“I’d like that.”She couldn’t remember the last time she’d gone to dinner with a friend.In Sydney she’d had colleagues more than friends, and she hadn’t kept in touch with anyone from high school.
All she had were Lauren, and Libby from primary school, who now lived in Texas with her rock-star husband.
How sad was she?
By the time Chelsea arrived back at Lilydale, the weight on her chest had lessened.She had more information about Johann and his company, and she had a job.Sure, it wasn’t a paying job, but she could point to it to show others not everyone had lost their faith in her ability.
She entered the house, inhaling the scent of roses beneath the still musty scent from the house being locked up for so long.She closed her eyes.Aunt Maggie’s scent.She opened a couple of windows to draw the mustiness out and reviewed her list.The laundry could be next.Another room which hopefully wouldn’t be too sentimental.
She stood at the entrance of the room and her gaze caught on the coats hanging on the hooks by the door; one was Aunt Maggie’s pink raincoat, one was her dark blue it’s-freezing-cold-outside gardening coat, and the last was her pale green it’s-hot-as-hell-but-I-need-to-cover-up coat.
Tears pricked her eyes.She could hear Aunt Maggie’s no-nonsense tone and remembered when Aunt Maggie had bought her a purple gardening coat of her own.She’d thought it was the best thing ever and had worn it until it fell apart.
Aunt Maggie would never wear these coats again.Chelsea sniffed and swallowed hard.Her eyes roamed the room.Maggie’s spare set of secateurs, one of half a dozen pairs Maggie kept spread around the house and garden in case she spotted something that needed pruning.The garden had been Aunt Maggie’s life.Aside from the cabins she’d rented out as bed and breakfasts, she’d drawn income from the garden by charging a gold coin donation for people to wander through it and hosting weddings on the grounds.She hadn’t been rich, but she’d always said she had enough for what she needed.
The last time she’d written to Chelsea, she’d mentioned she was considering converting the barn into a group space where people could hold workshops or meetings.Chelsea had offered to do the promotional material for her if she went ahead with the plan.
It would have brought people to the town.
Chelsea considered the idea.Could she bring Aunt Maggie’s idea to fruition?
She’d never loved Sydney the way her mother had.This had always been home to her, unlike all the rentals they’d lived in before Ezra.There was nothing stopping her from moving back to Western Australia permanently.
The thought was shocking and unexpected, but she didn’t shy away from it.
There was a hell of a lot of work ahead, and success wasn’t guaranteed but bringing Lilydale back to its former glory held a lot of appeal.
Her mother owned the property, so Chelsea wouldn’t be homeless, but it would take time to earn enough income to survive.She’d need to pay utilities and for food, and all the repairs.
Her heart raced as she remembered the nights when she’d gone to bed hungry and the times they couldn’t visit Aunt Maggie because there hadn’t been enough money for fuel.
She exhaled slowly as her phone dinged with an incoming message.Lauren.
Have sent you what I can find.Thanks for your help.
Chelsea glanced at the laundry and then down at her phone.The promotional work would be easier.
The laundry could wait.
And perhaps if she did a good enough job with the fair, she’d find more contract work to supplement her income.
It was something to think about.
She fetched her laptop and in minutes she was immersed in her new project.
Reviving Honeybrook.
Chapter 8
By the end of the day, Chelsea had a decent promotional plan put together.It had taken her a little more time to search for the relevant websites, social media, magazine and newspaper sites around Perth that she could use to promote the upcoming fair, but she remembered a few from her teen-aged years.She sent Lauren a text to say it was ready and ask when she was free.While she waited for an answer, she called her mother.
“Chelsea, how was your day?”
Chelsea smiled at her voice as she sat on the couch.“Interesting.I ran into Lauren.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!Is she still living in Honeybrook?”
“Yeah, she’s the mayor.I’m helping her promote the Honeybrook Fair.”
