also wanted you to know how much I’m enjoying being here, in fact, more than that, how much it’s meant to me. I might have to leave the cottage at the end of the month but I’m going to be sticking around… somehow… The details aren’t quite all there yet, but, I’m hoping…’ She trailed off, slightly embarrassed. ‘I just wanted you to know.’
They looked at one another for a moment, woman to woman, a silent understanding passing between them. Maddie shoved the pile of papers she was holding onto the top of the filing cabinet. She came forward with her arms outstretched.
‘Aw, you daft bat,’ she said, enveloping Isobel in hug. She hadn’t even had to mention Tom’s name.
Tom was still waiting on the path by the time she returned to the garden. He looked a little concerned.
‘Is everything all right?’ he asked, searching her face.
‘Oh yes,’ smiled Isobel. ‘Everything’s fine.’ She studied him for a moment. ‘Are you okay?’
He grinned. ‘Shitting myself,’ he said, and then immediately covered his mouth with his hand. ‘Jeez, sorry, that came out a bit wrong. What I meant to say was—’
‘A trifle nervous?’
He gave her an apologetic look. ‘Something like that.’
She tried hard to stop her grin from showing. ‘More polite, but somehow much less eloquent than your first statement.’
‘Some would say more so.’
This time she smiled, a warm smile as she held his look. ‘Either way, entirely understandable under the circumstances.’
Tom groaned. ‘He’s just a man for goodness’ sake. How can meeting him be such a big deal?’
‘Because he’s your sister-in-law’s new boyfriend, who you care about a great deal. Your sister-in-law, that is. She’s been through enough already and you don’t want to see her hurt again. Plus, you need to know whether he thinks he’s attempting to be a replacement for your brother, or in fact whether he’s tactful and sympathetic and wouldn’t dream of being anything of the sort. Come to think of it, that also applies to the whole surrogate dad thing too, and uncle for that matter. Tricky business, because he can’t be either of those things, so he’s got to find some sort of safe middle ground where he’s accepted by both you and Lily but without overriding anything that’s gone before.’
Tom stared at her. ‘Bloody hell, and I thought I was nervous.’
‘Just trying to help you understand that he will be having metaphorical kittens as well, which might smooth the way a little. It is a big deal, for everyone concerned, and understanding that, perversely, might make it less so.’
‘You’re amazing, you know that?’
She looked up at him as he suddenly blushed.
‘Just trying to help, fair’s fair.’ And then, embarrassed, as his words reverberated through her brain, she found herself colouring up.
She laughed. ‘Right well, I need to get back to work and so do you, so go on, off you go.’
He took a step backwards. ‘I’ll pick you up at five, is that okay? Kate’s serving the meal at six she tells me. Any later than that and I’m a dead man.’
‘That’s perfect, I’ll be ready.’
They had reached the intersection of the paths and Isobel was about to turn towards her own cottage when she suddenly remembered something else.
‘Oh, I meant to say… I started work on something new this morning, something which, for the moment at least, feels good, and I was thinking.’ She grinned. ‘Did you really mean it when you said I should come and play at the wedding with you?’
‘Of course!’
‘But won’t the others mind?’
Tom batted a fly away from his head. ‘We've been playing together a long time,’ he explained. ‘And, well, people come and people go. It's always been a fairly fluid arrangement. In fact, sometimes I'm not even sure who’s going to show up. There's a core of five of us, but the edges chop and change a little. And that's great, it brings different things to the music, so I know the guys would be up for it.’ The fly persisted, and he swatted it again. ‘Does this mean that you've had a change of heart? Are you really going to come with us?’
Isobel took a deep breath, and nodded. ‘But I don't even know what you play,’ she said. ‘And there isn’t really time to practise.’
Tom gave her a look she couldn't fathom. ‘Which is why I took the precaution of making a list, in case you decided to come with us after all.’ He fished in the pocket of his jeans, and pulled out a folded piece of paper. ‘This is the set list,’ he said, handing it to her. ‘And I've written the name of the band at the bottom. Just Google us and you’ll find our website. All the songs are on there, and I expect you’ll know a fair few.’ He
winked at her. ‘Just see what you can do.’
Isobel stared at Tom, a slow smile beginning to spread across her face. ‘Now who’s being amazing?’ she said.
Tom merely grinned.
And then Isobel looked down at the piece of paper, and almost burst out laughing. In large block capitals across the bottom few lines of the page was sprawled the band’s name:
Change Your Mind
Chapter 22
Tom might well be nervous about tonight, but Isobel was frankly terrified. It was an occasion that had the potential for disaster to be written all over it in huge neon letters. Not only might Tom and Adam take an instant dislike to one another, but Isobel didn’t know Kate or Lily at all well, and she was completely inexperienced in social situations. Despite Kate’s friendliness on the one occasion when they had met, tonight felt very different from the informal school concert of a week or so ago.
She dressed with care. Her wardrobe options were limited, but the warmth of the evening made the choice easier, and after drying her hair she decided at the last minute to leave it hanging loose. Coupled with a white shirt dress and sandals, she was happy with her appearance, and she studied herself in the mirror for a few moments. She smiled; nerves were bubbling away inside of her, but there was something else there too. It was a very long time since she had felt excited. It was a weird feeling.
Kate’s house was just at the other end of the village and, as Tom had mentioned before, was literally only five minutes away. It scarcely gave them any time to talk on the journey over, or rather Isobel time to chatter inanely and Tom time to listen. And now she was standing on the doorstep next to him, her heart beating like the clappers. He straightened the sleeve of his jacket, a soft blue linen, and then just as she heard the latch being turned he moved his hand to rest lightly in the small of her back. The next moment she was aware of the most gorgeous perfume as Kate caught her in a hug and pulled her inside.
A very excited Lily was practically jumping up and down. Kate laughed.
‘Lily, let Isobel get through the door first.’ She shooed her daughter down the hallway before turning back towards Isobel. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered, ‘but she’s desperate to play something for you. She’s been practising ever since she found out you’re a musician.’
Isobel pulled a face. ‘Ouch, sorry. I hope it hasn’t been too painful.’
Beside her, Tom gave an exaggerated tut. ‘But I’m a musician too,’ he said in a deliberately whiny voice.
Kate poked his arm. ‘I know, but I meant a proper musician.’ She took Isobel’s arm, grinning. ‘Come on,’ she said. ‘We’re in the garden.’
Tom’s voice came wafting from behind her. ‘See what I have to put up with…’
The garden was beautiful, not large, but bright with colour and the wonderful scent that only a summer’s evening could produce, an intoxicating, heady mix that filled the air. Isobel breathed deeply, looking around her, aware of Tom suddenly at her back.
Kate came forward. ‘Tom, Isobel… this is Adam.’
Isobel turned to see a figure rising from one of the chairs on the patio to her left, a mop of curly grey hair somewhat of a surprise. In fact, he wasn’t what Isobel was expecting at all.
He shook hands with Tom first, a warm two-handed shake, delivered with an accompanying grin. Despite the grey hair they looked about the same age.
‘I’ve heard a lot about you,’ he said. ‘From Kate of course, although mostly from Lily, I'll admit. So it's really nice to finally meet the man who plays “really jiggy music that makes you want to dance”.’
It was perhaps the best opening line that he could have said under the circumstances and, strangely, Isobel felt relief flood through her. Tom laughed.
‘That’s just the kind of thing that Lily would say.’ He smiled affectionately at his niece. ‘I'm afraid I haven't had the chance to talk to Lily about you though, but if I had, I’m guessing she would probably have said that you wear cool shoes, at least I hope she would.’
He stuck out his foot, which was clad in bright red Converse, identical to the ones Adam was wearing.
‘I did think about wearing my best suit, to make a good impression and all that, but seeing as I don't own one, I'll confess I’m pretty much pinning it all on the shoes… It’s good to meet you, Tom.’
And then Adam turned towards Isobel, hand outthrust once more.
‘And you must be Isobel…The lady for whom Lily is dying to play.’ There was a twinkle in his eye that let Isobel know just how much of a treat she was in for. She returned his smile willingly. It was obvious that he and Lily got along brilliantly.
‘But you don’t play jiggy music, I hear, or did I get that wrong?’
Isobel gave Tom a sideways glance. ‘Let’s just say that’s open to a certain amount of interpretation at the moment. I’m a classical violinist, but I seem to have been led astray over the last couple of weeks.’ She cupped a hand around her mouth. ‘Don’t tell Tom, but I’m even considering a move to the dark side…’
From the angle at which Tom was standing, she couldn’t actually see his face clearly, but she could tell he was grinning.
Adam nodded. ‘So, I’m guessing that’s how you two met?’
‘Oh, we’re not—’
Isobel stepped forwards, effectively cutting off Tom in mid-sentence.
‘I ought to say something poignant like we bonded over our love of Tchaikovsky concertos, but I’m afraid it’s not quite as romantic as that.’ She gave a bright smile. ‘I’m staying for the summer at one of the holiday cottages on the estate where Tom is working. I was supposed to be using the time to finish a project I was working on myself, but instead I found myself intent on murdering both my violin and my career. Tom came to my rescue.’ She moved closer, her hand brushing against his. ‘Now I’m not sure I’m going home at all.’
Tom’s mouth was almost hanging open in surprise and, as she caught Kate’s eye, who was standing on their periphery watching Tom closely, it was all she could do to keep from bursting with laughter.
‘I’m such a rubbish hostess,’ said Kate. ‘Nobody has a drink. Now what would everyone like?’
It was the perfect opportunity for Isobel, and moments later she was standing in the kitchen with Kate, ostensibly helping, but instead the two women were trying hard to stop themselves from giggling.
‘Oh, you should have seen his face!’ exclaimed Kate, turning red. And then she touched Isobel’s sleeve. ‘I’m so pleased though, I can’t tell you. He looked like his birthday and Christmas had come all at once.’
‘I probably shouldn’t have come out with it quite like that, it was hardly fair. I don’t know what came over me, but I’ve been thinking about it all afternoon, and Tom was so anxious about meeting Adam, I thought it might… help…’ She trailed off, looking rather anxious herself, now that it was beginning to sink in what she had actually done.
Kate gave her a sympathetic smile. ‘I think we’re all nervous as hell,’ she said, ‘which is understandable, I guess. It’s a big thing – the two of them meeting was never going to be easy. I know what Tom’s been through, how he feels about Matt, but he’s also very protective of me and Adam is fully aware of that too.’
This time it was Isobel’s turn to reach out. ‘But you mustn’t let the past be the barrier to what could be a wonderful future for all three of you.’ She pulled a sheepish face. ‘Listen to me, the fountain of all wisdom, just because I’ve had somewhat of an epiphany myself.’
‘They’re still very wise words… And for what it’s worth, Isobel, I don’t know what you’ve done to Tom over the last few weeks, but he’s been happier looking and more relaxed on the last two occasions I’ve seen him than for a very long time. And judging by the expression on his face just now, he’s well aware why…’
Behind her the oven pinged.
‘It's only pizzas, I'm afraid,’ smiled Kate, ‘and a few other bits and pieces. I put Lily on menu-choosing duty because I thou
ght that might be quite a nice idea… but cordon bleu it isn’t.’ She picked up a tray from behind her. ‘I tell you what, if I take these drinks through, would you mind grabbing some knives and forks out of that drawer there, and I’ll get the men to lay the table.’ She grinned. ‘Nothing like a few menial chores to get them bonding.’
‘Tom, could you give Isobel a hand for a minute,’ called Kate, moving back out into the garden. ‘I’m afraid I've put you and Adam on table-laying duty.’
‘Oh boo.’ Tom smiled at Lily, who was now sitting in a chair, as he was, diligently cleaning her flute.
‘Mum, now can I play?’ she asked.
Isobel flashed Tom a somewhat shy smile as she passed. ‘I think we might just have time before dinner,’ she said, looking to Kate for confirmation. ‘Perfect timing, Lily.’
Half an hour later Isobel began to properly relax. Even though about five minutes ago she had nearly jumped out of her skin as Tom’s fingers had found hers underneath the table. Now, they were sitting, little fingers entwined, which was all they could manage without it looking hugely obvious, and trying to eat one-handed. This was fine for her, a right-hander, but for Tom, now having to favour his left hand, it was a little awkward. It was making her want to giggle and she concentrated on what Kate was saying.
Some gentle questioning of both her and Adam had revealed that they had been together since the New Year, and it was obvious, as much from what they didn't say as what they did, that things were already on a serious footing. Isobel hadn’t really known what she had been expecting in Adam, but from what Tom had said she doubted he was anything like Matt, the driven and successful banker. Adam was obviously successful, although as yet he had deflected most attempts to talk about himself – not for any particular reason other than he seemed to prefer listening to what everyone else had to say – but he had shown a real interest in Tom’s thatching, and was far more knowledgeable about the countryside than she was. His humour sparked the conversation, and Tom, with his equally quick wit, was a perfect foil for him.