‘That bad, huh?’ Cassie’s voice brightened with her next words. ‘So no hot blacksmiths hammering over anvils or hunky farmers tossing bales around, then?’
‘It’s been twelve hours, Cassie.’ Pippa was picturing the mischievous expression on her friend’s face without needing to see it. She knew precisely what Cassie would say if she happened to mention a hot vet instead. ‘I’ve been asleep for most of them.’
‘You’re permanently asleep where men are concerned, Pippa. You’re so gorgeous, you could have anyone you wanted.’
‘Well if I can’t have Dave, is there even any point?’ Pippa and Cassie had adored the Foo Fighters since the earliest days of the band and Pippa had loved Dave Grohl forever. They’d met him once at a festival with her dad, and she’d been so overcome she’d burst into tears. Not remotely cool for a thirty-year-old and she preferred to nurture her love from afar these days. He’d scrawled a message on her Foo Fighters T-shirt that memorable day and she’d still never washed it in case his words wore out.
‘How was Raf?’ Pippa remembered Cassie saying she’d recently contacted her brother. ‘I haven’t seen him for a while, he cancelled our last lunch.’
‘Actually we didn’t speak, couldn’t find the right moment in between everything else. He replied though, to say he thought you were fine and not to worry. Why?’
‘Just wondered. I know he’s back from Sweden and Freddie mentioned they were supposed to be going to a gig in Islington, and then Raf pulled out at the last minute.’ Pippa bit her lip; her brother might be only a year younger than her, but she’d never stopped worrying about him. Raf had dealt with his grief over their mum differently and the occasions when he let Pippa in were rarer since he’d begun drumming with their dad’s band ten years ago.
‘Last time we spoke I got the impression that all is not well with Lina since he got back from Australia, and this is what he does when he’s unhappy. Takes himself out of reach somewhere. Just like Dad.’
There was a pause and Pippa heard Cassie drag in a breath before she huffed out something not quite a laugh.
‘I very nearly said I’d get Ewan to check in with him,’ Cassie said quietly. ‘It’s what we always did, when Raf took off. Ewan could usually track him down. They were always close.’
‘Cass, I’m so sorry, I didn’t think…’
‘Please don’t worry. It’s been eighteen months, Pippa. I’m getting used to it.’ Cassie hesitated. ‘It’s just sometimes there are still days when I wake up, Ewan’s not there and then I remember about the accident and it’s like starting again, with the grief. I’m fine, we’re fine. You’re not to worry.’
‘I can’t help it,’ Pippa said softly. Cassie’s husband Ewan had been Raf’s best friend; it was how he and Cassie had met back in the day, and they all kept an eye on Raf in their own way. ‘I wish I didn’t have to for your sake, that you’re not all going through this.’
‘I know. Thank you. It helps, having you there for us.’ Losing Ewan in a cycling accident on his way to work had left his family distraught, and Cassie and Raf bereft.
‘Is there anything I can do?’
‘Just keep doing what you do. Being there, supporting us. It means everything. I love you for that and many other things.’
‘Me too,’ Pippa said softly. It was easy to get caught up in her own life and that of her family’s, and Cassie deserved more of her time, especially after what she and her children had lost. ‘I’m hoping the house won’t take long to sort out, but if we are still here when the girls finish camp, then definitely come and stay. The girls would love it and we could have some time together before you go to Galloway.’
‘That sounds perfect,’ Cassie said wistfully. ‘I’m sorry, I have to go. Urgent meeting about that effing chef who wants to hold a book launch at The Bennington. You know the one, charm personified in public. Another catch-up soon?’
‘Definitely. I ought to head off anyway. I’m hungry and Harriet’s hangry, which is even worse. I’m outside the village shop in search of breakfast.’
‘I love a village shop,’ Cassie replied, and Pippa knew she was determined to focus on now and not before; it was how her friend coped with the new life that had been forced upon her. ‘All those freshly baked carbs and cakes. Can’t beat it, it’s how I always know I’m on holiday. Ambling down first thing and coming back with all the goodies I never eat at home. Lunch on me when I see you, then?’
‘Perfect, thank you. Loads of love and big hugs to Isla and Rory.’ They said goodbye and Pippa put her phone away, looking forward to hopefully seeing Cassie properly when the girls’ netball camp was over.
Inside the shop, Pippa only needed a few moments to realise it far exceeded the few expectations she’d had. Crammed into what must once have been the front room of the cottage, every single shelf was laden. One wall was completely given over to groceries, another to books, greeting cards and maps, a huge fridge between them. Old fashioned jars of sweets lined the shelves behind the till, a set of scales and a pile of paper bags beneath them. One corner held practicalities like batteries, bicycle pumps, bulbs and even some basic tools, from hammers to screwdrivers.
Her gaze caught on the noticeboard, and she read that a wine tasting evening was coming up at the pub. She scanned details of the village hall and saw classes for Pilates and yoga, an adult and toddler group, creative writing and a Women’s Institute meet-up. Hartfell’s country show was taking place soon and much was expected of the day, judging by the entertainments outlined on the poster. All this and the unmistakable aroma of baking too, and her mouth watered as she helped herself to a fresh sourdough loaf. She took a quick picture of it to share with Cassie when she could, smiling wryly at the reminder of carbs.
A woman behind the counter was chatting with the elderly man who’d entered earlier, and they offered cheery greetings. Pippa smiled back as she picked up a basket and began to fill it, trying not to listen to their continued conversation. The chap gathered up his shopping and with a final nod at Pippa, who took his place at the counter, disappeared, the bell tinkling merrily behind him.
‘Good morning, you must be Pippa. I’m Daphne. How do you do?’
‘I am, yes.’ Pippa dredged up a smile for Daphne, impressed by the speed at which news of her arrival had already spread, and began unloading her shopping; wholemeal pasta, granola, milk from a local dairy, actual butter, and homemade marmalade alongside the sourdough, two tubs of freshly made soup from the fridge and some vegetables. A trip to town for more provisions was still on the cards but this was a good start. ‘Lovely to meet you.’
Daphne was immaculate and attractive, with short grey hair tucked behind her ears, a pair of red-and-black glasses framing wise hazel eyes, an apron over a cream blouse navy and neat. ‘Welcome to Hartfell. How are you settling in?’
‘Oh, well, I’m not sure we have yet, but thank you.’ Thoughts of Gil darted through Pippa’s mind, and she pushed away the reminder of his antagonism. From what she’d seen so far, she fully expected that Hartfell was the sort of village where everyone knew everyone, what was going on and who had fallen out with whom. She hadn’t got off to the best start, at least where Gil and her own daughter were concerned, and didn’t want that getting around. ‘The house is a little basic but that’s all part of the fun, right?’
Daphne nodded doubtfully. ‘And how long are you planning to stay?’
‘I’m not sure. A week, maybe two.’ Pippa wasn’t here to make friends, simply to get the house on the market and be on her way. She was used to strangers attempting to draw her into conversation. It had often been like that, growing up. Children who’d wanted to be friends because she had a rock-star dad; single women who’d taken a shine to them and had a long-range eye on Jonny as well. She’d learned long ago to be careful with whom she shared her confidences.
