Page 28 of Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm

‘I guess we’ll just have to drive back overnight,’ said Flora, with a shrug.

‘I wouldn’t set out now,’ Mrs McKinley told her, making a face. ‘Now the mist has arrived, it won’t shift until morning. In some places on the track, it’ll be that thick that if you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll end up driving over the edge of the pass.’

Flora and Nico exchanged a worried look.

‘I suppose you can stay here,’ said Mrs McKinley, looking as thrilled about the prospect as Flora felt.

‘I guess we could always sleep in the lorry,’ said Nico.

‘We wouldn’t want to impose,’ added Flora quickly.

‘Nonsense,’ replied Mrs McKinley. ‘Never let it be said that the McKinleys aren’t a generous brood. You can use the guest suite. Not that anybody’s stayed there in many a year. Dinner too, I suppose?’

* * *

After a stilted but somewhat welcome supper of soup and bread, she led them upstairs. It was an unhappy house, thought Flora, with a shiver. She thought longingly of the warm and friendly farmhouse and felt very homesick.

Mrs McKinley guided them along a long corridor at the top of the stairs before turning and opening a door. Flora followed her inside and stopped abruptly, causing Nico to clatter into the back of her.

‘Hey,’ she heard him say. ‘Keep moving.’

But Flora was too busy staring at the small double bed in the middle of the room.

‘Erm,’ she began to say.

‘The en suite is temperamental but should be acceptable,’ said Mrs McKinley, nodding at a nearby door through which Flora could see a pink handbasin. ‘I rise at 6a.m. sharp and expect any guests to do the same. Breakfast will be porridge. Well, goodnight.’

And then she left, closing the door behind her with a sharp click.

The silence stretched out as they both stared at the double bed in the middle of the room.

‘Well, this is, er, awkward,’ said Flora eventually. ‘Do you think I should go and tell her that we need separate rooms?’

‘I should think she’s already back in her tomb by now,’ said Nico, with a grimace. ‘Besides, this place is suitably creepy that I’m not sure I want to be by myself tonight.’ He gave her a weary smile. ‘Good thing I’ve got you to protect me from all the ghosts and ghouls.’

Flora sighed heavily. ‘Maybe I can sleep in the lorry?’ she wondered out loud.

‘If you think you can creep past the lady of the manor’s room without her hearing, I think you’re mistaken,’ said Nico. ‘No wonder her husband legged it with his assistant. Probably the only peace he ever got.’

‘We can’t share a bed,’ stated Flora.

‘Should I be worried that you’ll take advantage of me?’ asked Nico with a grin. ‘Because I’d be perfectly fine with that.’

Flora rolled her eyes. ‘It’s going to be a long night,’ she said, going over to sit on the upright chair which had seen better days.

Underneath the window, a draught whistled through a gap and made the moth-eaten curtains flap.

‘I guess this must be a bit of a comedown for you, eh?’ she said, looking around at the tatty room. ‘Your holiday destinations are probably more fake gold and synthetic, like your girlfriends, am I right?’

Expecting a witty comeback, she was surprised when Nico sank down onto the bed and looked at her. He appeared to take a deep breath. ‘Why do you hate me so much?’ he asked.

Flora gave a start at his serious expression. ‘I, er, well, I don’t hate you. As much as I would like to,’ she said, adding a smile. But it wasn’t returned. ‘I guess I just envy you. You seem to have it all. No responsibilities. A free and easy life.’

It was true, she realised. There was a tiny part of her that envied him, the part that whispered in her ear late at night when she was lying in bed alone. The part that wondered whether to let go of her sensibilities and that a bit of romance and excitement would be fun. Fun that she was sorely missing from her life. Fun that had taken a back seat when she had a duty of care to her grandmother and to the family farm.

She was somewhat stunned when Nico laughed, but it was without humour. ‘That’s what you believe? That I have it all?’

She shrugged her shoulders. ‘On the evidence, of course. I’m guessing you lead a charmed life.’