Chapter 10
Ten
“Harri, darling, we’re heading off now!”
My granny’s voice pulls me from the dream I was having. A dream about Sam and Greg and everything going wrong. A nightmare more like. I hear her shout again.
“Harri, we’re leaving now!”
I ease my eyes open and croak out a sleepily reply. “I’m coming down now!”
I pull myself up out of bed. Cold sweat drips down the back of my neck and hair. I pull on my dressing gown and stagger down the stairs.
“What time is it?” I ask, wiping the sleep from my eyes.
Granny looks at her watch. “Almost ten,” she says.
“I can’t believe I slept in! I’m so sorry!
Can I help load the car?” I ask, still shocked I slept in.
It must have been the forest air. Aradia and I walked for a good few hours collecting flowers, berries and fungi that she told me Granny uses in her concoctions.
Each natural resource serves a purpose to the human body.
It was fascinating learning about it. And a welcome distraction.
“No, no, sweetheart, it’s all done. I didn’t want to wake you, but thought you might panic if we didn’t say bye,” Granny says comfortingly.
“Thank you, and you’re sure you don’t want me to come?”
“You’re fine here. You have plans anyway, don’t you?” she questions.
“She does indeed.” Aradia appears from the kitchen with the last of the stock, smiling from ear to ear. I told her that it wasn’t just Hannah and Lois, but also Sam would be joining us. I swear that woman hears wedding bells whenever his name is mentioned.
Granny clasps her hands together. “Well, that is settled then. Now I have left you some lasagne in the fridge, bread in the bread bin and some other bits. Please help yourself to anything. Nettle’s food is under the sink.
He will let you know when he is hungry. The chickens are fed.
I’ve left the numbers of a few of the villagers just in case you need anyone while we’re out and twenty pounds near the front door.
We will be back tomorrow morning early.”
“You really didn’t have to do any of that, and please don’t leave me money. I’ve got money, Granny.” I laugh.
She shoos me away. “Psh, you’re my granddaughter and if I want to give you twenty pounds for a drink at the pub, I will.”
“Thank you.” I smile.
When I was younger my mother and father left all the time. No warning. Just a note left telling me they had flown somewhere exotic, and the au pair will look after me. Having someone care about you so much even when they are leaving for one night and an adult, it is soul warming.
Aradia puts the last box in the car. I stand at the door.
My breath shows up in the chilly air. Aradia gives me a big hug, followed by my granny.
They both set off in the banged-up Beetle which takes a few turns to get going.
I wave until the yellow rust machine is no longer in sight.
The woodland around me seems eerily quiet. I go back inside and shut the door.
I go and put the kettle on for a coffee. Nettle comes up to my legs and rubs against them purring.
“Well, it’s just me and you, Nettle. What shall we do with our day?”
Nettle stares up at me then waddles over to a sun patch near the French doors and curls up.
“That sounds like a great idea.” I laugh.
I pour the coffee into my cup, pull out a packet of Rich Tea biscuits and grab a book from the bookshelf to settle down for the day.
It’s amazing how slowing down allows you to rest. To do things like reading for hours or walking outdoors without a rush.
In the city, life is always on the go. I have found that the few weeks I have been here, my body has slowed.
My mind has slowed. I feel lighter, more at peace. Lazy days are welcomed and not judged.
Lost in my book I don’t notice my phone going off until I check to see what time it is. It’s 3:04 pm. The day has flown by! Thank you, Charlotte Bronte.
I have one unread message from my mother.
Spoke to Mrs Belfour. So glad she was able to convince you to see sense. Enjoy the rest of your break and I’ll see you at the Winter Wonderland Ball. X
Urgh. Great. The devil works hard but Mrs Belfour works harder. It has been less than twenty-four hours, and she has already let the whole of London know I am coming back. I have less than six weeks to produce a plan. But what? How can I possibly get out of this one?
I turn to look at Nettle who has moved along with the sun patch on the kitchen floor. “Oh, Nettle, I’m fucked, aren’t I?”
He lifts his little head and I’m sure I see him nod. Or I just want a bit of sympathy.
“Well, if this is all I have, six weeks, I best enjoy them, right?” I’m looking at him desperate for some reassurance. I know I am not going to get it but worth a try.
Nettle stands up and stretches before waddling back over to me for a scratch.
“Thanks, cat.” I sigh, stroking his soft fur. He rubs his little head into my hand before jumping up onto the sofa.
I stretch my arms above my head after sitting for so long. “Well, I best get myself dressed if I am going to go out and enjoy myself. Hardly going to make friends in last night’s pyjamas, am I? Maybe I should just cancel. What am I even doing, Nettle?”
Nettle plops down and curls back up into his warm little ball.
“You don’t know how lucky you are, pussycat. You’re impressive without dressing up and making an effort and you don’t have any family drama to deal with! Well, none that I know of.” I stoke his little head again and he lets out a deep purr.
I can’t spend my evening talking to a cat. Granny and Aradia are gone until tomorrow. I need to get out.
I take a slice of lasagne out of the fridge and pop it in the microwave. I pour myself a glass of red and eat. My granny should have been a chef because she is an amazing cook. Nettle invites himself to sit next to my table and I offer him some cheese from the top. He gladly accepts.
After dinner I head upstairs to find something that is not a lasagne-stained pyjama top. It has been a while since I have gone “out out”. And “out out” in London is heels and an expensive dress. I feel like that is not the vibe in a country pub.
I settle on half and half. A silver skirt with a bright red jumper and cowboy boots.
I place my long hair up in a loose bun and add a red lip.
It is nice playing with style and not worrying that I’ll be the gossip of tomorrow because I wore the wrong outfit.
I pour another glass of wine as I look at the clock: 5:45 pm.
Sam text last night that they will swing by in a taxi at 6 pm.
Suddenly the nerves kick in. I had tried to stop it with the wine, but that’s made it worse.
I’m about to be social with people who know me as Harri and not Harriet Montgomery. And I am about to probably get slightly tipsy with a man I kind of, very much have a small, big crush on.
I take a deep breath and smooth down my outfit in the full-length mirror. Do I look silly in this? Too late to change, isn’t it? I let out a sigh and nod at myself in the mirror. I look fine and it will have to do!
The doorbell rings. They are early!
I run down the stairs, trying to drink the rest of my wine as I go. Risky move but I’m apparently all about risk now.
“I’m coming!” I shout to the door. I grab my coat, phone and keys and get to the door. I open to see Sam standing there, leaning against the porch. His eyes look me up and down as a smile creeps up his face. His eyes twinkle in the light from the hallway.
“You scrub up nice, London.”
“So do you, Sam Thorne.” I blush.
He lets out a laugh. He does look good though. He is wearing black jeans and a plain green shirt which strains over his biceps. He smells like aftershave. A dark musky aftershave that excites my senses. I can see the taxi waiting behind him in the darkness.
“Lois and Hannah are waiting in the car.” He points to the taxi on the driveway. “If you’re ready?”
He breaks me from my trance of staring at him. “Sure, sorry! Let me just lock up.” I smile, fumbling my keys in my hands.
I lock the door, and we make our way to the car.
“You OK in the back with the girls? I’m a bit long.” He’s right. He is six-foot-something at least.
“No, of course, that’s fine.”
He opens the door for me so I can get in. Lois and Hannah shuffle over to make room.
“Hey,” they chime in unison.
“Love the skirt. So cute!” Hannah chirps.
“Thank you. You guys look cute too!”
“It’s all Hannah. She dresses me.” Lois laughs. She’s wearing black jeans and a leather jacket with her hair slicked back. Hannah is in a cute tea dress with a thick woollen coat and mustard yellow tights.
“What about me?” Sam turns to look at us. “Am I cute too?” His eyes meet mine then continue to Hannah and Lois.
“The cutest little baby boy,” Lois teases.
“Thank you.” He smiles smugly. “So, Harri, you’ve not been to Ravenswick yet, have you? It is nice. Maybe we can do it in the day sometime. Show you around and all that.”
“Smooth,” Hannah whispers just loud enough for us all to hear. Sam looks embarrassed.
“I’d love that,” I reassure him, and I would. I should not want to spend alone time with him, but it’s all I want to do.
He nods his head, acting as cool as he can.
“I am so ready for a pint as soon as we get in The Fox.” He sighs from the front.
“And me!” Lois replies.
“Do you drink wine, Harri?” Hannah leans over Lois to ask.
“I do. White, red, rose, as long as it’s wet.”
“Perfect! You are my sharing friend tonight then!” Hannah squeals.
“Great, I get to deal with the two winos tonight instead of the usual one.” Lois rolls her eyes and smiles.
Hannah playfully taps her hand. “Oh stop, you love it.”
Lois kisses Hannah on the nose. “I do.”