‘Your mother and I have been making a few plans.’ He paused,seeming at a loss for words, then after exchanging a serious look with their mother, he frowned and continued, ‘We’ve decided to sell most of the land and therefore the business. I’ve given your Uncle Leonard first refusal and he’s considering it.’
Lettie wasn’t sure if she had heard him correctly. Surely he couldn’t have said what she thought he had. ‘Sorry, what?’
Her father repeated what he had just told them. ‘Your uncle has always talked about increasing the size of his farm and what better way than to take on mine? He just needs to work out his finances first though.’
‘But you’ve worked so hard for years building the organic side of the farm. How can you just walk away from it?’ Zac gasped. ‘Dad, you can’t do that.’
Their father looked sympathetic. ‘I can, Zac. And what’s more, I am going to do it. Your mother and I have talked about this for months now and we’ve made the decision together.’
He wasn’t kidding, Lettie realised with shock. ‘But why?’ Lettie turned her attention to her mother. ‘Mum? Surely you’re not happy with this – not really? You’ve always been so happy at the farm. Haven’t you?’
‘I have loved our time here, Lettie.’
‘Letts, I don’t think they’re serious about this.’ Zac puffed out his cheeks. ‘Surely this is a joke.’
‘We’d hardly joke about our livelihood.’ Their father patted their mother’s hand before taking another drink from his mug.
How could he talk so calmly about such a monumental decision? ‘But, Dad, I thought you loved what you did,’ Lettie said.
He shrugged. ‘I did, most of the time. But now I’m tired of the early mornings, late evenings and the responsibility I’ve had all my adult life.’ He smiled at their mother before addressing them again. ‘I want to relax a bit.Wewant to. We’ve lost a few friends this pastyear and it’s brought home to your mother and me that we need to make the most of what time we have left.’
Zac dropped his fork. ‘You’re talking as if you’re both old.’
‘The trouble is, Zac, that our friends weren’t old either and it’s made us re-evaluate our lives. We want to be free to take time to do what suits us when it suits us. Travel more.’ He took their mother’s hand in his. ‘Don’t you think we deserve this?’
Lettie couldn’t miss the undertone of his question. He had worked hard all his life, as had their mother. They had been amazing parents, always giving her and Zac whatever they could afford and had always being there for them. Now their father was waiting to hear whether she and Zac appreciated all that they had done for them. She thought of the long hours and cold and wet winter months when their father had been out in all weathers looking after his fields and the various animals. Their parents’ hard work had put her and her brother through school, given them a comfortable home and although they hadn’t often been able to take family holidays, they had always eaten well and grown up in a close-knit and happy environment.
‘You deserve this more than anyone else I know,’ she replied honestly. ‘You both do.’ She smiled at her mother to include her. ‘I suppose I’m just shocked that’s all. I never imagined you’d ever be able to part with your livestock, let alone choose to sell them.’
‘Yeah, Lettie’s right. I think we’re both a bit shocked; that’s all, Dad.’ Zac swapped glances with Lettie and she could see he was as stunned by the news as her.
‘And you’ve definitely made up your minds?’ Lettie dared ask, willing her father to say otherwise.
‘We have. My brother will always look after the animals, so it’s not as if I’ll need to worry about them. And as I said before, your mother and I want to travel more.’ He sighed. ‘I’m not really sure I understand why you both seem so upset.’
‘You don’t?’ Lettie couldn’t believe he was taken aback by their reactions.
‘Let’s face it, it’s not as if either of you ever showed any interest in wanting to take over the running of this place, is it?’
Lettie couldn’t miss the regret in their father’s voice. Neither she nor her brother had returned to the farm after leaving for university, apart from the occasional holiday. Each time her visits had come to an end, she had struggled to leave Jersey. She loved it here and realised that her reasons for not coming home more often weren’t because she didn’t like it here, but because she found it so upsetting to leave. It was easier not to come back.
‘I blame myself for that though, Gareth,’ Lindy said stroking his arm. ‘Maybe if I hadn’t constantly encouraged the children to travel as much as they possibly could, then one of them might have settled here.’
‘I’m back living here though, don’t forget,’ Zac said.
‘But not as a farmer.’
Their father was right. Zac was continuing doing what he loved most, being a sound engineer.
A thought occurred to Lettie. Maybe this was a sign for her, an answer to her current situation that had been causing her so much worry.
Her mother gave her a sympathetic smile. ‘You mustn’t feel badly either of you. You both love your careers and it’s not as if Lettie can continue working for one of the bigger fashion houses in London if she’s living here.’
Lettie was grateful for her mum’s support. ‘I can’t get over that you want to sell the land though, Dad. I assumed you’d be running Hollyhock Farm for—’ she thought for a moment ‘—I don’t know, another ten to fifteen years.’
‘Yeah, Dad. Same here. You’ve never mentioned about wanting to do anything else before now.’
Lettie saw Zac look at her to check he was right.
