I pull myself up out of bed. Cold sweat drips down the back of my neck and hair. I pull on my dressing gown and stagger down the stairs.
“What time is it?” I ask, wiping the sleep from my eyes.
Granny looks at her watch. “Almost ten,” she says.
“I can’t believe I slept in! I’m so sorry! Can I help load the car?” I ask, still shocked I slept in. It must have been the forest air. Aradia and I walked for a good few hours collecting flowers, berries and fungi that she told me Granny uses in her concoctions. Each natural resource serves a purpose to the human body. It was fascinating learning about it. And a welcome distraction.
“No, no, sweetheart, it’s all done. I didn’t want to wake you, but thought you might panic if we didn’t say bye,” Granny sayscomfortingly.
“Thank you, and you’re sure you don’t want me to come?”
“You’re fine here. You have plans anyway, don’t you?” she questions.
“She does indeed.” Aradia appears from the kitchen with the last of the stock, smiling from ear to ear. I told her that it wasn’t just Hannah and Lois, but also Sam would be joining us. I swear that woman hears wedding bells whenever his name is mentioned.
Granny clasps her hands together. “Well, that is settled then. Now I have left you some lasagne in the fridge, bread in the bread bin and some other bits. Please help yourself to anything. Nettle’s food is under the sink. He will let you know when he is hungry. The chickens are fed. I’ve left the numbers of a few of the villagers just in case you need anyone while we’re out and twenty pounds near the front door. We will be back tomorrow morning early.”
“You really didn’t have to do any of that, and please don’t leave me money. I’ve got money, Granny.” I laugh.
She shoos me away. “Psh, you’re my granddaughter and if I want to give you twenty pounds for a drink at the pub, I will.”
“Thank you.” I smile.
When I was younger my mother and father left all the time. No warning. Just a note left telling me they had flown somewhere exotic, and the au pair will look after me. Having someone care about you so much even when they are leaving for one night and an adult, it is soul warming.
Aradia puts the last box in the car. I stand at the door. My breath shows up in the chilly air. Aradia gives me a big hug, followed by my granny. They both set off in the banged-up Beetle which takes a few turns to get going. I wave until the yellow rust machine is no longer in sight. The woodland around me seems eerily quiet. I go back inside and shut the door.
I go and put the kettle on for a coffee. Nettle comes up to my legs and rubs against them purring.
“Well, it’s just me and you, Nettle. What shall we do with our day?”
Nettle stares up at me then waddles over to a sun patch near the French doors and curls up.
“That sounds like a great idea.” I laugh.
I pour the coffee into my cup, pull out a packet of Rich Tea biscuits and grab a book from the bookshelf to settle down for the day. It’s amazing how slowing down allows you to rest. To do things like reading for hours or walking outdoors without a rush. In the city, life is always on the go. I have found that the few weeks I have been here, my body has slowed. My mind has slowed. I feel lighter, more at peace. Lazy days are welcomed and not judged.
Lost in my book I don’t notice my phone going off until I check to see what time it is. It’s 3:04 pm. The day has flown by! Thank you, Charlotte Brontë.
I have one unread message from my mother.
Spoke to Mrs Belfour. So glad she was able to convince you to see sense. Enjoy the rest of your break and I’ll see you at the Winter Wonderland Ball. X
Urgh. Great. The devil works hard but Mrs Belfour works harder. It has been less than twenty-four hours, and she has already let the whole of London know I am coming back. I have less than six weeks to produce a plan. But what? How can I possibly get out of this one?
I turn to look at Nettle who has moved along with the sun patch on the kitchen floor. “Oh, Nettle, I’m fucked, aren’t I?”
He lifts his little head and I’m sure I see him nod. Or I just want a bit of sympathy.
“Well, if this is all I have, six weeks, I best enjoy them, right?”I’m looking at him desperate for some reassurance. I know I am not going to get it but worth a try.
Nettle stands up and stretches before waddling back over to me for a scratch.
“Thanks, cat.” I sigh, stroking his soft fur. He rubs his little head into my hand before jumping up onto the sofa.
I stretch my arms above my head after sitting for so long. “Well, I best get myself dressed if I am going to go out and enjoy myself. Hardly going to make friends in last night’s pyjamas, am I? Maybe I should just cancel. What am I even doing, Nettle?”
Nettle plops down and curls back up into his warm little ball.
