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Amanda may be my best friend, but she always saw the balance sheet, not the innovation. She was determined to get out of Ballydoon and stretch her wings.
Tom was the one who saw possibilities for the future right here.
Tom: Haven’t seen Flo in ages. That’s really interesting that she’s getting into agritourism with the apple orchard
Tom: Just raised with Stacey over breakfast about the old stone cottages as accommodation. She thinks they’re structurally sound and doing them up to be liveable again is a great idea. She was really excited, actually. We’re going to inspect them soon
Me: exactly this. Those cottages are sitting there and what? Storing equipment or left empty as no one has a use for them. They don’t have electricity or modern wiring / plumbing. They could be earning a great income if they were used for another purpose.
Me: Have to say, an apple orchard would be so romantic for a wedding venue, especially during apple blossom time.
Tom: like a vineyard isn’t romantic?
Me: Oh it def is. We’ve had many couples have photos here before heading to their reception. Very few weddings, though. We could host weddings and receptions with a bigger function room and a chapel/gazebo
Me: For you guys, shearing shed wedding receptions are huge. People will pay top dollar to get married in a rustic barn-like building
Tom: what about you?
Me: what do you mean?
Tom: do you want to get married in an old shearing shed?
My heart skittered, just like it did last night.
Tom: or a vineyard? Or apple orchard?
Me: I never had an opinion on that. I figured I’d negotiate with the man I’m marrying over where we’d like to have a service and reception.
Me: Now that you’ve asked, I guess I can’t imagine getting married anywhere that wasn’t Ballydoon. Weirdly.
Tom: Mum and Dad were married in the chapel in town and had a reception here at the farm. A low-key thing, with bonfires in drums and lights strung up in the trees.
Me: I think that sounds very romantic and very much like your parents.
Tom: yeah
After three minutes, Tom hadn’t replied with anything else. I padded out of my room and down the hall to the kitchen to find someone had made a pot of coffee on the stove, and it was hot. Bliss.
Tom: so I want to ask you something
Me: shoot
Tom: I’ve got a footy club function this Thursday night. And it’s a formal dinner. Suit, tie, etc., and I need a partner to take with me
Tom: Are you free on Thursday?
Coffee spilled over the edge of my coffee cup, and I scrambled to mop up the hot liquid running down the front of the kitchen cupboard.
Tom: it’s okay if you’re not. Or if you don’t want to. Short notice. And it’s not everyone’s scene
Me: I’ll go. If you’re asking
Tom: Really?
Tom: Yeah, I’m asking
Me: then I accept
