‘I’m sure we’ll be able to find everything we need down in Fey Woods – the woods at the bottom of the garden, that is, not the house. Have you ever been there?’
‘No, I have not. I am not really one for tramping around in woods, but today I will make an exception for you.’
Juliet disdained to answer, just flicked an eyebrow at Léo and turned to leave.
Five minutes later, they were entering the woods. They never failed to cast their spell on her, thought Juliet, feeling the familiar shiver of anticipation as they stepped between the first few trees and the quality of the light changed. It was one of the few things left in life, particularly once she had started living in London, that felt so purely and peculiarly seasonal. There was no need of particular pop songs, or artificial scented candles, of the same tired old articles about getting your body ready for this or that or buying a new coat. In Fey Woods, you instantly knew by the filtered light what season it was. Now, in mid-summer, the woods were golden-green and the pine needles dry underfoot.There was a sensation of movement around them, of life nearby, and Léo must have noticed it too, for he asked:
‘What animals are there here, Juliet?’
‘Well, you’re unlikely to spot anything more exciting than a grey squirrel, but the woods are home to a huge range of wildlife. Masses of insects of course, but also foxes, hedgehogs and badgers – the usual sort of English woodland fare. Frankie says she spotted a deer once, but no one else ever has. Lots of birds too, and there’s a pond over on the east side that’s simply stuffed with frogs and toads and things. Our father has a policy of benign neglect, and it seems to be good for the nature here.’
‘A little like rewilding, we have some projects in France.’
‘Yes, here too. We haven’t really needed to rewild Fey Woods, though, just leave them alone.’
‘Often that is the best way, I find. Oh, and what does the word ‘fey’ mean? I have been meaning to ask.’
‘It means “fairy”, and that’s what these woods are – fairy woods.’
‘Of course! We have the same word in French –fée. But surely Juliet does not believe in fairies?’
Juliet slid him a sideways glance, to see if he was laughing at her, but found just a friendly – if teasing – expression on his face. She took a deep breath.
‘Look. You’re right that I’m impatient with people who aren’t – well, straightforward, I suppose. But even for me it’s difficult to come into these woods andnotlet a tiny part of myself believe that there’s some sort of magic twined around these trees.’ She shrugged. ‘I know it’s silly, but there it is.’
‘Non, not silly; I agree. And it is the perfect place to find nesting materials for our wise Lammas owl. Come, let us start looking, or the dough will be ruined.’
A companionable silence fell between them as they started to fill the basket Juliet had brought with her. Soon it was brimming with scented sprigs of pine as well as cones and feathers.
‘We don’t want it to look too Christmassy,’ said Juliet, looking at the basket. ‘I think we’d better get some flowers from the borders on the way back. There’s some gorgeous love-in-a-mist there, or even some dahlias might look pretty, if we can find some smaller ones.’
‘You know a lot about flowers,’ said Léo. ‘Somehow I did not expect this of you.’
Relaxed by the walk and the spell of the woods, Juliet did not deflect his comment, but smiled.
‘I love flowers, I always have. In fact…’ She hesitated.
‘Go on.’
‘In fact, I have been working on some flower paintings. It’s a bit different for me, but I’m enjoying it.’
Léo nodded, his face serious.
‘For an artist, it is so important to keep trying new things, even better if they are things you love. I hope maybe you will show me these pictures?’
Juliet felt all at once glad and shy. Léo did have a way of looking at you that made you feel veryseen, and she wasn’t sure how much she wanted this bossy French chef to know of her.
‘Maybe. And I’d be grateful if you didn’t mention the flower pictures to my family.’
‘Of course. And now, how are we going to get back? I have lost all my sense of direction. I should have laid a breadcrumb trail.’
Juliet smiled.
‘Getting lost in Fey Woods isn’t something you have to worry about if you’re with one of the Carlisle sisters. We’ve all be running around here since we were tiny. Come on, this way.’
Within minutes, they emerged from the milky green of the woods back into the bright August sunshine. After a quick detour along the borders, where they cut some wispy blue love-in-a-mist and spiky red dahlias, they returned to the kitchen.
‘Okay, let’s see the dough.’
