While he ordered the drinks Fran sat at a table, wondering how on earth she was going to find eight hundred pounds in only a week. She had her own dwindling savings but she’d been living on them.Hermind kept going back to the roof tiles Roy had mentioned.
‘Well,’ said Antony, coming back to the table with her water and a cup of coffee for him. ‘At least he didn’t ask what you’d do when the cows went dry.’
Fran found herself laughing. ‘I don’t think he knew much about cows. Only a bit less than I do, obviously.’
‘With Tig you don’t need to know much though, do you?’
‘I must learn. Tig might not stay on the farm forever.’ She suddenly felt a pang of sadness. ‘I might not either if Roy gets it. In fact I definitely won’t.’
‘Come on! It’s not like you to be pessimistic. There’s a way of paying the instalment if you only think.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Of course—’
‘No. Thank you. It’s very kind of you, but you’ve already done so much for me, with the track and the cheese room and stuff.’
He smiled again and Fran’s stomach did a little flip. She wished it wouldn’t do that. She had enough to think about without falling in love. She needed all her wits to look after the farm.
‘Only looking after my own interests,’ he said casually.
‘You don’t want a cheese room! And I am going to pay you back. I just need to sort the bank out first.’
‘Youseem a bit more positive than a second or two ago. Did the water revive you?’
Fran managed a small chuckle. ‘It did. I think I have an idea of how I might be able to find eight hundred pounds, but I’m cross because it was Roy who put the notion into my head and sad because it’s selling off a bit of the farm.’
‘Not land?’
Although his expression didn’t really alter she could tell he was horrified. She shook her head. ‘Not that bad.’ She went on to tell him about the little shelter Roy had spotted, all fallen down, and the stone tiles that had been its roof.
‘Well, if you don’t think I’m butting in, I have a mate in the reclamation business.’
‘Really? That would be amazing. If I tried to arrange it myself I’d be sure to get ripped off.’ She sighed, suddenly exhausted from all her responsibilities. ‘I don’t know how I can ever repay you.’
‘There’ll be a way,’ said Antony, quiet but firm.
‘Although I’m not—’
‘Selling me the farm? I think I’ve got that now. I promise I won’t force you to should the time come.’
‘Thank you for that too. Now I must go or Amy will be asleep when I get there. She takes a lot of naps,’ she added. ‘Email me the name of your contact, will you? I’ll have to try and do it when Roy’s not there.’
‘Is he out often?’
‘He goes to the pub a lot. Apparently to watch sport.’
Antonylaughed. ‘The way you said that it could have been pornography.’
Fran smiled back at him. ‘It’s not that. I’m just not sure he does go to the pub to watch sport. He might be doing anything and I wouldn’t trust him—’
‘As far as you could throw him?’
Fran nodded. ‘I banished that thought when I realised that throwing him would involve actual physical contact. Now I’m off.’ She paused, half out of her chair. ‘You promise you’ll tell me if there’s anything I can do for you?’
‘I promise,’ he said solemnly.
But as she left the pub Fran knew there wouldn’t be anything she could do for Antony. How could she, penniless, pay back someone who appeared to be so well off?
She was nearly at her car when she saw Erica, waving wildly. ‘Fran! So glad I caught you. Farmers’ market this Saturday? I’ve sorted the formalities; you’re fine to have cheese on my stall. So good you’re a chef.’
‘Why? Are we doing a food demo?’
