‘I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re talking about, dear boy. But I have been practising too, or trying to.’
‘He’s roped me into a few games,’ said Seb, ‘but I’m not up to Bertie’s standards.’
‘No,’ said Pat, ‘I think young Seb could do with that practice bottom of yours, Bertie. Right, if you don’t mind, Harry, I’d like to be getting back to the farmhouse. I need to get a good rest before facing such a fierce opponent as Bertie.’
‘Of course,’ said Harry. ‘Take your time settling in, Liv. There’s quite a lot we need to update you on with the Lake project, but that can wait until tomorrow. We’ll see you at dinner later, though.’
‘I’d better get going too,’ said Seb. ‘I’ve got a local builder arriving any minute to plan out the treehouse build.’
‘Do you want me there?’
‘No, it’s fine. We can talk about it tomorrow. Like Harry says, you need time to settle in.’
It was only once our friends had left that we ventured into our new home. It was similar to Seb’s cabin, but a little larger. Just like Seb, Pat had whitewashed the pine, painting the kitchen units sage. I’d never been inside Pat’s cabin and was amazed at the amount of light flooding in from the sliding doors that enjoyed uninterrupted views of the lake. Beyond the open plan kitchen and living area was a small bedroom containing bunk beds.
‘This is my room,’ said Bertie, climbing up onto the top bunk and pretending to snore.
‘Fine by me,’ I said.
Next to the bunk room was a small, functional bathroom. A staircase rose from the middle of the living room. I climbed the stairs, trying to shake the feeling I was invading Pat’s personal space. He had removed all of his belongings and there was no reason to feel like an intruder, but I still struggled to believe all this space was ours.
At the top of the stairs, a mezzanine area looked over the living space and I decided it would make a perfect office space. Beyond it was the second bedroom, a simple room containing a bed, chest of drawers and writing desk. Light flooded in from two skylights and the bed looked so tempting I could’ve curled up in it there and then.
Bertie was still lying on his bunk when I came downstairs. ‘Come on, let’s go to the car and start bringing our things in. The sooner we unpack, the sooner we can start living our new life.’
Chapter Fifty-Five
‘Wow, this is quite the gathering!’ The dining room was bursting at the seams. As well as the residents of Lowen Farm, we were joined by Beryl, Mel, and Zoe, who rushed to greet us with open arms.
‘Oh, maid, it’s good to have you back,’ said Beryl. ‘I’ve been storing up so much of the customers’ news to tell you I feel like I may burst. You can start back at work on Monday, can’t you?’
I disentangled myself from Beryl’s arms and laughed. ‘That depends. Do you have the latest gossip on Mavis’s naughty neighbours?’
‘Do I heck!’
‘Then yes, you’ll be seeing me bright and early on Monday morning.’
Mel had bent down to talk to Bertie and was engaged in what looked like a serious conversation.
‘Good,’ she said, standing with her hands on her hips. ‘Bertie tells me he’s been keeping up his cornet practice, which is fortunate as we’re working on a very special piece for the grand fundraiser and need him up to scratch.’
‘Hello again,’ I said, sitting down opposite Michael and Carly. ‘Those windows are looking good.’
‘Thank you,’ said Michael with a wide smile.
I thought arriving home to new residents would feel strange, but Michael and Carly seemed to slot in just as well as Andrea and Christine had all those months earlier. In fact, it felt good not to be the newbies, a sentiment Bertie seemed to share as he gave a monologue on animal care like he’d never been away.
With so many dinner guests, there wasn’t much room around the table, and a shiver of nerves went through me as my leg pressed against Seb’s. We hadn’t yet talked about where things stood between us, and I was itching to get the conversation out of the way. Part of me suspected he’d struggle to take me back after all that had happened, but there was a kernel of hope deep inside me I couldn’t ignore however hard I tried.
‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ said Pat, making us all laugh as he appeared in the doorway wearing a chef’s hat. ‘Dinner is served.’
Pat and Harry came out carrying trays of pizza.
‘My favourite,’ said Bertie.
‘I know,’ said Pat. ‘That’s why I moved my cooking night forward by a day. I wanted to welcome you back properly.’
Bertie climbed off his chair, walked around to Pat and gave him a big squeeze. As Bertie released him and walked back to his chair, I noticed Pat pull a handkerchief from his pocket and dab his eyes.
