‘You were both brilliant,’ Patsy said, hurrying over to wrap Melody in a tight hug. ‘I’m very proud of you, darling girl.’
‘Thanks, Gran. I’m sure it was all your training.’
Patsy laughed. ‘Forcing you to chat to me about crystals and other alternative treatments when my planned interviewee chickened out, you mean?’
‘Yes, exactly that.’
Lettie hugged her as soon as Patsy stepped back. ‘It stood you in good stead,’ she said. ‘You sounded perfect.’
‘Hey, what about me?’ Zac asked, giving Melody a wink and putting his arm around her shoulder, making her tingle with delight at his closeness.
‘You were a perfect double act,’ Patsy said.
Melody knew her grandmother was up to her usual tricks. ‘Never mind that, I’m sure we still have a lot of work to do today.’
‘We do,’ Lettie agreed. ‘Brodie has a quiet day at the surgery so he’s kindly offered to come along and help us.’
By the time Brodie arrived, the four of them had begun sorting through most of the equipment in the smaller of the two barns. It wasn’t too bad at all, Melody mused, impressed at how efficiently the farm was run and how neatly everything was stored. With Brodie’s help they soon finished all they needed to do.
‘This is looking so much better,’ Lettie said, arms folded. ‘I finally feel as if we’re getting somewhere.’
Melody thought of the work they had done in the larger barn a few days before and how all that now needed was to have the floors thoroughly washed just before the festival to allow tables and stands to be set up. ‘It is. I told you we could do it.’
‘I know, but I thought I was busy before looking after all the animals and keeping an eye on the produce we grow here, but having the extra help—’ she pointed to Patsy and then Melody, then blew a kiss to Brodie ‘—you lot, that is, has been amazing.’
‘Er, what about me?’ Zac asked, sweeping the last pile of dust into a dustpan that Melody was holding for him.
‘You’ve been helpful too, but it is your family farm as well as mine, don’t forget, so you have an added incentive.’
Melody enjoyed the siblings and their banter. She thought of the exchange between Lettie and her lovely boyfriend and couldn’t help wishing for gentle romance for herself. She pushed the thought away. She was getting ahead of herself. Anyway, she was very fortunate she and her grandmother had ended up being invited to stay at this beautiful place. She loved the work and it helped keep her mind off her personal troubles.
If only it wasn’t temporary, she mused, reminding herself that she would have to return home to Scotland at some point. Right now though she was going to make the most of being on this pretty island and enjoy every moment with these kind people.
Lindy appeared at the barn door. ‘There you all are.’
Lettie gasped. ‘You’re back.’ She ran over to Lindy and hugged her.
‘Why didn’t you call and let us know?’ Zac asked, joining them and stepping into his mother’s arms as soon as they were free. ‘I’d have come to fetch you both from the airport.’
‘We did tell you when we would be back.’ Lindy sighed. ‘I suppose the pair of you have been too busy to think about much apart from this place and the festival you’ve been planning.’
‘Something like that,’ Zac said. ‘You should have called for one of us to fetch you from the airport though.’
Lindy frowned. ‘We did try to call a few times, but couldn’t get through to anyone,’ she said. Zac went to say something, but she held her hand up to his mouth. ‘In the end we thought it was quicker to take a taxi.’
‘We?’ Zac said. ‘So you didn’t leave Dad behind on some Mediterranean coastline somewhere then?’
Lindy glanced over her shoulder. ‘Don’t think I wasn’t tempted on several occasions.’ She laughed. ‘But no, he’s here.In fact, I’d be grateful if one of you could go and help him carry the luggage up to our bedroom, if you don’t mind.’
‘I’ll help him,’ Brodie said, going to leave the barn.
‘Thanks, Brodie,’ Lindy called after him. When Zac went to follow she raised her hand to stop him. ‘Right, I’m going to freshen up and then if one of you would like to come and help me set up for dinner that would be wonderful.’
‘I’m happy to make us all something,’ Patsy offered before she handed her broom to Melody, who noticed for the first time that her grandmother looked flushed and realised she was probably desperate for a break and a cup of tea.
‘You’re very kind. Thank you, Patsy.’ Lindy pointed to Zac. ‘Could you go and help your father set up the barbecue? He won’t be long upstairs because he always leaves the unpacking to me and you know how much of a mess he makes with the coal and everything.’
‘Happy to, Mum.’
