‘Hello, Max, lovely to meet you.’
‘Come on, let’s meet everyone. We’re a friendly bunch,’ he smiled. He led them to the carpentry workshop first, where a man wearing protective goggles was sanding down wood. He turned off the sander and took off his goggles when seeing them enter. ‘Meet the new owners, Jasper and Adira,’ said Max, then turned to them. ‘This is Fitz.’ They all shook hands.
‘Is that your gorgeous little cottage in the woods?’ Adira asked.
‘Yes,’ he smiled, ‘it is.’
‘Did you build it?’ she replied.
‘I did.’
‘Oh, it’s amazing!’ Max and Jasper exchanged grins. Jasper guessed this was a reaction that Fitz was used to. He seemed pretty modest though in accepting Adira’s praises.
‘How long have you been here?’ Jasper asked.
‘Not long actually. Just under two years.’
‘Fitz is the newest tenant,’ added Max. ‘The rest have been here ages. Jessie, the potter, will be retiring, so her unit will be free in a few months.’
‘Right, I see,’ replied Jasper, thinking ahead. He’d need to get it advertised as soon as she gave notice.
‘I’ll introduce you to the rest,’ Max said before guiding them into each unit.
Jessie was a lovely old lady and a hugely talented potter, judging by the ceramics displayed on the shelves. James, who ran the florist’s, was an impeccably dressed middle-aged man and softly spoken. Lastly, Max took them to the cafe, where they met Tom and Tess, the young couple who managed it. Adira loved the decor, all distressed wooden panelling and pastel fittings. It always astounded her how proficient people were at working the large silver coffee machines with various levers and buttons, hissing out steam.
‘Sit down, I’ll get the drinks in,’ said Jasper.
‘Thanks,’ replied Max. ‘I’ll have my usual, Tom,’ he called over the counter.
Jasper was extremely pleased with what he’d seen. He also had a good feeling about the tenants. They all seemed decent people he could do business with, especially Max. That said, a part of him couldn’t help but sense a touch of guilt at buying what was his inheritance. After chatting over coffee, he decided to broach the subject.
‘Max, can I ask why you don’t want to take over the business?’
‘I’m happy doing what I do best, being a blacksmith,’ he shrugged, not looking in the least offended by the question. ‘Granddad is making sure I get my share, so no one’s missing out.’
‘Good,’ Jasper nodded, his conscience appeased. Adira looked thoughtfully on. Max was obviously a practical, hands-on man who loved his craft. She didn’t envisage him in a suit, pen pushing, sorting out the book work and tax returns. Why should he? Each to their own, was her mentality. Look at what she’d done – quit her career as a barrister to run a glamping site in the sticks – and she’d never been happier.
She and Jasper walked home in quiet contemplation, each knowing that buying The Cobbled Courtyard was the right move.
Chapter 11
Cassie saw the note pushed under her door and read it with a wide smile.
Morning Pixie,
Meet me at 10 in the car park – action packed day planned. Rory x
Action packed? She instantly became curious and pondered on what to wear. Where was Rory taking her? Eventually she plumped for skinny jeans, a cream cashmere jumper and brown suede knee high boots. Her brown quilted jacket finished the outfit off nicely. With a spring in her step, she went to the kitchens and made herself tea and toast. Glancing at the kitchen clock told her she didn’t have long before meeting Rory. Thankfully she’d managed to get cover after sending an urgent email first thing to her team. It wasn’t like her to ask at such short notice, which was why the manager was willing to step in, assuming it was an emergency. Cassie refused to feel any guilt. To her it was of paramount importance – it was Rory’s last day.
She made her way to the car park as instructed and immediately saw Rory sat in his sporty little car. The roof was down and he waved up at her. She smiled, noticing how devilishly handsome he looked sat behind the wheel in his fitted leather jacket.
‘Ready to go?’ he grinned, as she got in beside him.
‘Where are we going?’ Was he going to set off like this, with the roof down? she thought, wishing she was wearing a floaty scarf and dark shades, like they did in the films.
‘My hometown, well city actually, Lancaster.’
‘Ah, will I see your childhood home?’
