Page 24 of Falling in Love at Pennycress Inn

‘And dare I ask what they’ve been doing all this time?’ Raising an eyebrow, Charlie glanced towards Nicola before looking back at the mayoress.

‘Just walking. They said they got a little lost.’

‘Well, I don’t want them coming here again. If they can’t respect my land, then they have no business returning.’ Charlie led the way through the farmyard and held the gate open for them.

‘I don’t think banishing them is called for. They just got lost, that’s all.’ Miss Cooke pulled out a bunch of keys from her handbag as she walked through the gateway.

‘They broke the rules. I can’t have children on my farm who are going to run wild around all the farming equipment. My insurance wouldn’t cover me if anything happened to them.’ He nodded to Nicola to go through.

Walking past him towards the minibus, she kept her gaze forward. She had to admit he did have a point.

‘Give them one more chance. They’ve learned their lesson now and if they go off again, then you can banish them. Just let them join the rest of the team when we come to attach all the decorations we make.’ Miss Cooke pulled open the driver’s door.

Charlie sighed audibly as he closed the gate behind them. ‘Whatever, but they’re your responsibility.’

‘Yes, yes. Thank you.’ Miss Cooke closed the driver’s door.

‘Thanks. Bye.’ Nicola watched as he gave a small terse nod before she joined Miss Cooke in the minibus.

Shifting the gearstick into reverse, Miss Cooke studied the rear-view mirror. ‘I’m not sure where he’s got his impossible nature from, but it definitely isn’t from his dear uncle.’

‘Hmm.’ Nicola looked out of the window and watched as Charlie turned his back on them and disappeared into the barn. She traced her index finger over her forehead where, minutes earlier, Charlie had brushed his fingers against her skin as he’d wiped away the cobweb. Yes, he was rather impossible.

12

‘Yes, at lunchtime, Mum.’ Nicola smiled as she sidestepped around a young family on the school run, a dad pushing the buggy whilst a small child clung to the handle, his brilliant purple book bag banging against his knees every time he took a step. Once he’d thanked her, she turned her attention back to her mobile.

‘And it’s a meeting, you say?’ Vivienne’s voice wafted through the phone.

‘That’s right. A staff meeting with me and Jill. All I can think is that Jackson needs to be involved and, being as he stills cooks at the pub, it’s easier for him if we have the meeting there so he can pop over and say what needs to be said or to listen.’ She shrugged. She hadn’t managed to glean any more information from Laura yesterday. Every time she’d tried to ask, something had come up – the phone had rung, or a group of people had stopped by the inn for tea and cake.

‘I’m sure it’s fine, Nicola. It won’t be anything to worry about.’ Vivienne’s voice was reassuring.

‘I hope you’re right. I don’t know what I’d do if Laura turned round and told me they were selling, and I’d be out of a job.’ Nicola rounded the corner onto Wisteria Lane and Pennycress Inn came into view. ‘I love working there.’

‘I bet you do. After growing up at Pennycress, it’s a home from home for you.’

‘Yes, that’s exactly it. And in a weird way, I kind of feel as though I’m giving something back, something to the future of Pennycress, being able to use my marketing knowledge to help Laura and Jackson.’ She unlatched the gate and smiled at the large Cotswold stone property in front of her. The small straw cat still prowled across the thatched roof. She remembered her mum insisting on having it up there when the roof was being re-thatched. Nicola had always loved cats and her mum had told her it was for her.

‘I’ll be at the pub this morning too with my book club, so I’ll be about if I can help in any way.’ Vivienne paused. ‘I do hope Laura isn’t selling.’

‘Umm. I’d better go now, anyway. I’ve just arrived.’ Nicola pushed open the wrought-iron gate. ‘See you at lunch.’

‘Yes, will do. Love you.’

‘You too.’ After ending the call, Nicola slipped her mobile into her handbag and looked around the garden. As she walked towards the front door, the lavender brushed against the bottom of her trousers, filling the warm summer air with the familiar earthy aroma of her childhood.

‘Morning, Nic!’ Jill waved at her from the decking encompassing the right-hand side of the inn as she planted up some pots.

‘Hi.’ Walking up the steps, Nicola reached Jill. ‘You’re early today.’

‘I know.’ Straightening her back, Jill placed her hands on her hips, the trowel she’d been using to plant dropping clumps of dirt down her shorts. ‘Gerald is doing the school run today. Little Willow has a choir performance at half two, so I wanted to make up any time I’ll miss this morning.’

‘Oh, that’ll be nice going to watch her. Was she looking forward to it?’

‘Most definitely. She’s so excited. It’s all she’s been talking about for the last couple of days. My choir this, my choir that…’ Throwing back her head, Jill laughed.

‘Aw, that’s really sweet.’ Nicola checked the time on her watch and nodded towards the front door. ‘I’d better get a move on. We’ve got the sewing group coming in an hour and I want to look over the social media campaign for Pennycress before they arrive.’

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