Clover Cottage: A feel good cosy read perfect for your summer holiday reading (Love Heart Lane Series, Book 3)

by Christie Barlow

  ‘I will, but if I’m being honest, I’m nervous, Mum. What if I’m not as confident as the other candidates? What if they have more experience?’

  ‘How are you ever going to feel confident in different situations if you don’t experience them first-hand?’ challenged Meredith. ‘And as far as Rory is concerned, he’s a good, genuine guy. Relationships are funny things and as people you grow at different rates. Some people grow apart, but Rory was so supportive of you last night. He wants you to achieve, to accomplish your own dreams and grab this interview with both hands. He was brimming with pride yesterday, anyone could see that. And don’t forget the old saying: absence makes the heart grow fonder.’

  ‘I know,’ Allie admitted. Her mum was talking some sense.

  ‘And how was the cottage? We didn’t even get a chance to chat about that yesterday.’

  ‘That’s another thing. Rory just doesn’t seem to be excited by it. He’s says it’s too soon for us,’ Allie said, sounding exasperated.

  ‘You know what I’ve learnt all the way through my married life? Men take a little longer to make decisions; they aren’t impulsive like us. When we see something we want it right that very second but men take their time. The key is to let him make the decision in his own time and then you know he knows it’s the right decision. Trust me.’

  ‘You sound like you know what you are talking about.’ Allie managed a smile.

  ‘I do, I’ve put up with your dad for many years,’ Meredith said with a chuckle. ‘Now get yourself showered and over to the surgery, be a part of it all. Support Rory, you might find you enjoy it.’

  Allie pulled back the duvet and swung her legs to the ground. ‘And what do you really feel about this interview, Mum? You know you’ll never manage without me here,’ she joked, but she knew she was testing the water and checking how her mum really felt about her moving away if she was successful at the interview. ‘Could you really manage without me?’ She gave a sly sideways grin at her mum.

  ‘Get yourself to the interview. I’ll come with you. I quite fancy a day in the city – cocktails, a little shopping. Do you really see this place as your future?’ Meredith sounded forthright. ‘Heartcross was mine and your dad’s dream. It doesn’t have to be yours. You need to do what makes you happy. Don’t think about this place or us; put yourself first. We can easily get temporary staff in from the agency.’

  ‘Am I that easily replaceable?’ Allie pulled a sulky face.

  ‘I’m not saying I won’t miss you, I may even shed a tear or two, but I want the best for you, Allie, and even though you’re the best at pulling pints there’s a big wide world out there.’

  ‘You sound like Rory now!’

  Meredith leant over, took her daughter in her arms and hugged her tight. ‘Now make a fresh, positive start to the day, and go and support Rory. We can manage here. What will be will be.’

  ‘Okay,’ agreed Allie, thinking that joining Rory for the day would actually be fun. She’d never been on a TV set before.

  ***

  Almost an hour later, after a quick shower and breakfast, Allie ambled down the high street towards the village green. Once it was in sight, she paused for a second and looked around in pure amazement. Never before at this time in the morning had she seen so many people up walking their dogs. In fact she never knew Heartcross housed so many dogs. She spotted Julia and Jessica up ahead and called out to them both.

  ‘What’s going on? Why are the world and their wife walking their dogs at ridiculous o’clock?’ she asked as she strolled along next to them. ‘I feel like I’ve stumbled across a secret dog-walking group or something and am a bit miffed I’m not part of the gang,’ she joked and Julia giggled. ‘And why are you both dressed up to the nines at this time of the morning?’ She narrowed her eyes at them both. ‘What are you up to?’

  ‘As if she doesn’t know, but no doubt you have a front-row seat.’

  ‘A front-row seat to what?’

  Julia tilted her head and grinned. ‘Look at you playing it all blasé.’

  Then the penny dropped, ‘Oh my God, you are all off to the surgery. Are all these people off to the surgery?’

  ‘Absolutely!’ said Jessica with a grin. ‘We all want our fifteen minutes of fame.’

  Allie couldn’t believe the sight before her: there were people carrying rabbits, cats, guinea pigs … even Fergus was hurrying over to the surgery carrying a chicken – a chicken, for God’s sake. There was Finn too, with Mop trotting at his side. As she approached the surgery Allie glanced around at the assembled crowd. Rory was definitely going to be busy today, she thought, amazed by the long queue of people accompanied by their animals already standing outside the surgery.

  ‘All this effort just to get on TV?’ said Allie, staring at the white transit van parked behind the metal railings in the grounds of the surgery.

  There were people everywhere squashing up against the railings, girls chanting Zach’s name – it reminded Allie of being in the middle of a rock concert, and she shook her head in disbelief. All this just to get a glimpse of Zach Hudson. She made her way through the crowd, only to be stopped by a girl she didn’t recognise, holding a cage with a blue and yellow budgie inside.

  ‘Hey, missus, you can’t go jumping the queue,’ the girl said. She was dressed in an outfit that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Eighties with its garish neon colours, and blew out a bubble with her gum.

  Allie, taken aback, was just about to apologise when she spotted Zach through the window. He immediately appeared at the entrance of the surgery looking very handsome in his blue scrubs. Within seconds the girls went wild at the sight of him. The crowd surged forward, screaming, with their arms stretched out wide waving their phones. Allie was knocked to the ground with a bump. Before any expletives could leave her lips, she was yanked to her feet by two burly arms belonging to a security guard, who pulled her through the gates to safety.

  ‘Oh my God, this is Heartcross, not bloody Hollywood,’ she muttered, brushing herself down. ‘Those people are like animals.’

  The screaming was unbearable. Allie watched Zach as he saluted the crowd and quickly retreated back to safety behind closed doors.

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ he said, ‘are you okay?’

  ‘Just about. If this is what it’s like being famous you can give me a quiet life any day.’

  ‘Sometimes it gets a little out of hand; people forget their manners,’ he said, rolling his eyes while placing a lanyard around Allie’s neck.

  ‘What’s this for?’ asked Allie looking down and suddenly feeling a sense of importance.

  ‘This is to say you are not an imposter or a crazed fan who’s managed to outwit burly Carlton here and gained access to the set.’

  Allie looked in Carlton’s direction. He had muscles upon muscles; in fact she’d never seen muscles quite like it.

  ‘Thank you for rescuing me,’ she said, still staring at his arms then dropped her gaze to his chest. There was no denying he fitted that shirt well, very well indeed. The hours he must have put in to build a body like that.

  Carlton was a man of few words. He nodded his appreciation and took his place standing by the entrance of the surgery. There was no one without a lanyard getting past him.

  ‘How’s it all going here?’ asked Allie, averting her gaze to Zach.

  ‘Mmm,’ answered Zach.

  ‘Oh no, what’s that meant to mean?’

  ‘Are you ready for your TV debut?’

  ‘Who – me?’ asked Allie, shocked, placing a hand on her chest. Her plan today had been to remain totally in the background.

  But before Zach could answer, Rory appeared in the doorway. ‘Thank God you’re here. Do you never answer your phone?’

  Allie delved into her pocket and pulled out her phone. Eight missed calls. ‘Sorry, it was on silent. What’s up?’

  Rory began a long-winded explanation about how his mum was being difficult and couldn’t go ahead playing the role of t
he receptionist. ‘Honestly,’ he said, ‘all she has to do is pick up the phone and pretend she’s talking to me then tell the customer to come in. It’s simple.’

  ‘What’s your plan now?’

  All eyes were on Allie. ‘Whoa! You want me as the receptionist?’

  ‘Yes! You’ll be perfect.’ Rory was looking directly as her. ‘Who better to step in than you? They want to film real people and to see what makes Heartcross so unique and you’ll be just the best,’ he insisted, immediately handing Allie a white coat without giving her the chance to back out.

  ‘So what have I got to do?’ asked Allie, trying the coat on. It was a perfect fit.

  ‘See, that coat was made for you. All you have to do is pretend you are on The Apprentice,’ said Rory, pinning a name badge on to her lapel and straightening the shoulders.

  ‘Eh?’ replied Allie.

  ‘You know, act like the receptionist on The Apprentice when all the contestants are sitting outside the boardroom and he rings through and she says, “Alan Sugar will see you now.”’

  ‘“Rory Scott will see you now!”’ practised Allie in her best telephone voice. ‘I can manage that.’ She chuckled.

  Rory put both his hands on her shoulders and kissed her. ‘You are an absolute lifesaver. I knew I could count on you.’

  Allie felt warm and content inside. Even though she knew there was still an obstacle between them and a conversation they still needed to have, she would always be there for Rory.

  ‘Looking at the queue outside, it would seem everyone wants to get in on the act today.’ Allie nodded towards the window.

  The queue was so long now that it disappeared round the bend at the bottom of the road.

  ‘Where have all these people come from?’ Rory asked in alarm. ‘I’m never going to get through them all in a day.’

  Allie could tell he was beginning to panic slightly, his nerves obviously beginning to get the better of him.

  ‘Oh my God, surely all those animals can’t be ill?’

  ‘My guess is not,’ said Allie, grinning, noticing that Rory suddenly looked petrified. ‘Most of these people just want a glimpse of you and Zach, and to have their few seconds of fame on a TV show.’

  ‘I can’t do this,’ Rory stated. ‘I can’t do this, Allie.’

  ‘Of course you can,’ said Allie, slipping her arms around his waist and pulling him closer for a hug. ‘You do this job day in, day out. Just put the film crew to the back of your mind and pretend they aren’t there.’ She popped a reassuring kiss on his lips. ‘You’ve got this, okay?’ Allie said as she took both of his hands in hers and gave them a little squeeze.

  ‘Thank God you’re here,’ Rory said and gave Allie a heartfelt hug, already seeming a little calmer. His words made Allie’s heart leap.

  Zach, standing next to them, peered out of the window at the long queue. ‘It’s always like this with these kinds of shows,’ he commented. ‘What we do is film a cross section of the public. The production team will actually peruse the crowd, have a chat with different people and see whose personality shines through. Also, they will vary the different types of animals. There’s no point having a show full of just dogs. Then they’ll edit it to put the best ones into the programme. It’s amazing how they cut a full day of filming down to five slots of thirty minutes’ viewing time.’

  ‘So those people who think they are at the front of the queue might not even been seen?’ asked Allie.

  ‘Yes, that’s right, and that’s when Carlton steps in to calm any disgruntled customers,’ said Zach, looking down at his phone. ‘Sorry, I need to take this call,’ he said, silencing his phone before disappearing into the kitchen area.

  Allie looked surprised. There were going to be some disappointed customers outside who’d got up at the crack of dawn to try and be the first in that queue.

  Hearing dissatisfied mutterings behind her, Allie spun round and smiled. ‘Good morning, Stuart.’

  It was safe to say by the look on his face he wasn’t overly excited about his surgery being taken over by the TV crew. Stuart didn’t seem to hear Allie’s greeting; either that or he was preoccupied. ‘For heaven’s sake, you’d think with all this palaver we were expecting a visit from the Queen, not some two-bit TV star filming – what do they call it? – a reality show. He’s just like the rest of us, you know, burps and passes wind.’

  Rory looked horrified and raised an eyebrow. ‘Dad!’

  Having finished his call, Zach was standing behind Stuart grinning, thankfully finding Stuart’s comments mildly amusing.

  ‘I’m sorry, Zach,’ said Rory, trying to smooth the way, but Stuart interrupted.

  ‘Don’t you go apologising on my behalf.’ He looked over his shoulder. ‘I’ve got a headache with all their kerfuffle.’ He nodded towards the main surgery room. ‘They’ve moved all the equipment around.’

  ‘They need to, Dad. The room is small so they need to make space for the film crew.’

  But Stuart wasn’t listening. ‘And those girls out there … if anyone tramples on my flowers …’ he said, wandering past Carlton and disappearing outside.

  ‘Sincere apologies, Zach. Sometimes Dad doesn’t have a filter.’

  ‘That’s the best way in this industry – say it how it is. He’d be great on camera, so dry.’

  ‘Right, I’ll nip to the bathroom,’ said Allie, thinking she hadn’t set eyes on Alana this morning. Maybe she’d taken refuge back in the main cottage, away from the chaos of it all. She left Rory and Zach chatting away. Thankfully Rory seemed back to his normal self with her today. There didn’t seem to be any tension between them. Maybe Felicity and her mum were right, and she’d just panicked about their future. Of course they could make his trip to Africa work.

  ‘Rory!’ shouted Allie from the bathroom.

  He quickly appeared at the door. ‘You okay?’

  ‘There’s no toilet paper.’

  ‘Really? That’s strange. I saw Mum with the toilet rolls about half an hour ago. She was on her way to put them in here to make sure there were enough for the film crew.’

  ‘Well, there’s none in here now.’

  Rory went to look in the store cupboard behind the desk and Allie followed.

  ‘Any in there?’ she asked, looking over his shoulder.

  Rory didn’t answer; he was too busy wondering why the hell there were two steaks, a carrier bag full of salad and a tub of margarine sitting on the shelf full of cleaning products – obviously his parents’ dinner.

  ‘Maybe your mum just put them down in a hurry and forgot about them. I’ll nip them over to the cottage and pop them into the fridge,’ offered Allie, taking the bag from Rory and sensing his concern.

  ‘Dad said she’s been in a funny mood recently, in fact more than a funny mood … like a difficult mood.’

  Allie found this hard to believe because as long as she’d known Alana she’d never found her short-tempered for no real reason; she was one of the most easy-going people she’d ever come across. Always going out of her way and doing whatever she could to help others. This didn’t sound like Alana at all.

  ‘Look around you. This is all probably just a little overwhelming for her. There are people everywhere, camera crew, bodyguards. It’s enough to freak anyone out.’

  ‘Yes, you’re right,’ he replied. ‘But that still doesn’t explain what’s happened to the toilet rolls.’

  ‘Looking for these?’

  They both spun round to see Zach holding up a packet.

  ‘Where did you find them?’ asked Rory, taking them from him.

  ‘Chilling at about three degrees in the surgery fridge. Only looked inside for some milk and there they were, on the top shelf.’

  Allie held Rory’s eyes for a second, and he raised his eyebrows in return. ‘She will just be muddled with all today’s chaos. I’ll pop them in the bathroom.’

  Taking them from Rory, she knew exactly what he was thinking. He had recently mentioned the missed
appointments in the diary, emails left unanswered or important ones deleted. Alana had been getting flustered at work and Rory was worried about her.

  When Allie returned to the surgery the number of people crammed into one space seemed to have doubled. Emma, the producer, was talking to the rest of the team and Allie watched her with admiration. She was a slim, petite girl with flame-red hair that bounced on her shoulders and a string of freckles across her nose. She was conversing with the director, a short, stocky man called Hugo, who was primarily responsible for overseeing the shooting and the assembly of the programme. And now they were both chatting to Rory and Zach. Allie was grateful her mum had talked her into coming over and was quite excited by the small role she’d acquired. The only thing she wished was that she’d made more of an effort with her hair, as it was sticking up every which way with a mind of its own. Sitting down behind the desk she stretched out her legs – then jumped out of her skin as two big eyes looked up from underneath. ‘Sydney! What are you doing under there? You frightened the life out of me!’ she exclaimed, leaning down and patting the dog’s head. ‘I suppose this is just a normal day at the office for you,’ she chuckled, feeling relaxed.

  Sydney rested her head back on the carpet and stretched out her legs, not at all fazed by the commotion around them. Allie smiled. Taking a leaf out of Sydney’s book, she too felt relaxed and not in the slightest bit nervous, which surprised her. Usually in any new situation her anxieties would flare up; she’d be dry-mouthed, nervous and often shy. But today she was feeling relatively relaxed. Maybe it was because Rory was here, or because she was used to the surgery and its surroundings and on the odd occasion had covered for Alana on reception duties when she took a day off. Fiddling with the pen on the desk she glanced at her watch. Surely it was nearly time to begin filming? She heard movement and jumped to attention when Hugo shouted, ‘Calling everyone to make-up. Only thirty minutes to go until we start filming.’

  Zach and Rory were now standing in front of the desk. ‘Come on. I like this bit, the calm before the storm,’ said Zach, patting Rory on the back. ‘Time to get pampered.’