Page 93 of A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft

Benji ran through to the lounge moments later with his pet pig and jumped up onto the sofa, dropping it into my lap before curling up against me. I sank my fingers into his fur, grateful for his warmth.

When I returned next door, the house was silent and I found Sharon and Ian outside, huddled together on the bench below the kitchen window.

‘Aren’t you cold?’ I asked, noting that neither of them were wearing coats.

‘A bit,’ Sharon said, ‘but we got chatting about your dad and it felt right to continue that in his favourite place.’

‘We’ve put some food out for the hedgehogs too,’ Ian said. ‘Saves you a job later.’

I lowered myself onto the doorstep and gazed out over the garden. Darkness had fallen but solar lights dotted between the shrubs and along the fence took the edge off. A rustle drew my eyes to a hedgehog heading for one of the many feeding stations Dad had placed around the garden. I pointed it out to Sharon and Ian and smiled as their delighted expressions mirrored the one I’d seen on Dad’s face every time he spotted a hedgehog, rabbit or fox in the garden. I was so glad they were going to buy Dove Cottage and, even though I knew they’d completely refurbish the inside, the garden was my parents’ true legacy and they’d care for it and love it just as Mum and Dad had.

‘We’ll take good care of it,’ Sharon said, as though reading my thoughts. ‘I was thinking I could take some cuttings and you could plant them in your new garden so you’ll have a part of Dove Cottage – a happy part – with you always.’

I smiled at her and nodded, tears pricking my eyes. That sounded wonderful.

40

JOEL

Two months later

‘Wow!’ I said as Poppy entered the lounge. ‘And here was me thinking nothing could beat that orange dress from Amber and Barney’s wedding.’

She gave me a twirl in her stunning red floral dress.

Imogen appeared moments later in a pale yellow party dress with a layered skirt which fanned out when she twirled.

‘You look beautiful, sweetie,’ I said. ‘Are you both ready for our second wedding of the year?’

Driving to Hedgehog Hollow for Fizz and Phoebe’s wedding, it was amazing to think how much life had changed for all of us since Barney and Amber’s wedding just under three months ago. Who’d have guessed that, when I was psyching myself up to attend six weddings without a plus one, I’d meet the woman of my dreams at the first one and ours would become the seventh. It wasn’t official yet. Poppy knew I was going to ask her to marry me and she’d told me already it would be a yes when I did but we’d agreed that me actually asking would be a surprise moment after things had settled a little.

Sharon and Ian would be completing on the purchase of Dove Cottage next week, and a young couple with their first child on the way were buying my place. Poppy had moved in with me a couple of weeks after her dad’s funeral and we agreed that it made no sense for her to move into Whisperwood Farmhouse on her own when we knew we never wanted to be apart again. So, we were buying our forever home together and were renaming it Honey Bee Croft in remembrance of her parents.

Our first month or so together had been less than conventional so it had been great to spend time during the second month doing the things that might be a more usual start to a relationship – nights out at the pub, visits to the cinema, day trips as she explored her new home and I saw my local area through fresh eyes.

Imogen adored Poppy and the feeling was mutual. Poppy had met Tilly who amazed us both by hugging her and thanking her for making me happy. Even Greg had shaken her hand and told her that I was a good bloke and she was lucky to have me. I really hadn’t seen that one coming!

Tilly and I were currently taking it in turns to have Imogen for weekends and I had her a couple of nights a week too, which worked around her attending riding lessons and going to Snowy’s Gymnastics Club where she was loving trampolining. I could tell Tilly was struggling with seeing Imogen less but it was obvious how happy our daughter was to have more of a balance, so she kept quiet about it – most of the time!

I’d finished at the factory a month ago and had felt like a weight had been lifted as I walked out after my final shift. Eloise had been a star in making it possible for me to leave with a full redundancy payout but without having to work my full notice. Sal had also managed to negotiate an early release and had walked straight into another job as she’d hoped. She’d stayedin touch and told me she liked the work better, although she missed me – or more specifically missed my food.

When Barney and Amber returned from their honeymoon, tanned and glowing, I gave them some time to settle back into their routine before inviting myself round for a takeaway and an enormous catch-up on everything they’d missed and the ideas Poppy and I had for our future at Bumblebee Barn. They’d loved the proposals and we were now working on ideas for the bistro. We wanted to be certain about our offering before we submitted a plan to the council for developing the barn. In the meantime, I’d been in my element spending time in the large kitchen at Bumblebee Barn experimenting with meals, creating sample menus and working out costings. I finally felt like I was heading towards the place I was always meant to be, but had taken the scenic route to get to.

We arrived at Hedgehog Hollow and parked in the yard. The wedding was taking place outside by the gazebo overlooking the wildflower meadow. Samantha and Josh had been the first to get married there and Fizz and Phoebe had told me they could never have considered anywhere else for their nuptials when Hedgehog Hollow had been the place they’d met and fallen in love.

‘Such a gorgeous day,’ Poppy said as we exited my car. The day had dawned with grey skies and light drizzle but the forecast had promised blue sky and sunshine by late morning and that’s what had been delivered. ‘And what a setting. I love it here.’

In place of chairs, there were haybales laid out for the guests with pastel-coloured fleecy blankets draped across them.Instead of one aisle down the middle, there were two, allowing Fizz and Phoebe to walk in at the same time.

We were welcomed by Fizz’s long-term best friend, Robbie. ‘You can sit wherever you like,’ he said before crouching down and telling Imogen in a lower voice, ‘but I’d pick a bale with a blanket so the hay doesn’t poke you in the bum.’

That made Imogen giggle. As we set off down the furthest aisle, she spotted my parents and ran up to them. There were hugs all round and Mum held on extra tightly to Poppy, expressing her sorrow about Stanley’s passing.

Chez shook my hand then gave me a hug. To everyone’s relief, he’d decided to stay in Portugal, had picked up the language already and secured himself a job in a garage. He looked like a different man – tanned, toned and with an air of maturity about him.

‘Before you ask, I haven’t told Lorna I’m here,’ he said. ‘And I won’t be getting in touch.’

‘I’m pleased to hear it. Fresh start, eh?’

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