AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 5
Holly ran over events with Jaz, who stood, mouth agape, sticking in the odd ‘O-M-G, I don’t believe it,’ and swore every time Tom’s name was mentioned. Once Jaz was up to date, Holly left her talking with Val, Julie and Anne.
Alone, she checked on the animals. Charlie the goat bleated as she arrived. Holly scratched his head, listening to the chickens squabbling but that was nothing new – indeed it was comforting. The ‘small fluffs’ as Anne called the rabbits and guinea pigs, were acting as if nothing had happened. Spending time with the animals calmed her nerves.
The sound of voices caught her attention. She saw her insurance broker, Gary approaching with a man she did not recognise. Standing up, she washed her hands at the petting zoo sink then opened the gate and approached them.
Gary, a man in his late fifties with greying cropped hair, shook her hand. ‘I’m sorry to hear your news. This is Dave, the loss adjuster.’
Dave nodded. ‘I know it’s hard, but the sooner we get this done, the better.’
Gary eyed the buildings and gave a low whistle. ‘The fire officer spoke to us as he left. He asked us to avoid the areas they have taped off.’
Joe arrived at her side. ‘Do you want me to come with you?’
‘No, no, that’s fine.’ She knew she would be better going around alone. Joe’s care and affection would tip her into tears. She had to be strong.
‘I’ll get to work on the gardens then,’ he said rolling up his sleeves. ‘Lucky it didn’t spread to the old barn. I’ll make it tight and clear it for storage.’
Val ambled over, followed by Jaz.
‘Val you get off – it’s not your work day today anyway.’ Holly turned to Jaz. ‘Can you give Val a lift home?’
‘Sure. Then I’m coming back for you. You’ll need that drink tonight after all. I know I do.’
Holly smiled. As different as they were, she appreciated Jaz now as much as she did when they were younger, when she was her protector from the school bullies.
Holly re-joined the men. Dave passed her a hard hat which she put on her head as they walked around the periphery of the charred remains, which still reeked of smoke. Holly stared at the buildings taped off like a murder scene. As they moved around, Holly explained what had been lost as Dave made notes on a plan of the site and Gary snapped photos with his mobile phone. She felt numb, as if this was a parallel universe she had dropped into. The nursery resembled a war zone, with tables overturned from the force of water jets. The cash till, usually placed on top of a counter, lay on the floor. What used to be her life was now a huge black and grey mess dripping with water. When they reached the cottage, Holly kept her distance – not wanting to see it up close. The furniture, trinkets and ornaments that generations of Lovelands had collected had been snuffed out. Memories flashed through her mind. Born there, grew up there, played there, worked there. Turning her head, she stared at the vegetable patch –was it really only yesterday I was turning it over?she thought, feeling separated from that Holly – the old Holly. Everything had changed.
An hour later in the car park, Gary shook her hand promising to be in touch once the report came in from the Fire Service. Walking over to Jaz’s car, Holly’s legs shook. Jaz was in the driving seat, on her mobile phone, but ended the call as Holly approached.
‘I’ve spoken to work and booked a couple of days off.’
‘Are you sure? Won’t your figures go down this month?’ Holly knew how hard Jaz’s boss was, insisting she worked every hour possible to reach the ever-increasing sales targets.
‘We exceeded the targets this year and won big at the awards evening.’
Holly put her hand up to her mouth. ‘Sorry Jaz, I forgot to ask how it went last night.’
‘Seriously?’ Jaz grabbed her steering wheel. ‘Look at the place. You can be forgiven.’
‘So how did it go?’
‘Get in and I’ll tell you.’
Holly walked around the car, opened the passenger door and sat on the cream leather seats.
Jaz started the engine letting it tick over as they spoke. ‘Our team won best branch and I was awarded Sales Executive of the Year.’
‘Oh my goodness – that’s amazing. Did you get a trophy?’
‘Better than that. I got a five-grand bonus. But …’
‘What?’
Jaz turned to face her. ‘Basically, the CEO wants me to go train the troops and travel around the country. But I don’t want to do that now – not with you like this. I want to help you get the place back together.’
‘You can’t hold back your career for me. Everyone knows you’re on a quest to make a million.’
