Rita hesitated. ‘Honestly? A bit… wrung-out.’
Zenya nodded. ‘I can only think of it like after a music festival. The noise stops and suddenly your own thoughts get loud. I hear you.’
Rita exhaled, tearing a roll in half. ‘It went well, though, didn’t it? A proper mixed bunch but no one left early, and a couple hinted they may return.’
‘You should be really proud.’ Zenya nodded.
‘I am. Proud of how far we’ve come already. But I keep thinking about what’s next. How can we make it better? Is enough money coming in? All the worries of a new business. And I’d better shake myself as new guests are arriving in under three weeks.’
Zenya smiled. ‘Don’t fret. We are a team and we’ve got this.’ She became animated. ‘I checked the review page last night. Every single one of the last lot have left a glowing report.’
‘Oh wow. I didn’t even think to look; that’s amazing. Um… what did Paul say?’
‘I’ll go and grab my phone – and something else I want to show you, hang on.’ Zenya darted to her tent then ran back and scrolled to the retreat Facebook page. ‘He gave five stars obviously and oh yes, here we go.A truly unforgettable stay.The yurt was surprisingly comfortable, the host incredibly attentive, and I left feeling… well, deeply satisfied on every level. Would absolutely come again. And again.’
Rita reddened; Zenya smirked. ‘I told you that you were the hostess with the mostest.’
‘I’m saying nothing.’ Rita sighed.
‘You don’t need to… and Madam Satisfaction.’ Zenya reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded paper, a sketched floor plan. ‘You remember your idea of converting the outhouse into a fancier toilet and shower area? Well, we can do this quite easily. Keep the outside rustic; there is basic plumbing in there with the old utilities. And to keep in line with your sustainability thoughts, we can swap to a solar-powered water heater on the roof.’
Rita opened the paper, eyes scanning the notes, the little drawings. ‘I love it,’ she said quietly. ‘Really love it.’
Zenya tried to hide her delight. ‘Good. So I suggest we get this next shorter retreat out of the way, then we can start implementing changes for the next one. Jude’s friend from an eco-build co-op said he could take a quick look for free. It may be worth him looking at solar for the farmhouse too. I am pretty handy, and I know that Teo would get stuck in too.’ Zenya paused. ‘I hope you don’t think I’m interfering.’
‘I love your enthusiasm when mine is waning slightly.’ Rita smiled. ‘This place reallyisbecoming something, isn’t it?’
‘It’s already something,’ Zenya said gently. ‘You made it that way.’
Rita took a sip of coffee. ‘I just wanted to create a space where people could relax and exhale.’
Zenya spontaneously kissed Rita’s cheek, then, shocked by her own reaction, pulled away embarrassed. ‘You did. And you will, yourself, be able to do both again. I know it.’
There was a brief silence and then Zenya ventured, ‘I saw Jago kiss you.’
Rita plucked at a loose thread on her shorts, heart thudding.
Zenya held up a finger. ‘Hang on one sec.’
She vanished back to her tent again and returned moments later clutching a small silver tin, chipped and scuffed.
‘I’m not taking any kind of love potion.’ Rita raised a brow.
Zenya opened it to pull out a deck of cards and a little booklet.
‘Better.’ Zenya grinned. ‘Guardian angels. Just pick one. Don’t think. Put your hand in and the right one will find you.’
Rita rolled her eyes but reached in. Her fingers brushed past a few smooth cards before settling on one. She pulled it free.Clarity.
She stared at the word. The letters were embossed in gold, surrounded by clouds and light beams. Zenya took it from her gently and reached for her accompanying guide. Reading aloud, her voice lilted with delight.
‘You are being shown the truth of a situation. Trust that the fog is lifting. What was hidden is now revealed. Clarity will bring peace, not chaos. You already know what to do.’
‘That’s a bit on the nose,’ Rita said eventually.
‘Truth always is,’ Zenya replied softly. ‘But this card… clarity… isn’t about fixing everything. It’s about seeing things as they really are… and deciding if you want to go with them anyway.’
Rita’s throat tightened. ‘I don’t know if I’m brave enough for that.’
