Page 40 of The House at Hope Corner
Flora nodded. ‘I think that’s a good idea. She apologised as soon as she’d said it, but it’s the kind of knee-jerk conclusion people jump to without thinking. It will take time, but there’s no reason why Fraser won’t be able to get back to work eventually.’
‘Well, Caroline should know better. And yes, things like that do have a habit of gaining ground.’ He swallowed the rest of his toast. ‘So, when exactly did she say this?’
‘Yesterday.’ Flora rolled her eyes. ‘When she also told me that moving the dining table was the biggest mistake I’d ever made and that Hannah would hate what I’d done to the room. Which she did, of course.’
‘I’m sure Caroline didn’t say it quite like that…’
Flora looked up. ‘I think “sacrosanct” was the word she used,’ she replied, not quite ready to let the matter drop just yet.
‘Ahhh…’ Ned pulled a face. ‘I’m sorry, Flora. Mum will get used to the idea, you’ll see. She’s just not used to anyone showing any initiative around here; that’s what comes of living with two clod-hopping farmers. But she’ll soon see what a brilliant idea it was, and Dad will be chuffed to bits.’
‘Hmmm, we’ll see.’
And as it happened Ned was right. Less than ten minutes after he had left, Hannah came into the kitchen, or rather she hurtled in and stood there staring at Flora.
‘Oh, thank goodness you’re here!’
Flora wasn’t entirely sure where else she would be.
‘I wanted to apologise,’ she said. ‘For yesterday. I really don’t know what came over me. You worked so hard, taking me to the hospital, doing all the cooking and taking Brodie out. You did all the washing-up too, and caught up with the ironing. Don’t think I didn’t notice that! And then, of course, you made the dining room so perfect for Fraser, and I think I just…’ She stopped, realising she was rambling. ‘Well, I’m sorry. For what I said. And the way I said it.’
Flora took off the washing-up gloves and placed them carefully beside the sink. She wasn’t sure whether to hug Hannah or not, but in the end she didn’t; something about the way she was holding herself so stiffly made her think it would just be something else that was too awkward for words. She smiled instead.
‘It’s okay, Hannah, really. I understand. It was the shock of everything catching up with you, I think, but I should have asked you about the room first. I guess I was trying to keep busy too, and I thought I could just get on with it while I had the time.’
‘Even so, my reaction was uncalled for. You did it with the best of intentions, and what did I do? Spent most of yesterday trying to ignore everything, instead of doing what you did which was to try and think about things in a practical way, something which I usually pride myself on. So, I gave myself a very stern talking-to last night, and I’m pleased to say that I feel much better this morning.’ She was wringing her hands, still standing in the same spot. ‘Now, what time are we visiting Fraser today, the same time as yesterday?’
Flora glanced at her watch; it was a little after half past seven.
‘Actually, Caroline has invited me out to go riding with her this morning.’ She pulled a face. ‘But I’m not all that keen on going so I’d be quite happy to give it a miss and go to the hospital instead.’
‘Nonsense, you’ll have a wonderful time, and it will be lovely for you to have some fun with a friend for a change. In fact, if we visit Fraser after lunch, that will give me plenty of time to give the room a thorough clean before we go and then I can start to move more of his things downstairs.’
‘I did give it a clean yesterday.’
‘I know, dear, but everything must be wiped down and disinfected. There mustn’t be any trace of germs anywhere in the house. Fraser will be very susceptible, and we must all be very careful.’
She drew in a long breath, which Flora didn’t like the sound of.
‘Then, once the dining room is done, we can work through the other rooms in turn, finishing with the kitchen. If we aim to do one room a day, by the time Fraser comes home everything will be shipshape. Now, where did I put my notepad, I must make a list.’ She looked around the kitchen and then back at Flora. ‘Go on then, off you go and get changed.’
‘Right,’ said Flora faintly, looking down at her bright red tights. Why did she always feel like it was one step forward and two steps back?
* * *
‘What?’ Flora sighed as Caroline’s eyes travelled up the length of her body, taking in the skirt and leggings she’d changed into before heading down to the yard. ‘It was the best I could do. I don’t own any jodhpurs and the one pair of jeans I do have are too tight to be comfortable on a horse. These are elasticated, plus they’re old, and I don’t mind if they get a bit muddy.’
Caroline arched her eyebrows. ‘I can’t take you out looking like that…’ she drawled in a not quite fake posh accent. ‘Not that you don’t look lovely,’ she added hastily. ‘Just that, well, you’ll see when we get there… Fortunately I have some spare riding clothes that I’m pretty sure will fit. You can change once we get to my house.’
Flora wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that, but she followed Caroline meekly to her car and got in. Their farm might be next door, but in the countryside that meant at least two miles away by road or a really good walk across some fields. However, it also meant that, as Caroline was driving, Flora could drink in the views from the passenger seat. It felt like she had hardly been away from the farm since she had arrived and yet she had meant to get out and explore every day. So far that had been impossible; Shropshire might be home, but it still only amounted to a farmhouse, a few buildings and the odd field or two. And the hospital of course.
The high hedge they were passing ended and suddenly the horizon expanded in front of them. Flora drew in a quiet breath. It was stunning and she reminded herself that she had resolved to enjoy herself. Today was an opportunity and she mustn’t spoil it by being negative.
‘So this ischez moi,’ said Caroline as they turned in through a pair of large stone gates. ‘Otherwise known as Micklethwaite Stud and, as we go up the hill here, you can actually see Hope Corner across the fields to your left.’ She smiled. ‘Where no doubt Hannah is hard at it whipping everything that dared step out of line back into shape.’
Flora pursed her lips a little. Hannah wasn’t that bad.
‘So have you lived here all your life then?’ she asked Caroline, changing the subject.
