Chapter 2
Dragging her old green suitcase up the step to the quaint lavender-painted door, Polly pressed the doorbell before glancing behind and watching the taxi disappearing down the road.
After a few minutes, the door opened and a woman appeared, her hair escaping from a messy bun and framing her flushed face.
The tips of glittery pink fairy wings were visible above her shoulders and as she greeted Polly, she brandished a silver wand.
‘Hi, oh, you must be Polly Burrows? Is that right?’
Polly blinked before glancing at the little sign next to the front door again.
Yes, it definitely read Pennycress Inn, so she was in the right place.
She just hadn’t been expecting to be welcomed by a life-size fairy.
She cleared her throat. ‘Hi, yes, that’s me.
I’m afraid I’m a little early, but I wondered if there was anywhere I could store my luggage for a few hours before I can check in, please? ’
‘Yes, of course.’ Swinging the door open wide, the woman waved her wand towards Polly’s suitcase. ‘I’ll get that for you. Come on in.’
‘Thanks.’ Stepping inside, Polly looked around the large hallway. The dark oak floorboards were complemented by gorgeous, flowered wallpaper and a large decorative staircase wound its way upwards next to the reception area.
Pulling the suitcase inside, the woman closed the door before turning to Polly. ‘I’m so sorry. I can’t remember if I introduced myself or not. I’m Laura and welcome to Pennycress Inn.’
‘Thanks. It’s beautiful in here.’ Following her towards the large oak reception desk tucked beneath the ornate staircase, Polly jumped aside as two children ran from the door to her right before disappearing into the room opposite.
‘Careful!’ Laura called after them.
‘I’m going to turn them into frogs!’ A small girl raced after them, holding an overly bright wand with the words ‘Happy Birthday’ emblazoned in the centre of the star-shaped head.
That explained Laura’s fancy dress outfit. Polly must have walked in on a children’s birthday party.
‘Slow down, Willow! We don’t want you tripping on your birthday, do we?’ Laura grimaced.
Coming to an abrupt halt, the small girl, Willow, turned and looked across at Laura. ‘Sorry.’
‘That’s okay.’ Laura glanced towards the door the girl had run out from as a woman followed her through into the hallway.
‘Come on, Fairy Princess Willow, Laura’s right. You can’t be running around the inn like this. Let’s go and play musical statues. I have prizes.’ The woman held up a bag brimming with small toys.
‘Ooh, prizes!’ Lowering her wand, Willow approached the woman. ‘Can you make sure I win, Mummy? It is my birthday.’
Shaking her head, the woman laughed before turning to Laura and Polly. ‘I’m so sorry. I’ll try to contain the chaos.’
‘Oh, don’t worry. I’ve arrived early, so pretend I’m not actually here.’ Polly smiled. By the looks of things, the inn doubled as a base for children’s parties and the last thing she wanted to do was to curb any enjoyment when it was her fault she’d decided to get to Meadowfield so early.
‘You may just regret saying that.’ The woman laughed.
‘That’s true.’ Laura looked at Polly. ‘Is it okay if I call you Polly?’
‘Yes, of course.’ Polly grinned. She had a feeling she was going to enjoy staying here.
‘Thanks.’ Laura continued and waved her wand between Polly and the other woman. ‘Polly, this is Jill. She’s the genius who brings the inn’s gardens to life, whatever the season. Jill, this is Polly, who will be staying with us for three months. That’s right, isn’t it?’
Polly nodded. ‘Yes. All being well, at least.’
‘Lovely to meet you, Polly. And welcome to Meadowfield.’ Stepping forward, Jill took Polly’s hand in hers as her daughter, Willow, made an attempt to snatch the bag of prizes. ‘I promise you it’s not normally like this. Pennycress is usually a peaceful place to stay.’
‘Don’t worry. I used to be a primary school teacher, so this is nothing.’ Polly waved her hand to encompass Willow, the music and shrieks wafting from the other rooms.
‘Haha, Jill’s right. I mean, we do cater for children’s parties and other celebrations, but we keep those strictly for during the day.’ Laura smiled.
‘Come on, Willow. Let’s give Laura and our guest a bit of that peace we’re talking about.’ Lifting the bag of prizes just out of reach above Willow’s head, Jill glanced back at Polly. ‘See you around.’
‘Okay.’ Willow crossed her arms, almost batting herself in the face with her large wand as she did so, and watched her mum disappear through the doorway. Then, a mischievous glint in her eye, Willow pointed her wand at Laura and Polly in turn. ‘And I turn you into frogs!’
‘Ribbit, ribbit.’ Laughing, Laura shook her head as Willow chased after her mum. As the music was turned up, Laura walked across to the door and quietly closed it. ‘Sorry.’
‘Honestly, it’s no problem. It’s good to hear the children enjoying themselves.
’ Polly smiled. The children hadn’t been the reason she’d left teaching.
It had been the politics and the never-ending tasks thrown at her to add to the never-ending to-do list, and the fact the senior leadership team had appeared to care more about the same set of data being inputted into five different formats rather than allowing her to use her time to actually plan and resource lessons she’d be presenting to the children.
‘Sorry again for being so early. I’ll get out of your hair as soon as I’ve sorted my bags. ’
‘Not a problem and you’re very welcome to check in early. Your room is ready and waiting.’ Tucking her wand beneath her arm, Laura walked behind the counter. ‘You’re here for work, right?’
‘Yes, that’s it.’ Polly grinned. It was Monday tomorrow, the start of a brand-new week and the beginning of the rest of her life. ‘I’m starting a new job just outside of Meadowfield in the morning.’
‘Oh, you must be excited?’ Laura dipped behind the counter, the tips of her wings just visible above the oak surface. Standing back up, she held a key in her hand.
‘I am. It’s been a long time coming and I’ve worked hard to be able to change careers, so, honestly, I just can’t wait to get started.’ Polly pulled the straps of her tote bag higher up her shoulder.
‘A career change?’ Laura pointed towards the stairs before lifting Polly’s suitcase and beginning the ascent. ‘That’s what I did when I bought this place last year. It was the best decision I ever made, so I can empathise with you.’
‘Wow, did you? It really is gorgeous.’ Taking a final look around the grand hallway, Polly then followed her upstairs, running her hand along the intricately carved banister.
‘Thanks.’ After walking across the landing, Laura paused before swinging a door open. ‘Here’s your room.’
Stepping inside, Polly took in the large mahogany four-poster bed, the puffy cream bedding, and the beautiful rose-patterned wallpaper behind the headboard. ‘It’s just as beautiful as the rest of the place.’
‘Oh, thank you.’ Beaming, Laura positioned the suitcase against the wall next to the door. ‘I’ll let you get settled in. In half an hour, we will have finished the party, so you’re welcome to join me and Nicola, who also works here, in the kitchen for a well-earned cuppa as we recuperate!’
‘Haha, that would be lovely.’ Polly watched as Laura closed the door behind her before walking towards the large window overlooking the back garden.
Even though it had begun to rain, she could imagine it would be a great place to sit and enjoy a coffee in the warmer weather, and with the flowerbeds still teeming with seasonal flowers and greenery, she could tell Jill was a talented gardener.
A large willow tree sat in the middle of the vast lawn, a wooden bench positioned perfectly to allow the canopy to keep anyone sitting beneath it dry.
Maybe she could enjoy a coffee beneath it in the morning before work.
It could become a tradition of hers whilst she stayed here.
Whatever the autumn weather decided to throw at them.
Slowly turning, she rummaged in her bag for her mobile before leaning against the window ledge and bringing the phone to her ear. She’d promised her best friend and former colleague a call to tell her she’d arrived safely.