Chapter Forty
‘Well,’ said Alice, after the collie dog client had gone. ‘Fancy Mr Fancy Pants parting with five grand for’ – her mouth worked – ‘an oil painting masquerading as a masterpiece.’ She spat the last word out as if it were poison.
‘Does it matter?’ I sighed. It was obvious that Alice was still smarting from Edmund Fairfax’s rebuff.
She was deeply offended that the little man hadn’t fallen over himself to represent her work in his art gallery.
‘The important thing to remember is that the painting has swelled the society’s kitty. ’
‘Huh,’ Alice grimaced. ‘Do you honestly think the Starlight Society stands a chance against the likes of Liam Lancaster?’
‘Whyever not?’
‘Well, the guy obviously has pots of money if he can throw it at a crap painting.’
‘Oh, Alice,’ I sighed again. ‘Give it a rest. Let’s talk about something else.’
‘Like what?’ she said sourly.
‘Actually…’
I trailed off, unsure how to tell her my news.
‘What?’ she pounced. ‘Oh God. What’s happened?’ Her previously annoyed expression had been replaced with one of alarm. ‘Are you ill?’ She reeled in her neck and looked at me with worried eyes.
‘No,’ I said, shaking my head. ‘It’s nothing like that.’
‘What then?’
‘I’m moving.’
‘What?’ she squawked. ‘Stop it!’
‘It’s true.’
‘But, why?’ Her face was now going through a myriad of emotions. Astonishment. Disbelief. And then her features seemed to crumple. I thought she might cry. ‘Don’t leave Starlight Croft, Jen,’ she bleated. ‘I know we haven’t known each other long, but you’re a mate. And for me, a really good one.’
I realised that, despite her bluster – which could be scathing – Alice didn’t have many friends. Living in a village like this one could be quite isolating. Being a singleton didn’t help, not to mention working at home where sometimes the only company was a cow beyond the garden fence.
‘Don’t look so stricken,’ I soothed. ‘I’m not going far.’
‘Really?’
‘At least, I don’t think so. I mean, I haven’t a location in mind because I haven’t started looking. And who knows which area will tick which box? It’s something to think long and hard about.’
‘But why move at all?’ she said. ‘After all, Peter left you well off. He must have been worth a bob or two. You must have received a life insurance payout, not to mention something from his employer.’
Alice was never one to mince her words. However, I made no comment. It was awkward knowing that some people suspected – true or otherwise – that I was a widow worth a small fortune. Instead, I kept my reply simple.
‘Moonlight Manor is a large property. It’s too big for one person.’
‘If keeping it spotless is an issue, get a cleaner,’ she sniffed.
‘It’s nothing to do with housework or having a cleaner,’ I said gently. ‘It’s everything to do with a fresh start.’
Her shoulders slumped.
‘I understand,’ she said reluctantly. Alice then brightened. ‘Perhaps I can come with you when you’re checking out potential properties.’
‘Er, maybe,’ I said nervously. I could imagine it now.
Alice at my heel as I tentatively viewed a dear little cottage.
Feeling like it might be Home Sweet Home until Alice tap-tapped her knuckles along the walls, before declaring the plasterwork had blown and the ceilings were on the brink of collapse.
‘Yes,’ she said enthusiastically. ‘I’ll help you find somewhere. It can be my project. Rehabilitating Jen.’
‘That makes me sound like someone who’s been knocking back the gin and needs rescuing.’
‘Oh.’ She considered for a moment. ‘Okay, Rehoming Jen.’
‘Now I sound like a lost dog. It’s very kind of you but’ – firmness was required – ‘whilst I’d love your input, obviously my children will want to be involved.’
‘Whatever for?’ she frowned. ‘They’re at university. Surely, they’ll be looking for their own places once they’ve graduated?’
‘Well, yes, in time. But that’s still a couple of years away. Plus, it would be nice for James and Joy to each have a bedroom in my new home.’
‘Really?’ She looked perplexed. Some childless women couldn’t understand the maternal pull of the umbilical cord – no matter how old the kids. Alice was one of them.
‘Anyway,’ I chirped, keen to get off the matter of Alice’s self-appointed role regarding my next location. ‘It’s early days. I’ve had the place valued. Now I’m awaiting someone to oversee the floorplans and photography. Currently, the house is only on the market by word of mouth.’
‘Even so’ – Alice blew out her cheeks – ‘it sounds like you’re getting a wiggle on.’
‘Enough about my news. What about you? A few days ago, you swiped right on a guy. What was his name?’
Alice’s expression instantly softened. For a moment she looked dreamy.
‘Benjamin Fromings,’ she whispered. Her tone was so reverent she might as well have murmured Our Lord.’
‘And have you met up with Benjamin yet?’
‘As it happens, I’m meeting him after the fete.
’ She made a strange squeaking noise, then gave herself a little hug.
‘We’re having a drink together at the Starlight Arms. Benjamin doesn’t yet know I live in the village.
But when we were chatting on the phone, he said he’d discovered a cute pub while on a work project.
And then he mentioned our local. How’s that for a coincidence! ’
‘Well, you know what they say’ – I gave her a telling look – ‘it’s a small world. Sometimes incredibly small. So, is Benjamin in the brewery trade?’
‘Do you know, I have no idea.’ Alice chewed her lip thoughtfully.
‘We haven’t shared what we do for a living.
He might well be in the same business as Cilla.
Or perhaps he sells agricultural equipment.
Yes, that might be it. I recently spotted Hugo Cartwright driving a brand-new tractor.
’ A shadow fell across her pretty face. ‘Although…’
‘What?’ I said.
‘I hope Benjamin isn’t a drover.’
‘What the heck is a drover?’ I frowned.
‘A person who takes cows to the abattoir. Perhaps, at the crack of dawn, Benjamin goes to Hugo’s farm and transports livestock to the slaughterhouse.’
‘Are Fern Farm into beef?’ I queried. ‘I thought their herd was dairy only.’
‘I’m sure I’ve seen burgers in the farm shop’s freezer.
Maybe Benjamin takes Hugo’s sheep as well.
Omigod, the lambs!’ Her face screwed up in anguish.
‘I don’t think I can go out with someone who does a job like that.
Can you imagine? And now I’m torturing myself.
All those little furry faces pressed up against the gaps of a trailer, bleating away.
Maaaammy! And their mothers baaing back by way of response. Baaaaby, come baaaack-’
‘For goodness’ sake, Alice. Get a grip.’ Passing spectators were raising their eyebrows at Alice impersonating talking sheep. ‘And I seem to remember you’re very partial to Cilla’s lamb shank in a red wine jus.’
‘Fair point,’ she groaned. ‘Anyway, I’ll keep you posted on how the date goes – including what Benjamin does for a living. Actually, I’ve just had another thought…’
‘What now?’ I sighed.
‘What if Benjamin is a total dog? I mean, he’s been lovely to talk to over the phone, and his profile pic is decent, but what if he uploaded a picture from twenty years ago? What if the rather dashing guy with the nice teeth and good hair is now bald and…’ She flashed me a horrified look.
‘Toothless?’ I said, finishing her sentence.
‘Can you come with me?’ she begged.
‘You want me to accompany you on your date?’ I stared at her incredulously. ‘And who am I meant to be? Your mum? Actually’ – I waggled a finger at her – ‘don’t answer that. Alice, you’re being absurd.’
‘No, what I meant was… come with me as in… you know… sitting in a corner, reading the paper, pretending you don’t know me. And then, if Benjamin turns out to be-’
‘An octogenarian?’
‘Exactly!’ she beamed. ‘I can then make eye contact with you. Give the look. And then you can ring my mobile and make out there’s an emergency and I must leave now.’
‘Alice…’
‘Please,’ she implored.
‘Don’t you want to go home and titivate first?’
‘Not really. I had a shower and washed my hair this morning and have my lipstick in my handbag. I’ll leave my portfolio in the boot of my car, so there’s no need to pop home and dolly up.’
‘Oh for…’
‘Thanks, Jen.’ Alice was all smiles again. ‘Just for half an hour or so. I’d do the same for you.’
‘Okayyy,’ I said reluctantly.
It was only later that I remembered my comment about it being a small world. For Alice, this couldn’t have been truer.