The fields around the farm were packed with trailers, stands and pens for livestock, and she checked Raf’s latest message as she hurried back to the house to sort out a bedroom for him. The room Gil had been sleeping in was the obvious choice, with the only spare double bed. She found clean sheets in an airing cupboard and changed them, feeling as though she was invading his privacy just that little bit more.
He’d left nothing personal in here, nothing to suggest he planned on returning. The room was empty of all but the old-fashioned furniture and huge brass bed. She’d been careful not to open more cupboards or investigate drawers since their row on Sunday, when he’d caught her with the photo album. Daphne from the shop had mentioned that a local historian was compiling an archive of the village, and that Pippa might like to ask him if he knew of anyone in her family named Ivy.
Four hours later, she was hurrying through the garden again when she heard the buzz of the helicopter, adrenaline surging at the thought of seeing her brother. Moments later it came into sight, lowering slowly, flattening grass and flapping tents in the field as it settled on the ground. A door opened and Raf jumped out, ducking to avoid the blades as he jogged towards her, hand raised in thanks to the pilot.
‘Raf!’ Pippa almost fell into his arms, raising her voice above the noise as the helicopter rose into the sky, ecstatic to see a beloved face. Like their dad, Raf poured his emotions into the lyrics he wrote, and she understood from his embrace how deeply he cared about their family. ‘It’s so good to see you! It’s been way too long.’
‘I know.’ He squeezed her back just as tightly, dropping his bag to hold her close. ‘Missed you, sis.’
He’d got his height from their mum, who’d been five ten, but his looks were pure Jonny. Nut brown hair was streaked with blond, short and swept up at the front. He was deeply tanned from his travels and the surfing she’d seen him doing via his Instagram.
She’d always thought Raf seemed to carry the weight of the world in his eyes. To his public they were full of mischief, alive and ready for fun; in private, he often seemed sad and with each year that passed it became harder to reach him. Losing Ewan, his best friend and Cassie’s husband, had hit him hard and Pippa was certain his wanderings were a way to try and forget the pain they all lived with.
‘How was the island?’ she asked casually. She knew he’d been back in London for a bit, but wanted to get his take on his relationship and whether it really was over.
‘Yeah, good.’ Raf pulled back and tilted his head to look at her. ‘But eventually not quite as much fun as I thought it would be.’
‘Ah. So it’s over then, with Lina?’
‘Yep. Somehow we went from a summer road trip to conversations about sharing her apartment in Malmö and, well, you know.’ Raf let Pippa go, reaching for the leather holdall he’d dropped.
She did know, and a glimmer of sympathy followed for his ex-girlfriend. She’d liked Lina and thought she might finally persuade him to settle.
‘I’m sorry. Are you both okay?’ She linked arms with him as they set off across the field, watching the helicopter disappear into the distance.
‘Sure. Lina knew the score from day one. Not for me, all that playing house stuff.’
‘But you do it with Cassie – take Rory and Isla out, look after them. I know how much they love seeing you and she really appreciates the time you give them.’
‘That’s different,’ he said quickly, dragging Pippa around a cow pat to avoid it. ‘They’re family, good as.’
‘You know, eventually you will find what you’re looking for, probably without even trying.’
‘Like you, you mean?’ He was an expert at changing the subject and she gave him a sisterly shove as they reached a gate.
‘You don’t need to worry about me.’ Gil flashed into her mind. They’d been extra polite to one another in between consultations this morning. And she was still thinking about his hands on her shoulders the other day, shocked that his brief touch had left her wanting more. ‘I’m divorced and not interested in going there again. And I can’t thank you enough for stepping in here to save me, I’d probably have been in the village stocks by now. I’m sorry to crash in the middle of your summer.’
‘No problem, anything for you.’ They resumed walking. Pippa always relished these first, rare moments alone with her brother. ‘I’m actually quite looking forward to it. Something new for the ’gram.’
‘Do me a favour though?’ She led him through the garden, hoping to keep him under wraps until Cassie posted his presence on the event’s Facebook page later. ‘Please don’t take your shirt off. It’s a village show full of families, Raf, not Glastonbury.’
He’d quickly gained a huge online following when he’d posted an image of himself drumming topless, rehearsing a tour a few years ago. It had gone viral, sending his fame soaring. He played up to it when he wanted to, dropped in a few mischievous shots on his social media, and most Blue at Midnight gigs weren’t complete until the band had seen out their encore with a classic track and Raf drumming minus his shirt.
‘Can’t promise, Pippa. Gotta give the public what they want.’ He winked as she shot him an exasperated look and they laughed. Time together was too precious to worry about such antics for now. ‘You gonna show me the house, then? Tell me why you still haven’t got it on the market.’
‘I haven’t met the agent yet,’ she said casually. ‘I’m on it. We can start the tour in the kitchen and then hopefully your expectations for the rest of it will be low enough.’
Raf liked the house, pointing out the beautiful aspect from almost every window and the excellent proportions of each room. Pippa, who hadn’t properly seen past the situation with Harriet and then Gil, plus the uncertain plumbing and primitive kitchen, had to appreciate her brother was right. Raf had still not bought a home of his own, preferring to travel and lay his head wherever he laid his hat.
Harriet was ecstatic to see him, and Pippa watched their hugs and conversation wistfully as he caught her up on the band’s tour and all the gossip. Harriet in turn was enthusiastic about Dorothy’s farm and casually dropped in that she was off to a Young Farmers’ meeting with Alfie later. Pippa nipped down to the pub for another takeaway, not ready to face the circus that might accompany Raf if they sat down to eat there instead. Kenny was not only amused by her attempt to cancel the show, but shocked into temporary speechlessness by her hushed whisper of her rock-star brother’s surprise appearance.
Early showers on Saturday gave way to sunshine as the morning wore on. Pippa had been up since first light, worrying about the show and if it would be a success given the chaos she’d caused. She’d been round to see the headteacher at the primary school; not, as Gil had suggested, to make an excuse for trying to cancel, but to introduce herself and to offer a few hours of her time to help with an art project before the school broke up for the summer. The headteacher had been delighted to accept, and Pippa planned to return soon to make good on her promise.
She’d barely dared open Facebook since Cassie had posted on the show’s page, introducing Raf as a special guest, but she knew from her friend that the news had blown up as excitement and comments mounted. Crossing the yard after sneaking into the vets to use the Wi-Fi, she’d bumped into Gil, who’d heard about Raf’s arrival from Harriet while she was mucking out Posy’s stable. Gil had made his displeasure perfectly clear, pointing out that the show had managed without the appearance of a rock star for over a hundred years, and where did she think all the extra visitors Raf might generate were going to park?
Thankfully, Pippa had already thought of that and coolly informed Gil the logistics were taken care of. In reality she’d sent a panicked email to the head at the school, who’d got the governors to agree to open up the playground if necessary, plus there was some parking at the vets. According to Harriet over breakfast, tickets were selling like hot cakes since Raf, who loved a crowd, had dropped a couple of hints about his whereabouts on Instagram.
The village was buzzing with anticipation when Pippa ran down early to the shop for fresh bread, with even Daphne having come over all peculiar as she enquired after Raf and how long he might be staying. Pippa was just relieved that her mistake appeared to have been forgiven. Visitors began arriving before the planned ten a.m. start and Harriet had already disappeared, taking care of Posy straight after breakfast and then haring off to help at Dorothy’s before the show. Pippa was bemused by this sudden new commitment to caring for animals, but relieved that the smile was back on Harriet’s face. She even seemed to mind less about the Wi-Fi.
