Chapter 29
Early the following morning, I was stunned to find Maddie in the kitchen, dressed and waiting for me.
‘I didn’t explore the farm yesterday,’ she said, ‘but, if I help you this morning, will you have time to give me a tour?’
‘Absolutely, yes.’
As we left the farmhouse with the dogs, I gave Maddie an overview of the morning routine.
Willow arrived on her bike and I introduced them, amused by the exchange of shy smiles considering Willow had come across as really confident from our first meeting and I’d never known Maddie to be shy.
They were two school years apart but there was only fourteen months between them so I’d like to think they could become friends, although a spot of subtle meddling from me wouldn’t go amiss.
‘Why don’t you two tackle Barn View together while I make a start on Boggy End?’ I suggested as we made our way to the pastures at the back. ‘Willow, would you mind explaining where the field names come from?’
Willow nodded as she led Maddie into Barn View.
I went into Boggy End beside it and started poo-picking.
It wasn’t long before I heard giggles from them and it warmed my heart to see Maddie smiling and her and Willow deep in conversation.
I hoped a friendship would develop. I’d had concerns – rightly so – about Carmen within a week of her friendship with Maddie but Willow was completely different.
She gave off such a positive energy which I hoped would pass onto Maddie.
She was a nice, polite, uncomplicated outdoorsy girl – exactly how Maddie used to be.
We worked round the pastures, introducing Maddie to each of the horses.
It was lovely seeing her interacting with them as though she hadn’t completely cut horses out of her life two years ago, and I was delighted when she asked if she could have the tour of the farm on horseback with Willow.
I’d have liked to give her the tour myself but she might respond better to it if Willow was her guide.
Maddie hadn’t spent much time around heavy horses but was clearly mesmerised by them and I hoped that spending the morning working with the horses followed by a ride would remind her of the world she’d once loved so much.
It was certainly great to see her smiling and laughing, reminding me of the old sunny Maddie.
I prayed this was how things would stay.
* * *
Des and Hunter returned to complete the fencing and Des said they’d probably be finished before lunch.
The plan was to return the horses to the front pastures before opening day on Wednesday.
If we had any visitors, it was better for them to see some animals as they approached the farm rather than be met with empty fields.
I was in the stables with Mam later that morning when we saw Hunter walk past with some of their tools so presumably the fence was finished.
Des appeared a few minutes later, asking if we’d like to inspect their work, so Mam and I wandered round the perimeter of Big Field with him.
It might have cost more than we’d originally planned but I was glad we’d had the whole fence replaced as it looked fantastic.
‘Thanks so much for fitting us in, Des,’ I said. ‘This looks so much better for opening day.’
‘Our pleasure. We’ve finished earlier than expected this morning so if there’s any little jobs you need doing, just shout.’
‘Actually, there’s a wooden shack in one of our furthest fields – the size of a small garden shed – and it doesn’t look safe. Is there any chance you’d be able to take it down now or at some point before we reopen on Wednesday?’
‘I can’t imagine it’ll be a big job. I’ll grab the lad and do it now for you.’
The three of us headed to the farmyard where Des’s truck was parked.
From a distance, I could see Hunter was talking to Maddie and they both had their phones out.
I glanced at Mam and she smiled. Were they exchanging phone numbers?
I knew that Hunter was single from a passing comment Des had made.
He’d come across really well in a few brief chats I’d had with him.
Whether they formed a friendship or something more, the alarm bells certainly didn’t ring around Hunter like they’d done with Alfie.
It didn’t take long for Des and Hunter to dismantle the shed so they were gone by lunchtime.
‘How was your ride this morning?’ Mam asked Maddie over lunch.
‘Good. I was a bit nervous at first – been a while – but it soon came back to me. Scout’s a lovely horse.’
Mam nodded. ‘And you got on well with Willow?’
‘Yeah, she’s nice.’
‘What were you chatting about?’ I asked.
‘None of your business,’ she snapped, flashing her eyes at me. ‘Do I interrogate you about your conversations with Jude?’
I dropped my sandwich onto my plate, reeling at Maddie’s reaction. She’d been pleasant all morning but I should have known it was too much to expect a complete personality reversion overnight.
‘I was just trying to make conversation and I don’t appreciate the sarcastic tone.’
‘Yes, boss! From now on, I’ll stay silent so I don’t upset anyone. Would that work better for you?’
‘Maddie!’ Mam exclaimed.
Maddie was staring at me, that familiar challenge in her eyes for me to respond.
A feeling of weariness consumed me from head to toe.
Her helping on the farm this morning, laughing with Willow, riding Scout and engaging with Hunter had lulled me into a false sense of security.
If being supportive and understanding about her pregnancy scare wasn’t going to help build bridges between us, I had no idea what was. Appetite gone, I pushed my plate away.
‘You know what, Maddie? You do what you want. I thought we’d had a breakthrough yesterday but…’ I shoved my chair back, shaking my head. ‘I’ll be in the stables, Mam.’
I called the dogs and left the farmhouse, releasing a heavy sigh. After two years of attitude, the occasional snarky comment was going to slip out but that hadn’t been that. Was there any hope for us?