I was just wondering if Stanley and I can tag along with you and Miriam on your day out in the countryside, or are we too late?
Less than a minute passed before a reply pinged through from Ryan.
Of course you can both come along! We’re planning on leaving just after ten if that works for you and the scruffy mutt. We’ll swing by your house and pick you up.
Grace beamed as she replied that they’d be ready. When she looked up from her phone and saw Stanley already waiting by the front door with his lead once more dangling from his mouth, she couldn’t help but laugh.
“Mad little dog,” she muttered as she rushed upstairs to drag a brush through her hair, swipe on some lipstick, and get ready for her impromptu day out.
Ryan pulled up outside her house a little after ten o’clock, as promised. His car was a sleek SUV, which he explained he’d chosen because it was perfect for transporting musical instruments or equipment around when he was required to do so, and the sizeable boot space meant there was plenty of room in the rear for Stanley to sit comfortably. The little dog hopped into the boot and made himself at home.
“I’m glad you changed your mind about coming along with us today,” Ryan said as he opened the rear passenger door for Grace.
Touched by this courteous gesture, Grace smiled in thanks. “I’m glad, too.”
They exchanged another smile as Ryan closed the car door. Grace caught the spicy scent of his aftershave and liked it. Ryan looked casually smart in dark chinos, a soft plaid shirt, and walking shoes, and Grace was glad she’d changed into blue cargo trousers and a cream-coloured sweater that gave her an outdoorsy vibe.
“I’m so glad you could join us,” Miriam said from the front seat as Ryan got back in behind the wheel.
“Thanks for letting me gatecrash your day out,” Grace replied.
“Oh nonsense, you’re doing no such thing. The more the merrier. We’ll have a wonderful time, and I think Stanley will enjoy the walk I’ve chosen for us to tackle. It’s not too onerous, and we avoid any nasty hills, but there will still be plenty of lovely scenery to enjoy.”
They set off, the conversation back-and-forth as they motored through the countryside. By the time they arrived in asmall village near East Meon twenty minutes later, the bank of grey clouds overhead had cleared to reveal blue skies and fluffy wisps of summery cumulus. The temperatures were perfect, the air warm but still fresh thanks to the breeze. Once Ryan parked the car, Miriam showed Grace the route map she’d saved on her phone.
“This walk will only take us forty minutes or so,” Miriam said. “And if I’m feeling lively enough after lunch, there’s another walk we can choose to do, which winds around in the opposite direction.”
“Lead the way,” Grace said with a smile.
The car park was beside the village main street, which boasted a number of cafes and pubs, and an assortment of independent shops. Miriam pointed in the direction of the various businesses.
“Before we start our walk, I think a cup of tea is in order, don’t you?” Miriam said.
“Grandma cannot function without mainlining tea on an hourly basis throughout the day,” Ryan quipped, throwing Grace a wry smile.
Miriam chuckled and led them towards the nearest of the little cafes that dotted the small main street. A sign on the door said well-behaved dogs were welcome, and Miriam nodded in approval before going inside. Once seated at a table beside the window, they ordered hot drinks from the waitress while Stanley burrowed beneath Grace’s chair and curled up at her feet.
By the time their drinks arrived, they were making easy conversation about the pleasant countryside walk that Miriam had plotted out on her phone, and which appeared to follow a well-trodden trail that took in the highlights of the surrounding area, including an old church, ancient woodland, and some quintessential South Downs chalk grasslands.
Grace relaxed with her cappuccino and realised how much she was already enjoying her impromptu day out. Perhaps this was exactly what she’d needed, after all.
“My Earl Grey tea is just the ticket,” Miriam said, taking a sip she’d poured from the teapot as she peered out of the café window. A curious frown creased her forehead. “Hmm, look at that little gift shop across the road. I must say, I have a feeling an old friend of mine owns a gift shop somewhere around here. I wonder…”
Miriam tapped on her phone and a moment later had pulled up some contact details. She tapped the screen to dial a number and brought the phone to her ear as Ryan exchanged an amused look with Grace.
“My grandmother has more friends and acquaintances than I’ve had hot dinners,” he commented, making Grace laugh.
Miriam shushed him with a flick of her hand, indicating her call had been answered.
“Hello, Jill, is that you? This is Miriam Lewis here. How are you dear? … Oh, that’s good. I’m so pleased to hear it … Oh yes, I’m fine, thoroughly on the mend now, and it’s very nice of you to ask after me. Listen, I just happen to be in your neck of the woods today and I’m sitting in a lovely little café and looking out at a gorgeous shop called Meon Valley Emporium Of Gifts, and I’m wondering if that isyourlittle gift shop, Jill? … Oh, it is? Well, how about that! What are the chances?”
While this phone conversation continued, Grace’s gaze moved from Miriam’s animated expression to her grandson’s, which appeared to be one of increasingly suspicious bemusement as he listened to his grandmother talking.
Across the road, a woman appeared in the window of the gift shop and waved, her smile enormous. Miriam let out a peal of laughter and hopped up from her chair, moving closer to the café window to respond with a wave of her own.
“There you are Jill! Hello! You look simply fantastic … Well, actually I came here to have a nice walk with my grandson and his young lady friend,” Miriam said into the phone, her eyes flicking between the two of them. “But I’m sure they wouldn’t mind going for a walk without me while you and I have a nice catch up.”
Ryan’s eyes widened at this suggestion, but before he could say anything, his grandmother kept talking.
