Soft music began playing.
‘I recognise this song,’ I said, smiling at him.
‘Care to dance?’
He put his arms around me and we moved slowly round the garden. A fortnight ago, we’d shuffled round the dance floor at Adam and Shelley’s wedding to the same song. Caleb had seemed a little nervous and I’d wondered whether he’d been building up to sayingI love youbut had bottled it. I didn’t mind. I felt the love emanating from him every day and I knew he’d say those words when he was ready. There was no rush. I wasn’t going anywhere and I’d wait for as long as he needed.
The track ended and another slow song began, but Caleb loosened his hold and took my hands in his as he stepped back.
‘There’s something I’ve been wanting to say for a while and I wanted to find the perfect moment to say it. I nearly said it at Adam and Shelley’s wedding but I thought it’s not right to say it on someone else’s special day but now it’s Maddie’s special day and I still don’t know if it’s right but I have to say it…’
He smiled at me so tenderly as he lightly brushed my cheeks with his thumbs before kissing me softly.
‘When you first wittered on about country singers, something sparked inside me that I tried to ignore. When I saw you squirming around on the ground trying to take a selfie with a buttercup, it glowed brighter and when I saw you cradling Clemmie like a newborn baby, it became impossible to ignore. So it’s time to say how I’ve felt for a long time. I love you, Grace. You’ve made me happier than I ever imagined I could be. Thank you for choosing Hazelwick Farm and for choosing me.’
‘That’s so beautiful,’ I said, blinking back the tears. ‘And I love you too. The buttercup selfie was a low point for me but I’m so glad it did it for you. I think I knew for sure when I first saw your garden and who it honoured. You weren’t afraid to talk about the people you loved and the hurt you’d experienced. I knew I wanted to be part of your world so thank you for letting me in.’
He kissed me slowly and tenderly. It might have been Maddie’s eighteenth birthday, but I felt like I’d received the best gift ever.
51
‘Good morning!’ I announced, smiling at the group of eight people gathered in the private dining space we’d now named Cow Café. ‘It’s the first day of September and it’s my pleasure to welcome you to the very first cow cuddling encounter at Hazelwick Farm. In February this year, I got to experience something like this on another farm and it was one of the best things I’ve ever done. The amazing farmers who set it up – Paula and Glen Naylor – had a change in circumstances and could no longer offer the experiences so it’s a privilege to have some of their gorgeous Highland cows and all of their cuddle cows here as part of the growing Hazelwick Farm family, and to put our spin on what they started.
‘Let me introduce you to the team. This is my mam and business partner Frances, my daughter Maddie, and my best friend and business partner Jude. The four of us come from farming and equestrian backgrounds, I’m an animal-assisted therapist, and Maddie’s about to start studying psychology and counselling through the Open University.’
I paused to smile at Maddie.
‘I want to be just like my mam,’ she said, smiling back at me. ‘She’s amazing.’
I hadn’t expected her to say that and it took me a moment to gather my composure and finish the introductions.
‘This my partner, Caleb,’ I said, pushing past the lump in my throat. ‘He’s really a vet, a farrier and a blacksmith but, not content with having three jobs, he’s decided to add farmer and professional cow cuddler to his CV. And, finally, this is Lindon, Maddie’s boyfriend and a graphic designer, illustrator, photographer and social media guru so also greedy with the jobs.
‘Our role today is to make sure you and the animals are safe and happy and to answer any questions you might have. Lindon and Maddie will be taking photos for use on our socials and, if you want them to take photos or videos on your phones, please just ask. So let’s all enjoy a cuppa while I tell you more about the exciting experience we’ve lined up for you…’
As planned, we’d run trial sessions with family and friends and, once we were happy with the format and logistics, we’d invited some of our regulars including sisters Becca and Gabby to a free encounter in exchange for honest feedback, photos to be used for the press launch and a promise to promote us to friends and family. Some small further adjustments had been made and today was our first official paid session.
We’d liked all the activities that Paula and Glen had included in their experiences but had made a decision to change the order for ours. After trying various different combinations, we’d settled on a welcome talk and drinks followed by grooming the fluffies, the halter walk, the feeding of the fluffies and a further break for drinks, scones and cake back in the Cow Café. The cow cuddling was the final event after which the customers would visit the shop before returning to the Cow Café for a final drink, a Q&A session and an opportunity to give us feedback.
Maddie was now officially our social media manager, keeping the platforms fresh with photos and videos of the cows, assisted by Willow and Lindon. The three of them were planning to set up a podcast and a YouTube channel once we were a bit more established and I was more than happy to let them get on with it as all of that activity, although important, took me away from the thing that made my heart sing – spending time with the animals and seeing the healing effect they could have on our visitors.
We’d chosen today’s date for two reasons. Firstly, schools had returned and it was a child-free activity, although the downside of that was that Willow couldn’t be here with it being her first day at college. She’d been fine with that, especially as there’d be plenty of future opportunities for her to be involved. The second reason for selecting today was because it carried special meaning for me. It was exactly a year from when Laurie had his redundancy confirmed – a key moment in my life changing beyond all recognition. My old life was behind me now and, even though there’d been many difficult, painful moments during the final months of my marriage, I didn’t regret a single one of them because they’d brought me to this beautiful, magical place where I was always meant to be.
The devastating decision by Laurie to end our marriage had returned me to my family and healed the rift between Maddie and me, turning her into a stronger, kinder, more considered woman. It had led me to new branches of an inspiring, fulfilling career and it had brought me a business partnership with my mam and best friend, giving both of them renewed purpose and enthusiasm.
It had brought two beloved friends together who, to my delight, were now engaged and planning their wedding for next year. And it had delivered me the most incredible man who, despite our shaky start, had turned out to be exactly what I’d wanted and needed at a time when I wasn’t sure if I could trustmy heart with another man ever again because I believed I’d somehow caused the end of my marriage.
* * *
‘Is it how you imagined?’ Mam asked in a hushed voice when we were an hour into the cow cuddling session.
‘It’s even better,’ I said. ‘Just look at them all. They’re loving it – the cows and the customers.’
One of our Guernsey cows, Maisy-Moo, had her head in the lap of one of the female customers and the pair of them looked so cosy snuggled up together, as though they’d always been the best of friends. Another customer was sitting with his back to Buttercup – a Highland/beef shorthorn cross, an expression of bliss across his face. The other six customers were brushing, stroking, cuddling or taking selfies. Maddie and Lindon had taken lots of photos and videos for them to take home as memories of a special day at the farm and a truly unique experience.
Half an hour later, most of the cows had stood up – an indicator that they’d now digested their food and were ready to venture outside to graze once more. I called an end to the session, my heart singing as the compliments came thick and fast.Best thing ever. Feeling so relaxed. Definitely booking again. I’ll be telling all my friends to come.I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
While Caleb and Jude led the cows back to their pasture, I took the visitors to the café and encouraged them to look around the shop while we made drinks for those who wanted them. I was so delighted with the shop. Ned’s consultancy work didn’t require full-time hours so he’d taken it on as a project, sourcing the most fantastic range of dairy and Highland cow-themed merchandise as well as hoodies, hats and scarves with the cowcuddling logo on them which Lindon had designed for us. We also had horse-, guinea pig- and goat-themed goodies including stationery, mugs, tote bags and soft toys, plus a gorgeous range of greetings cards and small pictures using Lindon’s illustrations.
