Page 34 of Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm

‘I’d forgotten it was even there, to be honest,’ said Libby.

‘Me too,’ said Flora, nodding. ‘Until last week when Nico found me skinny-dipping in it.’

The others gasped and then there was a round of shocked laughter.

‘No!’ said Harriet.

‘God, yes!’ added Libby, her eyes gleaming. ‘Were you naked?’

‘No!’ replied Flora quickly. ‘What’s the matter with you? I was in my underwear.’

‘Why were you in there at all?’ asked Katy, looking nonplussed.

‘Who cares why!’ said Libby, staring at Flora in amazement. ‘What happened?’

‘Nothing,’ replied Flora. ‘I got out and we introduced ourselves.’

‘And that was it?’ Libby’s face fell.

Katy shook her head. ‘Maybe he’s not the playboy after all,’ she said with a sad expression. ‘And I had such high hopes for you two.’

‘Me too,’ said Libby, with a groan.

‘I don’t know why,’ said Flora, feeling irritated. ‘I’m very happy with my life, I keep telling you all. It’s not my fault you don’t listen.’

She felt her friends exchange a look but ignored them. She knew that she was right. A quiet life was the best way. Wasn’t it? She and Grams were better off on their own.

For a moment, though, she found that for the first time she wasn’t quite so sure any more. And that perhaps she was protesting just a little too much and ignoring what she was feeling deep inside.

20

‘This is doing wonders for my local street cred,’ said Grams with a chuckle as Nico parked the Ferrari on the side of the road in Cranbridge that afternoon.

He got out and then went around to help Grams out of the low seat.

She straightened up and smiled. ‘I do love spring,’ she said.

Looking around, Nico had to agree with her. April had only just turned into May, but the trees either side of the wide river which ran through the village were now bright green and bursting with new growth. The water was clear and shallow. A goose and her four goslings were warming themselves on the grassy riverbank under the May sunshine.

Grams linked arms with Nico and led him down the pedestrian road called Riverside Lane. On the corner was a bustling shop, busy with villagers coming and going. At the far end of the lane was a tea shop, equally popular judging by the amount of customers heading inside.

‘This is the place,’ said Grams, in front of one of the two middle shops. The one next door appeared to be a furniture shop with some beautiful wooden pieces in the window. But Grams was leading him into a place with a sign above the door which read The Cranbridge Times. There was also a sign in the window which read The Community Hub.

Not sure what to expect, Nico followed Grams inside.

It was part meeting place, he thought, with a couple of comfortable sofas where some locals were chatting over a cup of coffee. It was part nursery, as there was a meeting room at the back which was holding a mothers and toddlers group. And then on the other side of the large room were a few hot desks, most of which were in use with people on laptops. It had a noisy, bustling feel to the place but was most definitely relaxing.

‘Here is our local fountain of all knowledge,’ announced Grams, as she headed over to a man with messy, dark hair who was sitting at a larger desk nearby.

He laughed upon hearing Grams’ words. ‘Thank you, Helen,’ he said. ‘I’ve been called worse things, to be honest.’ He turned to shake Nico’s hand. ‘Tom Addison. Nice to meet you.’

‘Nico Rossi,’ replied Nico.

‘Tom is the editor of the local newspaper,’ Grams told him. ‘He’ll put you straight about what we need. I just need to go and catch up with a few old friends.’

She headed away to the sofas to begin chatting to a couple of elderly gentlemen who had just sat down.

Tom gave Nico a warm smile. ‘Take a seat,’ he said, swiftly removing a pile of papers from the chair on the other side of the desk before they both sat down. ‘How can I help?’