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

by Christie Barlow

  Rory began to stack the jars back in the bag and placed it in the ‘keep’ pile. The room was still in chaos, but more organised chaos.

  ‘Okay,’ said Rory taking control, ‘this pile goes out to the trailer, this pile will be going into storage and those bits can go back to Mum and Dad’s with me.’

  Box by box they began to haul the unwanted pile out to the trailer and it was full to the brim in no time. When the last file was thrown in, Rory slipped his arms around Allie’s waist and they took in the magnificent view in front of them: Heartcross Mountain reaching for the sky, the burnt orange meadow flowers dancing amongst the purple heather. It all looked so peaceful.

  Over at Foxglove Farm the herd of alpacas could be seen grazing in the field next to the old vintage campervans that Isla had successfully transformed into a camping site. Luckily for her Zach’s fan club seemed to have dwindled for the time being.

  Allie swung her glance towards Bonnie’s Teashop, where through the window she could see Rona, busy cleaning the ovens, while Felicity mopped the floors. She caught Felicity’s eye and waved at them both.

  They watched a joyous group of ramblers heading towards them, singing songs. No doubt a well-earned pint was in order before climbing into bed.

  ‘I can’t believe tomorrow is my last night in this house.’ Rory turned towards the whitewashed terrace that he’d grown very fond of. ‘I’m not sure why they are kicking me out and renting it to a stranger, when I could have paid the rent.’

  Allie shrugged. ‘We don’t know anything about anything. People have reasons for their actions, like we’ve just discovered.’

  ‘I suppose the bottom line is it’s their property and they can do what they want. Maybe they need the money to help with Mum’s future care.’

  ‘That could well be the case,’ agreed Allie, snuggling into his chest.

  ‘But I will need to have a chat with Zach sooner rather than later and let him know about Africa.’ Rory sounded subdued. ‘It just isn’t my time.’

  Allie gave him a squeeze. ‘You’ll get your time,’ she said, meaning every word. ‘We’ll make sure you get your time.’

  They stared at the view in quiet contemplation before Allie broke the silence.

  ‘What’s going to happen to your mum, Rory? Will she be allowed to stay at home?’ Allie looked up and caught his eye.

  ‘It’s early days. Dad said she has a care plan that includes doing the things that are important for as long as possible, but there will come a time when things will get too difficult.’

  Allie nodded. ‘I’m just thinking out loud … about your mum’s birthday – no doubt everyone will gather in the pub as usual, with music and food, and it wouldn’t be a birthday without Hamish playing his fiddle, but how about making it more of a personal affair?’

  ‘Meaning?’ Rory held her gaze.

  ‘Those photos, those memory jars …’

  ‘What about them?’

  ‘I’m thinking, let’s turn those photos into a slideshow. Let’s pass round our own memory jar. Each of us can add our own memory of Alana and we can share them with her on her birthday. It will be good for everyone, a memory of memories … what do you think?’

  Rory’s eyes brightened. ‘I think that’s a genius idea,’ he exclaimed, pulling Allie in for an extra tight hug.

  ‘We can use the little room at the back of the pub. Shall we run it by your dad?’

  ‘I can do that it in the morning but for now I’ve got other ideas.’

  ‘And what would they be?’

  The wicked glint in Rory’s eye said it all and Allie’s body began to tremble with desire. He tugged at her shirt, pulled her lightly back up the path and they stumbled through the front door. Allie’s heart was beating fast as she leant against the wall and lifted her hand to stroke his stubble. Their eyes stayed locked upon each other as Rory pressed his mouth against hers and her body exploded with goosebumps. Allie grasped his hair and kissed him hard, the electricity flying. Still kissing, they clambered over the boxes and chaos that littered the stairs, tugging at each other’s clothes, until they fell into bed together.

  ***

  It was early morning and the sun was shining through a gap in the curtains. Allie was still lying in bed entwined in Rory’s arms, an overwhelming feeling of happiness surging through her body. Luckily, she was on the late shift today, unlike Rory, who she knew would need to be up and awake in the next hour to make it in time for morning surgery.

  She tilted her head, kissed him lightly on the lips and murmured, ‘Wake up, sleepy head. I’ll make you a cup of tea. I’ll be back in a second.’

  Grabbing Rory’s sloppy sweatshirt she pulled it over her head and carefully stepped down the stairs, avoiding all the clutter, which she knew would be gone by the end of the day. They hadn’t really had a chance to talk about Rory’s long-term living arrangements, but with everything that was going on at the moment it was easier to take each day as it came. As she flicked on the kettle she smiled at the newspaper lying on the kitchen table. It was open at the article featuring Rory and Sydney. The TV crew had wrapped up in the village and were off to their next filming, while Zach had decided to stay around and enjoy a few days of leisure time with Sydney before he jetted off to Africa, leaving his faithful friend behind.

  Staring at the photograph, she thought again about the job interview in Glasgow. What would happen if she did get the job? How would she feel if Rory was now staying in Heartcross and she was the one leaving him behind? This roller-coaster of life was throwing her emotions in every possible direction.

  ‘Take one day at a time,’ she murmured to herself. ‘No decisions need to be made today. Wait and see what happens first.’

  Closing the newspaper, she was distracted by a van revving its engine outside. It was probably Drew coming to pick up the trailer, she thought, reflecting that Rory’s stuff was going to make one hell of a bonfire. There was movement outside the front window followed by a knock on the door.

  ‘Coming, Drew!’ she shouted, placing the key in the lock. ‘The kettle’s on if you want a quick coffee.’ She opened the door to discover it wasn’t Drew but a tall slim man, immaculately dressed. For a second she was mesmerised by his thick neat eyebrows, symmetrical lips and high cheekbones. With his streaks of grey hair at the temples and his designer stubble Allie could imagine him breaking all the rules in the book.

  As he swept his hair out of his eyes she noticed the veins on his hand, suggesting strength and stamina, Feeling self-conscious dressed in her PJs and Rory’s sweatshirt, and embarrassed by her bed hair, which must have resembled some kind of bird’s nest, Allie said apologetically, ‘Sorry, I thought you were someone else. Can I help you?’

  The man looked down at the papers in his hand. ‘Is this number 10, Love Heart Lane?’

  ‘Yes, but we aren’t expecting a delivery. Are you expecting a delivery?’ Allie shouted over her shoulder to Rory upstairs.

  ‘I’m not here to deliver anything. According to these papers I’m moving in today, but I was expecting to find the property empty.’

  Allie took the papers from his hand and the penny dropped. ‘Flynn Carter,’ she said perplexed. ‘Sorry, Flynn, I’ve forgotten my manners. I’m Allie.’ He gave her a nod of the head. ‘But we weren’t expecting you until tomorrow,’ she continued.

  ‘Who is it?’ shouted Rory from the top of the stairs.

  ‘It’s Flynn – Flynn Carter, the new tenant.’

  Allie could hear some kerfuffle upstairs then Rory’s footsteps bounding down. Smiling to herself, she noticed that Rory had pulled his joggers on back to front, but she didn’t like to point it out in front of company.

  Arriving at the bottom of the stairs he stretched out his hand. ‘Pleased to meet you. I’m Rory, this is Allie. I just heard you say you’re moving in today. We thought it was tomorrow, hence we are still very much in a state.’ He cast a glance at the boxes piled high.

  Now it was Flynn’s turn to look p
erplexed. He juggled the papers and looked at the agreement in his hand. ‘I’m sure Alana Scott told me it was today’ – he perused the paperwork – ‘but I have to say the date doesn’t correspond to the day …’

  Rory stared down at the rental agreement Flynn was holding in his hand. He was indeed correct, ‘Well, if we go by the day it’s today, if we go by the date it’s tomorrow,’ said Rory, looking towards Allie, who was thinking exactly the same as he was: it might just be a simple mistake or Alana could have been confused.

  ‘But whichever it is, don’t stand on the doorstep. Come on in so we can sort out a plan of action,’ insisted Rory, holding open the door.

  ‘Honestly, I don’t want to intrude. I’ve just passed a B&B. I can see if I can get a room there for the night.’

  ‘Nonsense, we can work it out.’ Rory waved him into the living room.

  ‘You do know you’ve got your joggers on back to front,’ Allie whispered, chuckling as she pinged the elastic in the back of Rory’s trousers. In return he gave her the kind of look that silenced a person and made them behave straightaway.

  ‘Take a seat if you can find one.’ Allie quickly cleared a space on the sofa and Flynn sat down and rested his papers on his knee.

  ‘Tea or coffee?’ asked Rory, hovering by the kitchen door.

  ‘Coffee, one sugar. Thanks.’

  Allie risked a tentative look in the mirror and really wished she hadn’t. Her hair was matted and yesterday’s make-up was smudged under her eyes.

  Allie could hear Rory on the phone in the kitchen and she stood in the doorway and listened. He was talking to his dad and from how the conversation was panning out it seemed that Stuart was also under the impression that Flynn would be arriving tomorrow. But they soon managed to shuffle Rory’s morning appointments around to give him some extra time to get his stuff moved.

  ‘Honestly, I can keep all my belongings in the van and hunt down a bed for the night, it’s no problem,’ insisted Flynn as soon as Rory walked back into the living room.

  ‘It’s not a problem. I just need to move this stuff to various places and this place is all yours.’

  ‘Have you come far?’ asked Allie, intrigued by the dark brooding man sitting in front of her. She’d already noted the lack of wedding ring and the contemporary scent that lingered around him. He reminded Allie of a warrior who waged war, peace and romance with equal skill.

  ‘About forty miles,’ Flynn answered, not giving much away.

  ‘And Dad mentioned you were a property developer. What brings you to Heartcross?’ asked Rory, taking a sip of his drink.

  ‘Tourism. Since the bridge collapsed this village seems to be constantly in the news.’ Flynn stared at Rory, ‘I recognize you from the newspaper. The vet who saved Zach Hudson’s dog … I bet your business is suddenly booming with your celebrity status.’

  Allie couldn’t help but think that was a swift change of conversation. Flynn Carter was giving nothing away about himself.

  ‘It’s had its moments,’ answered Rory.

  ‘Are you looking to invest in the area?’ asked Allie, bringing the conversation back round to Flynn.

  ‘Maybe,’ he answered, still being evasive.

  ‘Your dad mentioned you’d bought the old boathouse. What’re the plans for that place?’

  Flynn raised his eyebrows. ‘Amongst other things, watersports: kayaking, rowing boats, speedboat hire.’

  Rory gave Allie an approving nod. ‘We’d definitely be up for hiring a speedboat, wouldn’t we?’

  ‘Absolutely,’ replied Allie. She already had visions of them cruising up the River Heart, stopping at the bay for a picnic.

  ‘The old manor house has been standing empty for years too,’ chipped in Allie. ‘There’s rumours flying around the village that the old place is going to be converted into retirement flats.’

  ‘Starcross Manor,’ added Rory. ‘Magnificent place.’

  Starcross was indeed magnificent, thought Allie. The Georgian manor was set in a hundred acres of park incorporating formal gardens, a private deer park, wild-flower meadow and woodlands. She thought back to the last time she was there, walking Nell through the grounds. The old place was abandoned and closed down and ivy clung to the walls of the building. As a child Allie had been impressed by the large double oak doors within a broad porch of stone pillars. The driveway was grand, sweeping in a wide circle, with an ornate fountain in the centre. Allie had remembered she used to stand behind the oak tree alongside her mum as they watched all the extravagant weddings and dreamt one day that it would be her stepping out with horse and carriage to marry her happy-ever-after.

  One afternoon, back when they were in their late teens, Allie and the rest of the gang had sneaked a couple of ciders from the pub and found themselves in the woodlands at the back of the green. They’d followed Drew towards the manor house and found a door unlocked. Once inside the main reception room they had been amazed by the vast space and the staircase that twisted in a perfect spiral before their eyes. Each stair was walnut, with a thick, undisturbed layer of dust. An owl had hooted and the whole gang had screamed and scampered.

  Allie had passed through the grounds a couple of weeks back and felt saddened by the house standing there growing old and tattered. She’d noticed the odd window was broken and some of the bricks were crumbling but it was still a thing of beauty.

  Rory continued, ‘Do you know anything about the retirement homes?’

  ‘I’m afraid not,’ replied Flynn, draining the drink from his mug then standing up. ‘I’ll let you pair get on. It looks like you are going to have a busy day ahead. Thanks for the drink,’ he said, handing Rory his card. ‘My number. Please let me know when I can move in.’

  ‘Don’t fret, we’ll be out today,’ confirmed Allie, thinking of the mammoth task ahead.

  Flynn nodded his appreciation and once the front door had shut behind him Allie wandered over to the window.

  ‘What do you think about him?’ Allie asked, watching Flynn linger by the side of the van. He was staring across towards the teashop and looked like he was heading that way but then stopped. He glanced down at his phone before swiftly changing direction and walking back towards the van.

  ‘He seemed a nice sort … Expensive shoes, I noticed.’

  ‘Hmmm.’ Allie continued to stare out of the window.

  ‘You’re not convinced?’

  ‘He seemed guarded.’ He was keeping his cards way too close to his chest for Allie’s liking.

  ‘Give the man a break – he’s only just arrived here and discovered we haven’t moved out yet. In the circumstances I thought he was very accommodating.’

  ‘There’s something about him, you mark my words.’ She gave Rory a knowing look. ‘You heard it here first,’ she added, turning back towards the window and watching the van disappear out of sight. ‘There is something about Flynn Carter …’

  Chapter 18

  ‘Why the bonfire? It’s not November,’ asked Finn, stuffing his face with marshmallows and sharing them with Esme as they watched the orange flames dance before their eyes.’

  ‘Just so we could roast marshmallows,’ answered Drew, ruffling his son’s hair. ‘Now take those inside with Esme and great-granny Martha will pop a film on for you both. Make sure you tell her there’s some of her favourite chocolate in the bottom of the fridge.’

  They all watched as Finn and Esme raced towards the back door of the farmhouse, clutching the bag of marshmallows, their bright yellow wellies clomping on the ground.

  ‘So cute,’ exclaimed Allie. ‘I wish we could stay that age for ever. I’m feeling exhausted after spending most of the day shifting Rory’s stuff.’ Thankfully now they were sitting in camping chairs alongside their friends, huddled around the fire, clutching a well-earned beer while watching all of Rory’s old university files go up in flames.

  ‘How are you feeling?’ Allie asked Rory.

  ‘I’ve never known anyone accumulate so much crap,’ sai
d Fergus, laughing as he threw the next bin bag full of stuff on to the fire.

  ‘I think that’s one of the reasons I never want to move,’ chipped in Isla. ‘Can you imagine what’s up in our loft?’ She rolled her eyes at Drew.

  ‘“Shove it in the loft,”’ he said, mimicking her. ‘“You never know when you’ll need it.”’

  ‘You behave or I’ll shove you in the loft,’ she joked.

  Watching the banter between his friends Rory reached over to Allie, who was sitting next to him, and took her hand. ‘Considering I thought this would be my last night sleeping in my house in Love Heart Lane, I’m actually feeling a little sad.’ His eyes were fixed on the fire, the flames rising boldly. They all listened to the crackling, and the air was filled with the woody fragrance of smoke.

  ‘Don’t feel sad,’ insisted Felicity, who was sitting next to Fergus. ‘Just think of it as new beginnings. There’s something better to come.’ She smiled and raised her can of beer. ‘Cheers,’ she said and the others followed suit.

  Rory managed a smile and reached down to stroke Sydney’s fur. She was lying at Zach’s feet. ‘She’s one hell of a dog.’

  ‘She is indeed,’ Zach answered, taking a swig of his beer.

  ‘I’m sorry to let you down, Zach,’ said Rory.

  Allie thought she heard his voice wobble slightly, but she knew the only way to know there were better days ahead was to endure the present anguish. They’d get through it together.

  ‘Let me down?’ Zach looked towards Rory.

  ‘Africa … I’m sorry I can’t come but with everything going on now at home …’ Rory had called round to the camper van early that evening to have a chat with Zach about the expedition to Africa. He’d had so much fun on the TV show working alongside Zach, and was devastated to turn down such a fantastic opportunity, but he knew it was the right thing to do.

  ‘I understand, family is family and you are lucky to have so many people who care about you.’ Zach looked unhappy. ‘You lot’– he looked round at them all – ‘you have made me feel so welcome. It’s a very special place you have here. Those quaint little camping vans, the best pub I’ve ever had the pleasure of drinking in, the delicious breakfast in Bonnie’s Teashop, and the most awesome vet who saved Sydney’s life … I hope you’ll all welcome me back at any time.’