Page 29 of The Village Inn of Secret Dream

‘Yes, please,’ said Grandma Tilly.

So Belle showed her how to thread a needle and how the bobbin worked. She even sewed a couple of squares of material together to show how neat the stitches were.

‘Looks great,’ said Grandma Tilly, nodding enthusiastically.

But Belle could tell that she was straining her eyes to look at the material up close.

‘Maybe I’ve had too much sherry to focus properly,’ said Grandma Tilly.

‘Not to worry,’ said Belle. ‘I can sew and chat at the same time if you need me to lend a hand tonight.’

‘Excellent,’ said Grandma Tilly, looking far more cheerful.

Belle hesitated before speaking once more. ‘Have you had your eyes tested recently?’ she asked.

‘Oh, they’re fine,’ said Grandma Tilly quickly. ‘Besides, I don’t need to see these wrinkles in focus first thing in the morning, do I?’

The subject was quickly changed so Belle carried on sewing the pieces of material together whilst they caught up on the latest village gossip.

But even so, she was worried enough to wonder whether she should mention her concerns to Josh or Amber. Or perhaps even Pete?

But Grandma Tilly had assured her that all was okay, so Belle just had to trust that it was.

They spent a pleasant evening chatting and putting the world to rights whilst Belle sewed. Grandma Tilly was thrilled that Belle managed to complete one quilt over the course of the evening.

‘How fast you are,’ she said. ‘Just like your grandmother.’

Belle shrugged off the compliment. ‘It’s nothing.’

But the evening had given her a sense of comfort, she found. She had missed sewing and it gave her the same feeling of contentment as when she had been sat with her grandmother all those years ago. For a while, at least, all her other worries had faded away.

‘On the contrary, it’s been a huge help,’ replied Grandma Tilly. ‘I don’t suppose you want to come over on your next Monday night off, do you?’

‘I’d love to,’ said Belle.

‘Just between us,’ added Grandma Tilly quickly.

‘Of course,’ said Belle, giving her a nod of assurance.

So she left the sewing machine tucked away in a cupboard in Grandma Tilly’s bungalow. After all, Belle knew that she wouldn’t be using it any time in the future.

With a hug and a wave, she left the bungalow and headed the short distance back along the river to the inn, relishing the peace and quiet of the darkness. The stars were out and twinkling in the dark sky above as The Black Swan came into view.

For a second, she paused and looked at the inn, all lit up in the darkness. It looked cosy and comforting. Home. Familiar. But, of course, everything was changing. Aunt Angie and Uncle Mick would be leaving soon, Pete would be moving in and then there were his ideas for the renovation of the inn.

Nothing was staying the same and all Belle wanted to do was press the pause button and hang on to that moment for ever.

But, with a soft sigh, she began to walk once more towards her uncertain future.

15

Pete was clutching a much-needed coffee as he showed Mr Reynolds, a local builder, around the inn for an estimate as to the work required. The builder had been very quiet as they had moved around the property and Pete was guessing that the renovation was going to be pretty costly.

The inn certainly appeared to have been run on a shoestring for a very long time. Even when Pete had discussed the stock inventory with Mick, the landlord had confessed, ‘I always buy the cheapest booze, crisps, everything, really.’

This hadn’t been a huge surprise, but Pete had plans to up their game and the quality of everything served, both food and drinks.

But, first of all, the inn needed updating and fast. Pete just hoped that the savings he had left over after buying the inn outright would cover the cost.