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As expected, it’s sweet. The hot tea is more welcome, but for some reason, I want to take another taste. This time I let it sit on my tongue for a while before washing it down with tea. Yes, it starts sweet, then the other notes begin to register. Subtle, floral, like a mild spring breeze, and a hint like…what? I take another taste. Like almonds but without the strong bitterness.
Doris gives me a nervous look. “More?”
I look down and find the plate empty. “Please.”
She pours more from an open jar. The taste is so morish that I ask for another helping a few minutes later.
“Well,” I say after finishing. “This is definitely worth the long walk and the scratches.”
A wide grin breaks on her face and makes her dark eyes sparkle. “Yes.” She nods emphatically.
“Do we have a lot of this?”
Her smile fades. “So much,” she says. “People don’t ask for it. They don’t know.”
“Well, they’re going to find out. I’ll make sure of it.” My limbs don’t ache so much anymore, and my full brain has opened up more space. In fact...yes yes, I run upstairs to get another notebook and start drawing plans.
Just like my experience at the cheese shop, we’ll have to teach people and inspire them. Tasting sessions, demonstrations, recipes…my pen flies over the pages drawing ideas.
Chapter Sixteen
Hal
Being my own boss should mean not having to wake up early. That’s what I’ve always thought every time my alarm buzzed, and I fought with myself not to hit the snooze button. One day, one day, I’ll be my own boss and would sleep in until half eight. Yet, barely a week into managing my own building project, and something wakes me up at six every morning, every single morning.
Not only wakes me up but also pumps me full of energy even before my morning coffee.
“So, what’s the big plan?” My sister asks.
We’re on a group call with Mum. My phone is in my pocket, EarPods in my ears because my hands are full of tape measure and tablet.
“First of all, I need to knock down the house.”
“Knock it down? I thought you were just going to tart it up.”
“That’s a very big tart. Who needs a five-bedroom, four-reception holiday home?”
“Yes, but you’ll split it into flats?”
“I don’t want to do flats.” I explain to them both, but mum says nothing, she’s been sulking and silent ever since I told her I was staying here to do the work.
“They do this all over the country, converting old houses.” Haneen argues gently.
“That’s exactly the problem, they do this all over. I want to make something special, something different. If we are to attract better holiday makers, La Canette isn’t the Costa del Sol, people coming here, are the type who want something more in tune with nature.”
“And you’re making something in-tune?” Haneen asks with a smile in her voice.
“Yes.” At least I sincerely hope so. And let’s face it, this project had better generate revenue because I’ve sunk all my savings into it. So, I need to create something unique, something really special.
But what?
With a limited budget, even doing half the work myself, the options are limited.
“According to La Canette bylaws, you cannot build on green fields. Any new building can only take place on the site of an old building with a maximum expansion of 30% and as long as no trees are cut or endangered.”
Haneen laughs. “My word you’ve done your homework.”
“It comes from not having a social life, gives you lots of time.”
