‘In Hartfell?’ Jonny’s brows drew together, and he uncrossed his legs to rest his elbows on his knees. ‘What are you talking about? You’ve already got a house there.’
‘Well, I didn’t know that, not for certain.’ Maud got up from her bed in the office and trotted over to Pippa, who picked her up, snuggling the puppy on her knee. ‘This is Maud, by the way, she’s the newest member of the family. I’m hoping there might be some more to add soon. Hopefully another three. Not dogs, though. People. Plus Lola, who is a dog.’
‘I see. Sounds good, there’s always room for more.’ Jonny grinned again. ‘Looks like you’ve found your feet there, Pips.’
‘I really have, Dad. Harriet has too, she’s loving life here. And wait until I tell you about Ivy, my great-grandmother. That’s a whole other story and you’re going to love it. I’ve learned so much about her family since I’ve been here. Can I ask you a question, though?’
‘Ask me anything. Fire away.’
‘Why did you buy the farm in the first place? Why not just let Gil have it then?’
‘Because I didn’t want it going to someone else. He’d already approached the estate to take on the lease and his cousin turned him down. I got wind of his divorce, and kept quiet. I didn’t want it forming part of a settlement to someone who wasn’t in his life anymore.’ Jonny huffed out a laugh and Pippa couldn’t be certain, but it looked very much like tears were shining in his eyes.
‘I made a promise to Bryan a long time ago, when the first album did all right. He and Carolyn had it rough from her lot when they got together, and I promised him I’d see his family right. Bryan was my best mate, Pips. We grew up together, we always had each other’s backs, and I loved him.’
‘So you did it for Gil? Bought the farm for him?’ Tears were caught in Pippa’s eyes too and she sniffed, holding them back. The relief was immense, and she was so glad she’d taken her time with the house and hadn’t rushed into selling it. Not that her dad would’ve let her, by the sound of things.
‘Yep. Him and his dad, or at least the memory of his dad. Now I know what you want to do, the solicitor can get on with separating the house from the farm.’ Jonny’s look was suddenly wicked as his eyes gleamed. ‘So you’ll have to find a way to get on together, won’t you, seeing as you’ll be neighbours. Or maybe you’re already getting along?’
‘I’m not telling you that!’
‘You don’t have to. I know you, Pippa.’ Jonny winked. ‘Reckon you can make him accept it?’
‘I’ll certainly try.’ And this time she really would chain Gil up somewhere until he said yes. Thoughts of a future in Hartfell were so new, she still wasn’t used to them. The plan she’d set in motion, how swiftly she and Harriet had come to think of the house and the village as home.
‘What about your job?’
‘I’ve already handed in my notice, and they were good enough to let me leave without having to stay until half term. I can’t be in London if Harriet’s at school here. I’ve already had a look at supply jobs locally and I’m pretty sure I’ll find something temporary to see me through for now.’ Pippa took a deep breath. ‘And I’ve listed my paintings, the old ones I had at home. It’s time and I want to let them go, even if they’re not worth a lot.’
‘I think that’s wonderful,’ Jonny said softly. ‘They deserve to be seen.’
‘Thank you.’ The plan still made her stomach churn, but she was ready, now. ‘So once my house is sold, I might need to use your apartment now and then to tie up a few loose ends. Is that all right?’
‘Course it is. Don’t think I’ll be coming straight back after the tour anyway. I like it out here, it’s beautiful, even in the winter. Got my eye on a place, too.’
‘I’m glad you’re happy.’ Pippa meant it. Wherever in the world her dad might be, she knew he loved them all and kept an eye on them from afar.
‘And you, Pips. Means the world. So tell me about this house you’ve made an offer on in Hartfell.’
‘Later. And it’s not a house, not exactly.’ She laughed at the confusion on Jonny’s face. ‘There’s someone else I need to tell first. Not Harriet. She already knows and she thinks it’s brilliant.’
‘You mean Gil?’
‘Maybe. You’ll see.’
‘Last time I spoke to Harriet she said that she thought you’d fallen in love, and it had made you all weird, and did I not think you were too old for all that?’ Jonny roared a laugh, and slapped his knee, bared by board shorts. ‘I pointed out that people can fall in love at any age, and she’d better make the best of it because you’re way too young to spend your life alone. And don’t you worry about Harriet, either. She’s a very smart girl and she’ll be all right, you’ll see. It’s you I was worried about.’
‘Don’t be. I’m fine now too, or very nearly.’ She just needed to speak with Gil and share her news, hoping and praying he felt the same way she did about the future. One in Hartfell, together.
‘That’s brilliant. You were stuck in London, you needed something to get you out of there.’
‘And you had the very solution, did you?’ she questioned dryly. ‘Dad, you’re a menace sometimes but I love you.’
‘I love you too, Pippa, you and Harriet,’ he said softly. ‘You get on and do whatever you need to there, make it right for all of you. The solicitor will sort it out, don’t you worry. Just remember that our memories go everywhere with us, we don’t leave them behind in bricks and mortar. Your mum, she’s still with us, wherever we are.’
‘Thanks, Dad.’ Pippa swallowed and she recognised that crafty glint in his eye.
‘I might have something to tell you too. Me and Vanessa, we’ve been spending a fair bit of time together and we’ve decided to give things another go.’
