‘Fran, Amy had years of experience. You have none. Of course it’s going to be harder for you.’
‘I know all that but I’m not sure Amy does. She thinks the younger generation have things far too easy. Spoilt, I think was the word she used.’
Issi laughed. ‘I do hope you’re going to take me to see Amy. She sounds a real character.’
Fran snorted rudely and turned into the farm. The gate was already open and there was a generator thumping away. There was also a huge pile of small stones that was obviously due to form the final surface.
‘Oh, you’re getting the track repaired!’ said Issi. ‘How are you paying for that?’
‘Antony,’ said Fran, sounding appalled. ‘And what Amy would say if she knew that, I really hate to think. It would probably be enough to send her dicky heart into spasms.’
‘Well, don’t tell her then,’ said Issi, ever practical.
‘I won’t but someone will, I’m willing to bet.’
‘Oh come on, let’s get home,’ said Issi. ‘I’m dying to move in.’
ChapterNine
‘Have you thought about the menu for the supper club?’ asked Issi one bright morning a few days later, after the sitting room had finally, after a lot of work, been declared almost dust-free. A couple of days earlier Tig, Seb and the relief milkers had got rid of the fireplace, happy to do it for cash in hand, home-made brownies and beer. Now Fran and Issi were moving all the furniture out so they could see how it could work for the supper club.
‘Well, it’ll have a large cheese element to it—’
‘Obviously.’
‘But the main course will be game pies. Antony has a couple of freezerfuls of frozen birds. I’ve said I’ll get rid of them for him. To repay him for doing the drive … I know!’
Issi looked at her friend a bit oddly but didn’t pursue it. ‘Will you buy the pastry, or make your own? Rough puff or proper puff?’
‘Iwas wondering if I should make the butter for the pastry!’ said Fran. ‘And proper puff, of course. I love making it. It’s soothing.’
‘OK, that sounds good. What else?’
‘Well, I thought a winter salad with goat’s cheese but as that would involve buying cheese …’
Issi waited. ‘And hell would freeze over before you did that?’
Fran nodded. ‘So I thought I’d try making halloumi.’
‘Is that even possible?’ Issi obviously felt this was taking ‘home-made’ a step too far.
‘Yup. It’s a longer process but perfectly possible. It’s all on the internet. The advantage I have is gallons of unpasteurised milk with a good butter-fat content.’
Issi smiled. ‘And for pudding? Cheesecake? Followed by a cheese board? Any cheese as long as you can make it in your kitchen?’
Fran accepted this gentle teasing. ‘Nearly right. But I am a bit bothered by the food hygiene side. I think for a supper club it may be all right to make cheese in less than perfect conditions but it’s not ideal. I’ll be feeding the public, and they will be paying.’
‘I know this is going to sound like blasphemy,’ said Issi, ‘but could you do your first supper club without all the cheese? It would give you a bit of time to get a cheesemaking room sorted out.’
Fransighed deeply. ‘I know that would be sensible but it would break my heart. One of the reasons I want to do the supper club so much is to showcase my cheese.’
‘Well,’ said Issi briskly. ‘Go and see Antony in the morning and agree to him lending you the money to make a cheese room.’
Fran made a calculation. ‘I think he’ll be working from home tomorrow.’ She frowned. ‘I really don’t want to though. I hate asking for favours.’
‘Hmm. Hadn’t noticed that! You never seem to mind asking me for favours.’
‘You’re my best friend. It’s completely different.’
