He walked over to her and, resting a hand on each of her arms, gave her a reassuring smile. ‘If you do that, then what will we do here? I think you should do what your doctor told you and take things easy. Don’t you agree, Skye?’
‘I do.’
‘Anyway, doing this will probably save my sanity and stop me from overthinking about what I should do with regard to Mum and Roger going forward.’
She sighed and gave him a hug. ‘Aw, Joe, you really are the loveliest guy,’ she said. ‘How you haven’t been snapped up yet I don’t know.’
He tried to hide his embarrassment, not wishing Skye to think he was some sort of loser, even if he probably was where relationships were concerned. ‘I did ask you out before you realised Brodie was the one for you. Mind you, I think we both realised pretty quickly that although we were fond of each other it wasn’t in a romantic way.’
She placed her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes in amusement. ‘Yes and I’m grateful to have you as a friend.’
‘Me, too.’ He took her by the shoulders and turned her to face the bedroom door. ‘Now, why don’t you show Skye around the farm while I nip home and speak to my mum.’
* * *
‘Let me get this right,’ Faye said sarcastically as soon as Joe told her about moving out temporarily. ‘You’re saying I’ve pushed you out of your home – is that it? Because if that’s the case, we’ll find somewhere else to live immediately.’ Joe knew this was an idle threat. His mother didn’t have the money to pay for a place and didn’t have any local friends left since she hadn’t kept in touch with any of them since moving to France over a decade before. ‘I don’t want people thinking you’re having to move out of here.’
He had half expected her to react in this way. He loved his mother but living in the same house as her again reminded him how difficult she could be when everything wasn’t going her way. He suspected that if she was honest with herself she would be relieved to hear his news. This was clearly one of those times when she liked to play the martyr.
‘You know that’s not what I’m saying at all, Mum,’ he argued. ‘I’ve already explained Lettie needs me to help her out and I’m very happy to do that for her.’ He didn’t mention Skye being there too because it would only make his mother argue with him even more. He left her and Roger staring at him and went to his room. ‘I’m going to pack a few things for now and will be leaving as soon as that’s done,’ he continued.
After throwing a few things into a sports bag, Joe went to the bathroom and picked up his shaving kit and toothbrush and popped them into his bag, zipped it up and carried it back to his mother’s room. ‘Right, that’s me. I’ll see you in a few days and don’t forget, if you need anything just give me a call. I’m only twenty minutes away at the most.’
‘But Joe?—’
He bent to kiss her cheek. ‘It’s fine, Mum, I promise. I’d better get a move on, I don’t want to keep Lettie waiting and I only have a few hours until my next shift starts.’
He hurried to his car and drove away, relieved to have somewhere else to go and a good excuse to move out of his home for the next four weeks. Maybe his mother and Roger might have settled down together a bit better in that time, he thought hopefully. Or, they might even find somewhere else to live, or move back to France. He had no idea, but was grateful that for the time being, at least, his situation seemed much rosier than it had done. Right now, he needed to contact his supervisor and agree dates for his time off from the fire station.
8
SKYE
‘This is the larger barn,’ Lettie said as they stood outside a huge granite barn with metal double doors that were open, letting the sunlight stream inside. ‘We stable most of the animals here at night, or during bad weather.’
Skye followed her inside. It was empty of animals but she could see where most of them would be brought at the end of each day.
‘Over there is where we keep the food,’ Lettie continued. ‘As you can see, I’ve written up a list for when Melody and Patsy stayed here last year as to who gets fed what and how often.’ She indicated the large bins. ‘Each one has been labelled and the scoops are hanging from the side.’
‘It seems very straightforward,’ Skye said, relieved. She followed Lettie, listening as she explained about the bedding, pointed out the halters for the alpacas if needed and various other pieces of equipment.
‘I think that’s everything for in here,’ Lettie said. ‘I’ll show you how I bring them all in at the end of the day.’
‘I look forward to it.’ She couldn’t wait to get started. She had been home from her travels for a few weeks and was desperate to work again. As they walked out of the barn, the sun glinted on the front windows of the farmhouse. ‘You’re incredibly lucky living in such a beautiful home,’ Skye said half to herself. ‘Melody mentioned the hollyhocks either side of the front door and I’m sorry I won’t be here long enough to see those.’
‘You can always come back for a visit,’ Lettie said, smiling. ‘And I can send you photos, if you like.’
‘I’d love to come back again,’ she said without hesitating. ‘But photos would be wonderful.’
After showing Skye the smaller barn and outbuildings, Lettie led her out of the yard. ‘This is the lower paddock where the retired Jerseys are today.’
Skye looked a little way in the distance and saw four cows. ‘Oh, they’re so pretty,’ she said, loving the dished faces and smiling as they slowly ambled towards the gate as Lettie and Skye walked through it into the field.
Lettie laughed. ‘They think they’re going to be fed.’ She called out to them, ‘It’s not time for your food yet, ladies.’ Then to Skye she said, ‘We’ll go this way and climb between the fence rails. I want to show you the wild meadow and the stream; it’s my favourite place here on the farm. Then I’ll introduce you to the alpacas.’
As they walked, Skye breathed in the scent of fresh earth, flowers and something else. It took a moment but she realised it must be the sea air. ‘It’s so peaceful here, as well as beautiful,’ she said.
‘Thank you, I’m glad you think so. This place means the world to me.’ They reached the stream, which Skye noticed was running quickly. Lettie stopped and rested both hands on the top of her rounded stomach. ‘I’m sorry about the mix-up.’ When Skye didn’t reply, not quite sure what to say, Lettie added, ‘About you and Joe being here at the same time. I hope it’s not going to be difficult for you.’
