It’s after eight when I arrive at Berkeley Hall, but I’m in time to see the sunset colouring the vast building orange. My chest feels tight at the sight of Ash’s family home, the setting for some of the highest and lowest moments of my life. But it is still so beautiful.
Light reflects off the myriad tiny panes of glass in the gatehouse, diamonds of gold that seem to flicker on the aged mottled glass as I drive along the public road adjacent to the family’s rarely used private driveway.
Instead of carrying on towards the car park, I pull to a stop by the dirt track that leads to the cottages. There’s a wooden gate across the opening that wasn’t there when I worked here. It has a sign markedPRIVATEfixed to it.
I’m a little confused. Siân said that Lord Berkeley didn’t sell off the cottages or workshops. Did Ash? It doesn’t look as though they’re NT-owned.
It occurs to me that the public car park might be closed at this hour, so I take a chance and open the gate, driving through and shutting it again.
I come out past the walled garden to the row of five terraced cottages. They look exactly the same as when I left them, and I’m so sure I’ll inhale the fragrant scent of roses asI climb out of the car that I’m a little taken aback to smell barbecued meat instead.
And then I’m smiling, even through my nerves, as I walk around the back of the cottages and see that Friday night’s barbecue is in full swing.
I spy Bethan’s high brown ponytail just as she jumps up from her chair to go inside, and then she sees me and her mouth drops open.
‘Ellie?’ she squeals as I step over the lavender border.
She races towards me and, okay, I’m guessing she’s drunk and merry, but I couldn’t hope for a better reaction.
I open my arms to welcome her.
‘What are you doing here?’ she asks, as the others in the deckchair circle look over to see what’s causing the commotion.
I do a quick scan for Celyn, but only recognise Jac and Dylan amongst the half-dozen faces.
‘I thought I’d come back and see you all,’ I reply.
‘Oh my God! Are you applying for the head gardener position?’
‘What? No!’ I exclaim as Jac and Dylan get to their feet to greet me.
Bethan introduces me to the others, all young guys, all workshop crew. She makes a point of telling me who lives where.
‘Where are Owain and Gwen?’ I ask with a frown.
They’d lived at number one for thirty-odd years.
‘They retired recently, but they haven’t gone far, only to Chirk.’
‘What about Celyn and Catrin?’
‘Oh, they’re up at the ranger’s cabin now.’
My chest contracts. ‘Do you know where Ash is?’
She calls over to Jac. ‘Where does Ash live now?’
Jac shrugs. ‘Somewhere near Powys, isn’t it?’
He looks at Dylan, who nods and shrugs, taking a sip of his beer.
‘Do you have an address for him?’
They both shake their heads. ‘We don’t see much of him these days. He’s a bit off-grid.’
‘Do you have a number?’
‘No. Celyn might,’ Dylan replies. ‘The phone reception’s non-existent up at the cabin, though, so he might not answer.’
