“Wow.” Pippa slid into the chair opposite Mae. “We’re going to need pints of tea to get us through this.”
Mae let out a harried sound. “There is a lot,” she agreed. “How are you getting on?”
Pippa couldn’t contain her proud smile as she opened her laptop. “Well, as you can see, I’ve confirmed the following sponsors.” She pointed to her chart.
“What, in the past twenty-four hours?” Mae looked at the figures and gasped. “They’re donatingthatmuch?”
Pippa nodded. “Yup. They’re all run by people who remember just how good the fair used to be and the crowds it used to draw. Killer advertising opportunity for them. So, thanks to these guys, we have some great seed money to help organise the event.” She flicked to another part of the document. “Now we need to sell pitches to vendors – food trucks and that.”
“You must have some good contacts from the Goodman’s days,” Mae suggested.
“Maybe a few.” Pippa swallowed. Working on a farm had embedded her and Alex in the local retail economy. Once upon a time, her social and professional network had been filled with all sorts of interesting and talented people; cheesemongers, butchers, craftworkers and the like. But they had known her as Alex’s girlfriend. Many had assumed she would one day be his wife, often making jokes about being their official wedding suppliers. The very notion of approaching them now, in her current state, made her want to curl up and die. “I don’t know if I can ask them.”
“Why not?” Mae screwed up her face. “What, because they were mates with Alex too?”
Pippa shrugged helplessly. “I just don’t know if I can face it.”
Mae levelled Pippa with a fierce stare. “You, my friend, can do anything. You have every right to meet with those people in your capacity as Fair organiser.”
“I know that!” Pippa said heatedly. “Intellectually, I know that. But the thought of actually seeing them after what Alex did…” She shuddered. “It’s humiliating.”
“Listen.” Mae took Pippa’s hand. “I can’t imagine how hard it’s been rebuilding your life after what Alex did. Hurst Bridge is a small town. People know your business and that’s the way it’s always been.” She squeezed tight. “So bloody well call them, meet them and show them you’re a goddamn queen.”
Pippa swallowed tears. “Thanks.”
“Thank me by nailing this fair,” Mae shot back with a wink. “I need my Pip, not some wet blanket.”
Pippa swiped at her eyes. “You have her.” Mae was right. Pippa’s experience at the farm had not only imbued her with useful skills but plenty of contacts that could really be beneficial for the fair. So what if she’d endured a painful break-up? Mae was right – everyone in Hurst Bridge knew about it by now, so why hide? It would only be to her detriment and Alex had done enough damage without Pippa heaping on more. “I’ll start reaching out.”
“Great. I’ll have a think too,” Mae said. “For my part, the advertising has gone out, and I’ve applied to the council for the roads to be closed for the races.” She winced. “We’re a bit tight for time but Rick – my mate in the council – thinks that as it’s such a good cause they’ll rush it through.”
“Great.” Pippa went through the checklist. “Insurance?”
“This is where I’m struggling.” Mae’s face fell. “We must have at least two first aid stations as well as on-site medics to get coverage. Problem is, I’m struggling to find available medics at short notice. It’s summer, so they’re booked up with festivals and such.”
Pippa frowned. “There must besomeoneout there qualified and available!”
Mae threw her hands up. “You would think. I even asked Finn Goodman if he knew anyone through the university, that’s how much I’ve been struggling.” She winced. “Hope that’s okay.”
“What, that you spoke to my ex’s brother?” Pippa said. “Of course it is. Desperate times and all that.”
And so the organisation went on. They reviewed the trophies – Erin had some on order from a place that made the school sports day trophies – and Mae had been networking with local bands who’d gigged at her pub to see if any would provide entertainment.
“Did you speak to Wolfie about doing the prize-giving at Squires?” Mae asked, a wistful smile spilling across her face. “It used to be one of the best things about the fair, hanging about those gardens in the sunshine, sneaking a cheeky fag in the maze…”
“Not yet.” Pippa pulled a face. She really couldn’t judge how he would react to such a request and there hadn’t been an opportune moment. “Let’s just hope he doesn’t raze the place to the ground first.”
Mae rolled her eyes. “Must really need the money.”
“Maybe.” Pippa told Mae about hearing Wolfie on the phone, the devotion in his voice. “He was almost …gooey.”
“You really think he’s selling up to spend all the money on a woman?” Mae said.
“I don’t know,” Pippa said. “A girlfriend would make sense, right? After all, someone as good-looking as him must have…” she trailed off, distracted by Mae’s knowing grin. “What?”
“That’s the first time I’ve heard you even compliment a man that wasn’t Alex.” Mae rested her chin on her hands. “You might be ready.”
“Ready for what?” Pippa was unsettled by Mae’s glee.
