So far, we were still slightly in the red with all the set-up costs, not least insurance and putting benches around the gardens for less mobile guests, but even a lacklustre turnouttoday would nudge us into the black. There’d been more interest than I could ever have imagined, with a few people actually having bought three-year passes to the gardens.
The only one of Ollie’s ideas I’d had to veto was the petting corner. “We could get humans to run it,” he’d protested.
“And for the rest of the time, when we’re not open? We’re going to have perpetually terrified rabbits, guinea pigs and lambs. Sorry, Ollie, we can’t do it.”
He’d looked so disappointed, I’d found myself compromising. “But maybe we could get some miniature donkeys of our own and let people pet them instead.”
I couldn’t believe he’d got me signing up for donkeys as well as peacocks. I was so far in love with him that I was almost ready to dye the damn doves to make him happy.
He was insistent that I should work the forge every time we were open. “Because I don’t think you understand how many people that’s going to bring in, seeing you all muscly and sweaty, pounding metal on an anvil.” When I wasn’t doing that, I should mingle with the guests, he said. Tim and Mia too. “Not only can you get them interested in your future plans, but people will go home happy because they spoke to the lord of the manor.”
“I don’t have a title, and I certainly don’t have any money.”
“But you livehere.I know it’s daft, but people would love to think they had a nice chat with Talbot of Talbot Court.”
He reminded me today as I pulled on a t-shirt. “No growling at any of our guests, no matter how annoying they are.”
Ollie had grown in confidence in his role, ordering me about in a way no one else would dare, but which I—well, I’d miss it if he stopped.
I had my revenge, though. “If you’re forcing me, Tim and Mia to mingle, you know that means you have to mix as well. You’re part of this family, after all.”
“For my sins,” he muttered, and I loved that he felt so secure here, knowing his place by my side was forever.
“Are you going to get out of bed, or shall I set the doves on you?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming.”
* * *
It was our fifth open day and our most heavily attended so far. From day one, I’d drafted in a few family members to help, and one of the unexpected benefits had been that people now dropped in to visit us even when they weren’t working. The Court was no longer on the edge of the family.
Around lunchtime, I damped down the forge, snagged a cold drink from June in the shop, and went to mingle.
Some of the first people I ran into were the Moores, who’d commissioned the eagle. They were admiring the concentric rings of my Avebury sculpture, the one I’d sketched out at the moot. When I’d finally got the time to make it, I’d poured into it my feelings about flying with Ollie over Avebury, and of all the pieces I’d created, it was my second favourite. It sat on a stone plinth installed by a local stonemason on what one day would be a formal lawn, where I could see it as I came and went from the house.
“Archer, may I introduce you to John Galanis?”
John shook my hand, his grip firm and brief. “I’ve been looking at your work around the grounds and in the shop. If I may be frank, I believe you’re under-pricing yourself significantly.”
My hackles rose, my dragon grumbling at being told I didn’t know my own business. “With respect, Mr Galanis, I price according to the market.”
“What if you had access to a different market? I have galleries in Mayfair and Edinburgh, and I think your workwould go down well with many of my clients. They expect to pay considerably more than you’re charging for a bespoke piece, however.”
His words were so unexpected that I didn’t know what to say.
“I appreciate this isn’t the best time to talk,” he continued, while I was still trying to find the right words. “If I give you my card, perhaps we could speak again in a few days’ time and discuss in more detail.”
“I’d appreciate that,” I said at last, taking his card. I’d google him later and check he was legit, but if he was friends with the Moores, he undoubtedly was.
A woman ambushed me as I turned away. “Mr Talbot, may I have a word?” She was dressed almost as immaculately as June used to be before she got stuck into the gardening and had an air of determination about her that triggered alarm bells.
Remembering Ollie’s instructions not to growl at the guests, I smiled at her. “Of course.”
“The thing is, my daughter’s getting married next September, and their venue has let them down. I was wondering if you ever hire out Talbot Court for events?” She evidently interpreted my expression correctly because she swiftly added, “Not the house, of course, but the grounds. It would be wonderful to have some wedding pictures on top of the folly.”
It would? I didn’t think even Ollie would want to get into the events business. That felt like a step too far. But I realised this wasn’t a decision I should make on my own. I was getting better at consulting Ollie, Tim and Mia on things that affected them andlisteningto their opinions before making decisions, though it had taken some getting used to.
“Honestly, Ms…”
