Billy coughed to get Holly’s attention. ‘I hope you’re not going out dressed like that, Mrs C,’ he told her.
Holly narrowed her eyes at him but otherwise ignored his comment. ‘So what can we do for you, Billy?’
‘Well, now you have the doors all wrong and no choice but to step out into the undergrowth rather than the patio, I was thinking maybe Tom would like to discuss widening the extent of his renovations.’
‘So is someone going to tell me what you’re talking about?’ Holly asked.
‘Erm,’ replied Tom. ‘Don’t you think you might want to go and get dressed? We’ve got to get into the village soon, remember?’
Holly eyed the two men suspiciously. ‘Men,’ she tutted, turning on her heels. ‘But whatever you’re planning for the garden, do not touch the moondial.’
‘Does she always interfere with your plans?’ Billy whispered loudly as Holly stepped through the new patio doors and back into the living room.
‘I can hear you nodding, Tom Corrigan,’ Holly called back as she left the men to their secret plans. After all, she had secret plans of her own. She had more than one reason to visit the village. She was hoping that by now Jocelyn would have found the journal she had spoken of.
Jocelyn’s teashop was busy and there were a few curious looks as Tom and Holly squeezed through the diners to the last available table. ‘Morning, Mrs Johnson,’ Holly said as she leaned over a diner to ease herself into the gap between two tables. Mrs Johnson was rather large and the little space that wasn’t filled by the elderly lady was occupied by all her paraphernalia, including a thick woollen cardigan, an umbrella and a collection of shopping bags. ‘How are things at the farm?’ groaned Holly as she squeezed through the gap.
‘Ooh, the lambs are coming on fine, dear. I couldn’t ask for better after such a hard winter.’
‘Don’t forget you promised me that lamb shank recipe,’ Holly added as she popped out of the gap and edged closer to the table they were aiming for. Tom was following behind but tripped over a bag and practically threw himself on top of Mrs Johnson.
‘This must be him, then,’ Mrs Johnson said, looking suspiciously at Tom, who was practically nose to nose with the woman.
‘Pleased to meet you,’ grinned Tom sheepishly.
Mrs Johnson pinched his cheek, shaking his head from side to side as she did so. ‘Sweet little lamb, he is,’ she said to Holly. ‘Quite a dish himself.’
‘Hands off, he’s mine,’ laughed Holly, pulling Tom to safety.
After a few more good mornings and introductions, Holly and Tom finally made it to the table. Lisa was busy working behind the counter while a younger girl Holly hadn’t seen before was waitressing. The girl was in her early twenties with dark, short-cropped hair that gave her an elfin look. She had deep brown eyes that reminded Holly of Jocelyn. Looking from Lisa to the girl, there were other family resemblances and Holly guessed that this must be Patti, Lisa’s daughter, Jocelyn’s great niece. From what Jocelyn had told her, Patti was at university studying literature. Her gap year had turned into three years travelling around Europe, but she had finally taken the plunge and settled back down to her studies. She was the first in their family to go to university and both Jocelyn and Lisa were very proud of her.
‘What can I get you?’ the girl asked with a bright cheery smile.
‘Two cream teas, I think,’ Holly said, looking at Tom for agreement. He nodded on cue. ‘Is Jocelyn in today? I was hoping to catch her,’ Holly continued with a flutter of anticipation.
‘She’s away, visiting her son. She won’t be back for a few weeks. You’re not Holly, are you?’ the girl asked,
a note of recognition in her voice.
Holly’s heart sank as she nodded politely in agreement. ‘She didn’t leave anything for me, did she?’ she asked hopefully.
‘Sorry, but Auntie Joss did leave you a message. She said to say sorry she wouldn’t get a chance to see Tim, but she’ll catch up with you when she gets back.’
‘Ah, so you must be Patti,’ Holly replied, ignoring the mistake in Tom’s name. ‘How’s it going at university?’
‘Long story, but I’ve kind of thrown in the towel. I’m due back for my final year but I’m not sure it’s the way I want to go. I’m trying to convince my mum I could just work here and take up writing in my spare time, make my way as a writer on my own instead of slaving away to get some piece of paper that won’t guarantee me a job anyway.’
‘You shouldn’t give up,’ interrupted Tom.
‘Sorry, this is my husband Tim, I mean Tom,’ grinned Holly. Tom gave her a warning glare and Patti’s cheeks flushed pink.
‘I’m a journalist and it’s a tough world out there. A degree might just get you in the door, even if it doesn’t guarantee the job. You’ll regret it if you give up now, especially when you’re so close to finishing. I promise, if you get that piece of paper and you’re looking for a job, I can help out with some contacts.’
Patti was almost awestruck by Tom’s credentials and she hung on every word with enthusiasm. When she returned to the counter to get their order, Holly watched her out of the corner of her eye. Mother and daughter were deep in conversation. ‘Aren’t you the helpful one?’ Holly said to Tom.
‘I like to help along fledgling careers where I can,’ Tom said proudly.
‘I hope you don’t go around offering your services to all the pretty girls you see on your travels.’
‘I only have eyes for you,’ Tom said, and his intent stare sought solace from Holly.
‘I know, I’m only teasing. I trust you with my heart and my soul, no matter how far away they send you.’ She reached over and pulled at a tiny lock of hair at the base of his neck. ‘And no matter how polished and appealing they try to make you.’
Tom took hold of Holly’s outstretched hand in his. ‘Does it sound too wimpy to say I miss my curls?’
‘I miss your curls too,’ soothed Holly. ‘But you have to get the viewing public swooning over you if you’re going to become an anchorman.’ She paused, a mischievous glint in her eye. ‘I did mean the female viewing public, by the way.’
Tom tried to smile but his lips couldn’t quite complete the manoeuvre. ‘I was happy in my comfort zone, I am happy in my comfort zone,’ he tried to explain. ‘This new persona the studio is trying to create just feels …’ He seemed to be lost for words for once.
‘Uncomfortable?’ offered Holly.
‘God, it’s like squeezing into a suit that doesn’t quite fit.’
‘Too tight around the shoulders?’
‘Too tight in the crotch,’ replied Tom, just as Patti returned with their cream teas. If she heard his last comment, she didn’t let on.
‘These are on the house,’ she told them. ‘Mum insists.’
‘You’re going back to university?’ Holly asked excitedly, knowing how pleased Jocelyn and Lisa would be by the news.
‘Hmm, I’m not quite ready to decide just yet, but I have agreed to sit down and talk it through properly with Mum. And if I do give it another try, I’ll be back looking for those contacts,’ she told Tom.
‘My word is my bond,’ he agreed.
As Patti left, Tom sighed. ‘Oh, to be that young and hopeful.’
‘So, back to you. When do I get to see your new image in action?’ Holly asked. Tom’s reports on the Canadian oil sands were currently being edited and hadn’t been aired yet.
‘Next