That Special Something: A heartwarming, small town romance to fall in love with

Nine

Tuesday was a much better day than Monday. Not only had the Eversleys got their horse for Della Hardy, having tentatively agreed an exceptionally reasonable price with Griff’s friend, Hope had found a troupe of male dancers who were more than willing to remove their clothes, as per Rita and Vera Boot’s request. The roulette wheel and poker table were also in the bag, as Simon liked to say. And by the end of the day, Hope had solved the fairy grotto problem. Thanks in part to her conversation with Laurence that morning.

Hanna Shaw was a talented artist. She had performed a minor miracle at the Mistletoe Dance with her superb winter wonderland forest backdrop to the Christmas trees. The backdrop for Laurence’s book launch was a work of art in every sense. A true trompe l’oeil that was both beautiful and yet mildly menacing, which was perfect for a cosy crime novel. A fairy grotto would be a breeze for her.

Hope could add living plants and flowers and perhaps a little waterfall, and although the paddling pool idea was inappropriate for Laurence’s event, the one shaped like a lily pond that Hope had seen on line, might be just the thing for Della’s.

Hanna lived in Catkin Cottage on Oak Street which was only round the corner from The White House, and Hope paid her a visit shortly before five p.m. to ask if Hanna could fit in a new commission and if she would be able to come up with something in time.

‘I’d certainly be up for that,’ Hanna said, inviting Hope in. ‘What do you have in mind?’

Hope followed Hanna into the sitting room and sat on the sofa explaining Della’s requirements in detail while Hanna opened a bottle of white wine, on the premise that it was always past six p.m. somewhere on the planet and that meant it was time for wine.

‘A fairy grotto?’ Hanna giggled, handing Hope a glass and sitting sideways on an armchair opposite, dangling her legs over the arm. ‘How old is this client?’

‘Thanks,’ said Hope grateful that there were no events tonight, so in theory, no last-minute emergencies. ‘Twenty, I believe. And if you could add a unicorn that would be the icing on the cake.’

‘A unicorn?’ Hanna shrugged. ‘But of course. Every fairy grotto needs a unicorn. Sorry. I shouldn’t make fun of people. I think it’s lovely that this young woman wants something magical. It beats the plain old posh restaurant, champagne, and a ring in a glass, or a cake, I suppose.’

‘Funnily enough I was only thinking the other day that I wished more people would go the restaurant route. It would make our lives sooooo much easier.’ Hope laughed.

‘But not as much fun or nearly as exciting. Cheers!’

‘Cheers!’ Hope raised her glass as had Hanna. ‘Would you be able to let me have some sort of quick mock-up in a day or two so that I can run it by the client and her brother? Unfortunately I don’t have the venue yet so I can’t give you dimensions of where the fairy grotto will fit. Is that a problem at this stage?’

Hanna shook her head. ‘Yes I can, and no it won’t.’

‘Brilliant! You’re the best, Hanna.’

‘Valentine’s Day must be difficult for you.’

Hope was taken aback by that comment.

‘For me? Why?’

Hanna laughed. ‘No need to look so surprised. I didn’t mean you personally. I meant all the team at Eversley Events. You’ve always had events on that day, and sometimes several I believe. Do any of you ever get a chance to take that night off? Grace might find it a pain this year, now that’s she with Griff.’

Hope relaxed. ‘Oh I see. It hasn’t really been an issue. Mum and Dad celebrate it either before or after the actual day. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t single on the day so it’s never affected me, and as Grace is moving in with Griff this week, I’m sure they’ll manage to celebrate it somehow.’

‘Grace is moving in with Griff? Wow. That’s fast. But good for her.’

‘Ah. I’m not sure I should’ve told you that. Please don’t let on that you know.’

Hanna smiled. ‘You can count on me to keep quiet.’ She eyed Hope over the rim of her glass. ‘Not tempted to join her at the big house?’

Hope rolled her eyes. ‘I assume you’re referring to Russell. The answer would be no. I think he’s great. I really do. But I just don’t love him. I must admit though, it might start to feel weird from now on. My sister’s going to be living with Griff, my best friend will soon be married, and her sister’s now with the man of her dreams. So that leaves me on my lonesome.’

‘Oh yeah! I heard about Naomi and Lucas and I was lucky enough to meet him yesterday. Only briefly. They were in the pub last night. I can definitely see why Naomi wanted to find him.’

‘I haven’t met him yet. Grace has. She also said he’s lovely. Fi invited us to her parents’ for a quick drink on Friday before they all head off to Folkestone for the family celebration, so I’ll meet him then.’

‘What’s with that? I mean who wants a massive family gathering and a huge meal the night before their wedding? I know I shouldn’t say this but Greg’s family seems a little odd to me.’

Hope nodded. ‘They’re definitely … different. And I’m with you on the meal, but Fi adores him and she’ll do anything that makes him happy. He feels the same about her, so that’s fair enough.’

‘I don’t know him that well but I’ve always thought Greg was … a little boring. Nice to look at but I feel I want to find his ‘go faster button’ and give it an almighty push.’

‘Me too,’ admitted Hope. ‘I’ve asked Fi a million times what it is that makes her love him. All she says is he has that special something. I have no idea what that is. Grace says she knows. Not about Greg but about Griff. She says he’s got that special something too and that when I meet the right one for me, I’ll know exactly what it is.’

‘Fair point. I can see that. I guess it’s a sort of beauty is in the eye of the beholder kind of thing.’

‘Except it’s not about looks, according to Mum, Grace, and Fi. It’s about a feeling. About just knowing that he’s the one for you and it’s meant to be.’

‘Hmm. You ever felt that?’

Hope took a large gulp of wine. ‘I thought I had once. I was wrong. Now I’m not sure. Although… no. I’m not sure. What about you?’

Hanna shook her head. ‘Nope. Never. Here’s to us singletons.’

Hope raised her glass again and they toasted to being single.

But secretly, if Hope had her way and a certain someone was as nice in the flesh as he sounded on the phone, there was a chance, however slight, that she might not be single for that much longer.

Although as he lived in Bournemouth and she lived in Betancourt Bay, how that would work was a mystery.