Page 74 of Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm

The four of them looked down the hill to the strawberry field which was now full of ripened fruit.

They were sitting on deckchairs outside the farmhouse on the patio, enjoying the evening of the summer solstice. Paddington the dog was sprawled at Harriet’s feet enjoying a crunchy ice cube.

Flora found that the month of June had slipped by in a whirl of activity. The campsite had been at least half full on every day of the month so far and the busiest months of July and August were just around the corner.

The hours were long: from breakfast time until after dinner they were on call in case of any problems or queries. But Flora and Nico had quickly learnt how to solve various problems and they began to have a little more free time, even allowing Flora time to paint at least two or three times a week.

The painting was instant relaxation and a couple of hours could quite easily slip by whilst she was lost in the canvas. Her love of painting had hurtled back to her so quickly that she wondered how she had been able to live without it for so many years. Now it was like oxygen to her and she knew that she would never deny herself that pleasure ever again.

‘Where’s Grams tonight?’ asked Libby. ‘I’m sure she’d love one of these special drinks.’

‘There was an extra dance class added due to a tango teacher coming for a show dance,’ Flora told her.

‘I think she’s amazing,’ said Katy, nodding enthusiastically. ‘Eighty years old and learning all those new dances.’

Flora couldn’t help but agree. It was lucky that Grams had kept her overall fitness thanks to the farming all those years, but, in addition, it was her mental state that had vastly improved. At her weekly classes, she was meeting new people and always came home full of stories and gossip.

‘You must come along soon,’ Grams had urged her granddaughter again that evening before she left.

But it wasn’t just her enthusiasm for the dance classes that had perked up Grams. She loved getting up to make her special breakfast baskets to place in the barn and certainly, judging by the takings, everyone was enjoying the delicious range of food she provided.

In the spare time she now had, she was pleased to be able to restart her quilting. She had already sold a couple of quilts after some campers enquired and was keen to make more.

‘It’s a shame we don’t have an alcohol licence for the lavender fields,’ said Harriet, looking at her strawberry cocktail. ‘These would be hugely popular.’

‘I think they should remain exclusively for us,’ said Libby, reaching out to top everyone else’s glasses up from the cocktail jug.

‘Too right,’ said Katy, licking her lips. ‘Mmm. They’re too good to share with the masses.’

‘This had better be my last one tonight in any case,’ said Harriet, with a pout. ‘With the grand opening in two days’ time, things are going to get crazy busy from tomorrow.’

They all looked across to where the rows of lavender were now a blur of faint purple. Any day, the flowers would burst from their buds and would be a glorious kaleidoscope of lilacs and amethysts.

The gazebos were already set up in the field for refreshments and at the entrance to take the customers’ small fee to visit. But it was the lavender that was the star turn.

Flora turned her head to look across at the campsite, which she could just make out in the next field. The tops of the tents could be seen with their bunting fluttering in the warm breeze as it drifted across the green valley. The wildflower meadow surrounding the tents was now alive with bees and butterflies, flitting amongst the flowers. Nico had cut the grass to make paths through the meadow but kept everything else as nature intended.

According to the campers, it felt like their very own patch of heaven. Flora would watch as the campers would arrive in a blur of activity and then gradually relax, wind down and begin to enjoy the glorious countryside.

They had already added a few more touches to the campsite. Nico had bought a second-hand firepit and the marshmallow toasting was becoming very popular. In turn, Flora had added bunting, fairy lights and a few old lanterns to the barn to give it the same feel as the rest of the site. She had even bought lavender pouches from the previous year’s harvest from Harriet to give the tents a delicious aroma, as well as the latest product – lavender wax melts.

‘You know what I’m going to do with these next time?’ said Libby, holding up the cocktail jug. ‘Strawberry margaritas!’

‘Not gin?’ asked Harriet.

‘Change is as good as a rest,’ replied Libby, stretching out in her deckchair like a cat.

Flora sat still for a moment, mulling over her friend’s words. Change had come to Strawberry Hill Farm. She had pushed and pushed against it, but it had come anyway. She had dreaded it, and yet, she felt renewed. Refreshed. Awakened.

‘You okay?’ asked Katy, who had been studying her for a while.

Flora nodded and looked down the hill at the campsite. She could see the sun slowly beginning to sink behind the horizon. Everything was peaceful and calm.

A warm breeze wafted over her and Flora finally felt at peace too.

44

‘I’m not sure we have time for this,’ said Flora, looking across the dance floor of the village hall in Aldwych on Monday evening.