Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
N ina prepared herself as her father slowed his car to a stop on the drive of the Smith family home.
“Be gentle with Ma, she’s going to be upset,” Tony said. Nina had already told him that she was moving to Eversley village.
By the time she reached the front door it was already open with her mother in the doorway.
Once in the lounge Nina used a breezy voice. “I’ve news, I’m moving out this weekend.”
Sumitra put her hands to her cheeks. “No, angel. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to drive you out.”
Nina smiled at her mother and gave her a hug. “It’s not you. I was always going to leave. I’m too independent to live with you two for more than a few weeks.” She leaned back. “You’ve been a lifeline to me over the past six weeks, you’ve cared for me at the lowest point of my life, when I thought I couldn’t carry on. You’ve cooked for me. Taken care of my washing. I couldn’t be more grateful. I’d have crumbled without you, but now I’m feeling much better, I need my own space.”
“Where are you going?” Sumitra wiped her eyes.
“Jaz is letting me live in The Eversley Arms, rent free until I find a place.”
“The pub?”
“They used to do bed and breakfast. And there’s a separate entrance. I can avoid the customers if I need to.” She looked at her father.
“I reacted the same way, Sumitra. But it’s apparently nice up there. Julian’s parents used to let it out.”
“It means I can do more dressmaking. I found it really therapeutic last week and that’s what I need, a distraction. And I’ve so many people to look out for me there, so you needn’t worry.”
“We can help you move,” her father said.
“Yes, of course we can.” Sumitra’s voice was quiet. Nina knew she was wishing she would live with them with the baby, but her father didn’t want that. He wanted to have adventures in his retirement. He’d been talking about the motorhome David Bunning had shown him that evening in a brochure and how it was so posh even Sumitra would love it.
“I’ll have people the other end to move me in, if you can help transport my clothes and belongings over.”
“You can’t bring a child up in the pub!” Sumitra said.
“I’m not, it’s just until I find somewhere else.”
“I’m sure everything will turn out just fine,” Tony said. “Now let’s all have a coffee,” he said diplomatically. “And I’m so pleased that your entrepreneurial skills are still at the fore, with the dressmaking.”
“I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to shake them off.”
“Just wait until the baby’s born,” Sumitra said.
“I hope you’ll both come to the next farmers’ market. I’m going to be selling them there with the other craft stalls.”
“I’m sure you’ll soon have a new income rolling in.” Her father beamed at her.
“It’s labour intensive and I only make a few pounds an item but it’s a great distraction.”
“You could set a website up,” Tony said.
“Let the girl be,” Sumitra said. “You’ve treated her like a workhorse since she was old enough to work in your shop.”
“I’m enjoying it, Ma. It doesn’t feel like work.”
The following day, Nina drove into Lovelands’ car park and smiled as she saw the art barn. It was time she got back to doing what she loved. She’d not been at the sewing machine since she was in her teens and had been surprised how easily it all came back to her.
As she walked inside, it was a hive of activity. With less than a couple of weeks until the next market, many crafters and artists were being spurred into action. She approached Holly who worked at an easel with Trixy asleep on the ground beside her.
“That’s great.”
Holly looked away from the colourful chameleon she was edging in gold paint. “Hey, Nina. I heard the news that you’re moving into The Eversley this weekend.”
“Yes, I’ll only be a walk away from here and be able to run up a lot of clothes to sell at the next market.”
“Don’t work yourself too hard. I know how I felt carrying the twins. I paid for it in the evenings if I worked too much during the day.”
“Trust me, my current life feels sedentary after the last ten years running the boutique and being councillor.”
“I’m probably beginning to sound like your parents.” Holly bit her lip.
“Ma, yes, not Dad. He’s already talking of me setting up an online store,” she said with a laugh.
“You could do so well at that. And you can fit it around the baby.” She gestured around. “It was tough for me, before the girls started school. Luckily, I already had experienced staff.”
“And Mitch,” Nina said in a lower voice.
“I’m sorry. Look, I always said I never knew how you did it, with all your responsibilities. I’m sure you’ll be an amazing mother and an inspiration to us all.”
Another artist looked up from her mosaic. “Hey, Nina. Glad to see you’re here again. I’d love to buy one of those dresses for my friend’s daughter.”
“Of course, Jacky. Feel free to come over and pick one!”
Nina loved the camaraderie of the art barn. She settled at her workstation and pulled out the last of her material. She was running low and had already left her father with an order for his supplier. She wanted to make boys clothes and some in neutral styles and colours. The pretty material the previous dressmaker had left was mainly multicoloured pinks and purples. Her father’s discount with the supplier would be a lot more favourable than anything she could muster up. Once she was established, she’d be in a position to negotiate reductions for larger orders. She smiled to herself, knowing she could never look at a project without seeing the business opportunity.
The morning flew by and the sun streamed in through the high windows, casting a line of light into the room and bringing warmth with it. She’d designed a pattern for trousers and was looking forward to being able to make soft clothes for small babies. She decided she wanted to make as many of her own baby clothes as she could.
“Hey, Nina,” Holly said.
She looked up.
“Do you want lunch over at my caravan? I’ve some paperwork to sort out for the farmers’ market and I’m set up over there.”
“Sure,” she said and stood up.
“Let’s get some sandwiches from the café and take them over.”
They were soon seated outside the caravan. The view across Booth Farm was amazing, with a patchwork of fields in golds and green, laying before the Mendip Hills.
“The silvopasture is coming along. Have you been down to see it yet?” Holly asked.
“No,” Nina said scanning the farm. “Is it the one with the trees?”
“Yes. You’ll have to go down and take a look, I’m sure Warren would love to show you around.” She paused. “He’s rather attractive, don’t you think?”
“He’s not really the usual guy I go for, not that that’s got me very far. Most of my relationships were short lived. Apart from…”
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out with Ethan. You seemed so suited, liking the same things. Both being ambitious.”
“But family wasn’t for him,” Nina said. “And it’s always been something I wanted in my life.”
“I know exactly how you felt, I was the same.”
Holly’s phone rang and she answered it. “Okay.” She ended the call. “I’ve just got to pop to the nursery, the till has frozen in the café and there’s a long line of customers. You finish your lunch and hopefully I’ll be back soon!” Holly hurried away.
Nina looked back to the field but could not see Warren. She continued to eat her sandwich.
“Hey.”
She jumped and looked up.
“Sorry I didn’t mean to creep up on you,” Warren said.
“Oh, hi, I was looking down at your field, it’s much bigger than I imagined.”
“It’s a pasture and in time, will have animals living there as well. You’ll have to come down and take a proper look.”
She smiled up at him. “Sit down and have a sandwich. I know I’m eating for two but they’ve gone overboard.”
He took a seat at the table. “This is a great caravan.”
“Holly used to live in it. After her place burned down.”
“I heard she had a fire years ago. That must have been a shock.”
“It would have been a lot worse if Mitch hadn’t called the fire service who rescued her from the top floor before the place collapsed.” She shuddered at the thought of what could have been, and what wouldn’t have been. The hub would not have been built, the twins would never have existed. “Looking at the big picture, the fire brought Mitch and Holly together and her new life.”
“Wouldn’t life be easier if we could see the big picture when we’re going through a rubbish time.”
“Have you had difficult times?” Nina asked.
“I had a difficult childhood. Nick and Jane pretty much saved me.” He took a deep breath. “Mum died when I was five and then I was brought up in foster homes and never really settled until I met them.”
“That’s hard.”
“So if you are worrying about what sort of mother you’ll be, you’ll be great. I’m not sure I’ve met such a passionate woman before.” He stared into her eyes.
Nina blushed. “So Nick and Jane really were a lifeline for you?”
“Yes, the three of us seemed to slot together and become a family from nearly the start. They won me over with food,” he said with a laugh. His phone dinged with a text and he opened it. “Oh, no.”
“What’s wrong.”
“It’s the guy I was telling you about, Scottie. He’s texted to say he hears I’m going to be back in Bristol for a wedding.”
“Can’t you just ignore him?”
“It’s difficult. As much as I tell myself to cut him loose, he had a worse start than even me.” He rubbed his forehead.
“Warren, if he’s taking advantage of you, he’s not giving much in return is he? Some people will only learn when you cut them loose. You have to be cruel to be kind.” She couldn’t imagine what it was like and wondered if she was being too simplistic. He clearly had a bond with Scottie, she could tell that when he was speaking about him before.
“He’s been on to me ever since he got out of prison.”
“Prison? Hmm, I’m with Nick. It’s probably better to block his number. He’s not on the same path as you and could drag you into trouble.”
“You’re very wise,” he said.
“Yes old and wise.”
“You don’t look much older than me. And what does age matter? Some people die young. Others live to one hundred. It’s more about the ones we have left. My mum was in her early twenties. Younger than I am now.” He looked at her intently.
“I guess so.”
“You shouldn’t stop doing anything you want to do because of age.” He looked deep into her eyes.
She gulped. Could he tell, just by looking at her, what she was thinking? “And what is it I might want to do?” Her old self seemed to burst from the depths. She’d been quite flirtatious before she met Ethan. She blushed and looked down at her baby bump, remembering the reality of the situation.
Warren had not answered, as if he was searching for words.
I’m not exactly a catch. Nina said in her head the words that she wanted to say out loud.
“Ah, and there I was, worried about leaving you alone,” Holly said. “I see you have company.”
Nina looked up.
“I was saying earlier that you should show Nina the field,” Holly said to Warren and then gestured at the farm.
Nina felt hot and wanted to collect her thoughts. Had they really been having a conversation about a potential relationship or was she imagining it? “When you get back from Bristol, I’d love a tour.”
Warren stood up. “I look forward to it.” He grinned. “See you next week.”
“Send Nick and Jane my best wishes and congratulations.”
“I will do.”
Holly sat down and they watched Warren head back to the farm.
“Hope I didn’t interrupt something,” Holly said in a quiet voice.
“Like what?”
“Jaz and I think Warren’s besotted with you.”
“You’ve been discussing us?” Nina laughed.
“Have you picked it up yourself?” Holly said answering with a question.
“No,” Nina lied. “We’re hardly a match made in heaven, are we?”
“Why do you say that?”
“He’s…and I’m…”
“Exactly, no reason whatsoever. I’ll make us a cuppa and then we’ll have to get back to the afternoon.”
As they drank tea and finished off the sandwiches, she spotted Warren working in his field. Yes, they were a lot different. He’d had a tough upbringing, she’d been spoilt. He was in his twenties, she was in her thirties and he just didn’t look like anyone she’d ever dated. Big and muscly with tattoos. She knew he’d never appear on her mother’s list of potential matches. But wow was he good looking. She felt a flutter of excitement in her stomach. If he really does like me, maybe I should follow my heart?