We sat in companionable silence for several minutes.
‘I had an idea,’ Mam said. ‘What if we have a charity of the year and we direct the proceeds from the bags of goat feed to them? We could start with a mental health charity in memory of Adrian.’
I smiled at her. ‘I think that’s a lovely idea. We should definitely do that. And speaking of money, Jude hit me with an unexpected but brilliant proposal last night…’
* * *
Maddie joined us in the kitchen a little later so I ran Jude’s proposal by her too, eager to make her feel part of the business. Mam and Maddie agreed with me that Jude was part of the family and it would be a privilege to have her join the team and make Hazelwick Farm her home.
‘Did I sleep in?’ Jude asked, doing a double-take at us all seated round the table when she appeared for breakfast.
‘We were all up extra early,’ Mam said, ‘and we’ve been eagerly waiting to do this.’ She stood up and walked towards Jude with her hand outstretched to shake. ‘It’s a huge yes from me.’
‘Really?’ Jude’s eyes shone as she shook Mam’s hand enthusiastically before hugging her.
‘I should probably do the same,’ I said, replicating the handshake and hug, and we all laughed as Maddie followed suit.
‘I feel like I should do a speech,’ Jude said, grinning at us all. ‘Just before Grace left Twyford, I told her blue skies were ahead for all of you and she said they were for me too. I somewhat dramatically said I was struggling to see past the fog and the rain but, since I arrived here, I’ve seen the blue skies. Thank you for letting me be part of your amazing business and for making me feel part of your amazing family.’
‘Group hug!’ Maddie cried and we all huddled together, laughing.
* * *
I wanted to talk to Caleb before we opened for visitors. It probably wasn’t the right moment to admit I had feelings for him but I could at least apologise for Laurie’s interruption yesterday and make it clear that, despite him calling himself my husband, he wasn’t and never would be again.
His van was gone after we finished breakfast but I spotted it back outside Peartree Cottage twenty minutes before opening time and took my chance. Unfortunately there was no answer when I knocked on the door and I couldn’t hear Scampi barking so presumably they’d gone out for a walk or run. I’d have to leave it for now and hope I spotted him later.
The sunny weather had brought another increase in visitors and, whilebusywould be an exaggeration, there was a steady flow of people across the day and there were moments where I had a sense of the buzz there’d be when we were properly busy.
‘I love seeing how happy it makes people when they stroke the horses and feed the goats,’ I said to Jude as we watched a dad lifting up a toddler to stroke Samson.
‘Me too. It’s going to be amazing when we start the cow cuddling, seeing everyone so relaxed and at peace with the world.’
‘Ned says he can’t wait for his first ever cow cuddle. Hopefully cows won’t be the only things he’s cuddling next weekend.’ I gave her a gentle nudge.
Ned had been delighted at the invitation to stay and had sounded extra pleased when I told him Jude would be here too. I definitely had high hopes for the pair of them.
‘Let’s hope,’ she said. ‘In the meantime, much as I don’t want to leave, I think I’d better head down to Twyford and get some estate agents to value the house. The sooner I get it on the market, the sooner I can get it sold and make our partnership official. I could do with picking up some more clothes and a few other bits and bobs.’
We agreed that it made sense for Jude to drive down in the morning, returning on either Thursday or Friday depending on when she could get appointments with estate agents. She had a beautiful old cottage near the village centre and properties like hers were always in demand so I couldn’t imagine it would take long to sell.
Across the day, I kept half an eye out for Caleb and wandered over to Peartree Cottage on a couple of occasions, but his van had gone again. Hope, Nick and the kids were due to visit after we closed – a chance to meet the herd and fold and to have tea with us. They wouldn’t stay late so I’d hopefully be able to catch Caleb after they left. Things definitely needed to be said.
‘Best day’s takings by far,’ Mam said when she ran off the sales report for the day. ‘The takeaway cakes have gone down a storm so thanks to Maddie for that brilliant suggestion.’
‘I’m glad it worked,’ Maddie said. ‘More money, less waste.’
Looking at my daughter positively beaming and actively contributing ideas to the business were two things I feared I’d never see and I felt so proud of the change in her attitude.
‘I saw Caleb earlier, by the way,’ Mam said, looking at me. ‘Hope you don’t mind but I invited him for tea.’
My heart pounded. ‘He’s back? Did he accept?’
‘He did indeed. You can thank me later.’
Maddie gave Mam a fist bump and I shook my head. ‘Are you two trying to match-make?’
They both widened their eyes, attempting to look innocent.
