Chapter 9

Cooper

Waking up without Tulip beside me feels wrong. She’s snuck out to me every day for the last nine nights, never staying, always leaving just before sunrise, but for the last five mornings, I’ve woken up before her, admired how beautiful she is as she sleeps. At this point, though, I’m finding it hard to separate the sex from actual feelings. And I can’t have feelings, won’t have feelings. I’m leaving soon, this isn’t some Hollywood romance, there’s not a happily ever after here. We’re two people who get along, find each other attractive, and have great sex. Spectacular sex.

As she said after that first night, it was fun, no regrets. She obviously wants nothing more, and so I’m fine with this being what it is – a fun time away with a beautiful woman.

I don’t have time to think about it too much though, it’s going to be another busy day on the farm. If a normal day is hard work, getting ready for this Easter Fun Day has been a back-breaking, uphill struggle. There’s been so much to do, but we’re on the home stretch now, just today left for preparations and then it’s the weekend, and everything we’ve worked on gets put into action.

And there’s been a lot of preparation. We’ve been flat out from sunrise to sunset most days, and even beyond, working away at things until the early hours of the morning. I pride myself on being a fit bloke; I go to the gym, train, do weights, but this work, it’s tougher than all of that. How Tulip does this day in, day out, hauls stuff around and walks the equivalent to a marathon every day, is beyond me. She’s a powerhouse.

We’ve fixed fences, signs, and drainage, have pruned, planted, mowed and weeded, and all alongside the everyday jobs. The farm looks amazing, and having Clover home now for the Easter holidays has been such a benefit, not only has she been working harder than I’ve ever known a teenager to work, but she’s also an amazing artist, both traditionally, and digitally. She’s single-handedly designed everything from new signs and maps for the farm, to flyers and tickets for the event.

Being a fruit farm, the crops won’t be ready until later in the year, and this is where they usually make their money, from selling it, both ready packaged and pick-your-own. But I’ve also discovered since being here, that there are other ways they turn a profit. The local farmers’ market for one. I didn’t even realise, but Blossom has all the health and hygiene certificates needed to actually run a food business, used to live above her own small café until her parents passed and she moved back home. She makes cakes, pies, and jams to sell, plus they sell the eggs from the quite frightening number of chickens they have. Clover is also a big crafter, making and selling various items for a bit of pocket money.

Earlier this week we plotted out spaces for additional glamping pods, cleared the two adjacent fields and measured out pitches for tents, got quotes for new pods, toilet and shower blocks, drinking water supply, and even for road to be laid to reach each camping area. Quotes have been really competitive too as they’re local workers really wanting to help out.

The biggest job though, has been working out the front areas. Ensuring the fields holding the attractions, the farm shop and café, the car park, the petting zoo, that all these, when built, will have adequate space and still allow the main house some privacy. We think we’ve figured it out, though.

The work for the actual fun day has gained momentum too, we’ve set out, cleared, and signposted a trail for the pony rides to follow, up through the wildflower meadow and orchards, then back alongside the upper ridge looking out over a spectacular view.

The flyers for the event look great and we’ve been handing them out and putting them up all over town, and neighbouring ones too. Again, Clover has been monumental in getting the word out. Her social media skills are honestly better than some top promoters. She’s set up accounts for the farm on pretty much every platform, been documenting the changes as we go, plugging the event. It’s meant a few more paparazzi have turned up in town, but so far, they’ve been on their best behaviour. Plus, with me being here and being in the videos posted online, it’s been a good means of promotion. Not to mention that I’ve arranged for a friend to come play a set with his band. They’re up and coming, have a decent following already, and with two local bands playing too, different styles, different sounds, there’s something for everyone.

In fact, there was so much interest that tickets sold out within an hour. It grew quickly after that. A single day turned into the entire weekend. Which was daunting, but we’ve managed it. We passed all the safety inspections, brought in more toilets, more gazebos, and it’s all looking good.

The local businesses have been amazing. We’ve got so many coming along – ice-cream and burger vans, a pancake stand, bouncy castle, children’s entertainer. All locals too. The soccer school from town is running sessions, the cycle shop giving free bike checks, not to mention the high street shops that aren’t usually open weekends that are coming along with their goods and services. A dog groomer, the bakery, the pasty shop, the welly shop, who will do a roaring trade if it’s raining, I’m sure. Even the local library has booked a stall to sell off some of their used books from a recent clear-out. And with the farm getting a small cut of all profits, it’s hopefully going to help Tulip and the girls reach some goals.

With that and the entry fee, income from selling mini feed bags to feed the animals, the pony, tractor and trailer rides, I’m sure they’re going to raise more than enough for the bills next month. And we’ve already talked about how they could do regular fun days. Seasonal ones. Halloween ghost walks, fireworks, harvest hay rides, Christmas markets, summer fun. The possibilities are endless.

There are things they don’t know about yet, that I’ve kept secret, even from Tulip. I’ve had a website designed, promotion for the farm, a page for each of their wished for facilities, hidden for now, but as they get built, can be activated, it’s all there, ready. All about the farm and what they do, what they produce and sell, an events page, even a booking page, so once the glamping and camping are up and running it’s all easier to manage.

I also secured sponsors, a designer brand want to provide top quality bedding for the glamping pods, a camping brand want to kit them out, and a hot tub company are really interested in supplying and maintaining six tubs for the deluxe glamping pods. I also snuck away one afternoon, filmed an advert promoting the place, and for as long as it runs with these companies mentioned, they’ll keep the deals going. Promotion for them, free stuff for the farm. Perfect.

Today, though, today is all about decorating. There’s bunting to go up, stalls to decorate, and even with the four of us, it’s still going to take all day. But I love it. I’ve enjoyed every single minute of being here, can’t believe I was so against it in the first place. And yes, Tulip is a big part of that, but it’s also taught me a lot about myself. I’m happy here, the country life suits me, the fresh air, the being outdoors all the time, laying in bed, curled up with Tulip and listening to the rain, it’s heaven. And there was me always believing I was a city boy. Turns out, I’m far from it.

If only a certain farm girl wanted a little bit more.