A Winter Wedding at Primrose Hall (Primrose Woods #6)

Chapter 16

16

‘Hello, Harry, it’s only me! Pia. I was here the other day with Jackson Moody.’

Pia had arrived at Rosewood Farm Cottage on a cold November morning and was calling through the letterbox as she didn’t want to alarm Harry unnecessarily. As before, she heard movement from within the house and waited for several moments until he reached the door.

‘Oh, hello, love!’ His face brightened to see her. ‘Come along in. I was just going to have a cuppa. Pop the kettle on, would you, and we can have a natter. I shall have to go and sit down.’

Pia appreciated just how much of an effort it was for Harry to do the simplest of tasks, getting out of his chair: walking along the hallway or making himself a drink or something to eat. It brought Pia out in a cold sweat to think how he managed the stairs, and she wondered if he didn’t get lonely spending so much time on his own. The cottage really was out in the middle of nowhere and she suspected the only people he got to see were his carers, who were only able to stay for short periods of time.

With the drinks made, Pia went and sat down beside Harry.

‘I just wanted to come and say a big thank you for agreeing the contract with Jackson and, most importantly’ – Pia gave Harry a gentle squeeze of his arm – ‘for handing over the care of your precious alpacas to us. I know how much they mean to you and I wanted to reassure you that we will take the best care of them. We have their paddock ready and we’re looking forward to welcoming them to the hall.’

‘Good, I’m pleased. You know, I wouldn’t have left here without knowing that the boys had a good home to go to. I didn’t want them separated. Every time I look at them, I’m reminded of my Vera. She would have wanted me to do the right thing by them.’

‘And you have done, Harry. Remember that you are always welcome to come to the hall to see how the alpacas are doing. I can pick you up, or Abbey from Rushgrove Lodge often brings Wendy along to see her dog, Bertie, so we’ll definitely be able to get something organised.’

‘That gives me a great deal of peace of mind. Thanks, love. If it hadn’t been for you then I might never have agreed to leaving this place. They would have had to carry me out in a box.’

‘I honestly think the move to Rushgrove Lodge will give you a new lease of life. There’s lots of people around and so many activities that you can get involved in, if you want to, of course. Do you have a moving date yet?’

‘Well, my room’s booked so I can go when I’m ready. I know the contracts on this place won’t be sorted for a while yet, but I’m not worried about that. Now our solicitors have got the wheels turning it will run its natural course. There’s a few bits I need to get sorted here, decide what I’m going to take with me and what can go to the charity shop.’

He looked around him and Pia followed his gaze. More than a few bits, she thought; more like a lifetime’s worth of possessions and memories.

‘If I can help at all then you only need ask.’

‘That’s kind of you, Pia, but I’m sure I’ll manage.’

Harry sounded chipper, but Pia knew it couldn’t be easy for him.

‘It must be quite a wrench to leave your home, the place where you spent so many happy times with your wife.’

Harry pondered on that for a moment, nodding his head.

‘It can’t be any worse than when I lost my Vera. This is just a house. We had some lovely times here, happy times, but it’s not the same without her by my side. She made this place a home and now, well, it’s an empty shell. The heart of it is gone and I think it makes it worse being here on my own. I think it’s probably the right time for me to move on.’

‘I understand that, Harry. It’s not an easy transition, but I’m certain once you get to Rushgrove Lodge you’ll settle in quickly. Besides, I think you probably deserve a bit of looking after, having your meals made for you and having people on hand if you should need them.’

Harry picked up his mug with both hands and lifted it to his lips. Pia wasn’t sure if his eyes were rheumy or if they were filled with emotion from talking about his late wife. Either way, her heart went out to him.

‘Let us know when you’d like us to take Humphrey, Marvin and Jack and I’ll arrange to send a trailer down to come and collect them.’

‘Well, as far as I’m concerned, the sooner the better. I worry about them down there on their own in case they fall ill or injure themselves and we miss it somehow, or else they might get their heads stuck through the wire fencing. It wouldn’t be the first time. I’m grateful to Molly for all her help, but it’s not the same as having someone there all the time to keep an eye on them.’

‘Well, you’ve no need to worry any more. The alpacas will soon adjust to their new lodgings and they’ll have plenty of people checking on them every day.’

‘I’m sure they will,’ he said, chuckling. ‘They’ll be living in the lap of luxury. Really though, I’m very grateful to you and Jackson. You’ve given me some peace of mind.’

‘I’m so pleased you feel that way, Harry, but there’s no need to thank us. We should be the ones thanking you. Look, I’ll get the transport organised in the next couple of days and will let you know when we intend to collect them. I’ll make sure to come down at the same time and I’ll pop in to see you so that you’ll know what’s going on.’

‘Right, well, I can start making some proper plans now, get my stuff packed up, the bits I want to take with me, and then move into the lodge. My room’s lovely, it’s got everything I need, a bed and an armchair, and there’s room for me to take some of my own furniture too. All these photos I shall have to take, but really there won’t be much else I need. My room’s on the ground floor with some double doors onto the garden, and they get lots of wildlife over there apparently, so I’ll be able to sit and watch the birds and squirrels. It’s got to beat this view.’

Pia had to agree, taking a glance around the room. Although there was plenty of countryside surrounding the cottages, from Harry’s vantage point from the armchair in his front room, looking out through some grubby net curtains, you could barely see anything at all, only a snapshot of the greying sky.

In comparison, Rushgrove Lodge was a bright and airy building with modern artwork on the walls and full-height windows in the communal rooms overlooking the central atrium where there were birdbaths, water features and colourful flower beds. The main lounge was spacious, but still managed to be cosy and welcoming with comfy armchairs where you could sit and chat to friends, or else find a quiet corner to simply contemplate the view outside. Pia suspected that Harry would really benefit from the change of scene.

‘You know, we’re getting married next month at Primrose Hall. I was thinking about what you told me about your wedding, and how Vera’s uncle Humphrey gave her away. It’s funny to think that Humphrey, Marvin and Jack will be there to see us on our big day too and I reckon that has to be a lucky omen! I’m definitely going to have some photos taken with the alpacas in my wedding dress so that I can show you. I might even get them some new harnesses in a colour to complement the flowers in my bouquet. Although I think Jackson might say that’s taking things a step too far. Not that I’ll take any notice of him. He’s always going off on some wild flight of fancy so why shouldn’t I?’

Harry chuckled, charmed by Pia’s bubbly personality.

‘Well, I hope it’s true, that the boys will be lucky for you. One thing I can tell you is that if you’re half as happy in your marriage to Jackson as my Vera and I were together, then you’re in for some special times ahead.’

Harry took off his glasses and rubbed at his eye with the knuckle of his index finger before replacing his spectacles and looking at Pia closer.

‘I like you,’ he said. ‘You’re a sweet girl and Jackson’s a lucky man to be marrying you, although I’m certain he knows that. Make sure he treats you properly.’

‘He will do, don’t you worry about that.’ She certainly wasn’t worried. If people knew the real Jackson, if they could see the kind, caring and gentle man that she knew and loved, then they would have no concerns about his integrity. ‘Jackson’s a real softie beneath that sometimes gruff exterior,’ she explained.

‘I’m sure he is, love, and I’m pleased to do business with him. What is it they say though? “Behind every successful man is a good woman,” and Jackson wouldn’t be half as good without you at his side, you know that? Still, I’m very happy that you’ll both be taking over custody of these old cottages.’ His gaze travelled to the far cobwebbed corners of the room. ‘Like me, they’re in desperate need of a bit of an overhaul,’ he said, with a twinkle in his eye.