‘Maybe not,’ Daisy said, taking in what the two women she liked best in the world had said to her. ‘But I like the notion and think I’m going to start following both your advice, starting from now.’
The phone rang and Fi answered it. She began typing information into the computer system and Lydia leant closer to Daisy. ‘Good,’ she said smiling at her. She lowered her voice and added, ‘You’re growing more confident and with it, more lovely each day. It’s wonderful to see.’
Daisy had never received such a heart-warming compliment before and it felt wonderful. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘That means a lot.’
Lydia smiled. ‘I’d better get on; Francesca is waiting to talk to me about something. I have a feeling it’s to do with Gabriel and his project.’
Her mood dropping, Daisy nodded. ‘I hope he’s able tofind a way to sort things out.’
Lydia nodded and walked away to the door leading to the back of the hotel and Francesca’s office.
Fi finished her call. ‘What was that all about? Something to do with Gabriel?’
Daisy took a sip of her coffee. ‘She’s worried about him.’
‘She’s so lovely,’ Fi said. ‘I wish I had a grandmother as caring and as glamorous as Lydia.’
‘So do I.’
They became lost in their own thoughts, drinking their coffee and making the most of a quiet period.
‘Let’s go to Queen’s Valley this afternoon anyway,’ Fi suggested. ‘I can go for a run around the dam and you can paint. The reservoir is really picturesque. What do you say?’
‘I’d love it,’ Daisy said.
As they drove along the east coast towards Gorey, Fi told Daisy about her new boyfriend. ‘Well, he’s not a proper boyfriend, but we’ve been out a couple of times for a drink and once for a meal. He’s not like my usual bloke, you know, always wanting to talk about himself. Phil is interested in what I’m doing and my job at the hotel,’ she said, grinning. ‘He’s hot, too.’
Daisy opened her window a little further. It was so warm and the air did little to cool them. ‘I’m pleased for you,’ she said, enjoying seeing Fi so excited about this new relationship. ‘He sounds lovely.’
‘He is.’ She took the sharp turning up Gorey Hill, turning left a minute or so later and left again at the end of the road. ‘It’s just down here,’ she said, making yet another turn. ‘I hope you’ll be able to meet him soon.’ She giggled. ‘Hey, maybe he’s got a brother or a friend for you.’
Daisy shook her head. ‘No thank you,’ she said, notwishing to be with anyone apart from Gabriel, even if he was unavailable. ‘I’m quite happy as a singleton.’
‘Suit yourself.’
Fi took another left and drove slowly into the Queen’s Valley car park. ‘Here we are,’ she said, parking the car and getting out. ‘I thought we could walk round until you found the best place to set up your easel, and I can have a run while you paint.’
‘Brilliant.’ Daisy unloaded her easel and paints from Fi’s Golf and sighed. ‘You drive like you’re racing,’ she said, glad to be out of the car after Fi’s erratic driving through the narrow Jersey lanes. ‘I think I’ll get the bus back to the hotel afterwards,’ she teased.
‘You will, if you’re not going to appreciate my driving!’ Fi laughed. ‘I’d love you to meet Phil though, Daisy,’ she added. ‘Seb is always such a misery when it comes to meeting men that I like.’
‘He’s probably only being protective,’ Daisy said, struggling to lift her rucksack onto her shoulder when it caught on a beach bag in the back of Fi’s car.
‘Here, let me.’ Fi picked up the easel and closed the car boot. ‘Come on, it’s this way. This is actually two dams joined together, I think. I’ll also take you to Val de la Mare on the west side of the island some time; that’s a beautiful dam with lots of trees and pathways to explore.’
They walked through the gate and along the pathway. Fi hadn’t been exaggerating – it was beautiful with the blue of the sky reflected in the dark expanse of water. The reservoir was larger than Daisy had expected and surrounded by trees and bushes. Daisy commented on how quiet it was on their walk.
Fi checked her watch. ‘I think it’s probably the school run at the moment so parents will be collecting their kids, but it’ll probably be a bit busier later when they come out to walk their dogs. I’ve nearly tripped over quite a few ofthem when I’ve been out here running.’
They’d been walking about twenty minutes when Daisy stopped. ‘I think I’ll set up here,’ she said, taking in the view across the dam. ‘You go for your run.’
‘I was going to show you round a little further,’ Fi said.
‘No, this is fine. You get on, then maybe later we can go and have a better look around.’
Fi put down the easel and stretched her legs a little more. ‘Great. I’ll see you in twenty minutes or so. I can come back for you later if you’d like to stay on.’
Daisy had been painting for a few minutes when she sensed she was being watched. Surely no one could know she was here? It wasn’t as if they’d been followed, she was certain of that. She surreptitiously surveyed the area across from where she was standing but couldn’t see anyone at all. Then checking behind her, she spotted an elderly couple walking their Jack Russell on a lead.
