Page 32 of Snowfall Over Halesmere House
‘It is fine, Ella. I do not think I would be pouring candles if I were still at home in Spain, there is much more warmth and light there.’ The waitress came to check if there was anything else they needed, and Marta assured her they were fine. ‘I had a pen pal who lived here, and I came to visit him when I was seventeen. I fell in love.’
‘With your pen pal?’
‘No, firstly with Cumbria and then with his cousin Luke.’ Marta’s face was lively with amusement. ‘My pen pal was very nice, and we still see one another occasionally. But his cousin, now he was very different!’ She raised her hands. ‘And we are still together after all these years and somehow, I have become the partner of a shepherd who works crazy hours and loves his dogs at least as much as me. A romantic tale, yes?’
‘Definitely.’
‘I think so too.’ She pulled a face. ‘A bit less romantic in the middle of a freezing night in March when I am lambing a sheep.’
‘I bet you don’t put that in your candles.’
Marta roared, throwing back her head, dark hair tumbling over her shoulders. ‘No, Ella, I do not. It is a smell all of its own and one that I do not want in the house, hence my obsession with candles.’ She held out an arm. ‘I have small hands and Luke does not. Small hands can be helpful for lambing.’
‘I had no idea.’ Ella had little experience of farm animals, just the pets they’d had at home.
‘Sorry, I am changing the subject.’ Marta checked her phone. ‘I will have to get back to college soon. Pearl told me about your role at Halesmere, Ella. How might I be of interest and help you?’
‘You know that Max is relaunching the holiday business in the New Year?’
‘Yes, we have met him. Luke’s brother has a landscaping company and he is working with Max now. Our farm is only a couple of miles from Halesmere. I think you will be good for the holiday business, Ella, I can tell that already through your enthusiasm.’
‘I hope so, otherwise I won’t be there long.’ She was sharply reminded she wasn’t meant to be long at Halesmere anyway. ‘I’ve suggested to Max that having new artists based around the courtyard could be a great way to bring the house and studios together by offering retreats and courses. There’s a huge barn just sitting empty, and I’d love to offer guests an opportunity to shop local and fill the house with little touches they can take home.’
‘Like my candles?’
‘Exactly. I know the chocolates in the community shop are produced nearby and the craft beer at the pub is brewed on site. To give you some context, I used to be a chef.’ Ella took a breath. There it was again.Used to be. ‘A chef for an events company, and it’s often something different, something intangible that sets a venue apart. Location perhaps, the landscape, hiking – the house has all of those, but I’d like to offer guests more. A more personal experience, something that feels tailored to Halesmere. I’m already learning what an incredible food and arts culture there is here, and I think we could be a part of that.’
‘That sounds wonderful, Ella. So why not come and see me at home? I will show you my candles and we can talk about how I can help.’ Marta scribbled something on a card she’d produced from her bag. ‘In the meantime, would you do something for me?’
‘Of course.’
‘Please email my colleague Leah, who is the course leader at the catering school at the college. They regularly bring in guest chefs to teach the students and I think she would leap at the chance to work with you.’
Chapter Eleven
‘Ella! I need you!’
The following morning, Ella, on her way to find Stan, saw Noelle emerging from the house looking worryingly determined.
‘Now is a good time to see my studio,non?’ She was enveloped in a fringed tartan cape today, her hair captured inside a turban. Ella spotted Stan heading off in his pickup down the drive and her heart sank. She’d missed him and now Noelle wanted to drag Ella up to her studio and make her do heaven knows what once she’d got her inside.
‘Actually Noelle, I’m really busy, if you don’t mind. I don’t want Max to think I’m skiving.’
‘What is this skiving?’ Noelle frowned. ‘Maxence, he does not have the monopoly on your time, Ella. It was my idea to bring you here and there are occasions when I may need you as well. Like now.’
‘I’ve got a meeting with someone about the open day in a bit.’ In a couple of hours actually, but Noelle didn’t need to know that.
She planted slim hands mostly free of paint on her hips. ‘What has Max been saying to you about me?’
‘Max?’ Ella would really prefer it if her senses didn’t leap into high alert whenever his name was mentioned. Reminders of their conversation on Sunday evening still slipped into her mind at the most awkward of times. Like now, facing his mother and catching a resemblance of his eyes in hers, flashing with impatience. ‘Oh er, not much. He just mentioned your exhibition and how busy you are painting. I’d hate to hold you up.’
‘Ella, you look like a frightened rabbit whenever I speak of my studio.’ Noelle slapped her thigh and chuckled. ‘Has Max told you that I want you to sit for me and that I like to paint nudes?’
‘Something like that.’ Ella felt about ten years old as her face flushed. Noelle would think she was a very gauche young woman who’d never had her share of excitements. Actually, maybe some of that was true. And sitting for Noelle would certainly be up there on Ella’s very short list of trying something daring and new.
‘Silly boy, he just does it to annoy me. Ella,oui, I would love to paint you.Non, it does not have to be nude.’ Noelle winked. ‘Not unless you would like that?’
‘Better not.’ Ella’s pulse began to settle. ‘I might be able to manage the sitting bit but I’m not sure I like the idea of anyone seeing it afterwards.’
