Page 129 of Best Summer Ever

‘That she has,’ Mum agreed, looking proud. ‘We’re so happy to have you back here with us, love, and the thought of you continuing your education now you’ve returned to your passion is wonderful.’

‘Thank you, Mum,’ I said, feeling choked.

‘And what about you, Penny?’ Algy asked and everyone’s attention turned to her.

She looked at us all and drew in a long breath.

‘Well,’ she puffed, fidgeting in her seat and looking at Nick, who nodded reassuringly, ‘just as you and Robin have decided to pick up education again, Daisy, I’ve had a good look through my contract,’ that explained the paperwork in the pub, ‘and decided to… I’ve decided to… leave it.’

‘I had a feeling that you might, my dear,’ Algy said gently.

‘My time running the business for Sophie, after the few initial hiccups, has been so exciting. I don’t want to launch anything like the beach café, but I’m all for giving something a shot in some capacity – after I’ve worked the required notice period at school, that is.’

‘Well, that’s a relief,’ laughed Algy, as Josh did the rounds and topped everyone’s glasses up again. ‘Isn’t it, Josh?’

‘Just a bit,’ he said and grinned, raising his glass to his grandfather and drinking deeply.

‘Why?’ I asked, looking between the two of them andwondering what they’d cooked up, metaphorically speaking, because there was definitely something afoot.

‘It’s a relief,’ said Josh, looking at Penny, ‘because I’ve also been thinking about how to expand things here on the Wynbrook Estate and I was wondering about turning a part of the barn into a tearoom.’

Penny’s eyes were suddenly on stalks.

‘I think it would be just the thing to bring together the fruit farm and Wynbrook Blooms,’ Josh elaborated. ‘There’s nothing like it anywhere for a few miles and there’s plenty of room in the barn to accommodate your ideas, Daisy, and make the whole thing a sort of bakes and blooms combined business.’

‘And obviously, we’re going to ask you if you’ll run the tearoom for us, Penny.’ Algy grinned, rather stealing Josh’s thunder, but he didn’t seem to mind.

‘You want me to run a tearoom here?’ Penny asked, sounding flabbergasted.

‘Yes,’ said Josh, ‘and we’d like to have you with us on board right from the get-go, to help with the planning and set-up.’

‘The Wynbrook Blooms and Bakes Afternoon Tea Experience,’ Penny said dreamily and it was obvious she was sold on the idea and could already imagine what it was going to look, smell and taste like.

As could I.

‘So,’ I said excitedly, looking at my friends, ‘the three of us would be working together?’

I didn’t think the evening could get any better.

‘The four of us actually,’ Josh smilingly corrected me. ‘I’m hoping to split my time between working with Robin in the garden and Nick on the fruit farm. I’ve been bitten by theoutdoor bug since I worked with you all and I rather fancy a life working out of doors.’

‘Everyone says that until the winter, mate,’ said Nick, jumping up and pulling Josh in for a back-slapping hug, ‘but you’re in it now, so welcome aboard, whatever the weather.’

Right on cue, a clap of thunder boomed and we all began to laugh and cheer.

Our celebrations and further discussions went on long into the evening. Penny and Nick had quickly decided that she should move into his cottage on the estate and I suggested that Marguerite might be interested in renting Penny’s place in the village while she decided what to do with it in the long term.

‘Isn’t it thrilling to think,’ I said, as Josh and I walked back to the summerhouse once the rain had eventually stopped and with Luna following on just a few paces behind us, ‘that by the time autumn really gets underway, all four of us will not only be working, but also living, on the estate.’

‘It really is exciting,’ said Josh, picking me up and spinning us both around on the wet brick path. ‘What a summer we’re having, Daisy!’

‘Best summer ever,’ I laughed, when he put me back down again.

‘Best summer ever,’ he echoed, linking his arm through mine.

‘We both had something taken away from us here when we were younger, didn’t we?’ I said thoughtfully, once we’d walked a few more steps and my head had stopped spinning. ‘You were taken from your family and I was denied my love of gardening…’

‘And we’ve made our way back to both,’ Josh smiled, ‘at exactly the same time.’

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