Page 25 of The Beekeeper's Cottage
Amos turned slightly to see Grace picking her way along the edge of the field. Her slender form was elegant as always, unhurried and seemingly relaxed, but Amos knew instinctively that he was about to find out whether he was to become a trainee beekeeper. He took Ned’s glass as well, replacing them all on the tray.
‘Oh, I do hope it’s good news,’ Flora added.
‘Don’t bank on it,’ muttered Ned. ‘You know what Paul’s like.’
By the time Grace reached them, an air of expectancy had risen, so much so that Grace laughed. ‘Goodness, you all look as if you’re waiting to find out whether it’s a boy or a girl.’
But her face immediately fell as she turned to look at Amos; there was a tightness behind her eyes that he took for unshed tears. He was struck by the way she held herself – even though he could see that what she was going to say next was difficult for her.
‘To bee, or not to bee?’ he murmured softly.
‘Yes indeed… that is the question,’ she replied with a sad smile. ‘To which the answer is a resounding yes,’ she added. ‘Iamgoing to need your help Amos, if you’re still willing. I’m going to need everyone’s help. I don’t think I can do this on my own.’
‘Oh, Grace.’ Flora pulled the older woman into a warm hug, the strength of their friendship removing the years between them. ‘I’m so sorry.’
Grace held her tight before pulling away, drawing herself up straight. ‘No, no tears. I won’t let Paul have the satisfaction. Besides, I need a clear head, not one muddled by emotion.’
‘Do you want to come up to the house?’ asked Ned. ‘We’ve just stopped for a bit of a break as it happens and, you know Mum, the kettle’s always boiling. Come and have a cup of tea.’
‘I don’t want to hold any of you up, I know how busy you are.’
‘Grace,’ said Ned firmly. ‘I am beginning to feel and look like a boiled lobster. You will be doing me a very great favour if you give me any kind of excuse to get out of the sun.’
‘Oh yes, please come up, Grace,’ urged Flora. ‘Hannah and Fraser will want to hear what’s happened, and we’ve been having a think too. There’s so much to talk about.’
Grace checked her watch. ‘I have to be back by two o’clock,’ she said. ‘The estate agent is coming.’
‘The same one as yesterday?’ asked Amos, thoughts beginning to swirl around his head.
She nodded. ‘Altogether far too keen.’
Hmm, well, we’ll see about that, thought Amos. ‘Then we’ve no time to lose,’ he said, standing back and ushering Grace onto the path ahead of him. Ned took her arm as Flora fell back to walk with Amos.
She let them walk on ahead a little way. ‘What are you up to?’ she whispered.
Amos put his hand over his heart. ‘Me?’ he said innocently. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’
‘Yes, you do. I can see it written all over your face. You’re plotting something.’
But Amos simply smiled. ‘As if I would,’ he said.
9
Hannah rushed over as soon as they walked through the kitchen door.
‘Come and sit down, Grace,’ she said. ‘You’ll be needing a cup of tea.’
Ned shot Flora an amused ‘I told you so’ glance, and then to Amos’s surprise Grace groaned.
‘I’ll sit down, but dear God, no more tea. I’m sick of the sight of the stuff. Actually, what I could do with is a massive slab of chocolate, or a big thick scone, laden with jam and clotted cream.’
‘Oh dear,’ said Flora.
‘I know,’ said Grace sighing. ‘And I don’t usually eat chocolate, but right now I could eat my entire body weight in the stuff.’ She took a seat at the table.
‘I can cut you a slab of fruit cake. Would that do?’ asked Hannah.
‘Fruit cake?’ asked Fraser, coming into the room. ‘Where have you hidden that? I never get cake…’ he grumbled.
