The House at Hope Corner: The perfect feel good holiday romance novel
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She stared at him, feeling the flush of anger and shame that filled her rising up to colour her cheeks as she dared him not to agree with her.
‘And that’s why you didn’t tell anyone? Oh, Flora… you’re not a thief, you’re—’
He was about to continue when the door burst open and Caroline walked in.
‘Morning!’ she sang. ‘And how is everyone today? Oh, Fraser, you’re up…’
She chattered on for a few moments, completely oblivious to the fact that no one was answering, but then realisation dawned and she suddenly stopped.
‘Oh, have I come at a bad time?’
‘Well, yes, dear,’ said Hannah. ‘Perhaps if you—’
But Flora had had enough. All the hurt and anger and upset of the last few days rose up in a surge that would not be denied. And what the hell did it matter what she said anyway? She had nothing to lose.
‘Actually, Caroline, you’ve come at the perfect time because there’s a few things I want to say to you.’ She got to her feet. ‘Firstly… don’t you think it’s rude not to knock? You might be a friend of the family, although frankly I doubt that, but in any case you just waltz in here as if you own the place. Well, you don’t, not yet, and if I have anything to do with it, you won’t, ever. So next time you come around, give some thought to the fact that Fraser is still recovering from his operation and, as his bedroom is now downstairs, for all you know he might be wandering around in his underpants. And even if he isn’t, he mightn’t want you just bursting in when you feel like it.’
Flora broke off, her heart beginning to thump in her chest, but she was only just getting started. Ignoring the two red spots that had appeared in Caroline’s cheeks, she carried on.
‘Secondly, I know all about the loan that you made to the farm, a loan made so generously that you’re now wielding it over everyone here like a big stick. That’s not generosity, that’s bully-boy tactics, so don’t come in here pretending friendship when you wouldn’t know the meaning of the word if someone wrapped it up and baked it in a pie for you.’
She shook her head. That didn’t sound quite right but she rushed on regardless. ‘And how dare you suggest that Fraser isn’t up to running the farm? Poor Fraser this, and poor Fraser that. Well, let me tell you, this man has more courage and determination in his little finger than you have in your entire bloody jodhpur-clad body. You have never had to fight for anything, Caroline, least of all your life, so until you’re qualified to make such judgements, I suggest you keep your mouth shut.’
‘Well, really…’ Up until that moment, Caroline’s face had registered only the shock she was feeling. Now, though, her mouth twisted into an ugly sneer as she found her voice.
‘How dare I?’ she spluttered. ‘How dare you more like. What on earth made you think you could talk to me like that? Don’t you know who I am? I’m probably the oldest and closest friend Ned has and our families go back even further. I have always been welcome in this house and I would never do anything to hurt them… whereas you…’ She drew herself up, flicking her hair back over her shoulder. ‘You’re nothing but a little gold-digger. Don’t think I haven’t worked out why you really came here.’ She gave Ned a triumphant smile. ‘I don’t have to dig for gold, Flora, I already have plenty of it.’
Flora suddenly felt icy calm as she lifted her chin and stared into Caroline’s cold blue eyes. ‘No, you don’t, Caroline, you have money, and there’s nothing golden about that. Not when you use it to create a world where you’re better than everyone else.’ She placed her hands palm down on the table and leant forward as if to emphasise her words.
‘Now… why don’t you take your manipulative, butter-wouldn’t-melt airs and graces and leave. And take your grubby money with you too, no one here has any need of it.’
Caroline’s mouth dropped open as she looked first at Ned and then Fraser and Hannah in turn. There was complete silence and Flora daren’t even breathe.
‘Well, aren’t you going to do something?’ She was looking back at Ned now. ‘Are you just going to sit there and let her talk to me like that?’
The seconds ticked by. It was all Flora could do to stand still and not flee the room. She looked at Caroline’s red flustered face, an ugly expression overriding her normal studied pose. She had finally lost her very practised but artificial poise and a part of Flora was pleased. Even if it meant that she had now blown any chance of remaining at the farm, at least she had stood up for the things she believed in. It almost made it worthwhile. Almost… She daren’t even look at Ned but then a movement caught the corner of her eye as, very slowly, he got to his feet. And she braced herself for his response.
‘No, Caroline,’ he said. ‘I’m going to stand up and let her talk to you like that, because Flora is right. She’s been right about a lot of things, and she has more honesty and integrity than you will ever have. I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to stand up to you myself. You’ve tried to manipulate me into a corner and you’ve used my fear over losing the farm and worry over my dad to do it. Well, not any more. I am incredibly stupid, I’ve got two left feet, a body and a brain that doesn’t always know what it’s doing, but one thing I do know is right from wrong. So, yes, I am stupid, but not stupid enough to believe your lies and lose the one thing that means more to me in this world than anything else. I love Flora and she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to this place. We don’t need your money, Caroline, and as for what we’ve already borrowed, we’ll repay it.’
A slow smile spread across his face. ‘And you can tell whatever stories you like to all your cronies, I really don’t care. About you, or your money… Flora was right when she said that you had never been a friend to us and all I can say is that I’m utterly astounded it’s taken me so long to realise it. Or to realise that everything – or rather everyone – I do truly care about is right here in this room, and they were here long before you came in.’
It was Flora’s turn to look astounded. Had she really heard that right? Her heart was pounding but she still couldn’t look at Ned in case she had got it wrong. She risked a glance at Fraser, only to find that he was smiling at her, a broad smile that lit up his face and chased away the tiredness from it.
‘That’s my boy,’ he said. ‘And Flora, why don’t you go ahead and tell Caroline why we won’t be needing any more of their money?’
Flora caught his eye and with a surge of affection beamed back. ‘We’re going to open a flower farm,’ she said.
Ned’s mouth split wide into a grin. ‘Yes, we are,’ he said, turning back to look at his mum and dad. He let the words roll around his head for a few minutes and then, ‘Bloody hell… we’re actually going to open a flower farm!’ He looked straight at Flora, his eyes filled with the same look she had seen on the very first day she had met him, a look that made her feel like there was no one else in the room.
‘You don’t seem too sure, Ned,’ said Caroline, unwilling to give up.
‘Oh I am,’ he replied, beaming. ‘I’ve never been more sure of anything. Because if Flora says that’s what we’re going to do, then that’s what we’re going to do. And do you know why, Caroline?’ he asked. ‘Because I gave nothing to Flora when she came here, apart from the chance to be by my side. I threw her in at the deep end, knowing the farm was in trouble, but still she swam, for the simple reason that she loves this place. She’s shown more care for all of us here in the last couple of months than you have in your entire life.’
He gave a curt nod. ‘I’m well aware that we still owe your father a great deal of money, but we will be taking some proper advice first thing in the morning and it will be repaid. You’ll be hearing from us, as they say.’ He was already moving towards Flora. ‘Oh, and Caroline, please shut the door on your way out.’
It had been the last thing she was expecting, but seconds later the door slammed behind Caroline and Flora was caught up in Ned’s arms as he whirled her round and round until she was giddy. They stumbled to a halt, still laughing.
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br /> ‘Oh my God, you were brilliant!’ said Ned, his eyes lit with excitement. ‘I don’t believe it. Why the hell didn’t any of us stand up to Caroline before?’
‘That’s a very good question,’ came Fraser’s voice from the table. ‘And one of the many things I’ve been thinking about the last few days.’ He held a hand to his chest. ‘Yesterday, I told Flora that we needed waking up and what I meant is that we needed shaking from the roles we’ve all assumed over the years. Roles that have become so entrenched that we’ve followed their rules blindly, without even considering what they might mean for us. It’s no one’s fault, but it’s taken Flora to make me realise how blinkered to life we’ve all become.’
Flora smiled at him fondly. ‘That’s very kind of you, Fraser, but do you not think that staring death in the face might have had something to do with it?’
He pulled a face. ‘Certainly not…’ he replied, his eyes twinkling. ‘Although, that does remind me that I wanted to ask you something.’ He paused, looking up her with the look that she was beginning to recognise. The one that said he knew exactly what she was about.
‘Go on then,’ she said, a little warily.
‘Because I got to thinking about when I was staring death in the face. I obviously didn’t think about it at the time, but these things come back to you and… well, it seemed to me that you were altogether more clued up about what was going on with me than you should have been. And I wondered why that was…’
Flora sighed. There really was no getting anything past Fraser. But then, as she looked up into his knowing eyes, she suddenly realised that it was okay. Her fear had gone. She had faced it just like Fraser had and they had both come through it.
‘I was thirteen when my dad died,’ she began. ‘I was with him when he had his heart attack; we were out in the garden raking up leaves and he suddenly got sick and keeled over. He hadn’t been feeling well all day but thought that the fresh air would do him good.’ She gave a sad smile as Ned pulled her wordlessly into his arms. ‘All but one of his arteries were blocked and so he was scheduled to have a bypass, Fraser, just like you. It took place on a Monday, two weeks after my birthday, but he died on the operating table, another massive heart attack. There was nothing they could do…’
Hannah’s hand went to her mouth. ‘Oh, my dear…’
Ned’s lips bent to her hair, his arms wrapping her in a cocoon. ‘Oh, Flora, why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t we know?’
‘No one asked me,’ she said simply. ‘And I couldn’t say – it would have been too much. I couldn’t bear the thought that it would happen all over again.’
‘Aye,’ said Fraser, softly. ‘I thought as much. It was the way you looked at me, lass, like you knew every thought that was in my head. And I reckon you’ve had plenty of years where you’ve thought about little else. But it helped, Flora. I want you to know that.’
Flora loosened herself from Ned’s embrace and stood in front of Fraser. ‘May I?’ she asked, holding out her arms and, as he nodded, she gave him the gentlest of hugs.
‘You’re going to be okay,’ she said. ‘I know that too.’
‘Aye,’ he said. ‘I reckon I am.’ He cleared his throat, as he blushed slightly.
‘Got something in your eye, Dad?’ asked Ned, grinning. ‘But I reckon we’re all going to be okay. What do you think, Mum?’
Hannah was sitting upright in her chair, staring into space and twiddling the ends of her hair. She looked down at her brown jumper as if seeing it for the first time, and then she looked up at Flora, a gentle smile softening her face.
‘I think you’re absolutely right. And I never thought I’d hear myself say this, but it is definitely time for things to change,’ she said. And then she got to her feet. ‘I’ll put the kettle on, shall I? We have some more plans to make and I always think better with a cup of tea in my hand.’
She got halfway across the room before she stopped and turned back around. ‘Fraser, wandering around in his underpants… Oh, God, that’s funny…’ Her peal of laughter rang out around the room.
Fraser snorted and then clutched his chest. ‘Oh, don’t make me laugh, it hurts…’
Chapter Twenty-Four
Flora couldn’t stop looking at Ned. Or kissing him.
‘And you’re really sure you think it’s a good idea? I mean, just because I love flowers doesn’t mean that everyone else has to.’
They were still sitting at the table and Ned still had hold of her hands. ‘Just answer me one thing… Will I still have to get up at the crack of dawn when we’re a flower farm?’
Flora grinned. ‘Oh yes, and worse, you’ll be bent over double in a field for most of the time. Come wind, rain or shine.’
‘Excellent…’ But he was still smiling. ‘It’s going to take a while,’ he said. ‘I’m not sure I can get my head around it all just for the moment…’
‘Aye,’ said Fraser. ‘But you won’t have to, son. Not all in one go anyway. The cows will still be here for a while to come yet until we can start to make the changes that Flora has in mind. We just won’t be breeding from them any more, which will reduce our overheads straight away. We’ll sell what land we can, pay off our debts and then the rest of the dairy business can go in time. I can’t deny that I’ll be sorry to say goodbye to the old girls but it’s time to do something different, and we’ll not get a better opportunity than this.’
Hannah reached out to take Fraser’s hand. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I thought by trying to keep everything the same that I was helping…’
‘And there’s nothing wrong with that, love. You’ve kept us all going, is what you’ve done, and thing is, before all this happened with my bloody heart, I’d have probably wanted a helping of “the same” for breakfast, lunch and dinner…’ He winked at Flora. ‘Trouble is, I’ve had to learn a lot over the last couple of weeks, and much to my surprise, being an old duffer and whatnot, I’ve found I rather like learning stuff. And I think I’d like to carry on doing it.’
He smiled fondly at Hannah. ‘Normal doesn’t have the same appeal it once did,’ he said. ‘How can it, when nothing about what’s happened is normal? But that’s okay. I don’t just want to settle for normal. I’ve been given an opportunity to take a step back and look at my life and maybe that’s something not a lot of people get…’
Flora reached out and took Hannah’s hand too. ‘And we’re going to need your help, Hannah. I know about flowers, but you, you know about planting, and you know everyone around here too, and we’re going to need that, to get word out about what we’re doing.’
Fraser nodded. ‘Flora’s going to get in touch with an association that helps people with start-up businesses like this, and they run courses too, but I bet you already know half of what they’d have to say.’
‘And you’re so good at being organised,’ added Flora. ‘And teaching people new skills; you’ll have us all licked into shape in no time.’
Hannah blushed. ‘Now you’re just trying to flatter me,’ she said, but Flora could tell from the warmth in her eyes that she didn’t mind one little bit.
‘I don’t profess to have all the answers, but I have started to work out a lot of the detail, and the start-up costs are relatively minimal… The main focus will need to be on preparing the field ready for planting. We’ve already started on seed sowing, but we need more, sown in two-week intervals so we get a continual supply of flowers throughout the summer and into autumn. We’ll need more greenhouse space for when the seedlings are pricked out, and then once they’ve grown on they’ll be ready to start planting out in about six weeks. We need to get cracking.’
Ned nodded. ‘But the loan, Flora, our debt… what are we going to do about that? How can we be talking about start-up costs when we don’t even have the money to pay our way now…’
Flora shot Fraser a glance. ‘You give Caroline and her father what they want…’ She held up a hand. ‘Only you don’t think of it like that…’
‘I
don’t want to give them anything!’ Ned shot back. ‘After all they’ve—’
‘I know,’ said Flora, her voice as soothing as she could make it. ‘Which is why we all need to reframe our way of thinking…’
‘Go on…’ replied Ned.
‘I can see as much, if not more than any of you, a million reasons why we shouldn’t give in to Caroline because her family traded on years of goodwill and a so-called friendship that was anything but. They’ve used you and the farm’s misfortune to their own gain, but now it’s time for you to do the same. Sell them the land they want… play them at their own game. They’ll buy it from you, rather than on the open market, because it’s a damn sight easier and, importantly, quicker than going through agents and paying fees, et cetera. Exactly the same reason why, in fact, you didn’t go to the bank and get a loan in the first place, rather than borrow from a friend. It’s exactly the reason I did it too. I’m not saying do it without drawing up a proper legal agreement and getting a professional valuation for the land first, but they’ll still bite your hand off because it will suit them to do so.’
‘But, they still win,’ said Ned, scratching his head.
‘No,’ said Flora. ‘They don’t. Or maybe they do in their heads, but as we’re not going to be concerned with them what does it matter? What matters is how we think about it. We’ve been missing the point, so desperate not to sell to Caroline’s family that in effect we’ve cut off our noses to spite our face. If selling the land is the best thing to do, then it’s still the best thing to do whoever we sell it to. Try to stop thinking about it as letting Caroline and her father win, try thinking that doing this gives us want we want. Isn’t that what matters?’
A slow smile crept over Ned’s face. ‘Is there anything you haven’t worked out?’
‘Oh, masses of stuff,’ admitted Flora. ‘But I’ve made a start, and maybe that’s all we need? I thought we might do the rest, together…’
Ned grinned and threw his hands up in the air. ‘Flora Dunbar, you are completely and utterly bonkers, and although I know there should be umpteen blooming reasons why this is such a crazy idea we shouldn’t even contemplate doing it, for the life of me I can’t think what they are. I am an idiot, but I do love you, Flora, even though I’ve behaved appallingly badly.’