‘Coincidence. She must have died minutes after you left her.’ The fire was now crackling away and he straightened up. ‘I think you need food. And I expect the others need drinks.’
‘AskIssi to come in, will you?’ said Fran. ‘I think I need her.’
Issi came in without being asked, holding a drink. She flopped down on the sofa next to Fran. ‘Roy’s gone for fish and chips, which will take a while. I put the oven on and Tig is making us cheese on toast to keep us going.’ She sipped her drink. ‘Boy, that’s strong.’
‘Good, isn’t it? I reckon I’m three sips away from a good cry,’ said Fran.
‘It is awfully sad, isn’t it?’ said Issi, already sounding tearful. ‘I mean, we knew it would happen eventually, but so soon?’
‘And she was so well this evening. We had a lovely chat. She told me about the feud between her and Antony’s family, how she was worried they’d have to plough the fields during the war, when everyone had to, more or less. But these fields were too small and steep.’
‘Which kept the pasture pristine. A unique habitat,’ said Issi, reminding Fran of her academic background.
Fran sipped her gin. ‘You know, today, when I managed to get that cow and its calf together, on the same side of the fence, I felt like a proper farmer.’
‘You mean you’d give up your dreams of having a restaurant to be a farmer?’
Fran nodded. ‘I think so. The farm is so important. It has to be kept going. And we had the supperclub,which was amazing. We could have more of those.’
‘Not quite the same though,’ said Issi.
Fran sighed. ‘What about you? Are you and Tig properly a couple?’
Issi nodded. ‘He’s the one, if that’s what you’re asking. But right now our future is a bit uncertain.’
Fran frowned. The gin was beginning to muddle her brain a bit. ‘Why?’
‘Well, Tig could be thrown out of his house. Thank goodness Mary owns hers. But he’d have to find another job and hope a house went with it. When I’ve finished my PhD I’d then find work but things would still be tight. He earns very little, really.’
‘You know I’d never throw Tig out of his house. If I inherit.’
‘Of course I know that, but supposing you don’t?’
Fran suddenly realised that her best friend needed the farm more than she did really. She’d be OK one way or another, with Antony, although seeing the farm ruined would nearly kill her. But it was much more important for Issi and Tig. ‘Oh God, Issi!’
‘We’ve talked about it, obviously, and we’ll work something out. Don’t worry, Fran. I know it’s not up to you – you can’t sort the situation.’ She put her hand on her friend’s knee. ‘We’ll get through.’
But still, in spite of the gin, the healing tears wouldn’t come. She and Issi drank more gin and ate the cheese on toast while waiting for Roy tocomeback. Although reluctant to credit Roy with anything, ever, they had to admit that he did appear with fish and chips fairly quickly.
They sat in the sitting room, throwing the fish and chip paper on to the fire. Tig made tea and they talked about Amy.
‘She didn’t praise much,’ said Tig, ‘but you knew when she was pleased with you. A nod was enough.’
‘I thought she was great,’ said Issi, ‘but one of those feisty old ladies who are easier if they’re someone else’s relation.’
‘I always got on great with her,’ said Roy. ‘But I’ve always had a way with the ladies.’
The two ladies present exchanged glances, not convinced.
‘She made it very plain what she thought about me and my family,’ said Antony. ‘But I respected her for that.’
‘I never knew what she felt about me,’ said Fran. ‘I wanted to please her so much and yet I could never do anything right. Apart from today – oh God, was it only late this afternoon? She did seem pleased I’d found the quarry, although it would have been better if I’d found it sooner.’
‘So where is this quarry you’re going on about?’ asked Roy.
Fran hesitated a moment, but there was no way Roy could use the information to his advantage now. ‘Oh, it’s up the top field, on the left.’
‘Didyou know where it was, Tig?’ Roy went on.
