Page 43 of Starting Over at Halesmere House
Sandy’s laugh was a quick one as Zac emerged from the bedroom with Neil on crutches behind him. He greeted everyone cheerfully and went off to rest his leg on a dining room chair that Sandy moved for him. Alice knew that Sandy spent much of her time visiting people in her parishes and seeing Neil wasn’t something unusual, but she hadn’t missed the glimmer in her aunt’s eye and the comfortable way they chatted together. For all he was a talker, he listened too, and they were already making plans for another walk just as soon as he was fit enough.
Sandy refused Alice’s offer of breakfast as she’d eaten at home, so Alice took hers to the table and left Zac to sort out his and Neil’s. It was both easy and strange, having him moving around in her home, helping himself, offering more drinks when the two women had finished theirs. She mustn’t get to like this too much, she reminded herself sternly. Zac was temporary, in every sense.
Sandy had to leave for her meeting and Zac needed to go too. Neil limped back to the bedroom, ready to rest his leg and watch a bit of TV. Alice was planning to cycle down to Halesmere and work in the Flower Shed, getting it ready for her first courses in a couple of weeks. In the utility room to collect her coat and a hat, Zac gently caught her hand.
‘I’m hoping to call around lunchtime and check on my dad. Will you be back by then?’
‘Maybe, depends on the weather. I’m not going to be planting more bulbs if it rains and the ground’s saturated again, but there’s a few things I can do in the polytunnel. Why?’
‘I thought I’d bring us some lunch if you were going to be here.’
‘That’s a lovely idea.’ She was enjoying this, whatever it was. What did you call not dating someone you wanted to sleep with? Kelly would know. Though Alice was certain she couldn’t simply drop it into their next messages without Kelly guessing exactly what was going on. ‘But I’ll say no, just in case. I still have four hundred tulips to get in now it’s colder.’
‘Okay, I’ll see you tonight, then. Any preferences for dinner?’
‘Not really, I don’t mind most things. Except fennel, I can’t stand that. Tastes foul.’
‘I’ll make sure not to include it.’ Zac’s phone was ringing so he let go of her hand to check it, swiping the call away.
‘We should invite Sandy tonight, don’t you think?’ Alice tugged on her hat, pulling a face at Zac for the grin he gave her. ‘She and your dad seem to be loving the time they’re spending together.’
‘They really do – I’m sure Dad would like that too.’
‘Shall I ask her, or will he?’
‘I’ll get him to suggest it.’
‘See you later, then.’ She eased past Zac, and they said goodbye.
At Halesmere, her final order of supplies for the studio had been delivered and Alice spent a happy couple of hours arranging everything. She wanted the Flower Shed to be a practical space where people felt comfortable working, but also welcoming and homely, with some second-hand books on crafts and the local area, which she placed on the coffee table Stan had also restored.
Stan always arrived early to make himself useful, and it wasn’t long before Alice spotted the film crew again, capturing him as he strolled in and out of his workshop, a beloved brew in his hand. He’d told Alice the other day he was quite chuffed at the thought of being on telly. His portrait, painted last year by Max’s mother, Noelle, already hung in a London gallery, pleasing him no end.
After a morning indoors, Alice was ready for some exercise, and she layered up to plant the tulip bulbs and clear the last of the weeds in the meadow. She was so excited to see the meadow in spring once all these bulbs had come up, but as she worked, with that thought came the unwelcome reminder of Zac leaving at Christmas. Afterwards she was chilled, ready for a hot drink, and she retreated to the studio to get out of the cold.
Stan stuck his head around the door, apparently able to smell a fresh mug of tea at a thousand paces. ‘Are we ’avin’ a brew, lass? Pearl’s popped down with some flapjacks an’ they’re still warm. Film crew’s ’ad enough of me an’ gone off after Cal an’ that daft lad ’e’s workin’ with. Good luck to ’em.’
Alice had to laugh at Stan’s description of the famous and very popular reality television star, who was apparently still trying to live off-grid even though he’d refused to give up his phone.
‘I can do better than just a brew, Stan. How do you fancy toasted marshmallows? I saw them in the shop and thought of you. It seems just the right sort of day and you can save the flapjacks for later.’
‘Now you’re talkin’.’ The rest of Stan appeared around the door, and he closed it behind him. A yellow and green bobble hat was today’s accompaniment to his usual donkey jacket. ‘There’s no one else around ’cept you an’ me.’
They spent a pleasant half an hour drinking tea and toasting marshmallows on long forks until they were hot, sticky and caramelised. Stan headed home and Alice was thinking wryly that she’d have to give up eating treats like this and add a lot more miles on the bike to get fit enough for the triathlon. But like the reality of long hot summer days that right now felt so far away, so too did the demands of the triathlon.
Zac had messaged her, and she read the text before she cleared up. His dad was comfortable and had already received a few visitors. Pearl had dropped in some flapjacks and Rachael, who was a physiotherapist, had called to leave some information on exercises Neil could do to help his knee when the swelling had improved, having heard from Ana through the Halesmere grapevine about his accident.
Stan had also told Alice to let Neil know that he was welcome to stick Stan’s leg up in his workshop any time he liked and watchThe Repair Shopwith him. The programme was a sacred hour in Stan’s week, and he caught up on repeats in spare moments at Halesmere. Alice knew this was a generous invitation as Stan didn’t appreciate being disturbed while it was on and even Pearl had to do her knitting in another room.
Alice replied to Zac, ready to lock up and take care of a few inescapable admin tasks at home. Suddenly, her door was flung back, and she leaped of the way as Max burst in. Alarm was written all over his face and she felt a tremor of anxiety. He didn’t usually look like this; he was one of the most composed people she knew.
‘Alice, sorry! I was looking for Stan.’ Max’s anxious gaze was darting between her and his phone. ‘He doesn’t have a mobile and I can’t find him; there’s no one else here.’
‘He’s gone home; one of their daughters is on her way up and they’re going out for a meal. Are you all right? What is it?’
‘It’s Ella.’ Max’s breath escaped in a rush and Alice’s heart squeezed in worry. He was pacing the floor, unable to stand still. ‘She’s gone for an appointment with the midwife, and she’s just called to say they’re sending her to hospital for monitoring, something to do with the baby’s heartbeat. They might decide to deliver the baby because she’s already over her due date. I’m going to get her now and I wanted to ask Stan to pick Lily and Arlo up from school.’
‘I’ll do it.’ Alice took a steadying breath, trying to quell the sudden dread running through her. It would be fine. Ella and the baby would be fine; they had to be.
