Page 8 of Falling in Love at Pennycress Inn

‘I don’t know how she does it. She always appears so serene and calm and yet she’s spinning that many different plates, she must be constantly busy.’ Laura replaced the pen in the pot.

‘She’s always been like that. Even in school, she’d volunteer for anything going and still achieve the highest grades of the year group in any test we took.’ Nicola smiled. She’d known Jill so long now and yet she’d never figured out how she managed everything she did, which was why she’d offered to help. Seeing Jill stressed was unusual and meant she really did need a bit of help.

‘Wish I was like that. I’d get so much done. Talking of which, I really best get on.’ Laura nodded in the general direction of the back garden. ‘I’m sure she’ll have a plan B. She’ll know of someone else to ask.’

‘Yes.’ Nodding, Nicola shut down the computer. She might as well go and speak to Jill now. That way, she could start ringing around other farms during her lunch break.

* * *

With a steaming mug of coffee in her hand, Nicola stepped out onto the decking which surrounded half of the inn and blinked against the bright sunlight before shielding her eyes with her hand and looking around the garden. There was Jill, pruning some plant or other at the back of the garden. Pennycress was the first, and so far only, regular job Jill had taken up since starting her gardening business a few months ago and Nicola was sure she spent far longer here than she was contracted for. Between planning the carnival and other events for the community hub, volunteering at Meadowfield’s children’s choir and caring for her own four children, Nicola didn’t know how Jill managed it all.

Walking down the steps, Nicola pulled her mobile from her back pocket and smiled. It was a text from her mum telling her she’d pop in to see Trixie and leave some dinner in the fridge for this evening. Nicola knew how lucky she was to have a mum like hers. Someone who was always there for her, someone who thought nothing of making extra dinner and surprising her with it. She didn’t know how she’d have got through the last few months without her mum. She probably wouldn’t have, not without turning into a teary mess every second of every day.

‘Hey, Nic.’ Spotting her walking towards her, Jill stood up and waved, secateurs still in hand. ‘Is that for me?’

‘It certainly is.’ Nicola passed across the coffee before shoving her hands in the pockets of her jeans.

‘Thank you.’ After taking a sip of the fresh coffee, Jill lowered the mug and sighed. ‘Just what I needed. Willow was up most of last night, trying to convince me she couldn’t possibly go back to school today because her toe hurt, her nose was running or… I can’t even remember what the other excuses she came up with were.’

‘Is she better today? After yesterday’s bellyache?’

‘She’s fine. There was nothing wrong with her yesterday. She’s just a good little actress.’

‘Haha, I bet she keeps you and Gerald on your toes then!’

‘She absolutely does! I’ve already told him he’s going to have to take over disciplining her when she’s a teenager. She runs rings around me already. I can’t imagine what excuses she’ll conjure up for skipping school when she’s in her teens.’ Jill laughed. ‘How did you get on at Little Mead Farm and the Watsons’ place yesterday?’

‘Ah, that’s why I’ve come out here.’ Nicola grimaced.

Jill lifted her coffee. ‘Was this to butter me up before telling me the new farmer’s too busy to spare anyone to drive the tractors or something? I’m sure we’ll be able to find someone who’s got tractor driving experience. Didn’t Neil Parsons from the hardware store used to help out on one of the other farms? Years ago, I mean, but tractors are still tractors, aren’t they? I bet he’d be able to step in.’

‘It’s worse than that, I’m afraid. He’s not lending us the tractors or the trailers. Any of them.’ She watched as Jill’s face dropped, a deep line creasing across her forehead. ‘I’m sorry. I tried. I really did.’

‘It’s not your fault.’ Bending down, she dropped the secateurs to the grass before reaching out and placing her garden-gloved hand on Nicola’s forearm. ‘I know you would have tried your best.’

Nicola shrugged. ‘He just wasn’t budging at all. He didn’t even want to hear me out.’

‘What’s he like then? I just assumed he’d be as lovely as old Farmer Williams was.’

‘He’s nothing like old Farmer Williams. Not at all.’ She shook her head, trying to dislodge the image of him in his jeans and white vest showing off his muscles. He could have been the most gorgeous man on the planet, and his distinct lack of kindness would have put her off. Anyone off. ‘He just flat refused. Didn’t even want to listen to me.’

‘Really?’ Jill sighed. ‘I don’t know what we’re going to do then. The other local farmers have offered us all the tractors and trailers they’ve got. We’ve really got no one else to ask. And if we don’t find another two trailers and tractors, that means two of Meadowfield’s clubs won’t be able to join in. How are we ever going to choose who can or can’t join in with the carnival?’

‘How about we ring and see if any farms from further afield could help us?’ Nicola shifted from foot to foot. There must be someone else. The Cotswolds had farms in abundance.

‘Yes, maybe, but…’ Jill shook her head. ‘It’s just that old Farmer Williams loved the carnival, and it’s so sad that whoever’s taken over his farm isn’t going to carry on his legacy. Especially as he was part of the group who began the tradition in the first place.’

‘I know, but if he’s not going to help, there’s not much else we can do. It’s his nephew, by the way, who’s taken over the farm.’

‘His nephew? I did wonder what had happened because he didn’t have any children of his own, did he? That makes sense though. Little Mead has been in the Williams family for generations.’

Nicola shook her head. ‘Unfortunately, I think the only thing he has in common with his uncle is the surname.’

‘Hmm.’ Jill took another sip of coffee before pursing her lips. ‘I’ll go and speak to him. Although I won’t get over there until the weekend now, what with the kids’ activities.’

‘Okay. Sorry I couldn’t be more help.’ Hopefully Jill would have more luck at Little Mead. After all, Jill had always had the knack of being able to brighten someone’s day. She just hoped the new farmer wouldn’t be immune to her charms.

‘No, don’t be. It’s really not your fault.’ Jill slapped her forehead. ‘Oh no, I can’t go and see him this weekend. I forgot; we’re going down to Gerald’s parents on Friday night and staying until late Sunday.’

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