Page 25 of Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm

‘Oh, about thirty years, give or take a year,’ replied Grams. ‘Your grandad and I loved to dance in the early days. And then at Katy’s birthday party, Eddie was telling me about a club he’s joined in Aldwych where they dance the night away twice a week. And I thought, that sounds like fun.’

‘I had no idea,’ said Flora, shaking her head.

‘I’ve always wanted to learn how to do the foxtrot,’ said Grams. ‘And, after all, I’m only eighty.’

She and Flora looked at each other and they both burst out laughing.

‘Well, why not?’ said Flora, still laughing.

She was pleased to see her grandmother making the most of life. After all, she had spent her life on the farm, giving it all of her time and energy.

Grams nodded. ‘The farm has kept me fit and healthy despite my age and I’d like to keep exercising.’

‘I think you’re incredible,’ said Flora in awe. ‘To be starting something like that at your, er, age, is amazing.’

‘You know,’ said Grams in a soft tone. ‘There’s still time for you too, my darling girl.’

Flora laughed and shook her head. ‘I don’t think I’m the ballroom type, Grams. I’ll stick to watchingStrictly Come Dancingwith you instead.’

‘That’s not what I meant,’ said Grams, in a pointed tone. ‘I mean, perhaps all these changes will give you a chance to pursue your own dreams as well.’

Flora was quiet for a moment. Her only dream had ever been to paint, but where on earth was she going to find time for that if she was going to be running a campsite from now onwards?

At that moment, Nico came back into the kitchen.

‘So the main decision to be made seems to be how many tents we want to provide and where they would be situated,’ he said, as he poured himself another mug of coffee. ‘Along with the facilities we would provide. Do you want everything compostable and sustainable?’

‘Absolutely,’ piped up Grams. ‘We’ve never used chemicals on our farm.’

He smiled. ‘Glad to hear it. And I think that’s the ethos that we should be going for. To make it as green a campsite as possible.’

His use of the word ‘we’ resonated around the room.

‘But you’re going to be a silent financial partner, isn’t that what we agreed?’ prompted Flora.

Nico raised an eyebrow at her in amusement. ‘Actually, I was thinking of being a financial partner who is actively involved in every single decision.’

Flora was dismayed and it must have shown in her face because he burst into laughter.

‘You’re easy to wind up,’ he told her.

Flora gnashed her teeth. ‘It’s just that this is important and neither of us have any experience in running a campsite.’

He shrugged his shoulders. ‘Between us, I think we can make a beautiful partnership.’

Flora rolled her eyes. Everything he said sounded like something he would spout to a girlfriend. She could just imagine him all too well, with his smooth talk and whispering sweet nothings into some girl’s ear.

Nico leaned back in his chair. ‘Well, seeing as I’m the one with the money in the bank account, I guess the biggest decision is what kind of tents and I’ve already found ten that we can buy second-hand.’

Flora immediately made a face.

But Nico held up his hand. ‘There’s no way we have the money to buy ten brand new bell tents as well as filling them with furniture, fitting them out and anything else. But second-hand doesn’t mean awful. I’ve seen some online and agreed with the owner that we will go and view them at the weekend.’

‘Okay,’ said Flora, conceding defeat. ‘And where are they?’

‘Scotland.’ He broke into a grin. ‘I’ve always wanted to see the Highlands.’

‘Scotland!’ Flora sat bolt upright. ‘How are we going to get there and back in a day?’ she asked.