Page 62 of Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm

‘What shall we drink to?’ asked Flora, still feeling depressed.

‘New beginnings,’ said Grams, giving her granddaughter a wink.

Flora took a sip of the delicious drink. She hadn’t eaten yet and on an empty stomach, it warmed up her insides a treat. But she still felt cold.

‘Cheer up,’ said Libby, sitting down at the table. ‘It’s only rain.’

Flora looked at her friend and even Libby’s vitality seemed a little dented.

‘So, how can we help?’ asked Ethan.

‘I don’t think anyone can,’ said Flora, shrugging her shoulders. ‘It’s raining on a campsite. What can we do?’

‘Well, you can’t change the weather,’ Eddie told her.

‘But perhaps you can give them something to take their minds off the weather,’ suggested Ethan, looking thoughtful.

‘This stuff will do the trick,’ said Bob, his eyes watering a little at the strength of the limoncello.

‘Not very family-friendly, though, Dad, is it?’ said Ryan, laughing.

‘So let me ask you this,’ said Nico, who had been sitting quietly and staring down into his limoncello. ‘What can people do in the wet? What would they want to do on holiday?’

There was a lull in the conversation as everyone thought hard.

Suddenly, Bob spoke. ‘Well, I know what I would do,’ he said. ‘I’d want to go and see a steam train!’

Everyone laughed, except Ryan and Ethan, who had been putting up with their dad’s obsession for some considerable time.

‘Dad, you and Grandad see a steam train every single day!’ said Ethan, rolling his eyes.

Bob shrugged his shoulders. ‘So? Anyway, I reckon there’s some folk who would be interested in a full-size train.’

Nico turned to look at him. ‘I agree,’ he said, nodding carefully. ‘How do you feel about giving the families a tour tomorrow and showing them what you’ve done so far with the train?’

Bob’s face lit up. ‘That’s a smashing idea,’ he said.

‘And those that haven’t seen it so far can come and look at the old station as well,’ said Katy. ‘After all, we’ve got all the old memorabilia from when it was working.’

Ryan nodded. ‘That’s not a bad idea. And they might want a warm cup of coffee whilst they’re there.’

‘They’re welcome to come and have a look at the lavender spa,’ said Harriet, before reaching out for her phone. ‘You know, I’ve got a couple of free slots over the next few days. How about they all have a lovely hand massage with some relaxing lavender cream for free?’

‘You’d do that?’ asked Flora.

Harriet nodded. ‘Of course. It won’t take long, but it’ll still feel like a treat.’

‘They’re welcome to have a tour of the lavender fields as well,’ added Joe. ‘And if they’re going that way, then they could always carry on into Cranbridge, see the river and have a pint in the Black Swan Inn.’

‘And there’s the lovely corner shop there as well,’ said Grams.

‘As well as the pretty church,’ added Eddie.

‘If there’s a let-up in the weather, we could even show them the swimming pond or they could go fishing by the river,’ said Nico.

But Ethan’s face was still wrinkled up in thought. ‘Yeah, that’s all well and good, but they might not want to go too far if it’s raining. The tents are lovely, but they need somewhere outside to use.’

‘What about the barn?’ said Flora. ‘I mean, it’s got a roof but only three slatted walls so it’s a bit exposed, but it might do. There’s nothing in it these days except the tractor and we can move that out of there.’