The next morning, Holly left Luke with her granny so she could take a look around Greenacres. The three days since she’d returned had been chaotic, and she hadn’t had a chance to explore her old home.
She let herself out of the back door and headed across the yard in the direction of the winery building. As she passed the window, her dad waved at her. He was engaged in conversation with one of the long-term employees, so she decided not to disturb them, but to go and take a look at the shop instead.
There was a sign on the door telling customers the opening hours, which had been reduced considerably since Holly had last worked there. There was also a mobile number in case the shop was unattended for some reason, so customers could alert someone at the vineyard to their presence.
Holly pushed the key into the lock and it turned easily. It was like stepping back in time.
The smell of lavender and paper hit her first, followed by the smell of furniture polish. There was the counter with its mural of the vineyard in summer that Fran had painted, the old-fashioned till sitting on top, and the shelves that took up the walls to the right and left. However, unlike in the past, the shelves were almost bare. There were some bottles of wine, a few of the decanters that Holly had ordered in as an add-on sale and some boxes of complimentary glasses that they’d given away with larger orders.
The wall behind the counter was naked. Previously it had been adorned with Fran’s beautiful paintings, and now that they were gone, Holly could see how much they had added to the shop. To her right, the shelves that had held Fran’s olive bowls, vases, jugs and tiny models of Greenacres were empty except for a film of dust. On the top one, a can of furniture polish sat with a yellow duster, clearly abandoned mid clean.
It made her sad to see this small corner of the vineyard in disarray. As a child, she had helped her mum out in the shop. On quiet days, her mum had told her stories about the grapes, and about her own childhood, as they’d sat on stools behind the counter and drunk endless cups of tea. Sometimes her dad had joined them, and he’d spoken about his life in Australia and about coming to Cornwall and falling in love with Holly’s mum. She had loved to listen to her parents, to watch how they gazed at each other and to feel that she was a part of something very special indeed.
After her mum had died, Holly had run the shop and built it into a successful part of the vineyard business. Customers came to buy wine, and Holly would ensure that they went away with extras like the lavender pouches and Fran’s artwork. She had been good at anticipating what people wanted, then selling them something else too. It had been enough for her, the small world that she had lived in. Her dreams of travelling had been put away like the dolls she’d played with as a child, and she’d stayed where she felt safe and loved. And there had been Rich. He had been everything she’d wanted and needed and she had clung to what they had. She had thought she could love him enough for both of them.
She had been wrong.
She went behind the counter, pulled out a stool and sat down, resting her elbows on the counter. Then she buried her face in her hands and cried.
She cried for her mum, for her dad, for her granny and grandpa, for Fran and her lost sales, and she cried for what she herself had lost when Rich had pulled out of buying Plum Tree Cottage. She had thought she had her life sorted, then everything had spiralled out of her control and changed beyond recognition.
At last she sat up and wiped her eyes on her shirtsleeve.
Today was a new day. She was home.
She was going to help her dad to save Greenacres, only this time it would be better than ever before. And she knew exactly how she was going to start. She pulled her mobile from her pocket and dialled Fran’s number.
‘I’m not so sure about this, Dad.’ It was two days later, and Holly was sitting in the passenger seat of her dad’s Range Rover.
‘It’ll be fine and it will do you good. I bet you’ve not had an evening out in at least eight months.’
‘No, but… I don’t mind.’
‘Holly, you’ll only be at Fran’s, and I’ll come and pick you up later.’
‘At ten?’
‘Yes, or earlier if you want. Luke will be fine.’
Holly peered into the back of the car, where her son was strapped into his seat.
‘What if he needs me?’
‘I did raise a baby, you know, and you’re sitting right next to me. I know how to feed and change Luke, how to sing to him and read to him if he’s fractious. And Granny will be there too.’
‘Okay…’ Holly unclipped her seat belt and opened the car door. ‘Promise you’ll ring me immediately if there’s a problem.’
‘I promise. I love him too, you know.’
‘I do know that.’ She smiled at her dad. Of course he loved Luke too. He was a kind, big-hearted man who had always doted on her. Loving her son would be second nature to him.
She closed the door gently to avoid disturbing the sleeping baby. It was fine; it would all be fine. She had the chance to spend an evening with Fran, to relax and let her hair down. Hell, she could even have a glass of wine. Or two…
She opened the gate, then walked up the path and knocked on the door. From within came the barking of several dogs and the scratching of claws on the flagstone floor. She heard a stern command to sit and stay, then the door opened and Fran stood there wearing denim dungarees covered in wet patches, with a spotted scarf tied around her head and a small grey dog wriggling under her right arm.
‘Holly!’ Fran grabbed her and gave her a one-armed hug. ‘Come on in.’
Holly wrinkled her nose at the strong doggy aroma that wafted off her friend, but composed her features and stepped into the hallway. Three dogs sat in a row, their tails wagging as they eyed Holly excitedly.
‘Stay!’ Fran pointed at the dogs.
‘They won’t rush me, will they?’ Holly asked, only half joking.
‘No, they’re all well trained. It’s this little scamp I have to watch at the moment.’ Fran rubbed the scruffy grey head and the dog squirmed, trying to break free from her embrace. ‘He’s desperate to say hello.’
‘Oh…’ Holly held out her hand and let the lurcher sniff her palm. He gave it a swift lick, and she grimaced as the warm, wet tongue met her skin.
‘Worse things you could do than accept a canine kiss.’ Fran waggled her eyebrows, then indicated the row of dogs. ‘You’ll remember Crosby, my golden Lab, and Scamp, the whippet, then this is Dust Bunny… I have no idea what her parents were.’
‘Yes, I met Crosby and Scamp before I left… Hello, Dust Bunny.’
The dog blinked up at her and shuffled closer.
‘I’m watching you, Dust Bunny,’ Fran warned, and it shuffled backwards with a gentle whine.
‘What’s the new one called?’ Holly asked.
‘I don’t know. I’ve tried to name him, but I can’t come up with anything that seems right. Perhaps you can help me.’
Holly gazed at the dog, trying to think of a suitable name. It had been hard enough choosing one for her son; in the end, she’d named him after one of the nurses at the hospital who had cared for him in the days after his birth.
‘I’m going to set him down now. Are you ready?’
‘I guess so.’
Fran put the dog on the floor and Holly braced herself. The pup’s eyes widened, then he shook his head, wagged his tail and leapt at her, causing her to take a step backwards. Even though he was small, his enthusiasm gave him momentum and power.
She reached down and patted him, and he immediately flipped over onto his back. She looked at Fran, wondering if she’d done something to upset him.
‘He’s offering you his belly to stroke. It’s a sign of trust and submission. He likes you.’
As Holly rubbed the dog’s belly, she heard Fran say, ‘Go on then.’ She was suddenly flanked by the other three dogs, and she held her breath as she was licked, sniffed and showered with canine affection.
‘That’s it, dogs! Enough for now. Let Holly get up.’
Holly staggered to her feet and Fran grinned at her.
‘They love you as much as I do.’
‘Ha! Now I stink.’
‘My dogs are clean.’ Fran’s grin had dropped from her face.
‘I know that. What I meant was that they all licked me and…’ Holly looked down at her black top and jeans, which were covered in hair. ‘I didn’t mean to sound rude, Fran, gosh…’
‘You’re still so easy to wind up.’ Fran winked at her.’ I know you weren’t being rude. Doggy drool does tend to be a bit whiffy. Anyway, come on through and I’ll pour you a drink.’
Holly followed Fran through the airy hallway with its flagstone floor, open staircase and doorway to the lounge. The cottage kitchen was just as she remembered it, with dark beams on the white ceiling, ancient yellow Aga against the back wall, apron-fronted sink and green wooden cabinets with chips and missing handles. She was hit by a wave of memories from childhood as she walked over to the round table and pulled out a chair. She’d sat here with Fran while they’d revised for exams, talked about school, boys and the future; while they’d played games at Christmas time with Fran’s parents and while they’d put the world to rights.
The dogs settled, two of them on the old sofa near the Aga and one in a fluffy round bed in the corner. The grey lurcher came and sat at Holly’s feet. She smiled at him but kept her hands in her lap, not wanting to encourage him to start licking her again.
The kitchen smelt of spices and woodsmoke, a familiar combination that made Holly relax, and as the tension seeped from her shoulders, she realized how tightly she’d been holding herself.
‘Red or white?’ Fran held up two bottles.
‘Do you know, I was in such a rush that I forgot to bring wine. And my family owns a vineyard!’ Holly shook her head.
‘It’s okay, chick, I have plenty here… the advantages of having an Italian papa. The cellar is well stocked.’
‘I’ll have white, please.’ Holly removed her coat and hung it on the back of the chair.
‘You okay?’ Fran asked as she set two glasses on the table.
Holly blinked hard. ‘Yes… it’s just been a challenging few days.’
‘Your grandpa?’
‘In part. It’s so strange at Greenacres without him around. I keep expecting him to call me for dinner or to find him sitting in his chair in the lounge.’ Her throat ached as emotion welled. ‘I miss him so much.’ She covered her eyes and took a few slow breaths as she tried to control herself.
Fran hugged her, resting her chin on top of Holly’s head. ‘Let it out, Hols. It’s okay.’
Holly gave a small laugh. ‘Sorry. I came here to see you and to catch up, not to cry on your shoulder.’
‘Hey, it’s what I’m here for.’
‘I don’t deserve you.’ Holly looked up at her friend.
‘We’ve been friends for years, Holly, and I hope we’ll always be friends. I’ve cried on your shoulder too, so please don’t turn all formal on me.’
‘Okay,’ Holly squeaked. ‘Thank you.’
Fran sat down. ‘How are things with Rich?’ she asked gently.
Holly filled her in on their meeting. She hadn’t told her about it when she’d rung her yesterday, as she’d been keen to discuss her plans for the vineyard shop, then Fran had needed to rush off to deal with a puppy emergency.
‘How do you feel about it now?’ Fran pushed her glasses up her nose, with its tiny diamond stud.
‘Confused.’
‘I’ll bet.’
‘He said he wants to be involved in Luke’s life, which is wonderful, but it will be strange being around him now that we’re no longer together and he’s seeing someone else.’
‘Is he?’ Fran looked surprised.
‘Well… I don’t know for certain, but when I saw him at the diner in Newquay, he was with a woman. A very beautiful woman.’
‘Didn’t you ask him about her when you met up?’
Holly shook her head. ‘It didn’t seem like any of my business really.’
Fran nodded.
‘Fran?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why are your dungarees wet? I meant to ask when I got here, but I was distracted.’
‘I ran the bath for scruffy dog there, because I wanted to get him cleaned up before you arrived, but as I lowered him in, he escaped. The water was only a few centimetres deep and I managed to save myself from a complete soaking, but I still got splashed when he jumped out.’
Holly looked down at the dog, who was resting his chin on his paws and gazing up at her.
‘But he looks so cute. I can’t imagine him being any trouble.’
‘He’s not. He just likes his own whiff.’
They giggled then and Holly picked up her glass.
‘This is good.’
‘Dad never scrimped on wine.’
‘It’s one thing you shouldn’t scrimp on.’
‘How are things at the vineyard?’
Holly sighed. ‘In a bit of a mess.’
‘Want to talk about it?’
She nodded.
‘Tell you what… I’ll get changed out of these wet dungarees, then you can tell me all about it. I’ve got pizzas for dinner.’
‘Sounds wonderful.’
‘Back in a bit.’
When Fran had left the kitchen, Holly leant forward and stroked the dog’s head. He emitted a low sound that startled her, and she pulled her hand back. Had he just growled at her? He raised his head and nudged her hand. No, that couldn’t have been a growl. He wanted her to do it again. This time, she kept stroking him, and he closed his eyes and his body relaxed.
‘You’re a little cutie, aren’t you?’
She had always liked dogs, but never had one herself, and that made her slightly nervous around them. But this little lad was sweet and had the most adorable eyes. Fran had said he needed a home, but Holly had enough on her plate without thinking about adopting a dog.
Didn’t she?
After they’d eaten, they moved into the lounge, and Holly told Fran a bit more about the financial forecast for the vineyard, to clarify why she’d rung her yesterday.
Fran nodded. ‘I’ve had a good think about what you asked me, and I can definitely help.’
‘You can?’ Holly squealed.
‘Of course. I still have some of the paintings of Greenacres here, and I’ll get to work on the order of clay condiment bowls and goblets after the weekend.’
‘I was thinking that perhaps we could have them in a variety of colours.’
‘Definitely. Blue always looks nice, but so do multicoloured ones.’
‘I was thinking that if I set up a proper website, then I can sell everything on there too. Although I might need some help at some point, I think I can do the basics.’
‘That sounds amazing. I could even design a logo for you.’
Goose bumps rose on Holly’s arms. ‘Oh Fran, I’m getting quite excited about it. Grandpa wouldn’t hear of us using the internet or consider modern ways of promoting the vineyard, and it could do so much for Greenacres. I have lots of ideas, and so does Dad, and with your help, I’m sure we can build the business up again.’
‘I’m happy to be involved, especially if it means you’ll stay local.’
‘You know what, Fran… I’m pretty certain that’s what I’m going to do now.’
They clinked glasses and drank to a successful future, and Holly was happy to think about something other than the past. Yes, it had been tough in many ways, but there was today and tomorrow, next week, next month and next year to consider too.
Fran began to regale her with some of her dating app stories, or rather tales of dating disasters.
‘You really pretended to work there?’
‘Well, yeah… I walked into the restaurant and saw my blind date sitting there, looking more like David Cameron than David Beckham, and… well let’s just say the ex-PM is not my cup of tea. So I followed the waitress to the table, and as she walked away, I asked him for his drinks order.’
‘Didn’t he recognize you from your online photo?’
‘I might have used a few filters myself, you know, to ensure that if I did enter an establishment and find someone there that I didn’t like the look of, I’d have an escape plan.’
‘Oh Fran, you crack me up!’ Holly held her belly. It was full of pizza and aching from laughter. Coming here this evening had been a good idea; she couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed so much. Fran had always been able to take her mind off her worries, and Holly hoped that over the years she’d supported her friend just as much. Her life had changed dramatically since last year, but being with Fran made it all a bit easier to deal with. Holly was still the same person, regardless of what she’d been through, and she’d missed spending time with her friend. Over recent months, she’d felt at times that she’d lost a part of herself, that she’d changed beyond all recognition. Now that she was back, she felt that the original Holly was still there, just below the surface, and it was good to know. She had needed to evolve in order to deal with what had happened, but it was only an evolution, not a complete transformation.
Fran was sitting at the other end of the squishy sofa wearing her pyjamas – she’d changed into them after removing her dungarees, because they weren’t going out anywhere, and what was better than pyjamas – with Scamp curled up in her lap. Her other dogs were lying side by side in front of the log burner, and the pup was on the sofa next to Holly. She didn’t know whether it was the three glasses of wine, or the fact that she was having such a good time, but she hadn’t protested as the lurcher had gently placed his paws on the sofa cushion, then tentatively climbed up next to her.
Her mobile buzzed on the coffee table, so she picked it up. The message was from her dad, telling her he’d be there in ten minutes.
‘Wow, is that the time?’
She told herself to get up, but her body stayed where it was.
‘I don’t feel like moving at all.’
‘Me neither. I’ll probably wake up here at about three a.m., flanked by dogs and with a stiff neck from being squashed.’ Fran drained her glass, then set it on the table. ‘Thanks for coming, Hols. It’s been great to catch up. I’m so happy you’re thinking seriously about staying in Penhallow Sands.’
Holly smiled as she finished her own wine. ‘I know. Me too. I just hope it’s for the best.’
‘What’s for the best is what’s right for you and Luke.’
‘I don’t think I actually want to leave again, Fran.’
She rubbed the lurcher’s head, then slid carefully off the sofa, trying not to disturb him, and stood up. When she looked back at him, he was yawing and wagging his tail.
‘He’d come home with you right now.’ Fran extricated herself from underneath Scamp and walked out into the hallway with Holly.
‘I can’t take on a dog at the moment, lovely as he is.’ Leaving him there was proving more difficult than she’d expected; she’d grown fond of the pup over the course of the evening.
‘I know that.’
‘I need to know what my next move is… if that makes sense.’
‘Of course it does.’ Fran hugged her.
‘Fran… I didn’t get to explain myself properly. You distracted me with wine, food and laughter. I wanted to apologize again for running off as I did and not contacting you.’
‘I understand. I’ve never really been in love, but I know how you felt about Rich.’
Holly slid her arms into her coat, then hooked her bag over her shoulder.
‘I keep feeling as though I’ve forgotten something. It’s strange travelling so light after months of being responsible for a baby.’
She’d sent three texts to her dad asking after Luke during the course of the evening, and he’d replied each time that he was fine and she shouldn’t worry. It was so nice to have some help, to know that there were people around who would support her with Luke. It was another wonderful bonus to being home, and reminded her how lonely she had been in Exeter.
‘Hope everything works out for you now.’ Fran scuffed her socked foot on the flagstones. ‘Don’t be a stranger.’
Lights coming up the road shone through the glass pane to the side of the front door.
‘I won’t. I’ll text you soon, and I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with for the shop.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll make some beautiful things to help you boost business at Greenacres.’
Holly opened the door and walked down the path to the car. Once she’d buckled her seat belt, she turned to wave. Standing next to Fran in the pool of light was the little grey lurcher, his head on one side. If it was possible for a dog to look sad, he certainly did.
‘Cute pup,’ her dad said as he pulled away.
Holly nodded, unable to reply.
With everything else that was going on in her life, why was she getting emotional over a dog?
Holly stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Bleary-eyed was an understatement, but it had been at least a year since she’d had a good drink, and the wine she’d put away last night had gone straight to her head.
She ran the cold tap and splashed water over her face, shivering as droplets landed on her chest and arms. She needed coffee and carbs, then she’d be in a better state to deal with whatever today had in store.
Luke had woken once in the night, but once she’d given him a cuddle and his dummy, he’d settled again, clearly enjoying the quiet of the countryside as much as she was. It was so different to her flat in Exeter, where sirens could be heard at all times of the day and night and her upstairs neighbours argued or played music into the early hours.
The air was different here too. When she opened the window, it rushed into the room, making everything feel cleansed and refreshed. If it stayed fine, she’d get their washing out on the line in the back garden later. Line-dried laundry was always nicer than clothes dried indoors.
She returned to the bedroom and lifted Luke from his cot, pressing her nose to his head and inhaling his scent. She’d know his smell anywhere; it was a part of her now. Did he have some of Rich’s smell too? Was that even possible? She shook her head. It was probably silly to think so. Everyone had a unique scent, and Luke only carried some of hers because she held him all the time. But if Rich held his son regularly too, would the baby smell of him?
That would be a challenge to deal with.
Downstairs, her father was frying eggs and bacon.
‘Morning, angel. Thought you’d appreciate a good breakfast this morning.’
‘You were right, Dad. I didn’t drink much, but I don’t feel great.’
‘You did seem quite merry when you got in the car, but I didn’t think you were drunk.’
‘I should hope not, seeing as how I had Luke to care for. But I do feel as though there’s mist on the mountain this morning! Anyway, Fran and I got chatting about Greenacres and the shop, and I think I’ve managed to persuade her to make us some more stock. Pottery bowls and goblets and any other ideas she has. Plus she said she still has some paintings stored, so we can have those too.’
‘Sounds wonderful.’
‘I know you think it’s only a small step, Dad, but I was also thinking of setting up a website.’
Her dad raised his eyebrows and nodded. ‘I’m impressed, Holly. You’ll have to tell me more.’
‘I will.’ She smiled. ‘But for now, this boy needs his breakfast.’
She made Luke a bottle, then sat down. As she was feeding him, her granny wandered into the kitchen wearing a navy silk tea dress covered with bright red poppies, a lace and feather fascinator clipped to her bobbed hair. She shuffled over to the kettle in her slippers, and Holly caught her dad’s eye.
‘Morning, Granny.’
‘Hello, darlings!’
‘Are you going somewhere nice?’
‘Why?’
‘Well… you look very smart.’
Glenda peered down at her dress, then raised a hand to her head and straightened the fascinator.
‘Yes, actually, I’m going out to lunch with the girls.’
Bruce frowned. ‘The girls?’
‘Yes, of course! My book club.’
‘Who’s in your book club, Granny?’ Holly placed the empty bottle on the table and shifted Luke on her lap. Once he was sitting upright, she cupped his chin in one hand and rubbed his back gently with the other. His little head moved and his eyes roamed the kitchen. It was as though he was taking in his surroundings, learning where everything was.
‘Oh… Yolanda Greene, Deidre Filpot, Hettie James. And others.’
‘Where are you meeting?’
‘At the library at two. I was hoping you’d drive me, Bruce dear.’
‘Of course I will. So you’re dressed this early just to be organized?’
She shook her head and emitted a little chuckle. ‘I couldn’t sleep, so I had a bit of a fashion show instead. I settled on this outfit but thought I’d check what you two thought first.’
‘It’s very nice.’ Bruce smiled at her. ‘You look lovely.’
‘Why thank you! I know you both think I’m going potty, but I’m still here and fully present. Well, almost! However, I do know that I need to keep my mind active, so I phoned Yolanda last night and asked if I could attend a meeting. That husband of hers, Samuel, is such a flirt! I fancied him a bit when we were younger, you know? He looked just like Marvin Gaye.’
Luke let out a loud belch and Holly quickly dabbed at his chin with his bib.
Granny approached the table and stroked the baby’s cheek. He gazed at her intently, then reached for the fascinator and grabbed it.
‘Ouch!’
Holly tried to unclip the headpiece from her granny’s soft white hair. When she managed to release it, Luke’s hand flew backwards and the fascinator sailed across the kitchen, landing in the frying pan and splashing oil everywhere.
‘Granny, I’m so sorry!’
‘It’s fine, darling. That’s what babies are for… keeping us grounded. Luke clearly thought the lace and feathers were a bit much for book club.’
Bruce picked the egg-covered fascinator out of the pan and dropped it into the sink. ‘I don’t know if that can be saved, Glenda, and I’d better fry us some fresh eggs too, as I prefer mine without feathers.’
Granny took a seat next to Holly and held out her arms for the baby. Holly gently handed him over and then poured them all some coffee, hoping as she did so that the rest of the morning would run a bit more smoothly.