Page 99 of Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm

The games area had also helped, especially when the weather had turned at the beginning of the summer, so that too would be shored up in preparation for the following season.

‘How’s the planning application going?’ asked Joe.

Nico nodded. ‘The shower and toilet block look like they’re going to get the seal of approval over the next week, so I can make headway with the foundations.’

They glanced over to where there was now a gap where Dodgy Del had removed his flamboyant cabin which had gone back to wherever it had come from. Nico was grateful for the loan though, whatever its dubious connection.

He and Flora had decided to apply for a permanent campsite licence which was being processed. It would ensure that the business would continue to thrive and breathe life back into the farm and Cranfield.

It looked like it was going to be a busy winter of renovations, but with bookings already coming in for the following summer, it seemed the next season for the campsite was going to be even more successful.

‘What about the additional plans?’ asked Joe, as they walked across the field.

Nico looked across. ‘If I’ve got my figures right, then I think we might just be able to afford a couple of shepherd huts to place over on this near side,’ he said. ‘If the wood-burning stoves don’t cost too much.’

It was another plan to extend the season, as well as helping with some all-year-round income. If the tents remained warm at night, then they could prolong the camping season, starting at Easter all the way through to the end of October, they hoped.

‘I’ve got the figures on my phone somewhere,’ said Joe.

‘That’s great,’ said Nico, glancing at his watch. ‘I can’t look at them now, but how about I buy you a pint tomorrow at the Black Swan and we can chat then.’

Joe nodded. ‘We can meet a little earlier before others get there,’ he said, before laughing. ‘And before the match starts!’

‘Excellent,’ said Nico. ‘We can talk wedding plans as well.’

Joe laughed once more. ‘I was hoping the big football match would be a wedding-free zone,’ he said. ‘Just for a little while in any case.’

‘Then we’ll make sure it most definitely is,’ said Nico.

But he knew that Joe was looking forward to the big day later that year because he had talked to Nico about it. They were friends, as were Ryan and Ethan. He had real friends now, friends he could trust and who didn’t care about his background. He wasn’t Nico Rossi, son of Paolo Rossi to them. He was Nico, campsite owner, carpenter, handyman and sometime poker game winner. He could finally relax and be himself because they liked Nico for who he was and that meant more to him than a thousand flash Ferraris ever would.

He hadn’t heard from his father since he had driven off into the sunset with the Ferrari. But Nico had learnt to forgive him on some level and move on. And he had begun to forgive himself for the loss of the vineyard. He had proved to himself that he wasn’t his father’s son and that his own destiny was whatever path he chose, including the way in which he conducted his life.

Nico was grateful that he had Grams as his surrogate family, although Bob and Eddie were also filling that gap as well as they became closer.

He waved to them both now as they headed into the railway workshop. He was hoping to find out later how close they were to getting the old steam train going as Ryan had told him the previous day that it might even be seen out on the railway tracks very soon.

Nico was looking forward to it. In fact, he looked forward to every day in Cranfield now, especially when each one started with a kiss from Flora.

She had made him a part of her home, assured him that it was his home too. He loved her so much and made sure he told her at every opportunity.

He still couldn’t believe that he had found the love of his life in such a tiny village in the middle of nowhere but he was so grateful that he had. He was home now and had no intentions of ever leaving.

The sun broke through the trees and warmed up the cool late September air. Nico glanced at his watch once more and began to walk down the hill.

He didn’t want to be late. After all, he had a date with the woman he loved.

* * *

‘I think lilac as our wedding theme, don’t you?’ said Harriet, looking at her friends.

‘Don’t you mean lavender?’ asked Flora, laughing.

‘That was the point!’ replied Harriet with a wide smile.

Flora had never seen her so happy, but the wedding chat was all-encompassing until they all got her to relax.

Thankfully, it had been another bumper harvest year for the lavender so there would be plenty to keep Harriet occupied in the spa. But every coffee session and gin night were all about the wedding. The old Flora would have rolled her eyes like Libby and railed against it all. But she had changed. She relished a little bit of romance in her life now. Nico gave her flowers every week. ‘Just because,’ he told her, and she began to look forward to receiving them.