Page 22 of Daydreams at the Farm on Muddypuddle Lane
‘I’m starting work on Dulcie’s shed on Monday,’ he reminded her. ‘It mightn’t be appropriate.’
‘I understand.’ Impulsively she leant across to give him a swift kiss. ‘I’ll be as quick as I can.’
Dulcie, who was in the dining room staring at her laptop when Maisie dashed inside, glanced up with a frown. ‘You’re cutting it fine. I suppose you want a lift?’
‘It’s okay, Adam will drop me off at the restaurant.’
‘Hmph.’
Irritated, Maisie shot upstairs to change into her work clothes. From her reaction, Dulcie hadn’t come around to the idea of Maisie dating Adam, and Maisie felt as though her sister was judging her and finding her wanting.
Even if this afternoon’s date had been a disaster, Maisie wouldn’t have done or said anything to jeopardise Adam starting work on the pasteurisation shed on Monday. She wasn’t that stupid, no matter what her family thought.
‘See you later,’ she said, as she breezed through the dining room, and she was out of the door before Dulcie had a chance to reply.
‘Ready?’ Adam asked as she climbed into the van.
Maisie nodded. ‘Thanks for this – and for lunch and the cinema.’
‘My pleasure. Will you be around on Monday morning?’
‘Absolutely! I’ve got chores to do.’
His smile was warm. ‘I’ll see you on Monday, then. Maybe we can do something later in the week?’
‘I’d like that,’ she said, meaning it. And when she gave him a quick kiss in the van outside the restaurant, she knew that Monday wouldn’t come quickly enough.
Maisie was up extra early on Monday morning: not because she intended to take greater care with her appearance (there wasn’t any point when she would soon have straw in her hair and muck over her clothes) but simply because she was excited to see Adam.
Having managed to spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about him yesterday, she was now restless and on edge at the prospect of seeing him again this morning. By the time he turned up, she was a bundle of nerves and she was forced to give herself a stern talking-to.
Maisie Fairfax, she said to herself,what on earth has got into you? You are never normally like this with a guy.Then, as she watched Adam get out of his van from her observation point in the kitchenas she stood near the sink and peered out of the window, it struck her – she was falling for him.
Her startled gasp made Dulcie shoot her a concerned look. ‘Are you okay?’
‘I’m fine. I stubbed my toe, that’s all.’
Dulcie walked over to the sink to rinse out a mug. ‘Is that Adam, I see?’
Maisie pretended she hadn’t noticed his arrival. ‘So it is. He’s early.’ It was only seven forty-five.
‘I’m not complaining,’ her sister said. ‘The sooner he starts, the sooner I can begin milking the goats. In fact, I think I had better have a go at milking Cloud and Bramble by hand, to get them used to the idea. Want to help?’
‘Yes please!’ Maisie couldn’t think of anything she’d like more.
Can’t you?an inner voice piped up, as the memory of Adam’s kiss burst into her mind.
Shoving it away – she wasn’t here to kiss frogs (or princes) – Maisie followed her sister outside, eager to have a go at milking her very first goat.
Adam was unloading an assortment of tools from his van, but he stopped what he was doing when he noticed her and Dulcie.
‘Morning.’ He directed the greeting at Dulcie, but his gaze flickered towards Maisie.
‘Can I get you a coffee before you start?’ Dulcie asked.
‘I’m good, thanks. I always bring a flask with me.’
‘Okay, but let Maisie know if you need anything, because I’m starting work in an hour. Before that though, we’ve got a goat to milk. Wish us luck.’
