Chapter 21

The consultation part of the business that Flora planned was taking longer than she hoped to set up. She realised early on that having the shop as a consultation room wouldn't work. Not unless she drew blinds and locked doors if she needed to examine a human patient. Otherwise, she had the problem of privacy.

So after a lot of thought she had decided to turn the little room off the shop area into a small consulting room for private matters. On enquiring as to the original use of the room, Peggy had said it was Sybil's preparation room and not a scullery. When the three-foot-wide stone shelves had come out it was surprisingly roomy, though still only big enough for a small desk, two wooden chairs and a modern but second-hand medical couch. This was in case she had to examine legs, backs, etc. to make a diagnosis.

Small animals would be given a preliminary diagnosis on-site in the shop, then she would visit these and larger animals at their own homes or farms if necessary. She couldn't take the place of a vet or a doctor. She made sure her patients knew that on the posters and the flyers she had distributed. but she could help with minor things if they trusted her. It seemed that they did trust her. People were already knocking on the side door with cats and dogs in their arms to ask for advice.

Freya came with a laconic curiosity to have a look at the animal visitors. They seemed very wary of her, which was silly as she was such a small cat and, if not quite friendly, then harmless. She hadn't grown much since that first day but appeared to be healthy.

Other people came for help to cure headaches or for a swollen elbow and other minor ailments. One woman even asked if Flora could get rid of the wrinkles on her neck. She had to tell her that that was beyond her capabilities but that the woman was attractive anyway, even with her signs of age. If she could only understand that there were more important things than looks.

There followed half an hour of tears as the woman explained how her husband had left her for a younger model. Flora gave her a pep talk, coupled with sympathy. Eventually, she sent her away with a free box of red clover tea to build her self-esteem and confidence and also a free and greatly appreciated hug.

As a result of having to paint the consulting room after the shelves came out, and all the visits, she was getting a bit behind with the online shop. It was doing very well now and she reckoned the name Wildflower Witch was helping because it had grabbed people's attention.

She had begged Philippa to let Mary help her one day a week, to put the herbs that she had prepared in sachets for the aromatic mixes, in thin cloth bags for the healing herbs and in boxes for the tea mixes. She worked in the kitchen but eventually, as she was happy to keep Mary on, she would like her to serve in the shop for one day a week. Then on another day, to carry on making up the floral and herbal products for the shop and take the rest to the post office to send out.

This was if the fearsome Philippa Reed, her mother, would let her off those two days. She was almost as scary as Peggy when she wanted to be. Flora had seen her deal with walkers who had crossed her and locals who had drunk one too many. She seemed to be fond of Flora though and was very nice to her, so fingers crossed it would be okay.

Mary herself loved working with the herbs and Philippa seemed keen for her to know a little about them. Flora wondered to herself if they were descended from one of the ancient families of the village. Maybe she thought Flora was passing down the knowledge to Mary as they had in Hilde's time, which in a way she was. She enjoyed taking Mary out into the wildflower meadow which now had another flush of different flowers pushing through to replace those that had died off or been utilised. As she learnt more from Sybil's journal about the flowers she didn't recognise, she enjoyed passing that knowledge on to Mary. It was obvious that Mary enjoyed her days at Gallipot Cottage and they usually ended the day at the patio table with a glass of wine – and Freya rubbing round their legs. Flora was glad Mary had been accepted by Freya as the little cat could be very choosy.

It was about the business that Binky Peverel knocked at Flora's door that afternoon. When the door opened, Binky only just managed to see her niece behind the big armful of wildflowers she was carrying.

‘You really are Flora the Goddess of Flowers and Fertility aren't you?'

‘You know my mother - Matty, told Sybil to name me Flora. It was her one wish before she died' Flora said sadly leading Binky to the kitchen table where she lay the flowers down.

‘I remember' she replied ‘she'd obviously had it in mind and we thought it was because of the Wildflower meadow. Which she loved and derived pleasure from as much as you do by the way.'

‘It's nice to have that connection' reflected Flora, then remembered her manners. ‘Would you like a cup of tea?'

‘No thanks, I can't stop. I just wanted to invite you to have a stall at our fete.'

Flora knew there was a summer fete which was held yearly in the grounds of Peverel Hall. There was less than two weeks to go and Flora had doubts she could fill a stall as her stock was going out as fast as she could prepare it.

‘I'd like to but I honestly don't think I can manage it as I haven't got much spare stock at the moment.'

Oh! But you must.' Binky looked stricken. She breathed out noisily. ‘I know! Jennet will share a stall with you. She sells crystals and semi-precious stones, you know, which she makes into jewellery.'

‘I do know' replied Flora, holding her arm towards her, showing a delicate bracelet inlaid with citrine stones. ‘She made me this to bring me good luck in my business venture.'

Binky admired Jennet's handiwork before saying,

‘So, does that mean you will share?'

‘If Jen's happy to share then I am too. I can make extra aromatic herb sachets for aiding sleep -and concentration - and serenity and.... ‘

Flora's mind started whirring as she thought of the possibilities. It would be good to get her brand noticed.

‘I am so pleased' beamed her aunt who then walked out of the door with a spring in her step. Flora watched her go and her eyes narrowed. There was something else something Binky wasn't telling her. Oh well, if there was she would find out soon enough. For now, she had better make another trip into the meadow so she had more supplies on the day.

*

Cal had visited later, towards the end of the day, when the flowers were at their most perfumed. They both sat on the patio chairs looking up at the still flowers, with not a breath of wind to move them. They both sat in awed silence watching the taller blooms starting to silhouette against the lowering sun, over towards the west. There was a great sense of peace as they let the sensation of nature and its power wash over them.

Eventually, he came to, as if out of a dream.

‘I'm afraid I'll have to drag myself away if I want to get back before darkness descends. Luckily, I'm in the car.'

Finn looked up at him from his warm place on the patio and didn't seem in a hurry to move. Neither was Cal if he was honest with himself.

‘Oh' said Fiona genuinely disappointed. ‘But why did you come here in the first place?'

They had chatted easily before as usual but she knew he wasn't the type for social calls.

‘Just, well, nothing really - but I might be going into splendid isolation for a few weeks so I can finish writing this book.'

‘ And so you can start writing The Witches of Farstone' she teased.

‘Since you ask, yes' he grinned ‘and I'm expecting your cooperation.'

‘We shall see.'

Cal's sudden movement as he stood up made Finn jump and they both laughed before making a fuss of the big daft baby. As she saw them out she remembered Binky's visit.

‘You're coming to the summer fete, aren't you?'

‘Fete? Oh god, I'd forgotten about that. It's not really my thing. Besides, I might be in the last throes of Writer's Angst.'

‘Do try, won't you? Binky has managed to persuade me to have a stall selling my herbal products. You've got to come and support me.'

‘Binky - ah yes.' He started laughing. ‘Doesn't she do her fortune-telling bit in the tent? Every year apparently.'

‘Fortune-telling?That is so Binky Peverel.' She laughed too. ‘I can just see her in an ‘authentic' Gypsy costume, waving her hands over a crystal ball.'