Page 17 of The Beekeeper's Cottage
Amos sat back slightly and smiled.
‘Go on…’ said Grace. ‘IthinkI want to hear this…’
Judging by the expression on her face, Flora was still marshalling her thoughts. She narrowed her eyes. ‘So, I’m thinking off the top of my head here, but…’ She broke off suddenly, looking across at Amos. ‘Oh, that was clever,’ she said. ‘How did you know this is what I was going to say?’
Amos shrugged. ‘I don’t know what you mean…’ he said, innocently. ‘But now that you come to mention it, I believe my own thought processeswereheading the same way as yours. But don’t let me stop you, Flora, do carry on.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘So, as I was saying, off the top of my head, it strikes me that instead of thinking about the battle ahead we need to look at this situation as an opportunity. And, far from lacking in skills, Grace, I’d say you have a huge range of talents, we just need to find a way that utilises them in a better fashion than as a prop for Paul’s glittering career. You do need to be able to provide for yourself in the future, but the way I look at it you have two huge assets at your disposal.’ She gave Grace a warm smile. ‘And the first of those isyou…’
There was a slight crinkling at the corners of Grace’s mouth, but her eyes showed her indecision. She’s pleased by the compliment, thought Amos. But she doesn’t quite believe it, yet. He held Flora’s look.
‘And the second…’ she continued. ‘Well, perhaps you’d like to say what the other asset is, Amos.’
There was a teasing smile on her face, which Amos matched.
‘Oh, that’s easy,’ he replied. ‘Your house, Grace.’
‘Exactly!’ cried Flora, excitement brewing. ‘Oh, Grace, think about it. There must be a million and one things you could do there, things that you would be absolutely brilliant at. A guest house, running courses… a cookery school? And your house would make a wonderful setting for all of those things. We could even tie it in with the farm somehow, make it into a joint venture. Oh I don’t know, but it’s just alive with possibility! Don’t you see?’
For a moment Amos could see the light dawning across Grace’s face as Flora’s enthusiasm flowed between them, but then he saw the emotional weight of what she was going through gain the upper hand and the light died.
‘But I don’t have the money for any of that,’ she said. ‘Even if it were possible. Getting a business off the ground can cost a huge amount and I’d need income to be coming in pretty much straight away. I don’t have the time to build a reputation, for word of mouth to spread. It’s a lovely idea, Flora, as were your words, but I’m really not sure—’
‘There must be a way around all of that, surely?’ Flora was looking at Amos for guidance. ‘We’d all help and, after all, you know what they say, necessity is the mother of invention…’
But Grace’s face wore a closed expression. She had made up her mind, for now at least.
‘Perhaps Grace needs a little time to have a think about all of this,’ said Amos gently. ‘I imagine today has been somewhat trying and maybe now isn’t the best time to make decisions.’
Grace smiled gratefully. ‘I confess, I’m suddenly feeling utterly drained. But I will think about what you’ve said, Flora, I promise. I have to dosomething.’
Flora gave a rueful smile. ‘I’m sorry, Grace. I do tend to go off on one when I get the bit between my teeth.’
Grace patted her hand. ‘And we all love you for it,’ she replied, and then she got to her feet and gave Flora a hug. ‘I’m going to go home now, have a bath, and hopefully fall into a deep refreshing sleep. And on the way I shall ask the bees what they think. No doubt tomorrow I will wake up with the answer in my head, clear as a bell.’
She smiled at Amos. ‘And thank you for all your help today too.’ She cocked her head to one side. ‘It’s so odd,’ she added, ‘because I feel as if I’ve known you my whole life…’ And then she paused. ‘I obviously have had far too much to drink. Please say goodnight to everyone for me, Flora, and thank you for a lovely meal.’
‘Oh, Grace, you’re always welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
Grace dipped her head and began to move away from the circle of chairs. Flora was looking helpless.
‘I’ll walk you home,’ said Amos, stepping forward. ‘I usually go for a wander around this time of night. The air is so lovely, don’t you think?’ He picked up Grace’s bag and handed it to her, before raising a hand in farewell to Flora. He wasn’t about to give her a reason to refuse.
It seemed to take only a matter of minutes before they were at the bottom of Grace’s garden. The air was beautiful, cool now, but still fragrant from the flowers and filled with birdsong. He stopped to listen for a moment.
‘Did you hear that?’ he said to Grace. ‘Nightingales.’
She lifted her head. ‘Beautiful, aren’t they? I come down here sometimes just to listen to them.’
The words hung in the air between them, a poignant reminder of the earlier conversation.
‘What do I do, Amos?’ she asked.
The question itself didn’t surprise him, but the fact that she had asked him did. She was still looking up into the canopy of trees, the last golden rays of the sun casting a soft glow on her face. He had a sudden urge to hold her hand.
‘You do whatever you want to do,’ he replied, waiting until she lowered her gaze to look at him before continuing. ‘But only you can really know what that is, Grace. You’ve taken the first, hardest step in the right direction and I think you already know that, as a result, things cannot stay the same.’ He smiled softly. ‘I like to think, however, that the universe rewards bravery by lending a helping hand where it can. So, if whatever you decide is the right thing for you to do, and you honestly believe that with all your heart, then I don’t see how you can fail. Take the opportunity you’ve given yourself, Grace, make something of it and forge the life you want for your future.’
‘But what if I don’t get to keep the house?’
