Page 117 of The Village Inn of Secret Dream

‘Is it your night off tonight?’ asked Grandma Tilly.

Pete nodded. ‘We’re going to dinner and then to the cinema,’ he said.

‘Sounds lovely,’ said Grandma Tilly, with a nod of approval.

‘I’m so pleased for you,’ said his mum, giving her son a soft smile. ‘Like I’ve said before, you two have been right for each other since the first time you met. It’s just taken you twenty years to get here, that’s all.’

He laughed. ‘You’re absolutely right, Mum.’

‘Just give me a couple of grandchildren to cuddle and I’ll forgive you,’ she said, with a wink.

Pete laughed again. ‘Maybe Josh will beat me there,’ he told them. ‘See you for dinner in the restaurant tomorrow night? I’ve booked you the best table.’

‘Absolutely,’ they both told him before heading over to the other side of the river.

Pete smiled to himself as he watched them go. Belle had changed him. She had encouraged him to enjoy his family again and he was so grateful to have them in his life once more.

He turned to look at the inn. The Black Swan had changed him too. He was proud of its heritage and proud of the name. The new letters were bold and could be seen from the other side of the river. And it was no longer the run-down Mucky Duck to the villagers. It was now warm, comfortable and welcoming. A proper English inn for a countryside village.

The restaurant was so busy now that they needed another helper in the kitchen. Brad had suggested another friend from catering college. It had given Pete great pleasure to watch Brad’s confidence blossom. His food was getting more adventurous but was still just as tasty. His latest idea was pies. Beef and potato, lamb and mint plus a vegetarian option. All topped with delicious buttery pastry.

The lamb and mint was a particular favourite of Ned’s. Each week, Pete would enjoy a pint of beer with Ned in the bar and catch up. Most often, the conversation turned to his father, but Pete found it hurt a little less each time they spoke about Todd. He was remembering his dad again and the happy memories comforted him.

Best of all, he wasn’t afraid to love any more. And be loved in return.

Cranbridge felt like home again, but it was Belle that made it special. She was his partner, his best friend and his forever love. Each day, he thanked his lucky stars that he had her by his side and would continue to ensure that he deserved her love.

He opened up the front door to the inn and headed inside to find her.

Belle looked down at the new menu which Brad had just shown her.

‘This looks great,’ she told him. ‘Mmm, sticky toffee pudding.’

‘Uncle Del has been going on about it for long enough,’ said Brad with a grin as he headed back into the kitchen.

It wasn’t just Dodgy Del who was enjoying Brad’s cooking, thought Belle. The restaurant was packed and bookings were almost full each and every day.

News about the revamped inn was slowly getting out. Cyclists were heading in at the weekends after a long ride for a pint and a sandwich. Ramblers were also stopping off. But there were families too and Belle and Pete had big plans to upgrade the beer garden ready for the summer.

But, most importantly, The Black Swan still had heart despite the success. The core villagers who made it their own still came in but were welcoming to anyone new heading over the threshold.

Each night was filled with laughter and conversation in both the bar and restaurant, accompanied by the aroma of delicious food filling the air.

The local butchers and suppliers were all pleased as every ingredient was locally sourced and so business was booming for them. So too were the new drinks on offer in the bar. Wine grown locally was now for sale, as well as cider from Willow Tree Hall and some artisan gin and beer.

The Black Swan was now a place for everyone to meet. More and more villagers were coming in day by day. Different people of different backgrounds, all chatting near the open fire and breathing more life back into the village.

The menu and drinks weren’t the only thing that was different these days, she reminded herself, glancing down at her purple top. She was wearing more colour, each and every day. She found she was happy to stand out a little. There was no need to hide any more, now that she felt loved and supported by Pete.

Aunty Angie had been thrilled about her niece’s new fashion choices, but Belle had resisted her aunt’s suggestions of fluorescent acid colours for now.

Her aunt and uncle were completely changed too since their return. It turned out that away from the stress of a failing business, their marriage was rock solid and they had become friends again.

Uncle Mick was spending each day helping out in the community with odd jobs and Aunty Angie was loving using her gardening skills, especially now that spring was on the way. In fact, Amber and Josh had asked her to do the flowers for their wedding in the summer.

Belle looked up as Pete came into the bar and felt the same thrill upon seeing him as she always would. Every day he told her that he loved her and she would reply the same. Since getting together, Belle felt more happy, confident and relaxed than she had ever done before. And she knew that it was all because of him and their shared love.

But he too was gaining confidence and a couple of times a week he could be found playing his guitar in the bar. She knew that it was his link to his dad and was pleased that music had returned to Pete’s life once more.