Chapter 34
Hazelwick Farm Animal Encounters would open to the public for the first time at ten o’clock.
As we weren’t anticipating an immediate rush, I’d asked Willow to return at eleven.
Immediate rush? We weren’t expecting a rush at all and that was all right because we’d intentionally chosen a mid-week opening day to ease us into things and hopefully iron out any teething problems by the weekend.
‘How are you feeling?’ I asked Mam as we sat at the kitchen table for breakfast.
‘I thought I’d be fine but I’m really nervous.’
‘About nobody coming?’ It was my biggest fear.
She shook her head. ‘About too many coming and me not being able to keep up. I think I’ve sussed how to use the till and the coffee machine but it’s one thing practising with you and Jude and another dealing with a queue of paying customers.’
‘If it is busy first thing, I’ll stay in the café and help you until Willow arrives,’ Jude said. ‘We can muddle through together and I’m sure everyone’ll understand that it’s all new and service might be a little slower at first.’
Mam was scattering blueberries over her granola. My stomach was in knots but I needed something inside me so I unpeeled a banana.
‘Too nervous to eat,’ I said. ‘I keep telling myself that it’s going to take time to build things up and it’s fine if we start really slowly, but that doesn’t stop the butterflies. I’m sure they’ll settle once the first visitors arrive.’
After we’d finished breakfast, Mam and Jude went across to the café to make the scones and a couple more traybakes while I took Nova and Skye for a walk round the farm, making some final checks that the gates were all secure and no litter had blown onto the farm overnight.
Mam’s former riding student, Claire, had written a great piece for yesterday’s issue of the Northumberland News accompanied by some fabulous photos of the horses and goats.
She’d also included a photo she’d taken of Mam and me behind the serving counter in the café and I’d felt sad looking at it, wishing Maddie had been there too.
Mam’s words to Maddie from the day after we moved in – I’m really excited about three generations of women from my family running a business together – had been on my mind a lot this past week and I was both hurt and disappointed that Maddie was still showing no interest in what we were creating here.
I wished I could dismiss it as her loss, but it was my loss and Mam’s.
I realised now that I’d harboured far too romantic a belief that getting Maddie away from Alfie and Carmen and back to nature would quickly fix whatever had gone wrong between us.
I’d bought several copies of the newspaper and had cut the article out of each – one to frame and hang in the museum, one to place in a Hazelwick Farm scrapbook, one to post to Ned and another to send to Erica along with my new contact details.
This was the final time I’d reach out to her.
If she chose not to respond to news of such a major change in my life I’d need to accept that, much as I wished it wasn’t the case, our friendship had run its course.
At 9.50 a.m. Mam, Jude and I gathered by the main gate. We could see a long way down the track and there was no sign of any cars.
‘Photo time!’ Jude said, taking out her phone and getting Mam and me to stand behind the gate, in front of the gate and on the track with the gate open, ready to receive our first visitors.
Mam took a photo of Jude and me and I took a selfie of us all but, again, it struck me that Maddie was missing and, even worse, she’d chosen not to be here.
We’d discussed opening time with her and I’d said how lovely it would be if she could be at the gate before then for photos with me and Mam.
I’d sent her a reminder message this morning and, frustratingly, I could see that she’d read it but hadn’t responded.
Even if she hadn’t wanted to be part of the photo shoot, a good luck message would have been appreciated, but I was determined not to let it upset me on such a special day.
‘Cars!’ Jude said, grabbing my arm and making my heart pound.
A car was making its way up the track and there was a small van a little way behind it.
‘That’s Hope’s car,’ Mam said as it came closer.
I felt a flicker of disappointment that it wasn’t a stranger seeking us out, but that was pushed aside by delight that my sister was here. She’d kept that quiet.
‘I was determined to be your first paying visitor,’ Hope said, smiling at us from her open window. ‘And I’m hoping there’s a warm cheese scone with my name on it, but I’m being pursued by a van so I’ll park up at the house.’
Hope drove away and Mam followed on foot as the van driver stopped beside Jude and me.
‘Floral delivery for Hazelwick Farm,’ she said.
I directed her towards the house and ran after her, leaving Jude by the gate in case anyone else appeared.
‘You’re popular today,’ the driver said, opening the double back doors as I reached her. ‘Two deliveries. Special occasion?’
‘The farm’s reopening for visitors today so I’m guessing they’re congratulations flowers.’
‘What do you do here?’ she asked as she handed me a bouquet of vibrant orange and yellow flowers. ‘I’ve only just moved to the area.’
‘We’ve got heavy horses, regular horses, a pony, some pygmy goats and lots of land. Visitors can wander round, look at the horses, feed the goats and hopefully have something to eat and drink in the café.’
‘Sounds lovely. I’ll come back on one of my days off.’
Mam had joined me and she took the second bouquet – a stunning mixture of colours. Both our names were on each envelope so they were definitely congratulations flowers. We waved the driver off and took the flowers inside. Hope followed us carrying a gift bag.
‘They’re from Jude,’ Mam said, reading the card accompanying the bouquet she’d carried.
‘To Grace and Frances, I’m so excited to be here with you as you embark on your new adventure.
I already feel inspired by your animals, your beautiful farm and, most of all, by both of you.
This is only the beginning and I know it’s heading somewhere magical. All my love, Jude.’
Tears glistened in her eyes as she put the card down. ‘Oh, that’s so sweet of her.’
How lucky was I to have a best friend like Jude? I had to push down the lump in my throat before I could read the contents of the other card and I did a double-take when I saw who’d sent those flowers.
‘Wishing you a successful first day. You’ve already transformed the farm and I’m sure you’ll transform the business. All the best from Caleb and Scampi.’
‘Who’s Scampi?’ Hope asked.
‘Caleb’s dog.’
‘That is too cute. So you and Caleb, eh?’ She gave me a knowing look.
‘Behave! Mam’s name’s on the envelope too.’ I raised it to show her. ‘He’s a friendly neighbour, that’s all, and most of the time he’s not even friendly.’
‘But you wish he was,’ Hope teased.
There was a roll of poo bags on the table which I picked up and tossed at her, making her squeal.
‘I come bearing gifts too.’ Hope placed the bag on the table. Inside were two bottles of prosecco, a large box of chocolates from a fantastic chocolatier in Alnwick and a gorgeous homemade card from Lola and Max.
‘They can’t wait to come back on Sunday to see the horses and goats again,’ Hope said. ‘And hopefully their big cousin too?’
It was clearly a question and I shook my head. ‘Your guess is as good as mine.’
‘Best get back to the café,’ Mam said.
‘And I’d better come with you to pay my entrance fee.’
‘You’re not paying,’ I said, frowning at Hope.
‘Yes, I am! I’m so proud of you both for what you’re doing here and it’s a privilege to say I’m your first visitor.’
We’d already hugged her to thank her for the gifts and we hugged her again for being so lovely and supportive.
I hesitated as to whether to go up and see Maddie but what would I say?
The photo opportunity had passed and I could hardly demand she wished us luck.
Instead, I headed over to the café with Mam and Hope.
Even though our first paying customer was family, it was still a momentous moment and I wanted to take a photo.
Despite only managing half a banana earlier, the smell of scones blended with a couple of fresh traybakes – old school cake and chocolate brownies – had my stomach rumbling.
‘It smells divine in here, Mam,’ I said.
She smiled widely. ‘I’m proud of how everything’s turned out. Hopefully we’ll have some customers to eat everything but, if not, that’s lunch and tea sorted for us for the next few days.’
‘Mmm, healthy!’ Hope said, laughing.
She paid her entry fee, bought two bags of goat pellets and ordered a cheese scone and a large cappuccino. Conscious I’d abandoned Jude, I left Hope to chat to Mam.
‘Thank you so much for the gorgeous flowers,’ I said, rushing up to hug my friend.
‘You’re welcome. I wanted to do something to mark the occasion.’
‘Your card made us both cry.’
‘I meant it. You both inspire me. I think your mum’s amazing and you’ve been an inspiration since the minute I met you.’
‘Right back at you,’ I said.
‘I haven’t felt very inspirational since Ross Langley acquired Silvervale but, just being here with you, I can feel my zest for life flowing back through my veins. And this place? Absolutely perfect.’
* * *
It was a beautiful sunny day and there was nothing more we could do to prepare the farm so Jude and I decided to remain where we were until eleven o’clock. Welcoming visitors at the gate wouldn’t be part of the regular service but it felt like something I wanted to do today.
Shortly before eleven, a vehicle crawled up the farm track and my heart leapt.
‘Delivery van or customers?’ I asked Jude.
‘I think it’s a people carrier.’
‘Gosh, I hope so.’
The vehicle reached us and the driver – a woman probably in her early thirties – slowed down.
‘Good morning!’ I said, smiling at her. ‘Are you here to visit the animals?’
There was another woman in the passenger seat but the back windows were blackened and, without getting uncomfortably close, I couldn’t see if there was anyone in the back.
‘We are. It’s definitely under new management, right?’
‘Yes! My name’s Grace, this is my friend Jude, and I own the farm with my mam, Frances, who’s in the café.’
‘The café’s open?’ she asked, her eyes shining.
‘It is, although we’re starting with a limited selection.’
‘As long as I can get a coffee and a cake, I’m happy,’ her companion said.
‘We have both,’ I said, smiling at her.
‘We used to come all the time,’ the driver said. ‘The kids loved the animals – we all did – but me and my sister love a bit of cake when we meet up, don’t we, Becca?’
‘We live for cake and we got sick of finding the café closed so we stopped coming. Then Gabby saw the piece in the paper yesterday and we thought we’d give you a chance.’
‘I’m delighted you have and I hope you enjoy your visit. Parking’s in the same place as before and the entrance is still through the café. Jude and I will be near the horses so feel free to ask us any questions or explore at your leisure – whatever works best for you.’
They thanked us and pulled away. Jude slipped her arm round my waist.
‘First strangers to arrive and it sounds like they’ll be regulars. The magic begins here. I think we’ll have others today but, even if we don’t, this is a start.’
It was and the great news was they’d seen the article in the Northumberland News and decided to give a much-loved destination another chance.
With any luck, there’d be others like them as well as those who’d never been before – perhaps didn’t even know we existed – and it would build from there. The magic starts here.