She was further delighted to see Antony’s car in front of the house. She decided to ignore Roy’s car – badly parked as usual. He was just a minor irritant; she wasn’t going to let him spoil the moment when she told the others how well she’d done.
‘Hi! I’m home!’ she called joyfully she went in through the back door. She was surprised to see Issi, Roy and Antony in a row in the kitchen, all staring at her. Tig was looking awkward by the stove.
Franknew that something was horribly wrong. Panic rose like a huge moth from her stomach. She put her carrier bag on the table before she dropped it. ‘What’s the matter?’
Antony stepped forward and took her into his arms. ‘I’m so, so sorry, darling.’
She wanted to stay enfolded in this warm, safe place feeling loved and secure. But she knew she had to face the real world.
‘The old lady’s dead,’ said Roy.
Fran didn’t need Roy’s blunt announcement. She had known from the moment she saw them all standing there when she’d got through the door. But neither could she believe it. How was this possible? She’d left Amy an hour ago at most.
‘The care home called, just now,’ said Issi. ‘Someone went in to tuck her up just after you’d left and she’d gone.’
Fran waited for her tears to come but there was nothing, just a ghastly feeling of emptiness.
‘Come and sit down,’ said Antony. ‘Cup of tea? Big drink?’
‘Hot chocolate?’ suggested Issi. ‘For the shock?’
‘I bought Prosecco,’ said Fran. ‘I wanted to celebrate because I’d found the quarry. It was why I went back to visit again although I’d been this afternoon.’
‘Oh, love,’ said Issi. ‘Let’s go for the gin and tonic. It’s got a bit more punch than fizzy wine. Antony brought it. It’s a special artisan gin.’ She paused,embarrassed.‘Not that the fact it’s fancy gin is going to make you any less sad.’
Fran smiled. ‘But it’ll make being sad taste better.’
‘It might,’ said Antony. ‘We don’t know what it tastes like yet.’ He started opening the bottle and cans of chilled tonic.
‘I don’t know why you’re making such a fuss,’ said Roy. ‘She was a really old lady and she died. Big deal!’
‘Roy?’ said Issi and Fran, almost in unison. ‘Shut up!’
‘Pardon me,’ he said with a shrug. ‘She was my relation too.’
‘I’m really going to miss her,’ said Tig. ‘She was a great boss and a really good farmer.’
Issi moved closer to him and took his arm.
‘You must be wondering who your next boss will be,’ said Roy. ‘Me or her.’ He jerked his thumb in Fran’s direction.
‘You know what?’ said Tig, frighteningly calm. ‘I’m going to spend a few days thinking about Amy, what she’s done for me, what she’s done for this farm and I’m not going to think about who she’s left the farm to. And I suggest you do the same.’
It was a long speech for Tig and Fran wanted to applaud, but didn’t.
‘That’s all very well for you to say, mate,’ said Roy. ‘But you’re not in the running for a big inheritance.’
‘Wedon’t know that,’ said Fran. ‘Amy may have thought that neither of us were suitable and left everything to Tig.’ She smiled as she realised this would be a good result.
‘I’d contest the will,’ said Roy. ‘Tig isn’t related.’
‘Oh, for God’s sake!’ said Fran. ‘We’re hardly related either. I’m going to sit down next door.’ She suddenly realised she felt exhausted.
‘I’ll come with you,’ said Antony. He followed her into the sitting room holding two gin and tonics. ‘Here,’ he said, handing her one. ‘I’m going to light the fire.’
Fran took a large gulp of her drink. It was extremely strong although Antony had managed to find some ice to put in it. She sat back and closed her eyes, her mind whirling with thoughts and memories. How could Amy be dead? How could she be so fit and well and animated and then just be gone? She knew another couple of sips and the tears would come. She put her glass on the table next to her.
‘Was it just coincidence that you came over? You didn’t know Amy was dead?’ she asked Antony, watching as he scrunched up newspaper and broke up sticks.
