Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

J ackson

The next morning, I wake early. I've always been an early riser, but this time I can feel a new hope in the air. Maybe spring is finally making herself known. It'll be May next week so she should be, but the last month or so has been cold and wet and not very spring-like.

Yes , I decide as I run lightly down the steps from my room and out the door, it is definitely spring .

I head over to the bakery, where I've begun to get breakfast regularly. I could have it at the pub, but as I'm the only guest staying, I don't want to put Darla to any trouble—and I kind of like Ben and Keith. They're always good humoured, though Keith's jokes are usually barely decent, and they make excellent coffee. I really miss good coffee. I used to have a machine, but that went the way of most of my stuff.

"What do you need a coffee machine for?" Natasha had scorned, as she took it with her. Yes, what need would I have of a coffee machine without a house to put it in?

Both Ben and Keith are in the shop this morning.

"Hello," Ben calls, and I greet them both with a "Good Morning."

"I thought you'd be off now yer got yon van back." Keith nods to where it's parked outside.

"I'll be around for a few days yet. I'm still helping Darla out at the pub," I reply, not wishing to give the real reason for why I'm still in the village. I'm still helping Darla, but I know it won't last forever, and Olivia will be returning soon. I just hope I manage to pay for the repairs by then.

"So will you still be here for the fete?" Keith asks.

"The May Day fete? I guess so."

"You just use it as an excuse to wear your kilt," Ben teases.

"Oh, it's a sight to behold. Are yer ready to see me in my kilt, laddie?" Keith twinkles a smile at me.

"I'm not sure I'm ready for that." I counter, laughing. "Are you sure I don't need to live here for a while longer before exposure to something like that."

"Already speaking like a Larchdowner. Do yer hear that Ben, he'll become one of us yet." Still laughing, I say my goodbyes and head out to the van, ready to go and check on my plants for the day. I can stay until after the bank holiday. It is only a few more days, and even if Olivia returns to work by then Darla might still have some work for me that day. I'm also intrigued to see what a village fete in Larchdown looks like. I smile at how much this strange village is getting under my skin.

I begin to enjoy my days. A visit to the bakery for breakfast, and then out to the large house to check on my seedlings, before returning to the village for work. It feels good. I like routine, and I wake up each day with a more hopeful outlook. After the first day, I start exploring the gardens at the house. I'm careful to not go too near the house, but there are several acres to search. I can see they were magnificent once. Past the obvious overgrowth and build up of leaves and dead plants, I can see a structure. They were once formal gardens, tastefully laid out, more grand cottage garden than stately home. They look vaguely familiar—like I've seen them before—but I know I've never been here. I've visited a lot of formal gardens, so perhaps it's the themes and styles which seem familiar to me. I'm also starting to make friends in the village. Keith and Ben are regulars in the pub, as are Paul and Sally, who own the hairdresser's. Occasionally Cole, the local veterinary surgeon, comes in for a drink—he also runs a small rescue centre just outside the village.

Things are looking brighter. I know I'm going to have to move on soon, but for now, I'm just happy to live in the moment.