Patsy nodded. ‘That’s true, Zac. I didn’t realise until she was in her teens how she was teased at school for my “New Age” ideas.’
Melody thought she should finish telling Zac about her work. ‘I’ve always practised yoga and finally trained as a teacher several years ago. It’s these things, especially the yoga, that’s helped me pay for my travelling.’
‘I see,’ Zac said. ‘So you work as you move from place to place?’
‘I used to.’ She decided not to mention her marriage to Rhys because it would probably lead to questions about her relationship and she wasn’t anywhere near ready to discuss that with anyone yet. ‘Pretty much.’
‘And now it’s brought you to Jersey.’
‘I wanted to visit here,’ Patsy said. ‘And Melody, um, decided to join me.’
She saw him glance at her in the rear-view mirror. Zac clearly suspected there was more to her story, so she decided to elaborate enough to avoid awkward questions. ‘I’m recently out of a long-term relationship and thought it was the perfect time to put some distance between me and my ex.’
It wasn’t the whole story but Melody didn’t think Zac needed to know that.
‘Sounds like a good idea,’ he said.
She was enjoying the lack of complication in her life right now. She smiled at him. ‘We thought so.’
3
ZAC
As they drove he explained about there being two rooms for them in the attic and his sister’s plans to hold a wellness festival and why there was a need to urgently raise money for farm repairs.
‘We’re looking forward to seeing the farm,’ Patsy said, smiling at Zac from the passenger seat. ‘And we’ll do all we can to help your sister with the wellness festival.’
‘I’m sure she’d appreciate any help you can give her. It’ll be the first time we’ve held one and she’s bound to be anxious to make it a success.’
Melody leant on the back of Patsy’s seat. ‘I’ve been to several wellness events over the years,’ she said, before sitting back again.
‘I’m interested to become involved and see what it’s all about.’ Patsy lowered her window. ‘This trip is all about experiencing new things, isn’t it, Melody?’
‘It is, Gran.’ She caught Zac’s gaze in the rear-view mirror and he was struck by her pale blue, almost aquamarine eyes. He wasn’t sure if it was the light in the vehicle, or if they really were the colour of turquoise.
‘Hey, look out,’ Patsy snapped.
Immediately turning his attention to the road, Zac had to swerve to miss a granite wall. ‘Sorry, I was distracted there for a moment,’ he said, mortified. He glanced in the mirror and noticed Melody’s amusement. He really needed to pay more attention to what he was doing.
He drove on, telling the women about Derek and Spud – the farm dogs – and wanting to look back at Melody once again. There was something about her. Maybe he was wrong and it was simply her stunning eyes that had made him feel as if he had been hit by a bolt.
‘Here we are,’ he said, turning into the driveway.
‘This is beautiful,’ Patsy gasped.
‘It really is, Gran,’ Melody agreed breathily. ‘We’ve lucked out here, that’s for sure.’
Zac felt the cool breeze strengthen as Melody’s window lowered further and she leant out. He was used to people being taken aback by the farm on their first visit and even found himself being surprised by its prettiness when he returned after being away for several months.
‘You’re very lucky living here,’ she said.
‘I know. Although I’ve only recently moved back in. I was living away and then in a flat close to town, but with everything we’ve had going on it made sense to save rent and also be closer to where I’m needed, at least for the summer months.’
They passed through the village where he spotted Callum’s pristine Golf parked by the shop and pointed out where Pasty and Melody could buy most things they needed.
‘That’s the Village Veterinary Practice where my sister’s boyfriend Brodie treats the local pets.’
After checking neither of the women needed to stop and buy anything, he continued on to the farm.
