Chapter 17
Early the following morning, I woke with a start and lay for some seconds before I worked out what the sound I was listening to was.
‘Rain, rain, go away,’ I muttered as it splashed against and then ran down the bedroom window with some force while I snuggled deeper under the covers in response.
I might have been hoping for some rain to prompt Constance to potentially entertain us with her piano playing, but Kaya hadn’t finished cleaning yet, so rather than moving our evening gathering into the sitting room, it would have to be cancelled rather than relocated.
‘There’ll be no treats tonight,’ I sighed, thinking of Melody’s baking when it became apparent that I wasn’t going to go back to sleep, even though I didn’t now have to get up.
I wasn’t a fair-weather adventurer, but my planned walk around the woods could wait because there was no point in getting soaked for the sake of it.
With a yawn, I pushed back the duvet and swung my legs out of bed.
At least I’d be dry in The Greenman. I was going to see Carter later to ask how him brushing up on his bushcraft skills was coming along.
A knock on the door as I was drinking my first coffee of the day revealed Rick standing in the rain and looking a bit fed up about it.
‘Hey,’ I said. ‘Do you want to come in?’
I opened the door wider, but he stayed outside.
‘I’ll only soak your floor,’ he said considerately, as the water ran off the bottom of his waxed coat and puddled around his boots. ‘Constance has just sent me along to say don’t worry about joining her for breakfast because she’s got to pop out.’
‘In this weather?’ I frowned. ‘Did she say where to?’
I had hoped to run the names of the firms I’d found to value the woods by her, but that would have to wait now.
‘Oddly enough,’ Rick said, rather sardonically, ‘she didn’t share the details of her destination with me, she just asked me to tell you.’
I wondered if she was avoiding me following her relative revelation and I also wondered if Rick knew anything about the mystery person.
He was local born and bred, after all. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask him, but remembering the promise I’d made to Constance that I wouldn’t discuss it, I couldn’t bring myself to break it.
‘I suppose this will be a day off for you then, will it?’ I asked instead and peered out at the rain again. ‘I’m off to see Carter later. You can come if you like. It might be handy for the three of us to talk together.’
‘No day off, I’m afraid.’ Rick shivered and I guessed he was only wearing a T-shirt and shorts under the soaking wet coat. ‘Though I’m heading to a place with a huge glasshouse, so at least I’ll be working under cover.’
Mention of the glasshouse made me think again of my trip to Cambridge and the steamy kisses James and I had shared. I gave a little shiver, but a different one to the kind Rick had just experienced.
‘Where did you just go?’ he grinned. ‘I lost you there for a minute.’
The smile on his face suggested he had an inkling of an idea that I wasn’t now thinking about the weather.
‘Never mind,’ I said, as the beginnings of a blush started to bloom. ‘Thanks for the message. I hope you dry off soon.’
‘So do I,’ he said and flapped the coat in my direction.
‘Don’t!’ I squealed. ‘That’s really cold.’
‘See you later,’ he grinned and walked off.
I shivered again. The temperature had dropped but the garden was looking lush.
The lawn appeared to be three shades greener already, not that it had turned very brown because it was well shaded, but the ferns and hostas were sitting up higher in their pots and along the border.
I supposed I could forgive the forecast if it was doing such wonderful things for the natural world.
Just so long as it didn’t give renewed vigour to the brambles and nettles covering the paths through Willowell Woods.
‘Hey, Tilly,’ Carter greeted me later that morning.
‘Hi,’ I smiled as I pulled off the jacket that hadn’t turned out to be as watertight as the label promised. Thank goodness I hadn’t ended up having to rely on it the day James and I should have walked around the water meadows. ‘What a day!’
‘What a day indeed,’ he said, looking out of the door. There was now what looked like a bubbling stream running along the side of the lane. ‘Isn’t it typical? The one night I can get away to join you all at Fernside this week and the heavens open.’
‘I know,’ I sympathised. ‘What are the odds?’
‘Slim to none,’ he chuckled. ‘But I suppose there’ll be other nights, won’t there?’ I’d already sent a message to our WhatsApp group, so he knew this one was off. ‘What can I get you to drink?’
Given the temperature, I asked for a coffee, and I could see the few customers – mostly drenched walkers who had made a beeline for the cosy pub – were of the same mind.
‘You’re quite busy this morning,’ I commented. ‘At least the rain’s good for business, but are you going to be free to chat?’
‘I can’t really stop,’ Carter said, as another customer rushed in. ‘But here’s some good timing. You could do worse than strike up a conversation with this customer.’
‘Oh?’
‘Hang on,’ he said and headed off to greet the woman.
She was in her forties and wearing a coat that had repelled the rain far better than mine.
She was also sporting a waxed cap, and when she pulled it off, she ran her fingers through her cropped hair to tease it out a bit.
She looked over at me and caught me staring because I was wondering what Carter was saying to her and who she was.
‘Come and say hi,’ I heard Carter say and the pair then came over. ‘Tilly, this is Helen Harper. Helen, this is Tilly.’
‘Hello, Helen.’
‘Hello,’ she said and looked briefly at my coat, which was draped over a barstool and starting to drip on the floor. ‘The weather caught you out too, did it?’
‘It did,’ I nodded. ‘Though you seem to have fared rather better than me.’
‘Helen works for the council,’ Carter said. ‘She’s a planning officer.’
‘Oh,’ I said, feeling suddenly on the back foot. ‘Right.’
‘Carter was just telling me how you’re keen to get people to reconnect with the natural world,’ Helen smiled.
‘I didn’t say more than that,’ Carter said, as my gaze swung back to him. ‘I thought I’d leave the rest to you. Assuming you want to.’
‘Oh dear,’ said Helen, sensing my discomfiture. ‘Has he put his foot in it? If it makes any difference, I’m all for getting folk outdoors, too.’
‘You are?’
‘God, yes,’ she said, while Carter made her a coffee.
‘If it was down to me, fresh air and forest schools would be on the curriculum from nursery education onwards. Kids really miss out if they don’t get taken on nature walks or have a birdfeeder in the garden, and that means they often grow up without knowing the benefit of it, too. ’
Her words were music to my ears.
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ I said earnestly.
‘And I also think we desperately need the opportunity now to plug the gap that lack creates,’ she went on. ‘It’s a pet topic of mine, so forgive me for running on, but I’d love to see more people exploring green spaces on a regular basis, wouldn’t you?’
A deep rumble of thunder cut my answer off.
‘Though perhaps not today, hey Tilly?’ Carter smiled.
‘Not in a thunderstorm,’ I agreed, as lightning flashed and the pub lights flickered, ‘but on every other day, certainly.’
‘So, you really are a fresh air ambassador, too?’ Helen smiled.
‘A fully paid-up member of the club,’ I told her. ‘The benefits to physical and mental health as a result of getting outdoors are second to none so the more time spent doing it the better. But I obviously don’t need to tell you that.’
‘So, what do you think can be done to inspire more people to do it?’ she asked.
I looked at Carter, and he nodded in encouragement.
‘I’m not sure this is the right time or place to get into it,’ I faltered.
‘Let Helen be the judge of that,’ Carter urged.
‘You don’t think I should let Helen be the judge when I apply to the council for permission?’ I asked him pointedly.
‘Well, this sounds serious!’ Helen nudged. ‘You have to tell me now.’
‘Go on,’ Carter nodded. ‘Tell her. Don’t buy her a coffee though, because that could be construed as a bribe. Do you have your notebook with you?’
‘Yes.’ I swallowed and held it up.
‘Come on then,’ said Helen. ‘Let’s go and have a chat.’
Two cups of coffee later, the storm had rolled away, and I had taken Helen through pretty much every aspect of the plan that I had come up with so far.
It had been thrilling to fill her in and the fact that she might well end up being one of the planners who had a hand in deciding both my fate and that of the woods made her enthusiasm even more encouraging.
‘And there’s already been a business on the site?’ she asked again, adding a few more words to the notes she’d made on a page torn from the back of my notebook.
‘That’s right,’ I reiterated. ‘And the wooden building, which was built for that business, already sits wonderfully in the landscape and it won’t need changing. Unless it needs adapting for wheelchair access and conveniences.’
‘So, all you really need from the council is a yes?’
‘That’s right,’ I confirmed. ‘There’s some tree work to carry out, but not a huge amount.’
‘Safety first.’
‘Always. And I’ll keep group numbers small when I do open, so every visiting adult can enjoy the ambience and get the most benefit from their time in the woods.’
‘And limiting numbers would ensure you didn’t end up with cars parked along the lane, too…’
Helen was familiar with the location and the entrance to the site.
‘That’s right. No extra parking would be required.’
She put down the pen Carter had lent her and sat back on her chair. She steepled her fingers while she mulled everything over.
‘I’d love to come and have a look at the place,’ she requested eventually.
‘That can easily be arranged,’ I told her, and I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest. ‘Constance has given me the keys to the gate so I can come and go as I please.’
I didn’t mention that the padlock was currently rusted shut. Helen looked spry enough to clamber over the gate in the same way that I was currently gaining access. Though perhaps bolt croppers and a new padlock and chain would be a better option when it came to impressing her.
‘And she approves of what you have in mind?’ she asked.
‘Completely,’ I confirmed. ‘The only reason we haven’t yet moved further on with the sale is because she needs to have the site properly valued and I need to try and establish the likelihood of getting permission to run the business there.’
‘Well,’ Helen said, as she glanced over her notes again and tapped a polished and manicured nail on the table, ‘I personally can’t think of a single objection to what you have in mind.’
‘Really?’ I squeaked.
‘Really,’ she smiled. ‘Obviously, that’s only my opinion, but you’ve answered every one of my questions and even though it would have to go to committee level because it’s a business in a woodland, the fact there’s been one there before will stand you in excellent stead for getting approval for another.
Especially of the kind you’re proposing. ’
‘I don’t know what to say,’ I gulped, as my eyes filled with very happy tears and I blinked hard to stop them escaping. I was trying to come across as a seasoned professional after all. ‘I can’t tell you what a weight this is off my mind…’
‘But remember,’ Helen cautioned, ‘this is only my opinion.’ However, she then thrillingly added, ‘But the rest of the planning team will get this through. I know they will.’
‘I wish I knew you better Helen,’ I sniffed, becoming completely unprofessional then as I got carried away, ‘because I’d give you the biggest hug.’
She laughed at that and Carter sidled over.
‘So, am I forgiven?’ he asked tentatively, with a sheepish grin. ‘The smile on your face suggests I might be, Tilly.’
‘You could say that!’ I beamed and jumped up to hug him because I had to hug someone.
‘You’ve been talking for ages,’ Carter said, when I eventually let him go.
‘Oh crikey,’ said Helen, in response to the mention of the time. ‘I’ve just seen how late I am! I’m supposed to be in a meeting in twenty minutes.’
‘That’s my fault,’ I grimaced. ‘I’m so sorry.’
‘Do not apologise,’ she told me. ‘This has been a breath of fresh air, and the local and wider community are going to benefit so much from what you’re going to be offering.’
‘And local businesses, too,’ Carter pointed out.
‘Oh yes,’ I said. ‘I can’t believe I forgot. Melody, from the Willowell Store, is going to supply food, Carter here will be occasionally running some courses and Rick, a local gardener and arborist, will be carrying out the tree work.’
‘Wow!’ Helen commented as she pulled on her coat, which looked far drier than mine. ‘This just keeps getting better.’
‘And I’m sure there’ll be other people who’ll come on-board once we’re up and running,’ I puffed, feeling slightly out of breath.
‘I might have a couple of suggestions myself,’ she said ponderously, as she put her cap back on. ‘I’ll get Carter to give you my email and you can get the ball rolling as soon as you and Constance have sorted the sale. Keep in touch, yes?’
‘Super,’ I said, as she made for the door. ‘And yes, I will. Thank you, so much.’
She stopped and looked back. ‘You’re very welcome,’ she smiled. ‘And would that tree guy that you mentioned happen to be Rick, as in—’
‘Yep,’ said Carter. ‘That’s the one.’
‘I thought it might be,’ she said mysteriously, and was gone.
There had been a lull in the rain and the rest of the customers had left by then, which was just as well given the happy squeal and subsequent silly dance I did around the bar.
‘And not a glass of bitter in sight,’ Carter laughed, as he watched me. ‘I know you wanted to throttle me when I introduced you, but I knew there was no one better for you to talk to.’
‘And you were right,’ I applauded him. ‘I take it Helen knows who Rick is?’
‘Um,’ Carter winced and rubbed a hand around the back of his neck. ‘He had a bit of a thing with Helen’s son, Tobias, and it didn’t end well.’
‘Bloody Rick!’ I groaned, assuming it was him causing the heartbreak, which Carter then confirmed it was. ‘If being connected to him scuppers this for me, I’ll brain him.’
‘It’s all water under the bridge,’ Carter said quickly. ‘And besides, Helen is far too professional to let something personal influence her.’
‘Thank goodness for that!’ I snorted, feeling excited again.