‘Yep. The marquee’s booked, as is the folk band.’
‘Sounds good.’
‘Me and Lisa will be posting flyers tomorrow. Fancy helping?’ Cassie smiled hopefully.
‘Yeah, sure.’ Adira was pleased to be included.
‘Oh, and you’ll be wearing this.’ Cassie reached up to a shelf, then unfolded a black tunic. On it was written ‘The Bath House’ in cream, cursive font.
‘Hey, that’s cool,’ approved Adira. ‘Very professional.’
‘That’s me,’ laughed Cassie.
The next morning, Adira reported for duty at the Inn nice and early. Cassie had wanted to start posting the flyers first thing, with a view to approaching the shops on the village high street and asking if they’d advertise the hog roast too. It was promising to be a scorcher of a day with a beautiful blue, cloudless sky. Already, the sun had started to shine brightly and it was only going to burn stronger as the day went on.
‘Lovely day for it,’ Adira smiled, joining Cassie and Lisa at reception.
‘It certainly is,’ replied Cassie, armed with a pile of flyers. She separated them evenly and gave Adira and Lisa their share. ‘Right, we’ll start by posting along Fishers Row, then move onto Primrose Lane and carry on till we reach the village green.’
‘OK,’ nodded Lisa.
‘Then, we’ll cross the river and finish off along Hope Cottages and Vicar’s Close by the church.’
Adira melted at the quaint names and couldn’t wait to explore Lilacwell.
‘I thought of doing the shops last and having a well-earned break at Puddleduck Cafe?’ Cassie suggested.
‘Absolutely!’ cheered Lisa.
Puddleduck Cafe?How cute, thought Adira.
‘Right, come on, team, let’s go!’ Cassie strode out with determination.
Adira strolled slightly behind Cassie and Lisa as they chatted away, wanting to take in the scenery. She’d never come across a prettier village, with its fragrant hawthorn hedgerows, babbling brooks, small humpbacked bridges and the sweetest stone cottages covered in ivy and trailing roses. Picture-postcard, she marvelled. Wild garlic wafted through the warm, still air and the sound of a waterfall deep in the nearby woods created a soothing, calming effect on her. Adira was slowly falling under Lilacwell’s spell.
They soon reached Fishers Row and began to scurry up the long paths leading to each front door and hastily pushed through the flyers. Cassie and Lisa moved quickly, eager to get the job done, but Adira couldn’t help slowing down a little, appreciating her surroundings. She was used to bustling streets, roads crammed with traffic and plain brick buildings packed with people. She breathed in the fresh, country air and paused to listen to birdsong. It was simply magical.
‘Come on, slowcoach!’ called Cassie laughingly.
‘Nearly done!’ Adira replied and hurried along to meet up with them.
They continued as Cassie had instructed until reaching the village green. Here a small team of children were playing cricket, looking very smart in pristine whites.
‘It’s traditional for Saint Jude’s to play the neighbouring village school this time of year,’ Cassie explained when they drew to a stop to watch.
‘Oh, that’s a lovely custom,’ replied Adira, watching the children clearly enjoying themselves. Again, her thoughts turned to the inner-city schools, with their caged, Astroturf playgrounds.
After watching a few more runs, the women moved on. Crossing a stone bridge over the river, they carried on posting leaflets through letterboxes until they reached the village high street. Here, artisan shops lined both sides, including a farm shop, bakery, post office, a sweet, little bookshop, as well as a deli and coffee shop. It was exactly the kind of quintessential place Adira had longed to see on her travels, and without a tourist in sight.
As promised, Cassie led them to Puddleduck Cafe and promptly bagged a table by the window.
‘This is on the Inn, under Charles’ order,’ Cassie said, passing them each a menu.
‘That’s good of him.’ Lisa scanned the cakes at the counter with a beady eye.
‘It’s called team building,’ Adira joked, loving being there, with them. Once more, her mind flashed back to knocking back the wine in Mario’s, alone. There was no comparison.
Just then, her eye caught Jasper walking head and shoulders above the other pedestrians milling outside on the high street. He was strolling nonchalantly along, not appearing to be in any hurry.
