by Emma Davies
The time in between had been agony for Flora as she waited on tenterhooks, but when Hannah finally appeared she had greeted Flora normally and bustled about the kitchen helping with the last-minute dinner preparations.
But now this.
Flora looked up and smiled, determined not to let her own misgivings about the room show. ‘Oh, I popped it in the other room,’ she said lightly. ‘I can show you what I’ve done after tea if you like.’
Hannah’s knife clattered onto her plate, making Ned jump. ‘I rather thought I might put it back again,’ she replied sharply. ‘It’s the dining room, Flora.’ She placed her fork down rather more quietly. ‘And that table was my mother’s.’
‘Yes, Caroline took great delight in pointing that out, don’t worry.’ She had told herself over and over not be defensive about what she’d done to the room and that if Hannah didn’t like it, it wouldn’t matter, but now faced with her scorn she could feel her indignation rising. ‘So the table is quite safe. It’s in the small sitting room, tucked out of the way so that it doesn’t come to any harm… not that it’s going to, seeing as no one ever goes in there anyway.’
Ned had sat up, his own knife and fork now resting on his plate. ‘Caroline…? And what table?’ He frowned, looking at his mother’s angry face. ‘What’s going on?’
Hannah picked up her cutlery and started to eat again.
‘Flora has taken it upon herself to move all the furniture out of the dining room which, although we had discussed very briefly, I certainly hadn’t agreed to.’
‘Oh… is that all? For goodness’ sake, I thought she’d painted the room black with orange stripes the way you’re going on, Mum. I take it this is to make some space so that Dad can move in there when he comes home?’
Flora nodded. She couldn’t trust herself to do any more.
‘Excellent idea.’ He slid his hand down Flora’s knee and grinned at her. ‘You can show me what you’ve done when we’ve finished eating. I bet it looks great.’ His eyes stayed on hers the whole time he was speaking.
‘It isn’t finished,’ murmured Flora. ‘Because obviously I can’t move the beds by myself, and I haven’t moved any of Fraser’s personal things either.’
‘No, obviously,’ replied Ned, his eyes still on her. ‘Mum can do that, can’t you, Mum? Make it really cosy for Dad, with everything he’ll need on hand. He’ll feel so much better for knowing he hasn’t got to worry how on earth he’s going to get up the stairs.’
Flora was very glad for his response, and squeezed his fingers in reply, but he had also put her firmly in the middle.
‘I honestly thought it would help,’ she said.
‘And it does. Mum’s very grateful for all your hard work, aren’t you, Mum? It’s such a generous thing for you to do, thinking about Dad like this. I don’t think it would have even occurred to me.’ He was staring at his mum, eyebrows raised.
Hannah fidgeted with the edge of her placemat. ‘Hmmm,’ she said. ‘I would still have liked to have been consulted.’
Ned loaded his fork with mashed potato. ‘What did you get up to this afternoon then, Mum? Did you get the things you wanted?’
‘Yes, thank you. A couple of books from the library, his Farmers Weekly and some new pyjamas. I don’t like seeing your dad in those old ones, they’re fine here, but not at the hospital.’
‘Brilliant,’ Ned replied. ‘It sounds like Dad’s going to get spoilt rotten, he’ll enjoy that, despite what he says. We’ll go and see him in a bit,’ he added. ‘And then we’re one day closer to having him home again.’ He smiled. ‘It won’t be long now, Mum.’
It was a valiant effort and Hannah did show a flicker of a smile, but the rest of the meal was finished in virtual silence. Despite Ned’s attempts to make her feel better, Flora felt every second keenly.
Chapter Fourteen
‘… And then she said you’ll have to sell the farm.’
Ned had just taken a huge bite of toast and suddenly paused mid-chew, eyes wide. He waggled his fingers and Flora waited until he was able to speak. ‘Caroline said what?’
‘That you’re going to have to sell the farm,’ she repeated.
Ned stared at her.
‘I know. She said it without thinking and I wouldn’t have mentioned it except for the fact that, well, I could be wrong, but I’ve heard that Caroline likes a bit of gossip… Imagine how Fraser will feel if he hears that kind of thing going round. It’s bad enough now,’ she added. ‘Even if it is a rather old-fashioned view. In Fraser’s eyes he’s the head of the household and I know you don’t mind holding the fort while he’s ill, but it’s obvious he feels terrible about saddling you with everything. And then you get people like Caroline making stupid assumptions, which isn’t going to help anybody. I just hope Fraser never gets wind of it, that’s the last thing he needs.’
‘I’ll speak to her.’ Ned’s mouth had set in a hard line.
Flora nodded. ‘I think that’s a good idea. She apologised as soon as she’d said it, but it’s the kind of knee-jerk conclusion people jump to without thinking. It will take time, but there’s no reason why Fraser won’t be able to get back to work eventually.’
‘Well, Caroline should know better. And yes, things like that do have a habit of gaining ground.’ He swallowed the rest of his toast. ‘So, when exactly did she say this?’
‘Yesterday.’ Flora rolled her eyes. ‘When she also told me that moving the dining table was the biggest mistake I’d ever made and that Hannah would hate what I’d done to the room. Which she did, of course.’
‘I’m sure Caroline didn’t say it quite like that…’
Flora looked up. ‘I think “sacrosanct” was the word she used,’ she replied, not quite ready to let the matter drop just yet.
‘Ahhh…’ Ned pulled a face. ‘I’m sorry, Flora. Mum will get used to the idea, you’ll see. She’s just not used to anyone showing any initiative around here; that’s what comes of living with two clod-hopping farmers. But she’ll soon see what a brilliant idea it was, and Dad will be chuffed to bits.’
‘Hmmm, we’ll see.’
And as it happened Ned was right. Less than ten minutes after he had left, Hannah came into the kitchen, or rather she hurtled in and stood there staring at Flora.
‘Oh, thank goodness you’re here!’
Flora wasn’t entirely sure where else she would be.
‘I wanted to apologise,’ she said. ‘For yesterday. I really don’t know what came over me. You worked so hard, taking me to the hospital, doing all the cooking and taking Brodie out. You did all the washing-up too, and caught up with the ironing. Don’t think I didn’t notice that! And then, of course, you made the dining room so perfect for Fraser, and I think I just…’ She stopped, realising she was rambling. ‘Well, I’m sorry. For what I said. And the way I said it.’
Flora took off the washing-up gloves and placed them carefully beside the sink. She wasn’t sure whether to hug Hannah or not, but in the end she didn’t; something about the way she was holding herself so stiffly made her think it would just be something else that was too awkward for words. She smiled instead.
‘It’s okay, Hannah, really. I understand. It was the shock of everything catching up with you, I think, but I should have asked you about the room first. I guess I was trying to keep busy too, and I thought I could just get on with it while I had the time.’
‘Even so, my reaction was uncalled for. You did it with the best of intentions, and what did I do? Spent most of yesterday trying to ignore everything, instead of doing what you did which was to try and think about things in a practical way, something which I usually pride myself on. So, I gave myself a very stern talking-to last night, and I’m pleased to say that I feel much better this morning.’ She was wringing her hands, still standing in the same spot. ‘Now, what time are we visiting Fraser today, the same time as yesterday?’
Flora glanced at her watch; it was a little after half past seven.
‘
Actually, Caroline has invited me out to go riding with her this morning.’ She pulled a face. ‘But I’m not all that keen on going so I’d be quite happy to give it a miss and go to the hospital instead.’
‘Nonsense, you’ll have a wonderful time, and it will be lovely for you to have some fun with a friend for a change. In fact, if we visit Fraser after lunch, that will give me plenty of time to give the room a thorough clean before we go and then I can start to move more of his things downstairs.’
‘I did give it a clean yesterday.’
‘I know, dear, but everything must be wiped down and disinfected. There mustn’t be any trace of germs anywhere in the house. Fraser will be very susceptible, and we must all be very careful.’
She drew in a long breath, which Flora didn’t like the sound of.
‘Then, once the dining room is done, we can work through the other rooms in turn, finishing with the kitchen. If we aim to do one room a day, by the time Fraser comes home everything will be shipshape. Now, where did I put my notepad, I must make a list.’ She looked around the kitchen and then back at Flora. ‘Go on then, off you go and get changed.’
‘Right,’ said Flora faintly, looking down at her bright red tights. Why did she always feel like it was one step forward and two steps back?
‘What?’ Flora sighed as Caroline’s eyes travelled up the length of her body, taking in the skirt and leggings she’d changed into before heading down to the yard. ‘It was the best I could do. I don’t own any jodhpurs and the one pair of jeans I do have are too tight to be comfortable on a horse. These are elasticated, plus they’re old, and I don’t mind if they get a bit muddy.’
Caroline arched her eyebrows. ‘I can’t take you out looking like that…’ she drawled in a not quite fake posh accent. ‘Not that you don’t look lovely,’ she added hastily. ‘Just that, well, you’ll see when we get there… Fortunately I have some spare riding clothes that I’m pretty sure will fit. You can change once we get to my house.’
Flora wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that, but she followed Caroline meekly to her car and got in. Their farm might be next door, but in the countryside that meant at least two miles away by road or a really good walk across some fields. However, it also meant that, as Caroline was driving, Flora could drink in the views from the passenger seat. It felt like she had hardly been away from the farm since she had arrived and yet she had meant to get out and explore every day. So far that had been impossible; Shropshire might be home, but it still only amounted to a farmhouse, a few buildings and the odd field or two. And the hospital of course.
The high hedge they were passing ended and suddenly the horizon expanded in front of them. Flora drew in a quiet breath. It was stunning and she reminded herself that she had resolved to enjoy herself. Today was an opportunity and she mustn’t spoil it by being negative.
‘So this is chez moi,’ said Caroline as they turned in through a pair of large stone gates. ‘Otherwise known as Micklethwaite Stud and, as we go up the hill here, you can actually see Hope Corner across the fields to your left.’ She smiled. ‘Where no doubt Hannah is hard at it whipping everything that dared step out of line back into shape.’
Flora pursed her lips a little. Hannah wasn’t that bad.
‘So have you lived here all your life then?’ she asked Caroline, changing the subject.
‘I have, all thirty-two years. And my dad grew up here too, we’re third generation.’
‘Blimey…’ Flora couldn’t even conceive of such a thing. Her own family was scattered to the far corners of the country and had been for years. A brother in Norfolk, where he ran a guesthouse with his wife, and her younger sister in Cornwall where she managed a gallery for a very rich businessman who she was currently trying to entice into her bed, without much success as it happened. Her mum had retired a couple of years earlier, where she was now living an idyllic life with her stepdad in a small village on the Dorset coast. And then there was Rowena, of course. She felt the familiar weight of guilt that settled on her every time she thought of her elder sibling. Maybe one day they would be able to resume the same easy relationship they had once shared. Flora frowned, thrusting the thought aside; she had no space in her head for it today.
They were driving up a long straight track with open fields on either side but, as they approached a stand of trees, Flora could see another set of gates protecting a large red brick house, much like Hope Corner, although at least four times bigger. As they swept through the gateway the courtyard opened up in front of them, a large expanse of gravel providing a turning circle in front of the house before disappearing in between two rows of long low buildings to the left. Several other vehicles were already parked in an area to the right and it was towards these that Caroline headed, lurching to a stop with a spray of chippings.
‘Come on,’ she said. ‘Let’s go and get you sorted out, the girls are already here.’
Flora threw her a confused look, but Caroline was already climbing out of the car and she had no choice but to follow.
There was scarcely time to marvel at the grandeur of the double-height hallway before Flora was drawn up an oak staircase with a huge balustrade that led to a galleried landing on both sides. Her feet sank into deep carpet as she reached the top, hurrying towards to a door to the right that Caroline was holding open for her.
Caroline’s bedroom was vast and incredibly untidy. With its tall ceilings and double aspect it was a beautifully airy space, decorated in pale lemon and blue with soft furnishings to match. But the enormous double bed was unmade and heaped with clothes, as were an old blanket box at the end of the bed and an armchair in one corner. Even then, there were still clothes on the floor, and a large number of cosmetics and hair products had spread from the dressing table to the window sills and a mantelpiece over a cast-iron fireplace. Flora shuddered to think what Hannah would make of it. At least she and Caroline had something in common then.
Flinging open the doors to a large walk-in wardrobe, Caroline rooted around for a moment before pulling out a pale pair of jodhpurs and a striped blue shirt, which she then thrust at Flora.
‘There you go, I’m sure these will fit.’ She crossed to the window which overlooked the courtyard and peered down. ‘Oh look, Georgia has just arrived as well.’
Flora stared at her. Who the hell was Georgia?
It was clear that Flora wasn’t to be offered any privacy to get changed and, judging by the speed at which Caroline was moving, time was of the essence. With a grimace Flora pulled off her boots and began to peel off her leggings.
‘You mentioned the girls just now, Caroline,’ she said, as she danced about the floor trying to get her feet into the jodhpurs. ‘And now someone called Georgia… Am I right in thinking it’s not just you and I that are going to be riding?’
Caroline turned back, a puzzled expression on her face. ‘Oh, didn’t I mention it? The girls always come hacking with me in the morning… Chloe, Emilie and Georgia, so there’s just the four of us, well, five now you’re here. But I know you’ll love them. Gosh, we’ve been friends for… well years, since we were little.’
Flora gave a wan smile and heaved at the jodhpurs, which had glued themselves to her legs. ‘So you’re all experienced riders then…?’ She let the question dangle as she pulled her skirt down and, by some miracle, managed to get the jodhpurs done up. Stepping out of her skirt, she carefully laid it on a clear area of the bed. ‘Won’t that be a problem?’
‘Won’t what be a problem?’ Caroline came forward and picked up the shirt, handing it to Flora, who was pulling her old top over her head.
Flora waited until her head was free from her jumper before replying. ‘The fact that I don’t ride… Won’t that be a problem, seeing as how you’re all so experienced? Won’t I hold you up?’
Caroline waved an airy hand. ‘Oh, I don’t expect so. It’s not like we’re going to be performing dressage or anything, it’s just a gentle hack. I’m sure you can manage that.’ She grinned.
‘Oh, that looks much better, but do tuck the shirt in. It’s not the done thing to have everything all flapping about.’
‘I don’t think I can,’ muttered Flora. ‘There’s not really much spare room in here, Caroline,’ she added, tugging at the fastener at her waist.
‘Nonsense,’ replied Caroline. ‘You have a lovely figure, Flora. You might as well show your curves off.’ She eyed her closely. ‘Lie down on the bed if you can’t get the jodhpurs done up again. They’re meant to be skin-tight, and if you lie down and breathe in, it helps.’
Flora did as she was told. This really was not going to end well. She struggled back to her feet.
‘See, look,’ said Caroline. ‘That’s perfect!’ And she turned on her heels again. ‘Come on, let’s go and meet everyone.’
They were all blonde, all a size ten and Flora found it hard to distinguish between them. Chloe was slightly taller, while Emilie was the shortest, and Georgia had brown eyes not blue but, apart from that, they all had the same big, white-toothed smiles, peaches and cream complexions and laughed far too much at things that simply were not funny. And the worst thing was that Flora found herself doing it too. Within minutes her cheeks were aching from maintaining such a wide smile, and giggling in a high-pitched way she had never done before.
The laughter stopped the minute she tried to get on the horse. She had already suffered the indignity of Caroline trying to find her a hat which would actually fit. Then a young lad whom Flora wasn’t even introduced to brought forward the biggest horse that Flora had ever seen. It was white, with big brown eyes that stared right into the very centre of Flora’s soul. Samson, she was informed, was a really gentle old boy, but that didn’t do much to allay her fears. Nemesis would have been a better name.
The simple matter of swinging her leg up and into the stirrup seemed an impossibility but, after several goes, she at least managed to get her foot through it, although the rest of her was going nowhere. By this time the others had all mounted their horses and, after several more attempts and an embarrassing exchange with the young lad, who didn’t know where to put his hands, Flora was still very firmly on the ground. No one was laughing, but then it was implied in the silence that dragged on longer and longer…
