71
Christie stretched slowly with satisfaction and gazed out of the window. Last night’s starry sky had been so spectacular she hadn’t wanted to shut it out. The blind in the small sash window remained open, allowing the view of the lush, green hills to shine brightly in the distance. She sank back in the goose-down pillows and contemplated. Since sending Dermot off with a rip-snorting hell of a leaving bash, she had confidently taken the helm. Knowing she always had Daniel’s input if needed gave her that extra reassurance of assertively running The Templar. Also, having had Dermot’s support had given her a boost.
Christie had been fully accepted and approved by the locals, which meant an awful lot to her. They’d also welcomed the news of Daniel having a stake in the pub. Together they were now regarded as fully-fledged villagers. A huge honour indeed, Dermot had told them. It was strange having him call in now as a customer, but still comforting.
They were all due to meet up that night. Daniel had decided to throw a house-warming party, to celebrate the completion of Keeper’s Cottage. The garden had been landscaped and a fence now surrounded his land from the footpath. The outbuilding had been converted into a work studio as planned, with skylight windows blasting out daylight, making it an ideal space for him to sit and draw plans, while Bailey sat contently by his feet. Daniel would always make sure he had finished working by 3pm, in order to pick Emily up from school.
Often, when she had been bathed and tucked up in bed, he would squeeze another hour or two into his work schedule. His parents were in the process of moving nearby. Wanting to be hands-on grandparents to Emily and a support to their son, they had sold their house and bought a bungalow in the next village to Treweham. Daniel was so glad of the helping hands and was pleased they were close by.
He was making good progress on the project he had been commissioned to do. Being happy and content made all the difference to his creativity he realised – that and a good work-life balance. This had in turn made him consider Christie’s lifestyle. After seeing the way she dedicated almost every hour God sent to The Templar, Daniel was beginning to grow concerned. Not only as her partner, but also as joint owner of the pub, he wanted to shoulder more responsibility. Obviously he couldn’t be there at her side running The Templar when he had Emily and his own career, but an idea was beginning to take root, which he wanted to suggest to Christie.
The more he considered it, the more appealing it became. Perhaps tonight at his house-warming party he would run it past her, he thought, as he leisurely made his way back home from dropping Emily off at school. He had a lot to do today. He’d planned to do two hours’ work in the studio, then tidy up and prepare for the party. His parents were due to arrive later that afternoon, plus the caterers would be delivering the buffet. He wanted to stock up on booze too. The three bottles of wine in his rack wouldn’t last two minutes amongst the guests.
Daniel was looking forward to meeting all his neighbours properly after deciding to invite those who lived nearby but whom hadn’t spoken a great deal to, apart from small talk in the pub. Now, as his roots were firmly grounded in Treweham, he wanted to be on good terms with as many people as possible.
*
As early evening came a mildness filled the dusky air. Tobias and Megan trampled through the fallen, rusty-brown leaves in the damp wood. The smell of wood smoke wafted through the trees and an owl hooted in the distance.
‘There’s something romantic about wandering through the woods in dusk, isn’t there?’ remarked Megan as she held Tobias’ hand.
‘Do you remember our first encounter in Quercus Woods, Megan?’ Tobias laughed, the sexy flashback giving him a stir.
Megan giggled. ‘Do I ever.’ She squeezed his hand and he lowered his face to kiss her. Marcus and Finula followed at a distance behind them with Sebastian and Jamie. Laughter could be heard as they all fumbled their way through the semi-darkness to Keeper’s Cottage.
Sebastian was in exceptionally good form, having been offered a major role in a BBC drama, which a casting director had headhunted him for.
‘So, the show’s not over yet,’ he’d remarked wryly to a beaming Jamie, who knew more than anyone how much it meant to him.
By the time they arrived the party was in full swing. Daniel opened the patio doors on seeing them emerge from the trees.
‘Hi!’ he called, waving them over. They joined the crowd, already in good cheer. Dylan and Flora had been amongst the first guests to arrive. Flora, now several months pregnant, was showing, but also fighting fatigue. Dylan, as protective as ever, was keen to get there early, to come home early. The last thing he wanted was Flora exhausted. The way he fussed over her was endearing to others who witnessed it, but exasperating for Flora.
‘I’m fine, Dylan,’ she hissed as he provided a chair for her to sit on.
‘I know, but just rest your legs,’ he insisted as Flora rolled her eyes, making Gary and Tracy Belcher, who were stood talking to them, stifle laughter.
‘So, how’s our Phoenix?’ asked Gary, throwing back his pint.
Immediately Flora’s face softened. ‘Oh, he’s fine, Gary. Feel free to come and visit him anytime.’
‘We will.’ Tracy smiled. ‘I’m looking forward to his next race.’
‘Doubt you’ll be riding him though, eh, Flora?’ roared Gary, whilst thumping Dylan on his back.
Dermot arrived next. Finula rushed over and hugged him.
‘How’s my girl?’ He loved having his daughter in Treweham again.
‘I’m good, thanks.’
‘And how’s Marcus?’ he asked, ever mindful of his son-in-law’s unwanted media attention.
‘He’s good too. Things are settling down now. We’ll be heading back to Shropshire.’
‘Oh, I see.’ Dermot couldn’t help the disappointment in his voice.
‘But after Christmas,’ she quickly added.
