Page 48 of The Shape of Your Heart
‘I just hope it gets approved.’ Reaching the gateway, I pull over.
Getting out of the car, I open the gate and follow Callie into the field. ‘OK. Tell me what you’re thinking.’
As she turns around, her eyes are sparkling. ‘I would build your café here.’ She gestures to the nearest part of the land. ‘It’s more accessible and would mean less impact on the grassland. You’ll need a car park, obviously. I’d probably screen it from the rest of the site with fruit trees and maybe mixed hedging, with a path through the middle.’ As she starts walking, she indicates to the left. ‘Then here, I’d plant your vegetable garden on this side where it’s more open, and build your chicken run on the other – it’s more sheltered.’
Turning, I take in the line of trees. ‘Noted.’
‘Beyond that…’ She walks a little further. ‘This is your campsite.’
I smile. ‘I was imagining each tent in its own little plot, around which we – or you – would plant grasses and herbs. Then the rest would be left as a wildflower meadow, with paths mown through it, just like you suggested for my garden.’ The thing is, I can already imagine it, a haven with glorious views and minimal impact on the environment.
Callie’s eyes are shining. ‘You’re right. That’s exactly how it should be.’ She’s quiet for a moment. ‘Listen.’
As the breeze ripples through the long grasses, I stand beside her, mesmerised. I’ve never seen this place at this time of day. Suffused in low sunlight, the field seems to sparkle, the wings from a dragonfly glittering gold as it flits past us, while the only sound is an orchestra of insects. Suddenly I get everything she’s been talking about.
‘Magical, isn’t it?’ Her voice sounds distant. ‘There’s all this life here, all around us.’
Transfixed, I watch some tiny, iridescent moths hover above the grasses. ‘I understand,’ I say quietly.
* * *
Back at Callie’s, while she effortlessly puts together a tortilla, I wander out to her garden. There’s a chill in the air, the colours there beginning to turn to autumn’s rich shades.
Reaching an empty part of the flower bed, I can’t help frowning. When every other corner is crammed with planting, it seems incongruous. At that moment, she comes to join me.
‘Another project?’ I ask.
‘Ah.’ She looks hesitant. ‘The idea was that when we came back from our honeymoon, we were going to plant it with memories of the walk in northern Spain. I suppose if I’m honest, the emptiness has felt symbolic, but that’s going to change. I’ve decided I’m doing the walk early next year. My sister, Sasha, is coming with me.’
‘Wow.’ But I’m starting to understand how a garden reflects the person who cares for it. Right now, this patch represents loss and grief to Callie, but that she’s already planning to remedy that speaks volumes. ‘Then after, when you plant it, your garden will be full.’
‘Something like that.’ Her voice is husky all of a sudden. ‘Are you hungry?’ As she gazes at me, something flickers in her eyes.
Lightly stroking back a lock of hair that’s fallen across her face, I fight the urge to kiss her. Instead, I nod. ‘Shall we go inside?’
* * *
Callie produces a loaf of bread she baked earlier, and we sit at her table. She serves up the tortilla with a crisp green salad. As I eat, I become aware of her eyes on me.
‘I’ve talked a lot about me,’ she says shyly. ‘But you haven’t told me much about you.’
I put down my fork. ‘What do you want to know?’
‘I suppose I’m curious.’ She gazes at me intently. ‘About who you used to be – before I met you.’
Generally I like her candour, her way of getting to the point, but suddenly I feel under scrutiny. ‘Well, for quite a few years, I lived in London. I used to buy up potential sites and build houses. Then when I wasn’t working, I used to have rowdy nights out with friends, or long holidays in exotic places.’ I fold my arms. ‘And yes, I suppose I was all about making money. But as you know, that’s changed.’
‘Can I ask why?’ she says quietly.
I pause. ‘I had a health scare. Let’s just say it made me rethink almost everything – about how I want to live and what’s important… I hit the rowdy nights out on the head and opted for a quieter, simpler life.’ It’s a simplification but that’s the essence of it.
‘No regrets?’
‘None whatsoever.’ I wait for the question I know is coming.
‘You said you had a health scare…’ she says tentatively. ‘What happened?’
‘It’s a long story. I have a heart condition – quite a rare one. For years, I was completely unaware, but once it was diagnosed, I didn’t know how long I might have. Everything changed.’
