‘That’s fine, I’ll look into it this week.’
The holiday business would be her responsibility and Ella wanted to prepare Halesmere for its new future as well as she could for the time she was here. Succeeding was in her nature, and she planned to use all her experience and intuition to make the relaunch the best it could be. Contemporary, white units with dark granite worktops suited the country house vibe and the appliances were excellent-quality and elegant. Walls a shade below the cream in the hall were brightened by light pouring in from two deep sash windows overlooking a garden glittering with frost still clinging to the plants. There was an Aga in palest blue, and Ella was very happy to see a coffee machine matching the one in Max’s office.
He propped his hands on one of eight chairs around the breakfast table. ‘Will it do?’
‘Of course – so much better than that. Doesn’t look like you’ve got any rodent residents in here, so that’s a good start.’ She felt that shiver of alarm again at the thought of being alone in this big house night after night, rattling through its rooms and waiting anxiously for morning to come.
‘I suppose that was my mother’s plan all along.’
‘What was?’ Ella followed him into the hall. The children were making a din upstairs and Max shouted for them to come back down.
‘Moving you in here. She knew I wouldn’t let you stay in the flat once I’d seen the state of it, and she’s been telling me for months it would make a great space for more artists or guests.’
He opened a door and they were in the dining room, painted a rich red that highlighted a wide black fireplace and mahogany table to seat twelve. Max explained that they’d restored the original table even though the house only slept eight in four bedrooms. There was a different view of the garden from here, a large terrace leading to an expanse of lawn surrounded by the overgrown borders Ella had seen from his office yesterday.
A connecting door led them into the drawing room, with French doors opening onto the terrace from the centre of a wide, curving bay window. The fireplace was white with huge church candles on the mantelpiece, a basket of logs and an old-fashioned poker beside the hearth. The curtains were long and floral, and cabinets filled with china stood against walls painted with a shade more lemon than in the hall. Each of the sofas and armchairs in differing colours looked comfortable, decorated with cosy cushions, occasional tables perfect for serving refreshments nearby.
‘It’s beautiful, Max. I can’t think you’ll have any difficulty attracting new guests. If you’re happy to go ahead, it would make sense to have a professional photographer take images for the website. I’d love to make the best of the rooms and that view.’
‘That’s fine with me. Stan will probably know someone local, maybe you could have a word with him, or search online if not?’
‘Of course. I’m already imagining the house decorated for the holidays with a Christmas tree in the hall, another one in here and guests gathered around the piano, drinking champagne. It would highlight the intimacy and give the impression of being welcomed into someone’s home. Perfect for the website until the seasons change and you can add some spring and summer images.’
‘That sounds good,’ Max said, his gaze somewhere else. ‘My mother will never stop gloating about inviting you once she’s heard your suggestions.’
‘Let’s hope you’re both happy when you’ve read my notes,’ Ella wondered if he was thinking of how it might feel to spend a first Christmas here without his wife. ‘I’d like to talk to you about holding a couple of events in December to generate interest in what you have to offer. I know it’s tight for planning but it’s a wonderful time to decorate a house, especially one like this.’
‘I’m happy to discuss them with you, but I’m not promising anything yet.’ Lily and Arlo had returned, their little faces flushed from racing around, and Arlo grabbed Max’s leg. ‘Hey buddy, ready for our walk?’ Max ruffled his son’s hair, and the sight brought an unexpected warmth to Ella’s heart.
‘I’m starving, Daddy, what’s for lunch?’ Lily seemed hopeful and he grinned as she found his hand to tug it.
‘Lunch? You only just had breakfast with Mamie. Walk first, with snacks, and then I’ll feed you again.’ He removed a bunch of keys from his pocket and passed them to Ella. ‘We’ll leave you to explore upstairs in peace.’ Arlo was pulling him into the hall and Max had to speak over his shoulder. ‘See you tomorrow. You know where we are if you need anything.’
‘Thank you.’ She hoped she wouldn’t need anything. She’d already spent far more time with Max and his family since she’d arrived at Halesmere than she’d ever expected.
Chapter Eight
Ella wanted to visit the community shop she’d seen online and the walk from Halesmere along lanes crunchy with fallen leaves was a pleasure. She was relieved that her knee felt fine after her little mishap with the ladder in the flat earlier and she wasn’t troubled much by traffic as she marched along. She realised she had forgotten her earbuds – she never usually went anywhere without them – and found herself listening to the things she heard around her instead. Birds calling, the rustle of a breeze through trees, a cyclist flying by with a gust of air and a cheery shout. And silence, still and solemn, something she knew she might have to get used to around here. She passed a couple of houses decorated with early Christmas lights and wished she’d worn a hat; the air was sharp, and frost again tonight seemed certain.
After fifteen minutes she reached a cluster of cottages lining a T-junction; a hamlet really, not even a village. They were a mix of pretty stone and white-painted buildings, some with planters in place of front gardens. A stream bustled below a row of railings, a hawthorn hedge beside it clinging onto the last of its autumn berries. An older man pruning a tree raised curious eyes and a friendly hand as she passed his cottage, and Ella smiled back.
A pub sat at the head of a hill, a lane snaking off into the distance on either side, and a few hardy walkers were enjoying the winter sun and drinks at tables outside. She saw the shop a few yards further on, and it too had picnic tables outside its wood-framed building. The cyclist she had seen earlier was sitting at one, a coffee and a tempting-looking slice of shortbread at hand, and a bell jangled as she stepped inside the shop. She wasn’t sure what she had been expecting but it wasn’t the fabulous array of food on display or the choice of gifts, everything from soup flasks to jewellery, candles, books, and handbags. Her stomach rumbled greedily at the smell of fresh bread, despite the bacon butty Max had brought her earlier.
A teenage boy nodded a welcome and left her to browse and Ella took her time, assessing the seasonal vegetables and home-made cakes, as well as the locally produced cheese, dairy, and meat. Handmade chocolates in their own small counter looked delightful, and ideas about Halesmere and this little treasure trove supporting one another were already filling her mind after she noticed small Christmas hampers beautifully presented. She spotted a noticeboard and took a picture of it on her phone. She had no real idea what went on up here, especially in winter, but the local shop was a good place to start finding out.
‘Morning. Do you need any help?’
Ella whirled round, clutching her basket already containing pesto, Parmesan, and a candle. The teenage boy had disappeared; the friendly voice belonged to a woman in her sixties behind the counter, a welcoming beam brightening her attractive face, curling grey hair neat and short.
‘I was just exploring, there’s so much to see.’
‘You carry on love, there’s no rush.’ The woman lifted a huge coffee and walnut cake onto the counter and the sight did nothing good for Ella’s hunger pangs. A slice of that would probably do her lunch and dinner rolled into one. Her whole morning was out of whack; normally by now she’d have been for a run, caught up on chores and organised the rest of her time around work, instead of shifting her belongings from one place to another for the second time in three days.
‘Now if I had to guess I’d say you’re Ella.’
She spun round again, bashing the basket against her sore knee. She’d just dropped in some chocolates and enough ingredients for a couple of simple suppers for the children, and her shopping was getting heavier by the minute. ‘Then you’d be right.’
‘I’m Pearl, I hear you’ve met my husband.’
