‘I know you see the lake all the time, but I thought this would be a nice addition to your living room.’
‘I love it,’ said Harry, bursting into tears again. ‘Who painted it?’
‘The planning officer from the council.’
‘What?’ Harry stopped crying, her mouth wide with shock.
‘Yes, he was admiring the lake and mentioned he paints as a hobby. I asked if he took commissions. It was a bit of a risk. He may have been an awful painter, but I thought it would sweeten him up a bit and thankfully, the risk paid off.’
‘It certainly did,’ said Harry. ‘Thank you, everyone. I was dreading turning thirty, but you’ve made it so special. Are you sure you boys don’t mind if us girls leave you at home tonight?’
‘Of course not,’ said Stephan. ‘I, for one, would rather have a quiet night with a beer and a film. We’re looking forward to our boys’ night, aren’t we, Bertie?’
Bertie nodded, unable to speak due to the large slice of cake he’d shoved in his mouth.
‘Yes, I’d rather stay here too,’ said Pat. ‘An evening with Big-mouthed-Beryl isn’t my idea of fun.’
‘I’ll tell her you said that,’ said Bertie with a grin.
‘Can I bribe you with a second slice of cake to keep your mouth shut?’
Bertie nodded, and Pat ruffled his hair.
‘Come on then, ladies, let’s get going.’
We said our goodbyes to the men, and headed into the night, Maggie linking arms with me and Harry, excited at the thought of a night out. I no longer worried about leaving Bertie. The residents of Lowen Farm had become as good as family, and it was important for Bertie to have such lovely male role models in his life. He was due to spend his first night with Rob the following weekend. I was dreading it as much as Bertie, though I kept my feelings hidden.
The pub was quiet when we arrived, few people heading out on a weekday evening. Aside from our group and a couple of local farmers, the only other drinker was a man I’d not seen before. In his dark jacket and tight black jeans, he looked like he’d be more at home in a city wine bar.
Beryl waved us over to a table in the corner. Beside her sat Mrs Grange, and a pretty redhead I’d not met before.
‘Happy birthday!’ they chorused as Harry walked over.
‘Thank you,’ she said, hugging each in turn. ‘Liv, I don’t think you’ve met Zoe. Zoe’s local gentry.’
‘Oi, don’t introduce me like that. Nice to meet you, Liv. I actually live in a little cottage in the village, but my parents live at Crow Hall, which backs onto Harry’s land. I’ve known Harry all my life.’
‘Lovely to meet you. Hello, Beryl, hello Mrs Grange.’
‘Good God, don’t be calling me Mrs Grange all evening, it will put me off my beer. Mel, please, we’re not at school now.’
I laughed and went to the bar to get the first round. As I ordered our drinks, I felt like I was being watched. I looked behind me and saw the black-clad man had his eyes boring into my back. He gave a slight jerk and turned his eyes back to the phone in his hand. The way he’d been looking at me sent shivers down my spine, but not the shivers Seb created. His lips hadbeen drawn into a snarl, but given I’d never met him, I couldn’t think what I could have done to offend him.
‘Does anyone know that man over there?’ I asked the others, setting the tray of drinks on the table. ‘No, stop staring. Try to be discreet.’
There was nothing discreet about my friends as they craned their necks to see who I was talking about. They all agreed they’d never seen him before, and he definitely wasn’t a local.
‘He probably fancies you,’ said Maggie. ‘Take it as a compliment.’
‘Maybe.’
Beryl began discussing the latest shop gossip in a voice that was both hushed and dramatic all at once. As she told us about Mavis’s neighbours who since the weather warmed had moved their night time gymnastics into the garden, we forgot all about the dodgy man and his cold stare.
‘Naturists, they call themselves,’ said Beryl. ‘I thought Sir David Attenborough was one of those, but according to Mavis, I’m getting muddled again. It seems the only nature Mavis’ neighbours are interested in is the human kind.’
‘I think I need another drink,’ said Mel.
I offered to help her carry the drinks, and as we walked to the bar, I noticed the dodgy man had gone and only an empty pint glass showed he’d ever been there.
