Dad nodded, turning to me with a smile. ‘B…. beautiful.’ He pointed a finger at me and gave a thumbs up.
‘Yes, Dad, I’m very happy here. I’m not sure how long we’ll be able to stay, but I’m going to enjoy every second we get to spend here.’
At the end of the track, I parked up the Land Rover and helped Cass get Dad settled in his wheelchair.
‘The track is pretty hard going from here to the lake. You wait here with Dad, and I’ll see if Seb’s home and can help us.’
‘Ooh yes, I’m looking forward to meeting your mystery man.’
‘He’s not my mystery man.’
‘Whatever you say,’ said Cass with a wink.
I left Cass and Dad admiring the primroses and daffodils and ran towards Seb’s cabin. I found him out on his deck, beer in one hand, book in the other. ‘Hiding?’ I asked.
Seb looked up and grinned. ‘You caught me.’
‘Look, I know you’re enjoying a bit of peace, but I wondered if you could help me with something?’
‘Does it involve children? One of those feral beasts kicked me in the shin when I wouldn’t give him a fifth Easter egg, and another put a handful of worms down my pants when I was bending over to feed the chickens. It’s not funny,’ he said as I tried not to laugh.
‘I promise there’s not a child in sight. My sister has brought my dad for a visit. We’ve got him as far as we could in the Land Rover, but he’s in a wheelchair since his stroke and I know he’d love to see the lake.’
‘You want a hand getting him down the track?’
‘If you don’t mind?’
‘Not at all.’
Seb laid down his book and beer and followed me back to where Cass and Dad were waiting.
‘Dad, Cass, this is Seb. Seb, this is my sister, Cass and my dad, Alberto.’
‘Is that a Spanish name?’
‘Si,’ said Dad, holding out a shaking hand. Seb took it and began chatting to Dad in fluent Spanish.
‘Hang on, since when do you speak Spanish?’
‘Since I spent a year in South America,’ said Seb, taking hold of the wheelchair and pushing it toward the lake.
‘Well, he is indeed mysterious,’ said Cass as we walked a few paces behind the men. ‘And pretty hot, even with that awful beard.’
‘You should have seen it before. That’s the new, improved version.’
‘Aside from working with a sexy man who’s prepared to push your father and his heavy wheelchair along a dirt track, how is everything else going?’
‘Good. Really good. Bertie loves school. He seems to get on with everyone, but has a group of five close friends. They come over to the farm most weeks either for dinner or to help with the animals. And my job’s going well, both my jobs I should say. We’re making great progress with the lake project and have meetings lined up with potential investors next week. The shop’s good too. It doesn’t require much brain power, but it makes me feel part of the village, and Beryl’s lovely, in her slightly odd way.’
‘I’m so pleased. It’s amazing to see you growing into yourself, finding your passion.’
‘Working in a corner shop?’
‘No, the lake project. I can tell how passionate you are about it, and it’s about time you put that brain of yours to good use. I almost don’t dare ask, but how are things on the Rob front?’
‘Still no news. I know he’s still with his parents. I’ve heard nothing since dropping my bombshell in Marion’s lap, but I bit the bullet and called again last week. It’s important he sees Bertie, even if he won’t see me.’
‘How did that go?’
