‘Yes, let’s do that.’ He couldn’t wait to show her around. Not only would the place be perfect, at least he hoped it would, but Callum presumed there might be an additional payment involved for filming at the farmhouse and he was sure Lettie would welcome the extra income.
‘Oh, look, there’s Lettie,’ Tasha said as Lettie came out of the farmhouse, her little girl on one hip and her farm dog Spud walking slightly ahead of them.
Lettie waved. ‘Hi, guys.’ She kissed him on the cheek and then Tasha. ‘Welcome to Hollyhock Farm.’
‘This place really is so full of character.’
‘That’s kind of you to say.’ She glanced at the hollyhocks. ‘This is my favourite time of year when they’re out. Gorgeous, aren’t they?’
‘Absolutely stunning.’
‘Thank you.’
‘I only agreed to allow filming here if they agreed to keep away from the barns and the animals. Most of them are quite old and I didn’t want them to become stressed by too much noise or unnecessary numbers of people.’
‘I presume they’ve been good keeping to the zones marked in the contract.’
‘They have,’ Lettie said. ‘I made it one of my stipulations of them coming here.’
‘Why don’t you show Tasha around, Callum. Then come inside and I’ll make you both something to drink.’
‘Thank you, that’s really kind of you.’ Tasha smiled up at him and he wished he had more opportunities to see her this happy.
‘Right,’ Lettie said, shifting the baby slightly higher onto her hip. ‘I’ll leave you both to it and see you in a bit.’
‘I’d like to show you other parts of the farm that you won’t have seen yet.’ Callum took Tasha’s hand. ‘Let’s go and have a look, shall we?’
He led her past the barns and, taking their time, accompanied her to the top field and pointed out the views across more fields and out to the sea.
‘Oh, this is breathtaking up here.’ Tasha sighed. ‘I wouldn’t mind living here myself.’
‘You’re not the only one.’ Callum laughed. ‘I’ll take you down to the wildflower meadow.’
‘Sounds good to me.’
He waited for Tasha to take more photos by the stream and then walked back with her to the farmhouse so she could speak to Lettie.
‘I think Lettie is happy with the extra bit of money coming in. She has a lot of animals to keep fed.’
‘They must pay reasonably well, I imagine,’ Tasha said. ‘Although I don’t know the figures, so I might be wrong about that.’
Lettie must have been watching for them as they approached and came out of the front door just as they entered the yard. ‘So, what’s the verdict?’
‘I think I’ve now found my favourite place ever,’ Tasha said. ‘It’s certainly picturesque.’
‘I’m glad you think so,’ Lettie said, smiling. ‘Right, let’s get that drink. Follow me.’
Any tiredness Callum had felt earlier that day after the party and ensuing drama between Riley and his sister vanished. He had enjoyed spending a bit more time with Tasha. Maybe agreeing to film a couple of scenes wouldn’t be all that bad after all. He thought of his sister and recalled a dream she had once had to work on actors’ hair on a film set.
‘Lettie, would you mind me asking something of you?’
‘I’m intrigued. Go on, what is it?’
‘Could you keep Erin in mind should there be a hairdressing vacancy on set, do you think?’
Lettie looked surprised. ‘I wasn’t expecting you to ask that. Of course I will.’
‘Thank you.’ He shrugged. ‘I doubt it’ll happen but she’ll never forgive me if I come here and don’t think to mention it, just in case it does.’
