I gave them the hay, the goats all rushing up to me. They were a friendly bunch and Harry laughed as one of them tried to pull his jumper. I scooped him up and carried him out, not wanting to linger. I locked the gate and saw Angus coming over. ‘The fence is damaged, and one of the goats has got out,’ I told him.
‘That explains the chewed wire Rory has just found,’ he replied. ‘I’ll fix the fence, he’s calling an electrician. I don’t know if we’ll get one today so close to Christmas though.’ He sloped off, muttering under his breath.
I sighed. ‘Shall we try to find our missing goat?’ I asked, putting Harry down. ‘Where do you think he is?’
‘Horses,’ he said, heading straight for their paddock. Well, it was as good a place as any to start the search. I hurried after him, always amazed at how quickly my son could move. ‘Mummy, look,’ he called, followed by a giggle. I saw our missing goat by the horse paddock munching on their hay through the fence, the two horses watching him with a look that seemed to say ‘What do you think you’re doing?’
‘What a naughty goat,’ I said. I saw Rory coming out of the house and I waved him over. ‘We found the culprit,’ I told him when he approached.
‘Bloody nuisance, the electrician can’t get to us until the morning so we’ll be without power all night. How can one goat cause such chaos? I’ll never know. How did the fence even get damaged?’ he said crossly, pulling the goat away from the hay. ‘You didn’t notice it last night?’
I felt the accusation even if it was unsaid. ‘No, I didn’t, I would have said obviously.’
‘Well, I’ll take this guy back and help Angus with the fence. Are you okay to still drop supplies off at the shop?’ He walked off with the goat before I could answer.
‘Once I finish getting dressed,’ I muttered to his retreating back. ‘Come on then, more work to do as always,’ I said to Harry, holding out my hand. I was not looking forward to a night without power so I was quite happy to get away from the farm for a bit and go into the village.
* * *
It was a relief to arrive at the farm shop and deliver the box of produce to Hattie. Until she told me her news.
‘Those men I told you about who’ve been sniffing around the village… Well, I’ve found out why they’re here! And can you believe it, they want to knock down Hilltop Farm and build a hotel and golf course there?! One of them is staying at the Glendale Arms and has had lots of meetings and phone calls, even had the council round, and in the end Malcolm asked him outright what was going on,’ she said with a shake of her head. ‘It’ll be right on top of Fraser Farm. It’ll be so disruptive and destroy the countryside. I don’t know anyone who’s keen for it.’
I was a little surprised it had taken Malcolm, the pub landlord, this long to work out what was going on. ‘I suppose it will provide a lot of jobs locally though,’ I said, trying to be diplomatic but also not let on my connection to Stewart. I was relieved it hadn’t been found out as yet but I wasn’t convinced it would stay that way however. Glendale had a way of finding things out. ‘And bring in lots of guests who’ll spend money in Glendale, I guess.’ I adjusted Harry’s hat in his pushchair, he was always trying to take it off.
‘Well, I don’t know about the jobs bit… Malcolm said that a big team will be coming in from Edinburgh to do the initial work on it. He heard the big hotshot talking about it on the phone. It’s put a lot of backs up in the village, I can tell you.’
‘Oh, really?’ I realised then that Stewart had really only talked about me working on the project with him, telling me that he wanted a talented team working on it without saying who that team would be. I hadn’t thought about who else would be part of the team with us if I agreed. If this didn’t bring in local jobs then it would not be at all good for the village.
‘Some people say change is good but when we don’t ask for it, I can’t see it myself,’ she continued as though I hadn’t spoken. ‘And I’m surprised you’re not up in arms about it yourself. Those cows of yours won’t take too kindly to it, I bet, and you won’t have that amazing view anymore. What about this one and his future? I bet it wouldn’t be long until this developer turns his eye onto Fraser farm. Mark my words. If he can push you out as well, I bet he will!’
I glanced down at Harry. ‘Stewart is aware of the farm, and doesn’t want to threaten it,’ I said, hoping he was telling me the truth about that.
‘I’ve never met a developer who cared about anything other than making money on a place,’ she replied with a snort. She then realised what I had said. ‘You’ve met him then? The developer?’
I supposed I had to tell her some of the truth, it would make it seem a much bigger thing if I kept quiet. ‘Yes. Well, actually, I already know him. We were at university together,’ I said, keeping our past relationship quiet knowing that would be all around the village in seconds if I mentioned it. I mean it had no bearing on things anyway. Did it?
‘Well, then you can talk him out of it. I know how much you and Beth fought to keep our library, and all these shops are still here because of you, so you won’t let him take over the countryside, will you?’ she said confidently. ‘I’ll let everyone know you’re on the case. Now then, I want to hear all about the filming. I’m so excited to watch it on Friday, everyone is. We’ve already had more people in just to ask me all about it!’
I was so taken aback by her certainty that I’d stop Stewart’s development, I didn’t know what to say so I jumped on the change in conversation and I told her all about the film crew at the farm. Then a family came into the shop so I was able to get away before she could say anything more about Stewart and Hilltop Farm. I thought about what she had said though as I walked mindlessly down the High Street. I had to admit that she was probably right that under any other circumstances, I would have been up in arms at such a development happening in our countryside. But if I did fight this one what would happen to our farm? Stewart was offering to protect it as much as possible so didn’t that mean I should help him with it? Or was Hattie right and I should be trying to stop it at all costs?
Was my connection to Stewart clouding my judgement about the whole thing?
‘Penny for your thoughts?’
I jumped as Stewart crossed the road to join me. ‘Oh, hi,’ I said, thinking it was better if I ignored that question right now. ‘Out shopping?’
‘Had to get some supplies, I need biscuits when I’m working. Walk with me back to the pub?’
‘Okay,’ I agreed, falling into step with him as we headed towards the Glendale Arms. ‘I’ll get a coffee afterwards, the power has gone out at the farm so I’m in no hurry to get back.’
‘Seriously?’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘I couldn’t function living somewhere the power goes out.’
‘It’s not a common occurrence or anything. One of our goats got out and chewed through some wires.’
‘I’m trying not to laugh… It’s so crazy you live out there with goats and all sorts.’
‘What’s worse is that I checked on the goats last night, and I didn’t see the fence was damaged. Just when I think I’m getting a handle on everything there too. Yesterday was so great being filmed and everything.’ I sighed. I felt like the farm was getting me back for feeling more confident, which was crazy.
‘Well, surely, it’s only natural that some things are going to slip, that you will miss something or make a mistake. I mean, you’re not used to that kind of thing, are you? And you have your hands full with this one too,’ he said, pointing down to the pushchair where Harry had fallen asleep. ‘I don’t envy all you have to deal with. I’m surprised you’re not tearing your hair out some days.’
‘It’s hard work and I have been on a steep learning curve but I do like doing things. You know I hate being idle. And Harry isn’t hard work, unless I’m trying to make him do something he doesn’t want to do.’ I smiled ruefully. I thought then about what Hattie had said about protecting the farm for Harry. ‘He’ll be a farmer just like his fat
her. Fraser Farm has been in the family for generations. It’s important, you know?’
‘Family businesses, eh?’ he said, as we paused outside the pub. I wondered if he was thinking of his father. He was very successful and had always pushed Stewart to be as ambitious as him. Being honest, I hadn’t warmed to him the few times we had met. Not that I’d ever tell Stewart that. ‘It’s admirable what you’re doing on the farm for your family, but it shouldn’t stop you from pursing your dreams, should it?’ He turned to face me. ‘I’m trying to keep quiet and let you think through my proposal, I know it’s not easy for you but I can’t help but think that you’re selling yourself short in the farm. You need your own project, something you can see through from start to finish, something that’s yours, and yours alone.’
I shifted my feet. ‘I don’t know, Stewart. Everyone is starting to hear about your plans for Hilltop, and people aren’t happy about it. Everyone is worried about the impact on the countryside.’
Stewart sighed. ‘Believe me, I know. People think it’s acceptable to just come up to me and start attacking me about it. Now they know I’m staying here. I get the feeling though that people around here just hate newcomers and change, so they don’t like that I’m about to launch both on them. They’re a bit backward, aren’t they? Can’t they see what an opportunity it will be?’
‘I mean, will it be an opportunity for them? Will there be jobs for locals, do you think?’ I asked tentatively, hoping the village had got some of the news about the development twisted.
‘Sure, down the line, we’ll need staff in the hotel like cleaners, and so forth. But my partner is securing us a great building firm from Edinburgh, people we’ve worked with before on other projects, and our office staff will be joining us here once the council give us the go ahead. I need people I trust on this, like I said.’
‘I suppose guests would come into the village though…’ I said, worried he’d confirmed that for now, the hotel wouldn’t be much of a benefit to Glendale at all. But if people were spending money here, that would be something.
He shrugged. ‘I think there will be so much on offer at the hotel, I doubt many will want to leave. I want them spending money with us.’ He saw my expression then. ‘But this is why I need you, obviously. I haven’t been thinking about the village, you’re right. I do need the community on my side.’ He touched my arm. ‘If they knew you were going to work on it with me, I bet they’d change their minds. I could really do with your help, Heather.’
I felt a lot of pressure suddenly on me to make this work for Glendale, and I wasn’t sure that was fair. ‘I still need to think about all of it, Stewart.’
‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t keep pressing you. I know you have a lot to consider. But when you get back to the farm and have to sit in the dark all evening though maybe you’ll think more kindly about coming to work with me.’ He grinned, letting me know he was joking.
‘When I can’t watch TV later, I think you might be right,’ I replied just as lightly, but his earlier words swum through my mind. I didn’t like how he talked about Glendale being backward, about how he’d have to get the community on side but didn’t want his guests in the village, or people from the village working with him. Maybe he just saw us all as country bumpkins after all. I remembered then that he had said similar before. When he first told me about his apprenticeship offer in Edinburgh, he’d laughed when I’d admitted to being unsure about leaving Glendale for good. He’d said there was no future for me here, and I had believed him at the time and agreed to move there with him. I still sometimes wondered if I hadn’t lost my mum whether I would have been happy there or not.
‘I hope you decide soon,’ Stewart said then. ‘I need you on this project. And I think you need it as much for yourself. I’ve got some calls to make but I’ll see you soon, okay?’ He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek, lingering a little to sweep a stray hair of mine back. I looked around, worried in case we’d been seen, now that I knew Malcolm was keeping an eye on Stewart. I didn’t really want to be spotted with him too much. If Hattie was anything to go by, I’d be accosted by the whole village otherwise. Thankfully though, the coast was clear. ‘And I hope your power comes back on soon, for your sake.’ He gave me a look that I could only describe as a pitying one and walked off towards the pub.
Harry woke up then and I leaned down to tighten up his coat against the cold wind that was whipping up around us, smiling down at him.
Whatever Stewart thought about my choices since we broke up, Harry was the reason I would never regret staying in Glendale. And the choice I made next needed to be the best one for him, and no one else.
Chapter Nineteen
We ended up at Glendale Hall once it got dark. Rory had called Drew and he would brook no arguments about us spending the evening with them as we had no power and I had never been more grateful for our family and friends as I was huddled in the warm kitchen with them, along with pizza and wine. The evening turned into an impromptu party-like atmosphere. Along with us four, Beth, Drew, Izzy, Sally, Brodie, Emily and Iona were there too. Caroline and John had decided to eat out together. I think she wanted a quiet evening, which you definitely couldn’t have when we were all at the Hall together.
‘We didn’t know if you’d still want to eat with us lowly types,’ Drew said from across the table. ‘Now that you’re TV stars.’
I laughed. ‘TV stars who have no electricity. Thank God it happened after they had gone.’
‘I can’t wait to watch on Friday,’ Beth said, topping up my wine glass. ‘We should all watch together, it’s so exciting. Although I’m jealous – I’ve been on Instagram ages, and no one has come here to film me.’ She pretended to sulk.
‘What can I say? It’s all about the cows apparently,’ I replied, passing a piece of pizza to Harry whose eyes lit up.
‘Everyone in the bakery has been talking about it,’ Emily said, cuddling a sleeping Iona on her lap. ‘Well, not just that. Have you heard about Hilltop?’
‘I was just going to ask about that,’ Beth said. ‘Rachel at the shop told me about it.’ She turned to me and Rory. ‘You’re not going to like this.’
‘Actually, we already know,’ Rory said, glancing at me. I felt my cheeks grow hot as my dad asked what was going on, and Beth told him everything she had heard. The whole village now knew what was going on, and I wished I could sink into my chair and become invisible as Beth turned to me. ‘What are we going to do about it?’ she demanded.
I had no idea what to say so I looked desperately at Rory who sighed, and then stepped in to answer her. ‘They’ve already made a planning proposal to the council for a hotel and golf course on Hilltop. I’ve spoken to our solicitor and we actually don’t own the lower field like we thought, which means if this sale of Hilltop goes through, they could build the hotel right on top of our farm,’ Rory said.
‘But Stewart said he wouldn’t build that close to us,’ I said before I could stop myself. I felt everyone’s eyes turn to me.
‘The company trying to buy Hilltop is owned by Stewart, Heather’s ex-boyfriend,’ Rory told the group, taking a long gulp from his beer.
‘Stewart is in Glendale?’ Dad asked next to me, his eyebrows almost reaching the top of his forehead. I knew he was wondering why I hadn’t said anything to him, and my embarrassment deepened.
‘He’s staying at the Glendale Arms. When he realised I lived next door to Hilltop, he came to see me. He’s promised to not threaten our farm with this project.’
‘If Heather works with him,’ Rory added, drinking more beer.
‘He’s offered me a designing job on the project, yes. I told him I’d think about it. But I’m sure he will try to protect our farm as much as he can,’ I said, annoyed that he was telling them everything. I didn’t miss the look that passed between Beth and Drew.
‘You’d go to work with him, and leave the farm?’ Emily asked, looking just as surprised as the others. ‘You’d be helping to design this hote
l?’
I wasn’t sure why it sounded so bad coming from her lips. But it did. It suddenly felt too hot in the kitchen. ‘You guys know I’ve always thought about doing some designing work, like I did for the bakery and our shops. This has come out of nowhere, I’m not sure what to do,’ I said, sounding more defensive than I wanted to.
‘Well, of course, you should do what will make you happy,’ Emily said, giving me a supportive look, bless her. Beth frowned at her. It was clear she didn’t agree with that at all.
I opened my mouth but Rory’s phone rang, and I was saved from having to say anything more. ‘Angus,’ he said, picking it up immediately.
‘You wouldn’t really leave the farm, would you?’ Beth asked me quietly as Rory spoke to Angus.
‘I had always planned to set up my own business…’ I said, picking at my pizza, my appetite fading.
‘But I thought that was ages away when Harry goes to school? You’d miss him and Rory, and the farm, wouldn’t you? And now that you’ve had all this publicity too. I guess I thought you had changed your mind as you enjoy working on the farm. And you get to be with your family every day. You are so much calmer now,’ she said.
I glanced at her. She knew me so well, she had felt the change as I had lately. But was that enough to make me walk away from the opportunity Stewart was offering me?
Hopeful Hearts at Glendale Hall Page 14