Page 1 of Fireworks at Pennycress Inn
1
Polly Burrows pulled the sleeve of her chunky jumper over her hand before using it to wipe the condensation from the window of the taxi. ‘Are we almost there?’
‘Almost, miss. Just another mile or so.’ The taxi driver glanced at her as she sat in the back seat, his broad grin revealing a missing front tooth.
‘Great.’ Smiling, she watched the treeline to their left give way to fields and squashed the desire to squeal. The excitement bubbling beneath the surface she’d felt ever since Mr Bob had promised her this job, and the impending promotion it would lead to threatened to overspill.
‘You look happy there, miss. Not that I blame you. It’s lovely around these parts. Mine and the wife’s happy place, it is. Can’t beat the Cotswolds for a romantic getaway, can you?’ The taxi driver looked in his rear-view mirror.
Shaking her head slightly, it took Polly a few seconds to catch up with the conversation. A romantic getaway? Now, that’s something she wouldn’t know the first thing about. Not that she was about to admit it, especially to someone she’d only met fifteen minutes ago at Stratford-upon-Avon’s train station. ‘No, it definitely can’t be beaten… for a romantic getaway.’
‘So, who’s the lucky fellow?’
Shifting uncomfortably on the back seat, Polly tried to avert her eyes from catching his gaze in the rear-view mirror. ‘The trip is for a new job.’
‘Ooh, I see. Well, congratulations. Career first, romance later. That’s all the rage these days with you young lot, isn’t it?’ The man chuckled to himself as his focus shifted back onto the road.
‘Something like that.’ Polly pulled her mobile from her flower-print cloth tote bag, desperately hoping the conversation was over. She’d spent enough time trying to justify her decision not to accept her friend’s offers of setting her up on blind dates with their mates, colleagues or the delivery guy from the local pizza restaurant, she sure didn’t need a random stranger telling her lies about how fabulous it was to be in a relationship. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt and the never-worn wedding dress to boot.
Nope, all daft notions of a fairy-tale ending were way, way back in her past. Her future, on the other hand, was bright. After years of volunteering in the Education and Outreach department for the Cotswold Wildlife and Wilderness Trust, she’d finally been given the job as an outreach and education officer and Mr Bob, who managed the programme across the trust, had all but promised she’d be given the promotion to project manager at Meadowfield Nature Reserve as soon as the current holder of the role retired in three months’ time.
‘Here we are, Meadowfield.’ The taxi driver tapped his knuckles against the side window.
Looking up from her mobile, Polly slipped it back into her bag and looked out of the window. Small cottages, hugging the narrow pavements, had replaced the fields, their yellow Cotswold brickwork crowned by old, thatched roofs.
‘Just a couple more minutes and we’ll be at Pennycress Inn.’ The taxi slowed as the car in front turned into a side street.
‘Great.’ This was it – Meadowfield! Her new home for the next three months until she secured the promotion and was able to apply for a mortgage to buy somewhere either in the village of Meadowfield itself, or else close by. And three months was plenty of time for her childhood home, her grandparents’ flat, to sell too.
The taxi slowed to a stop in front of a large Cotswold-stone building, its garden brimming with the colours of autumn. The leaves on the trees had begun to change from yellow to copper and the border burst with the oranges and reds of chrysanthemums in full bloom. The broken pathway meandering towards the lavender-coloured front door added a particular charm to the property that newly laid slabs would not have.
Turning in his seat, the taxi driver whistled. ‘What a lovely place. I think I may have just found the next spot for me and the wife’s next trip.’
‘It is beautiful.’ Polly had always dreamt about living in a cottage. Not that she’d ever be able to afford a place as grand as this. She’d be lucky if she could get enough from the sale of her grandparents’ small two-bed flat back home to be able to afford a bedsit in a place as idyllic as Meadowfield. Although, perhaps when she got the promotion…
‘And would you look at that?’ The taxi driver wound his window down and pointed upwards. ‘See the animal on top of the thatched roof? What’s that meant to be? I haven’t got my glasses.’
‘Er… I’m pretty sure it’s a cat. Why haven’t…’ Thinking better of asking why he hadn’t been wearing his glasses while driving, she shook her head. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know his answer. Besides, he’d got her here in one piece and he’d already told her when he’d first picked her up that she was his last fare of the day.
‘I’ll help you with your bags.’ The driver jumped out of the front seat before making his way around the back of the car.
Slipping her tote bag over her shoulder, Polly opened the door and stepped outside. Pausing, she looked towards Pennycress Inn in front of her. She was early – too early to check in – but if she could just leave her suitcase and bags somewhere, she could wander into the centre of the village and explore a little, get her bearings before heading to the nature reserve tomorrow and starting her new job.
2
Dragging her old green suitcase up the step to the quaint lavender-painted door, Polly pressed the doorbell before glancing behind and watching the taxi disappearing down the road.
After a few minutes, the door opened and a woman appeared, her hair escaping from a messy bun and framing her flushed face. The tips of glittery pink fairy wings were visible above her shoulders and as she greeted Polly, she brandished a silver wand. ‘Hi, oh, you must be Polly Burrows? Is that right?’
Polly blinked before glancing at the little sign next to the front door again. Yes, it definitely read Pennycress Inn, so she was in the right place. She just hadn’t been expecting to be welcomed by a life-size fairy. She cleared her throat. ‘Hi, yes, that’s me. I’m afraid I’m a little early, but I wondered if there was anywhere I could store my luggage for a few hours before I can check in, please?’
‘Yes, of course.’ Swinging the door open wide, the woman waved her wand towards Polly’s suitcase. ‘I’ll get that for you. Come on in.’
‘Thanks.’ Stepping inside, Polly looked around the large hallway. The dark oak floorboards were complemented by gorgeous, flowered wallpaper and a large decorative staircase wound its way upwards next to the reception area.
Pulling the suitcase inside, the woman closed the door before turning to Polly. ‘I’m so sorry. I can’t remember if I introduced myself or not. I’m Laura and welcome to Pennycress Inn.’
‘Thanks. It’s beautiful in here.’ Following her towards the large oak reception desk tucked beneath the ornate staircase, Polly jumped aside as two children ran from the door to her right before disappearing into the room opposite.
