Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm (Hollyhock Farm #2)

Chapter 17

17

ZAC

Zac wasn’t sure why Melody was quiet during the short drive to St Ouen’s Bay but supposed it was because she hadn’t been awake all that long. He had heard her come home the previous evening and looked out of his window to tell her that the front door was unlocked, only to see Callum leaning forward to kiss her. He’d immediately stepped back, not wishing to seem as if he was watching a private moment.

Zac had never been a jealous person, but the pang of envy seeing his best friend and the woman he was falling in love with about to kiss one another stung. Damn it. Why hadn’t he told her how he felt about her? If he had, then maybe she wouldn’t be kissing his best friend on his front doorstep.

That morning he had been about to take Spud for a walk on the beach when he spotted two ducks flying over the roof and happened to notice Melody watching them from her bedroom window. Deciding to mention the ducks to her when they next met up he was pleased with himself for his quick thinking. At least now he had something to talk about to get past what he had seen the night before. The last thing he wanted was for her to know he had seen them about to kiss and not act rationally in front of her. They were friends after all and if she was attracted to his mate, then he would simply have to get over his disappointment that he wasn’t the one Melody felt romantically towards.

Maybe her quietness had nothing to do with how early it was, or her date with Callum, and rather it was down to her regretting agreeing to be interviewed on the radio. ‘I’ve been thinking,’ he said as he parked the car and got out. ‘If you’d rather not do the interview tomorrow, I completely understand. I know speaking on the radio isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.’

She seemed surprised by his comment. ‘Sorry, I’ve been a bit quiet, haven’t I? I’m just not really awake yet,’ she said, waiting for him to let Spud out of the car. ‘I don’t have a problem chatting on air.’

She seemed very confident. ‘Have you done it before then?’

She shook her head and laughed. ‘No, not on the radio, but Gran has a monthly podcast.’

‘Patsy has a podcast?’ Why wasn’t he too surprised? ‘What does she talk about on it?’

‘Oh, this and that, but mostly about wellness, living your life to the full. She chats with people who give courses either online, or in the local area and shares ideas about how to keep active both mentally and physically.’

‘Good for her.’ He smiled, thinking of the sprightly lady and her enthusiasm for life. ‘Hey, maybe she could do an episode to promote the festival? What do you think?’

‘I can ask her. Gran is a great one for making the most of opportunities that come her way. She’s always encouraging me to do the same thing.’ Melody grinned. ‘I’ve had to go on that a few times when she needed someone to step in. As Gran constantly reminds me, technology isn’t only for the young.’

Seeing a horse and rider about to make their way down the cobbled slipway, Zac decided to take another route there. ‘I think we’ll go this way,’ he said, walking towards the long grass above the high beach wall towards a round Martello tower with a Second World War bunker next to it. ‘Please don’t let Patsy know I was surprised to discover she has her own podcast.’

Melody laughed. ‘I won’t but you should understand Gran well enough by now to know she loves nothing better than shocking people. She says it helps her feel less invisible.’

Zac couldn’t understand why anyone would feel that way. ‘Invisible? What a strange thing to say.’

‘Not really,’ Melody said, slowing to look at the deco house she had just spotted ahead. ‘Gran says that the older she gets the less she feels noticed by people.’

Zac turned to her, surprised. ‘I can’t imagine anyone not noticing your grandmother. It’s as if she has some sort of magnetic field shining from her. She’s great fun.’

‘I’m glad you think so.’ She pointed to the property overlooking the sea built in the shape of a boat. ‘What is that? A house?’

‘It is,’ he said. ‘It’s one of my favourite places here. It’s called Barge Aground but the name embossed on the building is Seagull. It was built sometime in the nineteen thirties and was one of several Art Deco follies dotted along this coastline. People rent it out for holiday stays from Jersey Heritage.’

‘Can we go closer to get a better look?’

‘Of course.’ He led the way and soon they were standing right in front of it at the short path. ‘Isn’t it beautiful?’

‘I’d love to stay in there sometime,’ she said wistfully.

He watched her gazing at the place he had loved his whole life and decided that if possible he would try to arrange for her to see inside the boat-shaped house overlooking the expanse of the bay. ‘I’ll see what I can do.’

She turned to him, a look of surprise on her face. ‘Really? You’d do that?’

He wasn’t sure why she was taken aback by what he had said, but nodded. ‘I’ll do my best.’

Spud barked, distracting them. Zac called out to him to wait, but Spud was too focused on another dog down by the water’s edge and immediately ran towards the granite steps leading down to the beach. ‘Spud, I said wait,’ he bellowed.

Ignoring him, Spud hurtled down the stairs, his black and white tail wagging.

‘I’d better get after him.’

‘He’s quick, isn’t he?’ Melody called as she raced after Zac.

‘Especially when he’s doing something he shouldn’t.’

The following afternoon, as he and Melody were at the radio station waiting in reception to be taken up to the studio for their interview, Zac hoped he would remember everything he needed to know.

‘Are you nervous?’ Melody asked, resting her hand on his.

Not wanting her to remove her hand, but aware he didn’t dare forget all they needed to bring up with Callum, he said, ‘I know we need to mention our website, so people can find out more about the event.’

‘Yes, and that they can contact us that way and book a stand for their business, or to sponsor us.’

‘That’s right. We can also mention the programme and that you’ll be giving a yoga class among other things we have planned.’

She gave his hand a squeeze. He turned so that he could take her hand in his and his heart raced when she smiled at him. Reminding himself she was only trying to comfort him and calm any nerves he might have, he focused on their impending interview.

‘We’ve got this,’ she said. ‘Anyway, Callum knows why we’re here today and I’m sure he’ll mention anything he can think of that we might forget.’

She was right. ‘I think I’m aware how last minute this festival is,’ he admitted. ‘I’d hate for us to come across as being shoddy.’

Melody frowned. ‘I think we can safely say that won’t happen. We’ve all done a lot of work to make this festival the best we can and all of us, especially Lettie, have worked tirelessly to bring things together. It’ll be fine. Don’t worry.’

The door next to the reception desk opened before he had a chance to respond and a young woman smiled at them. ‘Hi, I’m Kiera one of the producers here at the station. They’re ready for you now,’ she said, holding the door open.

Zac’s nerves increased as he followed Melody and the producer upstairs to a side room filled with sound equipment above a desk where a pair of headphones now lay. There was a large window on one side. Through it he could see Callum, looking every part the professional radio host. He listened as he introduced the next record before waving for them to go and join him in the studio.

‘Great to see you both,’ he said, motioning for them to take a seat at one of three high stools. ‘Kiera will be setting you both up. How are you feeling?’

They waited while Kiera arranged microphones in front of each of them and then, after checking they were fine, left them to it.

‘I’m good,’ Zac said, having to force his cheerfulness and try to dispel the image of his best friend homing in to kiss Melody two nights before.

‘Yes, me too.’ Melody cleared her throat.

Callum smiled at her. ‘You’ll both be great,’ he said. ‘Right, when the record ends, I’ll introduce you and then ask a few questions. Lettie kindly forwarded some information about your festival earlier today, so we shouldn’t forget anything. How does that sound?’

‘Great,’ Zac said, certain he couldn’t recall the first thing he was there to talk about now he was seated opposite Callum.

‘Sure.’ Melody patted his leg and gave him a reassuring smile. ‘This is going to be fun.’

He hoped that once he started speaking he would somehow relax enough so that his voice didn’t quaver. The record ended all too soon and Zac clenched his fists and rested his hands on his legs. He tried to calm himself, aware that he was breathing too fast and that it would come across over the microphone. Then, taking a long slow breath, he exhaled just as Callum introduced them.

‘That was one of my favourite records and I hope you enjoyed hearing it. I mentioned earlier that my guests today were Zac Torel and Melody from Hollyhock Farm here on the island. Welcome, both of you.’

Zac opened his mouth to speak, but found it was completely dry. What the hell was wrong with him? He shot a terrified look in Melody’s direction.

‘Thank you for inviting us,’ Melody said.

Zac saw Callum give him a confused look when he didn’t speak. ‘They’ve joined me this afternoon to talk about the wellness festival being held there in a couple of weeks. I know I try my best to look after myself but sometimes am overwhelmed by all the information that’s out there. Zac, Melody, I’m interested in attending this festival and was wondering what you can tell us about the event and who it might be for.’

Melody gave him a reassuring smile and he realised she was checking to see if he wanted her to reply to Callum’s question. Zac could see her smile was slightly forced but was relieved when she began talking.

‘That’s right, Callum,’ she said, her voice clear and confident. ‘I’ve been to wellness events in the past and they’ve always been interesting, but the setting for this one is exceptional. Hollyhock Farm is a beautiful place, surrounded by rolling fields and views out across the bay.’

‘Sounds incredible,’ Callum said, grinning and tilting his head briefly on one side. ‘I’ve noticed that the forecast is suggesting bad weather coming our way from the south. We could have showers, but they will be a bit hit and miss thankfully. What are the plans in case that happens? Can you explain about that, Zac?’

This was something Zac didn’t want to think about. Realising his concern about the bad weather had dispelled his anxiety about speaking, Zac went to respond. ‘We have two barns at the farm, a larger and smaller one, so will utilise those for the event.’

‘Sounds good.’ Callum smiled at him. ‘And what can those of us attending the festival expect to find there?’

Feeling more confident, Zac continued, ‘You can find out much more on our website, which you’ll find at HollyhockFestival.org, but essentially we will be showcasing various businesses, each of which will have their own stall. There’s an area where Melody, who is a trained yoga teacher, will be giving classes and answering any questions about yoga. We also have other complementary therapies that attendees can try out, like sound baths, ice baths, talks by experts in crystal therapy, aromatherapy and experts in herbal remedies to mention just a few.’

‘Yes,’ Melody said. ‘We still have a couple of stands available, so any businesses wishing to hire one for the two-day event can find our contact details on our website. And if anyone wishes to sponsor the event, there’s still time for us to add their information to our website, where you’ll also find a market directory for each of the businesses taking part that will link directly to their own website.’

‘It sounds incredible,’ Callum said, and by the look on his face Zac saw that he meant it. ‘I’m definitely coming along,’ he said. ‘So any of my listeners wanting to say hi to me will be able to find me there at some point too.’

Zac noticed lights flashing in the corner of his eye and saw the producer’s workstation was busy and Kiera was indicating the phone and giving Callum the thumbs up.

Callum seemed impressed. ‘I was wondering if this will this be a one-off festival, or are you planning another next year?’

‘We’re going to see how things go,’ Zac replied. ‘My sister Lettie runs the farm now. We’re an organic farm with various rescue animals living there too. We had intended taking longer to decided what to do for the best, but necessity has caused us to bring this event forward by quite a few months due to repairs being needed on our larger barn roof after it was hit by lightning a couple of months ago and caught fire.’

‘That sounds daunting,’ Callum said and Zac could hear the sympathy in his friend’s voice. ‘Hopefully you’ll raise enough money for the repairs.’

‘Yes, that would be a great result. And to answer your question, I imagine that if enough people attend and we can see that there is a call for this sort of thing, then we will most probably do this again next year.’

Callum asked them a few more questions. The time seemed to fly by and soon their interview was over and Callum was thanking them. ‘Well, Zac and Melody from Hollyhock Farm, thank you for coming in today to explain about the upcoming wellness festival. I’m sure it’ll be an enormous success and look forward to seeing you both there.’

‘Thanks, Callum,’ they said in unison.

He realised Callum had finished with them and was speaking to his audience.

Melody smiled at Zac. He returned her smile, eager for Callum to announce the next record so they could leave the studio and get back outside.

Hearing the record start playing, Callum removed his headphones and smiled at them.

‘Thank you both for coming in today. It was fun chatting to you both.’

‘Thanks, mate,’ Zac said.

Callum walked around the huge console in front of him and gave Melody a hug before kissing her on the cheek. He moved to Zac and patted him on the back. ‘You both did well there,’ he said. ‘You sounded like you’ve done this before, Melody.’

Zac waited while she told him about Patsy’s podcast and could see Callum was visibly impressed.

‘Any time you or your grandmother want to come and chat again, you only have to ask,’ he said.

As Zac drove back them back to the farm, they reflected on everything they had said in the studio.

‘It was exciting being at a real radio station and seeing a professional studio for the first time,’ Melody said. ‘Gran has a decent set-up, to be fair. Although hers is in her spare bedroom, so not nearly as impressive.’ She grinned at him. ‘I loved it, didn’t you?’

He thought about it as he drove up Beaumont Hill. ‘I did actually. Once my nerves vanished.’

‘I thought you’d be far more relaxed about it,’ she said thoughtfully. ‘Especially with your experience in the music industry.’

He had thought he would too, but didn’t say as much. ‘I’m not sure what happened. I’m relieved I did finally manage to speak. I know Lettie will have been listening to the show and I’d hate to let her down.’

‘You definitely didn’t do that.’

‘Neither did you.’

‘I’m glad you think so.’ She sighed. ‘Gran was going to listen too. I’d be mortified if I had said something silly.’

‘You certainly didn’t do that. I thought you were amazing,’ he said, hearing his voice soften and wishing he could hide his emotions even more than he already did.

‘Did you really?’

They stopped behind a row of cars at the top of the hill, waiting to go through the filter in turn. He looked at her, trying to gauge the tone in her voice and realised that if he didn’t know better, he might be persuaded to think that Melody also had feelings for him. Someone hooted behind him and Zac saw the car in front had driven forward. He raised his hand by way of an apology.

Realising he hadn’t answered Melody, he decided to be honest. ‘Yes, I really did.’