‘What events?’
‘Weddings, but we’ve had all sorts. It gets rowdy sometimes, but often the staff are invited to join in.’
‘Great,’ said Sarah, thinking it wasn’t. She hadn’t come here to make friends. This job was a means to an end, a chance to get back on her feet, then get the hell out again.
Grass gave way to the forest floor, squelching mud and rotting debris spilling up the sides of her shoes. A branch caught Sarah in the eye and brambles tore at her jeans.
‘See what I mean about wellies?’ chuckled Hattie. ‘Don’t worry, we’re almost there.’ Hattie and Sarah emerged into a clearing, grand old trees creating a canopy above them, encircling the space like giants holding hands. ‘Ta da,’ said Hattie, spreading her arms out wide.
‘Oh,’ said Sarah, ‘I didn’t realise you offered camping here.’
Hattie laughed. ‘You’re a funny one, you are. I’ll show you to your tipi.’
Hattie walked towards a flimsy-looking tipi, while Sarah stayed pinned to the spot. A tent? She was supposed to sleep in a tent? She hadn’t spent a single night under canvas in her life. Now she was supposed tolivein one?
‘Come on,’ said Hattie, pulling back canvas and clipping it out of the way to reveal Sarah’s new canvas home.
‘This is my staff accommodation?’ asked Sarah, her heart hammering in her chest.
‘Yes. Cool, isn’t it?’ Hattie noticed the expression on Sarah’s face and gave her arm a squeeze. ‘Not a camper? Don’t worry, they’re kitted out well. Come and see.’
Sarah followed Hattie as she bent beneath the canvas walls. At least the tipi was bigger than it looked from the outside. In its centre lay a full size double bed, covered in a bright pink woollen throw. Beside the bed was a chest of drawers, colourful rugs leading to a tatty armchair. Sarah looked around, stunned.
‘Right, so what do you need to know?’ Hattie tapped a finger against the corner of her mouth, looking at her surroundings. ‘Oh yes. In here,’ she said, pulling an old chest out from beneath the bed, ‘are blankets. You’ll need them at night, but the weather should warm up soon. It’s cosy in here as long as you’re wrapped up. Clothes go in there. There’s room for your luggage under the bed. Oh yes, I almost forgot. This is an essential.’ Hattie pulled a china bowl from under the bed.
‘Is that? Is that… Please tell me that’s not what I think it is?’
Hattie laughed. ‘Yep, this is your toilet. At night, anyway. Trust me, if you wake up needing a pee, you won’t want to be fumbling around outside in the dark.’
‘You mean there aren’t even proper toilets?’ Hot tears pricked at Sarah’s eyes, anger suppressing the despair she knew would follow.
Hattie laughed again, and Sarah wanted to scream. ‘Don’t worry, we provide you with a shovel for more serious business.’ Seeing the look on Sarah’s face, Hattie laughed. ‘I’m kidding, I’m kidding. Come on, I’ll show you the facilities.’
Hattie led Sarah back outside, past an identical tipi to Sarah’s. ‘That’s where Felix stays. You’ll be relieved to know you’re not alone out here.’
Relieved wasn’t the word Sarah would have used.
‘Here we are,’ said Hattie, after they’d scrambled through more undergrowth. A wooden structure stood amongst the trees. It was like no toilet Sarah had seen before. ‘Have you used a compost toilet before?’ asked Hattie.
‘A what?’
‘I’ll take that as a no. It’s much nicer than using a flushing loo.’
‘Hang on. The toilet in there doesn’t flush?’
‘No. If I had my way, we’d all have these in our homes. It would save a crap ton of water, excuse the pun. You do your business, then shovel sawdust over the top. It’s hygienic and doesn’t smell. God, you look so worried. Don’t be. You’ll find normal toilets weird after a few days using this. Trust me.’
Trust her? The woman who had led Sarah out into the woods and shown her a tent and a compost toilet in the same way someone would show off a luxury hotel room, was asking Sarah to trust her? Sarah wanted to run through the woods and never come back.
‘The shower is round the other side. It runs off a solar panel so the water temperature is temperamental, but you’ll get used to it. Right, I’d better get back to the café and start setting up. Are you all right to find your way back and get settled in?’
Sarah nodded, too shocked to speak. She picked her way through nettles and brambles to find her tipi. Crawling inside, she climbed up onto the bed, put her head in her hands, and screamed.
Chapter 16
Sarahdabbedhereyeswith a tissue and picked up her phone. She’d need to remember to charge it at work as there was no electricity in the tipi. Taking a deep breath, she fired off a message to Cynthia.
Hi Mum, how are things in Spain? I was wondering how the house sale is going and if I’d be able to go back there for a few weeks? Have you heard from Dad again? Has he called you? Could I have his new number, please? X
