Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm (Hollyhock Farm #2)

Chapter 3

3

ZAC

As they drove he explained about there being two rooms for them in the attic and his sister’s plans to hold a wellness festival and why there was a need to urgently raise money for farm repairs.

‘We’re looking forward to seeing the farm,’ Patsy said, smiling at Zac from the passenger seat. ‘And we’ll do all we can to help your sister with the wellness festival.’

‘I’m sure she’d appreciate any help you can give her. It’ll be the first time we’ve held one and she’s bound to be anxious to make it a success.’

Melody leant on the back of Patsy’s seat. ‘I’ve been to several wellness events over the years,’ she said, before sitting back again.

‘I’m interested to become involved and see what it’s all about.’ Patsy lowered her window. ‘This trip is all about experiencing new things, isn’t it, Melody?’

‘It is, Gran.’ She caught Zac’s gaze in the rear-view mirror and he was struck by her pale blue, almost aquamarine eyes. He wasn’t sure if it was the light in the vehicle, or if they really were the colour of turquoise.

‘Hey, look out,’ Patsy snapped.

Immediately turning his attention to the road, Zac had to swerve to miss a granite wall. ‘Sorry, I was distracted there for a moment,’ he said, mortified. He glanced in the mirror and noticed Melody’s amusement. He really needed to pay more attention to what he was doing.

He drove on, telling the women about Derek and Spud – the farm dogs – and wanting to look back at Melody once again. There was something about her. Maybe he was wrong and it was simply her stunning eyes that had made him feel as if he had been hit by a bolt.

‘Here we are,’ he said, turning into the driveway.

‘This is beautiful,’ Patsy gasped.

‘It really is, Gran,’ Melody agreed breathily. ‘We’ve lucked out here, that’s for sure.’

Zac felt the cool breeze strengthen as Melody’s window lowered further and she leant out. He was used to people being taken aback by the farm on their first visit and even found himself being surprised by its prettiness when he returned after being away for several months.

‘You’re very lucky living here,’ she said.

‘I know. Although I’ve only recently moved back in. I was living away and then in a flat close to town, but with everything we’ve had going on it made sense to save rent and also be closer to where I’m needed, at least for the summer months.’

They passed through the village where he spotted Callum’s pristine Golf parked by the shop and pointed out where Pasty and Melody could buy most things they needed.

‘That’s the Village Veterinary Practice where my sister’s boyfriend Brodie treats the local pets.’

After checking neither of the women needed to stop and buy anything, he continued on to the farm.

Zac turned into the driveway, aware they were both looking out of their windows at the passing fields and paddocks, which although fairly dry and less lush than during rainier seasons were still beautiful. Zac slowed and pointed to fields on either side of the track. ‘All this is us, over to the other side of that wooded area over there.’

‘It’s very pretty,’ Melody said.

He slowed down even more as they neared a pretty granite farmhouse surrounded by a wall and what seemed to be two barns and a couple of other smaller outbuildings. The car pulled into the yard.

‘Look, Gran. All those hollyhocks and in so many colours too.’

He looked at the mass of his mother’s favourite flowers – their pink, yellow, dark purple, white and red colours like gently swaying gems growing up against the house and barn walls.

‘It’s very beautiful,’ Patsy said, the awe clear in her voice. ‘I can see why it’s called Hollyhock Farm.’

‘It is impressive at this time of year, I suppose.’

‘It’s glorious,’ Melody said.

He smiled to himself.

‘I love hollyhocks.’ Patsy sighed. ‘I hadn’t realised this place would be so colourful and, well, picture-perfect.’

‘It’s not at its best at this time of year,’ Zac admitted. ‘But even I can see why people react like you’ve both done the first time they see it. I find myself being surprised too some of the times I return after being away for a while.’

Zac saw Melody’s hand reach forward and rest on Patsy’s shoulder from the corner of his eye. He was glad they were happy and knew his mother and sister would be too. They were both proud of the farm and it was always nice to watch someone seeing the place for the first time. It helped make giving up the past few months of his life to help here all the more worth it, when he witnessed reactions such as these.

He parked the car. ‘Shall we go inside? I’m sure my sister will be only too happy to show you both around the place, although it might be better to wait until later when the temperature lowers a bit.’

Lettie appeared from the larger barn, smiling and waving to them.

‘Hello. I’m Zac’s sister Lettie. I run this place. Or at least I do my best to do that.’ She held up her hands. ‘I’m a bit mucky from cleaning the barn, so I’m going to have to ask Zac to show you to your rooms. I hope you like them.’

‘I’m sure we will,’ Patsy assured her.

‘I know we will.’ Melody laughed.

‘I do hope so.’ She smiled. ‘I’d better carry on here for a bit and then when you’ve had time to freshen up you can come and find me and I’ll show you both around, if you like.’

Spud ran out of the house and immediately started sniffing the women’s legs, wagging his tail. Zac saw his mother walk out of the house drying her hands on a tea towel.

‘Welcome to Hollyhock Farm,’ she said proudly. ‘I’m Lindy Torel.’ Lindy tucked the cloth under her left arm and reached out to shake their hand. ‘It’s wonderful to meet you both.’

Zac left his mother chatting to them and lifted both rucksacks from the boot of the car.

‘I’m sorry but my husband Gareth and I will be rushing off in a few hours on holiday. I’m sure Zac and Lettie will take good care of you while we’re away though.’

‘I’m sure they will,’ Patsy said. ‘We’re very grateful to your family for taking us in and look forward to paying our way by helping out in whatever way you need us to on the farm.’

‘This is Spud. He’s nosy but harmless, unless you decide to steal one of our sheep.’ Lindy patted her right thigh. ‘Leave her alone, Spud. There’s more than enough time to get to know our guests.’

‘He’s no bother, Mrs Torel. I love dogs.’

‘Please, call me Lindy. We can’t be formal with each other, especially when we’ll all be living under the same roof.’ She waved for them to follow her. ‘Let’s get you inside; it’ll be much cooler in there.’

‘Thank you, that would be lovely,’ Patsy said, taking off her hat and wiping her forehead with the back of her hand.

They followed his mother inside and, as Zac knew it would, the temperature instantly dropped.

‘This is lovely.’ Melody sighed.

‘That’s one of the best things about this house,’ Lindy said. ‘It’s always cooler in here. Now, take a seat and I’ll pour us all something refreshing.’

When their guests were seated at the table and everyone had a cool drink, she turned to Zac.

He knew that look only too well. ‘You have a job for me, don’t you?’

Lindy took a sip of her drink and nodded. ‘I need you to help your sister finish clearing out the two attic bedrooms for Patsy and Melody.’

‘I’ve done most of the work,’ Lettie said, sitting at her usual seat. ‘It shouldn’t take us too long.’

Zac would have much rather done anything on the farm but clear out two attic rooms, especially on such a hot day. It must be at least thirty degrees, he reasoned. He wondered why his mother was mentioning this chore in front of their guests and then it dawned on him that she did it because he couldn’t refuse with Melody and Patsy sitting in front of him.

‘Sure.’ He drank his cold water.

‘Please don’t worry about sorting rooms for us,’ Melody said. ‘I’m sure Gran and I can do it. Just show us the way and let us know where we can find bed linen. You’re bound to have more than enough to do today without preparing rooms.’

‘Not at all,’ Lindy argued. ‘We can’t expect you to do that.’

‘We really wouldn’t mind,’ Patsy assured her.

Zac wasn’t sure who was more determined to get their way, Patsy or his mother. ‘Why don’t the four of us get them ready,’ he suggested. ‘It would take half the time and then you can both have the rooms exactly how you think they’ll work best for you?’

Patsy finished her drink and stood. ‘That’s settled then.’

Lindy shrugged. ‘Fine by me. I still need to finish the packing for our trip but when I’ve done that I’ll prepare an early supper for us all so we can get to know each other a bit before Gareth and I need to leave for the airport.’

‘Great,’ Zac said, relieved they had all agreed. ‘Shall we go up to the attic then?’

Zac showed them up to the attic. ‘There are quite a few stairs, I’m afraid.’

‘Don’t worry about us,’ Patsy said. ‘We’re used to stairs. I live in a townhouse and my room is on the third floor so this will be fine. Anyway it’s all good exercise. We look forward to helping your sister on the farm, don’t we, Melody?’

‘Yes, we really do.’

Zac was relieved for his sister that she would have a couple of helpers and wondered what exactly she would be asking them to do.

They reached the top floor and standing in the hallway Zac indicated the two open bedroom doors. ‘Take your pick. I hope you’ll find them comfortable enough.’

Their guests entered a room each. He saw Melody enter the yellow bedroom and her face light up in a brilliant smile.

‘This is gorgeous,’ she said, gazing around the room.

‘After lying on a camp bed for a week this will be utter heaven.’ Patsy sighed, sounding equally delighted.

‘There’s only a shower on this floor, I’m afraid,’ he explained. ‘And it’s pretty tiny, but there’s a loo and basin in there, so I hope it’s OK.’

‘It’ll be fine,’ Melody assured him. ‘We’ve been used to an ablution block.’ She giggled. ‘Or at least that’s what Gran’s been calling it. I’ll be delighted to only have to share with her.’

When the women had chosen their rooms, Zac took each rucksack into the correct one and set it down on the chairs that Lettie had left there for them.

‘Towels are there,’ he said, pointing to the wooden towel rail underneath the window in Patsy’s room, ‘and there are extra in the airing cupboard downstairs. Just shout if you need me to find them for you. Um…’ He tried to think what else they might need. ‘I see my sister has left a tray with a few things on it for you.’ He looked at the carafe of water, a glass and a small tin containing, he presumed, some of his mother’s freshly baked biscuits. ‘I imagine your room has the same set-up,’ he said to Melody when he noticed her standing at the door.

‘It does. I think they’ve thought of everything.’

‘I feel thoroughly spoilt,’ Patsy said looking, Zac thought, extremely happy with the rooms and how they had been set up.

Aware they must want to unpack, Zac went to the door. ‘I’ll leave you both to settle in and will catch up with you later.’

‘Perfect. Thank you, Zac,’ Patsy said, unzipping her rucksack. ‘This is much more luxurious than we had expected and we’re very grateful to you all.’

‘We really are.’ Melody smiled at him and again he was transfixed by her unusual eyes.

Unable to speak for a moment, Zac cleared his throat and forced his legs to move. ‘See you in a bit then.’