The Cottage of New Beginnings

by Suzanne Snow

  She walked along the high street, throwing a casual glance towards the fell rescue’s headquarters but wasn’t entirely sure if she was relieved or disappointed as she saw that it too appeared deserted. She headed to the far end of the village, past the old bookseller’s house at the top of the green and turned into The Courtyard, realising at once that it had changed, as Kirstie had said. Formed around an old farmyard, the tiny cottage had become a museum of local life and, where before just a few artists and craftspeople had occupied one of two barns, now every space was spoken for and each stable or byre converted to house felters to photographers and everything in between, all brought together as The Courtyard. The tiny café in the cottage had gone, replaced by a modern extension with lots of glass and was now a stylish and bright restaurant. Annie found a quiet table and ordered breakfast.

  When she had drunk two cups of coffee and eaten the most delicious breakfast she thought she’d ever tasted, of smashed avocado and poached eggs on toast, she had two recommendations from Facebook for electricians. She tried them both and was thankful to make an appointment for that afternoon with the second, who thought he knew what was wrong. Her phone was fully charged now, and she was finally able to answer all the messages from friends she had missed in the last twenty-four hours. There was a voicemail from her parents checking she was okay, and she typed out a cheery reply, knowing they would almost certainly be playing golf and not answering calls. She told everyone she was fine, that the cottage was wonderful, and they must come and stay as soon as she was organised, not entirely believing her own words. She seemed to be the only person sitting alone and she wondered how she would make the village seem like her own once more. Yet again she felt as though she were on the outside, looking in at everyone else’s lives.

  Shaking off the encroaching despondency, she stood up and gathered her things to leave. Outside in the courtyard she lingered, peering through the window of a small pottery, her eyes darting from piece to piece as she searched for one that she liked.

  And then she saw him.

  Her heart leaped and a delicious, unfamiliar tingle ignited her skin as she stared at the dark-haired man from the fell rescue. She knew she was blushing as his eyes met hers through the glass, struggling to offer a casual greeting. She saw his expression alter into recognition as they looked at one another, and then he spoke to the man sitting at the wheel and quickly began to make his way towards her. Annie felt a thrill steal though her as he neared the door but then somebody else approached him and he halted impatiently. He glanced in her direction again and although his lips were moving as he tried to get away, she couldn’t read what he was saying.

  It was enough. Annie wanted no part of this exhilaration, this dangerous sensation scattering her senses whenever she saw him. Even as she heard the clatter of the door, she fled into the village, walking hurriedly and breaking into a run when she reached the top of her lane, not daring to slow down until she was almost at the farm. When she looked back over her shoulder, she was relieved to see he hadn’t been mad enough to follow her. She shoved the gate open as she reached her garden and crept breathlessly into the silent house, lifting her hair from the dampness on her neck as she slammed the front door behind her.

  Chapter Three

  After an early but unsettled night Annie was desperate for a decent breakfast at home. Dressing casually in yesterday’s shirt over a vest and a pair of skinny jeans, which flattered the curve of her bottom and slim legs, she scraped her long curls into a clip, grabbed Elizabeth’s basket from the kitchen and headed back to the village to bring home a few local supplies. The electrician had turned up yesterday as promised, diagnosed a faulty circuit breaker, and fixed the problem. She had been so pleased and relieved to have power again that she had had to stop herself from hugging him in gratitude. After he’d left, she had scurried around switching on every light in the house to check they were working, at the same time as making a coffee from the Nespresso, especially thankful that the Rayburn had restarted itself.

  She barely noticed the early morning activity around the green as she walked into the post office and glanced around. Gone were the rows of everyday biscuits, baked beans and processed meat, replaced by shelves of organic pasta, homemade cakes and chutneys stacked beside jars of jam. One corner was filled with a freezer of ice cream from the local dairy and Annie would’ve been tempted, even at this hour, if she hadn’t been so keen for a square meal that included carbs. The ice cream was another reminder of the dark-haired man from Tuesday and her face became warm as she remembered their exchange and the expression in his eyes as he had looked at her.

  The newspapers had been relegated to a pile on the floor to make room for books and maps and she spotted a paperback by Andrew Blaine, Kirstie’s father. Annie swiftly filled the basket with more than she’d originally intended to buy, but fresh butter from the dairy looked irresistible and she threw in some organic biscuits as well.

  She said hello to the teenage girl behind the till, who nodded wordlessly as she stuffed Annie’s shopping into recycled carrier bags. Annie noticed the girl’s eyes flicking to the door every time the bell jangled and she smiled in silent sympathy. It was the beginning of the school holidays and wherever the girl wanted to be, it obviously wasn’t stuck in a shop. Annie heard the bell again and suddenly the girl’s expression was transformed as delight darted across her face, a flash so brief that Annie thought she might’ve imagined it. She glanced over her shoulder to see who was responsible.

  A tall, thin boy had appeared, and Annie saw his eyes flit around until he spotted the girl at the till and he deliberately looked away, bending to pick up a newspaper. His beautiful skin was smooth, and dark brown eyes were widely set, wary and coolly observant. Crazily ripped jeans hung low on narrow hips above long legs and his T-shirt revealed arms that were more strongly muscled than she would’ve expected on such a lean frame. His dark, tightly curled hair was very short, and he had a gold ring in each ear and one through his right eyebrow, glittering against his skin. He looked about nineteen and she could see exactly why the girl was entranced by his silent appearance. Annie met his gaze when she turned away from the till and gave him a brief smile as she headed to the door. He nodded quickly and then she was outside.

  A woman walking a small dog alongside the green stopped Annie to say hello and Annie remembered her as a good friend of Molly’s. It was lovely to catch up and Annie promised to pop round for tea and a proper chat soon. Still clutching the basket, she set off for the cottage but as she reached the Howards’ farm, she turned on impulse into the yard when she saw Elizabeth’s car. Out of the corner of one eye she spotted a large goose heading towards her, honking noisily as it flapped its wings, gathering speed all the while. Annie squealed in terror and shot towards the house, running like she hadn’t done since she was the hundred metres champion at school, the contents of her basket bouncing wildly.

  She reached the porch and hammered on the door, not sure if it was her heart or her fist banging the loudest. She thumped on the door again and nearly fell into the house as it was suddenly opened wide. Annie darted inside, and Elizabeth looked at her in amusement as she closed the door again. Annie’s hair had mostly escaped from the clip and she didn’t need a mirror to know that her face was scarlet and damp as she righted the basket in her arms.

  ‘Morning, Annie.’ Elizabeth ushered her towards the table in the centre of the room. ‘Don’t worry about the goose, it’s all show, she won’t do you any harm. Sit down and have a cup of tea.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Annie wasn’t so sure about the show bit, her breathing slowing now that six inches of closed door separated her from the goose. She put Elizabeth’s basket down beside a worn armchair as she glanced around curiously. The kitchen was much as she remembered it, except for walls painted pale blue and elegant rose-patterned curtains at the big window overlooking the garden. But the huge table was the same, laid for breakfast and half hidden by local newspapers, brochures for farming equipm
ent and a pair of matching bowls stuffed with fruit and a set of keys. Three tortoiseshell cats were lounging in a cosy bed underneath and they hardly bothered to raise their heads at the intrusion. Two loaves of freshly baked bread were cooling beside an Aga, and Annie’s mouth watered as she smelled bacon cooking.

  ‘Would you like to stay for breakfast? The guests have finished and I’m just making some for Robert before he has to go out.’

  Annie remembered the shopping still tucked inside the basket and the intention to cook her own. But the smell was impossible to resist as she looked across to Elizabeth. ‘Thank you, that’s very kind. If you’re sure it’s no trouble?’

  ‘Of course not, there’s plenty. Sit down, it’ll be ready in a minute.’

  Annie pulled out a chair and watched, almost drooling as Elizabeth made more tea and sliced one of the loaves. She piled a plate with bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes, and scrambled eggs and placed it in front of Annie. Annie tried to protest, resisting the temptation to stuff the whole lot into her mouth at once.

  ‘Don’t be silly.’ Elizabeth waved away Annie’s objections as she dropped a couple of fat sausages onto the plate as well. ‘Help yourself to bread and butter.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Annie said hungrily, closing her eyes in delight as she tasted the salty, cured bacon and perfectly cooked farm-produced egg.

  ‘Oh, I forgot to tell you, Annie, I’ve still got two spare keys for the cottage.’ Elizabeth filled a cup with tea and passed it to her. ‘Shall I keep one back, in case you need me to pop in sometime, and give you the other? I won’t be a minute, I’ll go and fetch it from the office.’

  Annie nodded her thanks, greedily forking up more bacon as Elizabeth left the room. The door to the porch opened and she spun around in her seat, surprised. Robert Howard erupted noisily into the kitchen, talking animatedly to a companion as he stepped out of a pair of wellies. For the second time in twenty-four hours, Annie was aghast to see the dark-haired man from the fell rescue following Robert into the room. If it hadn’t been full of breakfast, her mouth would’ve dropped open in surprise; instead, an infuriating heat raced across her face when he spied her. She saw astonishment and then something much warmer in his eyes as he looked at her. Hurriedly she turned her flustered gaze back to Robert.

  ‘Now then, lass,’ Robert roared, clattering towards her with a big grin and sending the cats flying out of their bed at the sudden din. She stood up quickly, thrusting her hand out before he yanked her into one of his famous bear hugs. ‘It’s about time.’

  It was difficult to smile with a mouthful of breakfast but she gave it her best. Robert pumped her arm vigorously and then hugged her anyway, dragging her against him as she tried to wriggle away. She noticed his unruly hair, for once tamed and tidy, was completely white and his appearance was smartened by a checked shirt and green tie worn with presentable brown cords. Annie didn’t need to look at the younger man to know that he was still watching her. She couldn’t believe he was only six feet away and she was wearing her crappiest clothes with crazy hair and no make-up, as if it mattered. Before she could muster a reply, Robert shot his friend a quick grin, stuffed a handful of bacon between two slices of bread and disappeared from the room. The door banged shut behind him.

  Annie cleared her throat in an attempt to lessen its sudden tightness and sank back onto her seat, pretending not to notice that he had pulled out a chair and sat down opposite her. She felt the heat of his look upon her again as she avoided his eyes, and it was only a moment until he spoke.

  ‘Why did you run away from the pottery yesterday?’ he asked, the directness of his question softened by the tone of his voice, so different from the anger of the other day.

  Annie neatly arranged the cutlery on her plate, the clatter seeming very loud as he waited for her reply.

  ‘I couldn’t stay,’ she answered truthfully, remembering her imminent appointment with the electrician. She knew she sounded brusque as she twisted her fingers together, wishing she could leg it again and not have to confront the sudden reality of the man who had been flitting in and out of her thoughts since she had first seen him.

  ‘Are you here on vacation?’ He spoke quietly, sounding different now that he was calmer, as well as much closer. As she considered her answer, Annie looked at his big hands resting casually on the table, his long, slim fingers browned by the sun. She noticed a signet ring on the little finger of his left hand and wished she were able to appear so unperturbed, unconsciously shrinking back in her seat and thankful for the broad width of the table between them.

  ‘Something like that,’ she replied evasively, thinking of her summer break from school.

  ‘Look, I owe you an apology. I was totally…’

  Elizabeth reappeared in the kitchen and they both looked around as she crossed the room. Annie could have hugged her in sheer relief that she was no longer alone with this very direct and attractive man.

  ‘Hello, Jon, ready to go?’ Elizabeth asked, smiling first at him and then across to Annie. Elizabeth took the teapot from the table and refilled it from the hot kettle on the Aga. ‘I thought I heard your voice. I see you two have met.’

  ‘Actually, we haven’t. Not properly.’ He turned his gaze from Annie to give Elizabeth his quiet attention.

  ‘Then let me introduce you. Annie is Molly Briggs’s goddaughter, Jon – she’s just moved into Molly’s cottage. Jon runs Thorndale Rural Enterprises in the village, Annie, but I’m not sure you’ll remember him. I don’t think he was here when you used to come and stay with Molly.’

  Elizabeth’s introduction sent a faint tremor down Annie’s back as she realised that she would almost certainly see Jon again, knowing all the while she could well do without the foolish sensations instigating chaos in her mind and body whenever she laid eyes on him. That thought alone was enough to make her feel as though she wouldn’t want to set foot on the fells again in case she were ever in need of rescue.

  ‘You live here?’

  ‘I do, yes. Since the beginning of this week anyway.’ She was starting to really wish that she didn’t as she heard the astonishment in his voice. She wondered if Elizabeth could recommend a decent estate agent. Annie aimed her glance away from Jon’s eyes, trying not to notice the two undone top buttons on his shirt and the sunglasses pushed into casually dishevelled hair. She was relieved when Elizabeth passed her another cup of tea, fixing her eyes on her neighbour instead as Elizabeth began to speak.

  ‘Annie knows the village like the back of her hand, don’t you, Annie? She more or less grew up here.’ Elizabeth frowned then as she tipped more bacon onto Annie’s plate before Annie could stop her. ‘That reminds me. Why didn’t you come and spend the night with us while the power was out at the cottage? You really didn’t have to stay down there all alone.’

  Annie tried to shrug it off, but they were both waiting for her answer. ‘Oh, I was fine on my own, really.’ She waved her hand as if it had never occurred to her to be alarmed by complete darkness in unfamiliar surroundings. ‘How did you know about that?’ She hadn’t expected anyone to have found out so soon about her predicament.

  Elizabeth laughed, and Annie saw Jon smile too. She noticed the lines around his eyes, the corners of his mouth and the faded hint of the scar on his jaw, and struggled to tear her glance away. Her mind easily observed every little detail as she wondered distractedly if men were supposed to have such beautifully shaped lips.

  ‘Village grapevine.’ Elizabeth pushed a plate in front of Jon, and he thanked her as he started to eat. ‘The man who came out asked for directions at the post office as his sat nav was playing up and the rest, as they say, is history. But seriously, Annie, promise me if anything like that happens again you will come to us? I hate to think of you on your own down there in the dark.’

  ‘I will, thank you.’ Annie gave Elizabeth a grateful look. She could feel her undigested breakfast churning uneasily in her stomach as she picked up her cup and sipped from it slowly.

 
Elizabeth finally sat down, pulling her drink towards her with a quick clatter of the saucer. She looked at Jon. ‘All sorted for today?’

  ‘Think so, it doesn’t start until after lunch. Robert and I are leading a navigations skills course this afternoon, near Hawes.’ Jon looked at Annie as he gave the short explanation. She really wished he wouldn’t smile at her like that. ‘Do you know the town? There’s a nice pub nearby with an excellent restaurant and microbrewery.’

  ‘I’m not familiar with it but Molly used to like going there by bus when she was still able to.’ His deep voice and rich American accent were already imprinted in her memory, and Annie wanted to know so much more about him, knowing she ought to crush such a dangerous wonder before it took hold.

  ‘Ah.’ Elizabeth’s smile was still in place as she replaced the lid on the butter dish. ‘So that’s Robert’s plan, Jon. You’ll be driving, and he can sample a few more of those local ales he likes so much over an early supper.’

  ‘I should get back. I’ve got so much to do,’ Annie said suddenly, remembering the state of the cottage and her impending schoolwork. She replaced her cup on its saucer and stood up quickly, keen to escape and gather her muddled emotions.

  ‘Are you sure? Don’t you want to finish your meal?’ Elizabeth asked, surprised. Annie shook her head and Elizabeth pointed to the table. ‘Don’t forget the key. I’ve still got the other one, just in case.’