by Heidi Swain
At the furthest end of the space were the oldest bits and pieces while closer to the door were the most recent additions. Surveying the gems Annie and her family had stashed away it looked as though nothing had been parted with for generations and I knew I could quite easily equip the entire cottage with what had been hoarded away for as long as Skylark Farm had existed.
‘Are you sure I can use all this?’ I asked Annie for the umpteenth time. ‘What if any of it gets damaged or broken?’
‘Amber, it is sitting up here stagnating just like that little cottage has been. It’s high time it was sold or put to good use.’
‘There are things in here we should have downstairs in our kitchen!’ I laughed as I unwrapped a beautiful glass jug and six matching glasses with daisies printed on them. ‘Can you imagine serving Pimm’s in these after a long day picking apples? And these flour and sugar dredgers,’ I gasped. ‘I can’t believe all the baking I’ve been doing downstairs and all the while these have been sitting up here crying out to be used!’
I knew I was getting carried away, but I couldn’t help it. Immersing myself in all those magazines, I had fallen in love with every piece of retro kitchen paraphernalia I saw and here it all was; a delightful smorgasbord spread out before me.
‘Those,’ said Annie from her seat on an upturned tea chest, ‘belonged to my grandmother.’
‘Wow,’ I said, handling them with even more reverence, ‘so why have you packed them away up here?’
As soon as the question left my lips I knew the answer. Along with the few pieces of furniture and various boxes of bedlinen there was a plethora of kitchenware but nothing to do with sewing.
‘Am I a cook,’ asked Annie, looking amused, ‘or a master baker?’
‘No,’ I giggled, biting my lip.
‘Well, there you are then. I was never likely to use any of these things so up they came. However,’ she said kindly, ‘if you want to make use of them we’ll get Jake to give us a hand carrying them back down.’
‘No,’ I said, putting them back where I had found them, ‘I couldn’t. It’s enough that you’re letting me use everything for the cottage. These are your family heirlooms and treasures, Annie. I’ve no right to them. They should stay safe up here.’
‘Are you not family then?’ said Annie, raising her eyebrows and fixing me with her all-seeing stare. ‘Don’t you consider yourself one of us?’
I didn’t know what to say. Jake and I were a couple, of course, and I was living in his family home but I didn’t think I’d lived at the farm long enough to be considered family, even though Annie had already told me that the place was going to be as much my future as Jake’s.
‘Like I said,’ Annie smiled, her eyes never leaving my face, ‘I’ll get Jake to help us carry everything down.’
Chapter 40
‘So,’ said Jessica, ‘what do you think? Mum keeps telling me they’re too revealing but I’ve told her this style is perfect. It isn’t as if you’re teenagers, is it? My niece, Mia, has something in the same fabric, but a totally different style obviously.’
This was the first glimpse Harriet and I had had of the dresses Jessica had lined up for us to wear at the wedding and, judging by her expression, Harriet was obviously of the same opinion as me. We both absolutely loved them.
‘They’re gorgeous,’ said Harriet, lightly fingering the soft green fabric. ‘I know I’m no girly girl but these are stunning.’
‘And what do you think, Amber?’
The matching dresses were halter neck, backless, calf length and very fifties in style. They were elegant and extremely sophisticated. I guessed that a clear theme for the wedding had been revealed in Jessica’s choice and I wondered if she and Henry would consider spending their honeymoon in vintage splendour at Meadowview Cottage.
‘Adorable,’ I told her, ‘absolutely adorable. If these are what you’ve picked out for us I can’t wait to see what you’re wearing!’
We didn’t get so much as a hint as to what Jessica’s dress was like, but Harriet and I didn’t really mind. We were too busy enjoying ourselves ducking in and out of the fitting rooms of the boutique in Norwich, sipping fizz and being thoroughly pampered as we looked at the array of shoes and accessories before getting down to the business of choosing the right sized dress. I was rather taken aback when the zip on the size of dress I would normally pick out refused to meet anywhere near the middle.
‘Have you been eating everything you bake?’ teased Harriet. ‘You’re supposed to share the cake, Amber, share. Can you remember that?’
‘Leave her alone,’ said Jessica protectively. ‘Country living requires a little padding and besides we don’t want her looking like Holly, do we? I’m sure Jake prefers a little meat on the bone.’
Padding! A little meat on the bone! Just how much weight had I gained exactly? I turned to look at myself side on in the mirror. Given the amount of exercise I got at the farm I was surprised I had gained as much as an ounce but then I didn’t use the gym any more so a certain amount of ‘padding’ or ‘meat’ was inevitable I guessed.
‘Does Wynbridge have a gym?’ I asked, sucking in my stomach and cheeks.
Both Jessica and Harriet began to laugh.
‘I’m actually being serious,’ I frowned, flouncing back to the fitting room to ask the assistant if she could help me find the next size up.
Having suffered the humiliation of upping my dress size, a stopoff at The Cherry Tree Café back in Wynbridge was the last temptation I wanted, but as Jessica had chauffeured both Harriet and me all day I felt I had little right to object.
‘I’ll have a slice of coffee and walnut and a pot of tea, please,’ said Harriet, grinning at me as she gave Angela her order, ‘and could you make sure it’s a big slice? I’ve worked up quite an appetite today.’
I stuck out my tongue and carried on wistfully perusing the cakes lined up on the counter while Jessica made her rather more calorie conscious mind up.
‘And Amber,’ said Angela, turning to me with her pencil and order pad poised, ‘what can I get you?’
‘I’ll have,’ I said, trying to ignore Harriet’s scrutiny, ‘a pot of tea and a red velvet cupcake, please.’
‘Good for you!’ cheered Harriet, making the people at the table closest jump. ‘For a second there I thought you were going to crumble,’ she laughed out loud, nudging my elbow completely off the table. ‘You had a little breathing space in that larger dress, didn’t you? Plenty of time to fill it yet, isn’t there, Jess?’
‘Remind me,’ I said, rubbing my arm and scowling at her, ‘why exactly are we friends?’
This time it was Harriet who stuck out her tongue while Jessica tutted and rolled her eyes.
‘It’s all right for you two,’ she said, ‘all eyes are on the bride on the big day so I can’t keep wolfing down all these sweet treats.’
‘So why have you brought us here,’ frowned Harriet, ‘when stuffing yourself silly on all these creamy and frosted delights is out of the question?’
‘I’ve asked Jemma to make the cake,’ Jessica whispered excitedly, ‘and I just wanted to check everything was in hand.’
Watching Jemma bustling about the kitchen I couldn’t imagine there would be any problems but it was Jessica’s big day and I knew better than to argue. I watched as she rifled through her bag for her notebook and pen and went off to the kitchen to check Jemma’s progress with her beloved cake.
Minutes later she was back and all three of us were just tucking into our order when the café door opened and in breezed Holly. She swept up to the counter looking, I thought, skinnier than ever but that could have just been because she was bare legged. Her knees, I saw with a jolt, were actually the widest part of her beanpole legs.
I felt a twinge of guilt as I thought of my own knees and calves, and wondered if Jake minded that I’d piled on a few pounds. Had he even noticed? He hadn’t said anything if he had. I didn’t like this sudden awareness of my weight and body shape
. I’d never really given my figure much headspace before and I had no intention of starting now. After all, if I hadn’t just had to try on a bigger bridesmaid’s dress I probably would have never even noticed in the first place. It was true I had liked to squeeze in a couple of gym sessions a week when I lived in London but that was more about working off the frustrations of a week in the office than working on my figure.
‘Ten quid says she can’t walk out of that door without passing comment,’ hissed Jessica, earning herself a stern look from Harriet.
‘Are you still on her case?’ she whispered, sounding cross. ‘If Amber and I can be civil to her then I don’t see why you can’t.’
I kept my head down and didn’t say anything. This whole Holly, Harriet, Jake scenario was nothing to do with me really and I refused to get drawn into taking sides, especially on what had been such a special day.
Holly gathered together her bottle of water and what looked like some sort of seed bar in a bag, not dissimilar to the wedge Jessica was about to sink her teeth into, and turned around to leave.
‘Oh hello, ladies,’ she smiled when she spotted us, ‘I didn’t see you all there.’
‘Hello, Holly,’ said Harriet through a very crumbly mouthful. ‘How are you?’
‘Hi,’ I said, waving my fork vaguely in her direction.
Jessica didn’t say anything.
‘Nearly the big day,’ said Holly, looking pointedly at the silent member of the group, ‘and if you don’t mind me saying, Jessica, you are looking stunning. You’re positively glowing with that healthy bride vibe. Don’t you think, Amber?’
‘Mmm,’ I nodded, giving Jessica a cursory once over. ‘Yes. I guess.’
‘Are you doing the fasting thing?’ she said to Jessica. ‘Not that you need to, of course. All that horse riding has always kept you in trim.’
‘I have been thinking about giving it a go,’ said Jessica, looking up for the first time, ‘just until the wedding.’
I couldn’t believe it. What had happened to the ice maiden? One piece of perfectly placed flattery and Jessica was beginning to melt. You certainly had to hand it to Holly. She was the queen when it came to playing the game. Harriet prodded my leg under the table and grinned at her plate.
‘And what about these things,’ said Holly, waving the seed laden slice she’d just paid for and daintily sitting herself on an empty seat, ‘any good?’
‘Definitely,’ said Jessica, ‘although personally I like the one with cranberries in best.’
The conversation between the two continued as Harriet and I devoured our sugary treats and drank our equally sweet tea. I couldn’t be sure about Harriet but personally I’d tuned out when they started on about living life without pulses. Quite frankly if I listened to another word I don’t think I would have had a pulse myself for much longer. I’d never been one for fad dieting and I wasn’t about to change just because the waistband on my jeans was a bit snug.
‘Well,’ said Holly, just when I was thinking of ordering something else, ‘I’d better get going. I told Dad I’d only be gone for five minutes.’
‘One of the perks of working with family,’ agreed Jessica, ‘not that much gets past my mother, of course,’ she added darkly.
‘See you later then,’ said Holly, briefly kissing Jessica’s cheek as she stood up.
Actually kissing Jessica’s cheek!
‘But if I don’t see you before, have a wonderful day. Oh and girls, you should take a leaf out of Jess’s book, go easy on all that sugar.’
She was gone before I had a chance to retaliate, not that I would have known what to say.
‘Well,’ said Jessica, her cheeks flushed and eyes shining from all the ego boosting, ‘you know, I really think she might have changed.’
‘Oh thank God!’ said Harriet, punching the air and again attracting the attention of the other customers. ‘Does that actually mean we might all be able to meet in The Mermaid without fear of a beating if you catch us talking to her?’
‘Don’t be so melodramatic,’ tutted Jessica as she picked up her bag from under the table. ‘I haven’t been that bad.’
Harriet raised her eyebrows and placed her hands on her hips.
‘I just wanted to be sure she really meant it when she said she was sorry,’ Jessica conceded, ‘that’s all. I didn’t want to see anyone get hurt again, especially you.’
‘Well, I appreciate your concern,’ said Harriet, ‘but does this really mean this whole feud is finally over?’
‘Absolutely,’ nodded Jessica, as she went to have a final word with Jemma. ‘I can’t see the point in holding a grudge. All that scowling can’t be good for the complexion, can it?’
Chapter 41
Heading into high summer at Skylark Farm was quite literally the stuff of dreams, but not the sort of dreams that I’d ever had, of course. The previous summer I’d been sweltering in the city along with everyone else and dreading the sweat soaked commute and air conditioned nights, but this year, July and August were simply blissful. The halcyon days were truly upon us and I couldn’t imagine that life could possibly get any better.
I split my time between either working on the cottage, helping Jessica with the wedding, undertaking my farm chores or assisting Annie around the house. Everything happened, everything got done, but the pace was relaxed and easy-going and even Jessica had turned from potential Bridezilla to chilled out bride. In fact, she’d chilled out so much that, having first checked that I wouldn’t mind, she’d invited Holly to the wedding reception!
The dogs spent their days asleep either under the trees in the orchard or spreadeagled on the cool flagged kitchen floor and even the geese had knocked their assault tactics down a notch. The chicks, now militant, straggly teens rather than balls of soft fluff, strutted about the hen run (one more purposefully than the others, to my eye), while Mabel, Martha and Patricia, who had thankfully made a complete recovery, basked in dust baths with their beaks open and their eyes trained on the skies praying for rain. Even Pip was calmer in the heat, but the same couldn’t be said for Blaze who still favoured a canter around the paddock whenever the sun was shining in the clear, blue sky.
Annie was finally fighting fit again and enjoying pottering around her little garden. Relieved that the fox seemed to have disappeared for good she was relaxed and spent much of her time sewing in the shade. Jake was equally busy but also relaxed, keen to get everything in place for the Piggy Plan to launch the following spring and preparing for what seemed set to be a bumper apple harvest. He was looking forward to a more than bright future at the farm, as was I.
‘How do you fancy taking a picnic down to the river this afternoon?’ he asked one sunny August morning before heading off to meet Henry to discuss the positioning of the wedding marquee. ‘We could even go for a swim,’ he suggested temptingly. ‘If this morning is another scorcher like yesterday it might not be a bad way to cool off.’
‘I would,’ I said, ‘but I haven’t got a bathing costume or a bikini. I didn’t think of packing anything like that.’
‘So,’ said Jake, shrugging his shoulders, ‘who said anything about bathing costumes or bikinis?’
‘Oh,’ I smiled, ‘I see. That’s how things happen around here, is it?’
I didn’t welcome it but an image of him and Holly skinny (in her case literally) dipping in the river sprang to mind.
‘No,’ grinned Jake, ‘but there’s always a first time!’
‘Oh, so not something you and Holly used to indulge in then?’
I hated myself for asking, but the words simply refused to stay in my head.
‘God no,’ said Jake, ‘I wouldn’t have even bothered asking! She was a bit too uptight for that sort of thing.’
Well, I guess that was something.
‘OK,’ I told him, ‘it’s a date. I’ll get everything together and meet you down there later.’
It was, as Jake predicted, another scorcher and the soft breeze under the willow trees wa
s most welcome. I’d just finished painting the final room in the cottage and, feeling exhausted, I was grateful for the excuse to take a break. I was no interior design expert but even I knew it was fast work when the paint dried on the walls the second it left the roller.
Thankfully the ceilings, doors, skirting boards and windows hadn’t needed any attention and I had only really painted the walls to give the place a more homely touch. Now it was finished I could finally get stuck into the fun part. Jake thought my mood boards and scrapbooks full of magazine clippings were all highly amusing so I was looking forward to putting everything in place and watching him eat his words.
I slipped off my shoes and buried my feet in the relative cool of the long grass. It was already gone twelve and I hoped Jake wasn’t going to be too much longer. Painting was hungry work and the picnic basket was calling. I tied some twine around the necks of the elderflower cordial bottles and carefully lowered them into the river. The water was silky soft as it caressed my hands and I couldn’t resist it any longer.
I hitched my dress up, tucked it in my knickers and sat with my feet and calves dangling over the bank in the water.
‘Sorry I’m late!’
I jumped up and turned round smiling only to discover that he had brought Henry and Jessica with him.
‘Oh!’ said Henry, turning his back, like a true gentleman.
‘Sorry,’ said Jake, ‘I tried to text but, you know, no signal.’
‘Just be thankful I wasn’t skinny dipping,’ I told him, ‘and anyway, Jake, I haven’t even got my phone. You can turn round now, Henry!’
Poor Henry was beetroot red, but I couldn’t fathom the expression on Jessica’s face. She eyed me quizzically for a second or two then plonked herself down on the blanket.
‘Are you two staying for lunch?’ I asked as I opened up the picnic basket.