Page 16 of Sunny Sundays at Primrose Hall

‘Yeah, you’re right. I always worry when he’s out on that bike.’ She shrugged away a cold shiver that ran down her spine. ‘He went to a motorcycle rally. He’s obviously got caught up with one of his pals and they’ll be chatting about bikes and all things engine-related. They’ll be making plans for the car show next week, I bet. He’s really pumped for it and as much as I try to show an interest in all the old vehicles, I must admit my eyes glaze over when he goes into all the detail. I don’t know a crankshaft from a carburettor and all I can express an opinion on is the colour of a car. Jackson knows that he can’t have a sensible conversation with me on the subject.’

Pia gave a rueful chuckle as she poured milk into the mugs and then handed one to Mateo. They sat down together at the kitchen table and Pia’s gaze drifted outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jackson’s bike returning down the drive. The light was beginning to fade outside, but the beauty of the grounds was still visible through the window. The ornamental trees in shades of magenta and blue were eye-catching and the flowerbeds were filled with lupins, roses and ravishing peonies that smelled every bit as good as they looked. Mateo took great pride in his work and made sure the gardens looked their best whatever the time of year. Next weekend the grounds would be brimming with visitors, intent on enjoying the spectacle of the car show, but Pia knew that some people came just to wander around the gardens and soak up the atmosphere and scenery of Primrose Hall.

‘Did I tell you my friend Abbey had her baby today? I was with her at the hospital and it was probably the most amazing experience of my life.’

‘It is always a miracle. A new baby.’

‘Oh, it really is, Mateo. I had no idea,’ she said, laughing.

Mateo listened intently as Pia gave a full-blown account of the birth, although she did spare him the gorier details. Instead she focused on the tide of emotions that had filled the hospital room and the happiness and relief when little Willow finally made her appearance. Pia showed Mateo the photos she’d captured of the baby wrapped in a blanket, of Abbey flushed with happiness and pride, cradling Willow, and the first one of all the new family together.

‘It is wonderful,’ Mateo agreed, after he had made encouraging sounds at all the images on Pia’s phone. He pushed back his chair and took his empty mug over to the sink. ‘I am very happy for you and your friends. Now I must go and have a shower. Please do not worry. Mr Jackson, he will be home soon.’

‘I hope so,’ said Pia quietly, a fear taking hold of her again, as she watched Mateo head to his living quarters. She hoped she hadn’t bored him to pieces about her friends’ good news. It had been a welcome distraction talking to Mateo, but she couldn’t rid herself of the cold sense of dread that was creeping around her body.

It seemed like hours, but was probably much less than that, when finally her phone lit up with Jackson’s name. She almost wept with relief as she snatched it up from the table.

‘There you are!’ she said, her voice high with excitement at finally tracking him down. ‘I was beginning to get worried.’

‘Hello, am I speaking to Pia Temple, please?’ an unfamiliar voice asked her.

‘Yes?’ she said hesitantly as a flurry of thoughts ran through Pia’s head. Why wasn’t Jackson on the end of the phone? And who was this person exactly? ‘Where’s Jackson?’ she blurted.

‘Hello, Pia. My name is Amit Singh. I’m a doctor in the A&E department at Royal Parkway Hospital.’ Pia heard the words but they jumbled together in a mess as she tried to make sense of what they could possibly mean. ‘Jackson has been involved in a road traffic accident and has come off his bike. He was brought in by ambulance.’

‘Oh, God!’

‘We’ve managed to stabilise him, but he’s undergoing a number of tests at the moment. It looks as though he’s suffered some significant injuries, but we won’t know the full extent until we’ve finished our investigations. He’s asking to see you.’

It was as though Pia’s world had stopped spinning in that moment. How could this have possibly happened? Fear and apprehension ran riot around her body. She played over the doctor’s words in her head. What did they even mean? Although if Jackson was asking to see her then that had to be a good thing.He was alive!That was the main thing. Anything else they could cope with.

‘Oh, God! Yes, of course. He will be all right, though?’

Avoiding answering her question, the doctor continued. ‘I understand this is a big shock so it’s probably sensible if there’s someone there who can drive you in. Would that be possible?’

‘What? Yes, of course.’ She looked around her, trying to get her thoughts in order. Mateo could take her in the van. ‘I’ll be there straight away.’

Putting down the phone, her heart thumping in her chest, she gave a heartfelt call.

‘Mateo!’

Then she grabbed her bag and made plans to return to the hospital that had earlier been the setting of so much happiness and joy. Now, with a sense of dread in the pit of her stomach, she steeled herself for what might be waiting for her this time when she reached the A&E department.

14

It certainly hadn’t been planned that way, but Sophie couldn’t help smiling at finding herself alone again with Tom in the snug bar of the Three Feathers. A small group of the crafters from the stables had decided, after packing away their wares, that they would pop into the pub in Wishwell, on their way home, for a quick drink to celebrate another successful Sunday’s trading. There had been a steady flow of visitors during the day and Sophie was pleased with the number of items she had sold. A happy atmosphere had permeated amongst the traders as they chatted about next week’s additional opening of the stables to coincide with the car show.

In the short space of time that she’d come to know the other crafters, Sophie had been heartened by how they’d immediately welcomed her into the fold and how she now looked forward to seeing them and catching up with all their news. Pia had been right when she’d described the group as one big happy family.

When they’d first arrived at the pub, they’d nabbed a table in the walled beer garden and had enjoyed soaking up the last of the warmth of the day, but as people started to make movesto leave, Katy had suggested moving inside as the temperature dipped with the light fading away.

Indoors, Sophie looked up at the chalkboard showing today’s specials. She’d had a quick bowl of cereal for breakfast and then a ham and cheese panini from the vintage refreshments van at the stables. Now, as the aromas of home-cooking met her nostrils in the warm and cosy bar, she realised how hungry she was.

‘Do you know, I might have a roast dinner,’ she said, more for her own benefit than for anyone else’s, tempted as she was by the description of the beef with all the trimmings.Topside of Beef. Fluffy roast potatoes. Seasonal vegetables and thick rich gravy.Her mouth watered at the thought.

Katy nodded keenly.

‘Honestly, they look and smell delicious. I saw a couple of plates go past and the puddings were huge. I would be tempted myself, but hopefully Brad has got the dinner on at home and I know the kids will be waiting to see me. See you next week!’

---