Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm (Hollyhock Farm #2)

Chapter 4

4

MELODY

Fifteen minutes later, having helped her grandmother make up her bed, Melody accompanied her downstairs.

‘What do you think?’

‘I don’t care how hard the work is,’ Patsy said, keeping her voice low. ‘I’m going to make the most of every moment in this idyll.’

So was she, Melody thought, relieved to know that she would be sleeping on a comfortable bed again that night.

‘I hope we haven’t kept you waiting,’ Melody said, entering the kitchen and seeing Lindy, Lettie and Zac already there.

Lindy turned from where she was standing by the stove. ‘Take a seat, both of you, then you can tell me what you fancy to eat.’ She held up a wooden spoon. ‘I forgot to ask if you have any food preferences, allergies, that sort of thing, so we know.’

‘I eat anything,’ Patsy said proudly.

Melody smiled. ‘I’m a vegetarian.’ She hoped that wouldn’t be a problem on the farm. She knew it was an organic business but wasn’t sure where the family stood when it came to eating meat. ‘But I like most things other than meat or fish and I don’t have any allergies that I’m aware of.’

The sound of a noisy engine came from inside one of the barns. ‘Useless bloody thing,’ a man she presumed must be Mr Torel grumbled as he exited through one of the large double doors. ‘It was fine until its last service and I’m not going to fork out for another.’ He seemed to notice them all and frowned. ‘I didn’t realise we had guests.’

‘I’m afraid it was all a bit last minute,’ Patsy said.

Gareth smiled at her.

‘Most things are when my wife is involved,’ he joked.

Lindy frowned at him. ‘This is my husband. Gareth. And these ladies are Patsy and her granddaughter Melody.’

‘I’m very glad to meet you both.’ Melody saw him stare at her hair for a couple of seconds before seeming to realise what he was doing. He raised his hands displaying oil on his skin. ‘Er, sorry, mucky hands. What do you think of the place, or is it too early to say?’

‘We’ve only seen our rooms so far, but Lettie is going to show us around a bit later.’

‘Good. She can introduce you to the animals we have here.’

‘We’re looking forward to seeing everything,’ Patsy said, making him smile.

‘They haven’t seen anything of the place yet, Dad,’ Zac said taking cutlery from the drawer. ‘I only brought them here a short while ago.’

‘I hadn’t realised. Been too busy faffing about with that tractor in the barn to notice much else.’

Melody sensed Gareth’s frustration.

Lindy folded her arms across her chest. ‘But you’ve fixed it now, haven’t you? Or should I call that nice mechanic to come and help sort it?’

‘I’m not paying his exorbitant fees. Anyway it’s fine now. I think,’ he grumbled. ‘I didn’t want to leave here with the thing not working and cause Lettie problems. I’ve spent enough time thinking about that now though, and if it breaks down again, I’ll tell her to give the mechanic a call. Do I smell cooking?’

Lindy widened her eyes at Melody. ‘Anyone would think I didn’t cook his meals every single day,’ she said, sarcasm clear in her voice. She cocked her head in her husband’s direction and winked. ‘Maybe I should start training him, now he’s supposed to have retired from farming. I don’t want him getting bored.’

‘Chance would be a fine thing,’ Gareth said.

Lindy smiled and Melody knew she was trying to wind him up.

‘If I thought you’d allow me to cook in your precious kitchen,’ he said, giving her a peck on the cheek, ‘I’d gladly fry us a couple of eggs and some bacon, but you won’t hear of it. Don’t insinuate to these lovely people that I’m at fault for not having cooked anything for us yet.’

Lindy laughed. ‘He’s right. I refuse to let him loose in there. He’d only mess the place up and it would take me longer to clear up and put everything back into its rightful place than it does to cook the food.’

Melody already felt comfortable with the Torels. The gentle banter and teasing amused her; they were obviously very close-knit. She caught her gran’s eye and exchanged a happy smile. ‘I think we’re going to be very happy here.’

‘I’m very happy to hear it.’ Lindy smiled.

‘Tea, or coffee?’ Zac asked, standing by an open cupboard, which Melody saw was full of various mismatched cups and mugs.

‘Coffee for me, please,’ Melody said.

‘Ah, a girl after my own heart,’ he said. ‘I’m a coffee drinker, but the rest of them seem to live off gallons of tea each day.’

‘Never mind that,’ Lettie said. ‘Melody needs to be told more about this place, our plans and what we hope her involvement in it might be.’

This was more like it, Melody thought, smiling. It was exactly what she needed if she didn’t want to dwell on Rhys and what had happened between them. ‘I can’t wait to be shown round the farm and hear more,’ she admitted.

‘Hurry up and wash your hands,’ Lindy said as Gareth made his way over to the sink. When he was seated, she served up a plate of delicious-smelling food and then passed it to Zac who placed it on the table in front of his father.

‘We don’t usually eat this early but I had already told Gareth what time to come in for his food, and I’m sure you’re both hungry. Apologies for serving him first,’ Lindy added, ‘but I’m determined he’s going to finish his packing. Now, what do you fancy eating? We’re only having something light, but I can always rustle up a snack later if either of you are hungry.’

Unsure how to answer, Melody glanced at Gareth’s plate. ‘I’d love some eggs, please.’

‘How about some mushrooms, beans and tomatoes to go with them?’

‘Yes, to the mushrooms and tomatoes,’ she said. ‘I’m not too keen on beans though.’

‘No problem,’ Lindy said, turning back to her cooking.

Melody was aware they hadn’t discussed what work Lettie needed her and Gran to help with. ‘Gran and I are looking forward to helping on the farm and we’re willing to do whatever you need us to.’

‘That’s so kind of you both,’ Lettie said. ‘Thank you. I’m pretty used to running this place now, but any extra help harvesting our produce, keeping our honesty box well supplied with fresh stock and feeding and mucking out the animals is mostly what I’ll need help with.’ She widened her eyes. ‘Especially now I’ve landed us with the wellness festival to plan, set up and host.’

Melody was excited to try these new experiences. ‘Bring it all on. We both want to support you in any way we can.’

‘That’s amazing. Thank you both so much. I could do with the help.’

‘And now you have it,’ Patsy said, raising a hand for Lettie to give her a high five.

Melody saw the surprise on Lettie’s face when she realised what Patsy was doing and laughed.

‘I have a feeling having you both here is going to be a lot of fun.’ Lettie smiled at them both. ‘I’ll show you around after we’ve eaten and tell you more then,’ she said quietly.

‘I’d like that,’ Melody said, mouthing a thank you at Zac as he handed her a mug of steaming coffee.

Yes, she thought, she was going to enjoy staying here.