Fran swallowed and took a breath. ‘Amy, you’re still very much alive and so you haven’t left me the farm. We agreed that I’d try farming for a year to see if I can make a go of it. Well, I can’t make a go of it if I can’t get up and down the track.’ She realised she was getting angry herself, which would not be helpful. She paused and smiled. ‘Now, is there anything you need? Anything I can bring you? You could try my cheese?’
Amy fixed her with a look. ‘Are you trying to poison me? Everyone knows that the elderly shouldn’t eat soft cheese. I could get listeria or E. coli!’
Fran made her excuses and left as soon as she could. Honestly, Amy was a piece of work! She thought making sure the chimney wasn’t going to catch fire was ‘making a fuss’ but wouldn’t try a scrap of cheese in case it gave her food poisoning!
Sheswept into the coffee shop on a cloud of indignation. ‘You’ll never believe what she’s said now!’
Issi regarded her friend. ‘Don’t tell me. Have some cake.’ She pushed a plate of chocolate gateau across the table. ‘Everything is better after cake.’
ChapterTen
Spring had arrived early at the farm. Fran and Issi were able to dig up primroses and transplant them into small dishes and teacups and use them as table decorations for the supper club. Fran explained to her helpers, Issi, Seb and Tig, that they could remove any primroses that flopped. They were all going to be planted afterwards anyway.
‘I think the room looks spectacular!’ declared Issi, wiping her earthy hands on her apron after they’d put primroses on every table.
‘I am quite pleased,’ said Fran, less confident. Although the supper club had quickly booked up, which was wonderful, she had to make sure the food was perfect and every one of their careful plans worked.
‘It reminds me of an old-fashioned tea shop,’ said Seb, who’d offered to help move furniture – possibly because there were always baked goods as a reward.
‘Isthat good or bad?’ asked Tig, who was there for the same reason.
‘It’s fine,’ said Issi, who’d taken on the role of cheerleader – if anyone was less than cheerful she rallied them. ‘After a couple of sips of their complimentary cocktail they’ll all think it’s wonderful!’
They were going to serve ‘Heavenly Dew’ for this free drink which, they gathered from the internet, was a feature of supper clubs.
Fran had discovered several bottles of cowslip wine in a dusty cupboard although everyone knew that Amy didn’t drink. She had discussed this with Tig who said his employer would have described it as a ‘country wine’ and therefore somehow non-alcoholic. They had decided to use it for the supper club. Seb had shown a good knowledge of cocktail mixing and combined it with a little brandy for extra kick, topped up with cava from the local supermarket. Everyone was happy with the final result.
This was to be served in Amy’s random collection of glasses with a few extra borrowed from Mrs Brown, who had volunteered to be a waitress and to help with the washing up. Fran had worried that some people were getting a better deal than others given the glasses varied quite a lot in size. Issi had said it didn’t matter.
Mrs Brown, who’d got well into the spirit of the supper club, had provided extra chairs courtesy of her key to the village hall and also produced herownfairly extensive collection of pretty plates and dishes to add to Amy’s, as she hadn’t got enough.
‘Well, I really like the vintage look,’ said Issi. ‘It looks perfect in here, with the fireplace and everything. Who wants everything matchy-matchy?’
‘It does have that “country auction leftovers” vibe,’ said Seb. ‘But maybe that’s OK.’
‘It’s charming,’ said Issi firmly.
Fran worried that he might be right, it did look a bit ‘tea shoppe’ – with a double ‘p’ and written in Gothic script.
Along with the Heavenly Dew (which was quite strong) they were serving various canapés, some of them cheese-based, all of them fairly economical. The general favourite were the cheesy-stuffed mushrooms which Fran had served as supper at least twice.
‘It’s brilliant that we’re fully booked,’ said Issi. ‘After all, no one really knows us round here.’
‘I did go to that dinner party and I think Antony helped spread the word,’ said Fran. ‘As well as us putting up postcards and things in the local shops. And you’ve been brilliant with the online marketing.’
‘My mum told all her friends,’ said Tig, ‘but if they come it’ll be because no one’s been in this place for a while.’
‘I expect lots of people will come because they’re curious,’ said Issi, ‘but as long as they pay for the privilege, that’s fine!’
‘Andif they have a good time, they’ll come again,’ said Tig.
‘Plus there aren’t many restaurants near here,’ said Seb, ‘and you’re offering something a bit different.’
‘Pie and mash, do you mean?’ said Fran, suddenly worried that her menu was far too unsophisticated.
‘Gamepie,’ said Issi.
‘From game shot on very grand shooting estates,’ added Seb. ‘You could call it Posh Pie and Mash if you wanted.’
