‘All that lovely time off,’ she said, but Holly knew how hard her friend worked. Schools weren’t the only places where teaching went on though and Holly’s gallery, if she got the cottage and the requisite permission, was large enough to use as a classroom. Why shouldn’t she teach adults? She could make some money at the same time as providing something for which she hoped optimistically if a little naively there would be plenty of enthusiasm.
It isn’t as if I won’t have time to do my own painting as well. Thanks to Mum and Dad – Holly felt the familiar lump rise to her throat when she thought of the tragic accident that had taken them both from her – there’s a financial cushion until I get myself established. A regular income would help though, even a small one.
Materials wouldn’t be a problem. They were readily available along the riverbanks or at garage sales or car boot sales – any number of sources. As far as the fundamentals went she already had more than enough basic equipment, at present in the same storage facility as her mother’s table, though there were some things she would never share. In any case she was sure people would get their own paints and brushes, or whatever, once they decided (hopefully) they liked it enough to carry on. With very little expenditure, she could set up a business at home. It’s not called cottage industry for nothing.
Turning for home and walking more quickly now, she made her way back through the village, excited about her plans and praying some of them at least would come to fruition.
***
‘So what are you going to wear this evening?’
Holly looked up from the floor where she was playing with Jake and Jamie.
‘Wear? Why?’
‘Duh! Kate and Charlie’s. Drinks and nibbles. Mind you, Kate’s nibbles always constitute a feast. No cooking for me tonight, except for the boys.’
‘Emma, I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Drinks and nibbles. Tonight. At Ka … Have you looked at your text messages today?’
‘No, I put my phone on silent when I went down to the river and forgot all about it.’
‘Well you’d better go and sort out your glad rags. We’re going to a party.’
Holly was suddenly very still. She loved people but she loved them in small intimate groups, preferably when she knew most of them as well. A party sounded like something else. She’d met one or two of Emma and Tom’s friends on previous visits, and even since she’d come to stay, but a party?
‘Why don’t I just stay and babysit? I’m quite happy to stay at home.’
‘Did you hear that, kids? Holly wants to babysit.’ They looked indignant. ‘Haven’t you heard the term child-minding, Holly?’
Holly smiled at her godsons. ‘I guess I lost a bit of ground there, eh boys? But I’d sooner stay with you than go to some old party.’
‘No chance,’ said their mother. ‘Kate would be mortally offended. She especially asked us to bring you with. Go on. Go and pick something pretty. We’re due there at eight.’
Reluctantly Holly did her bidding but as she went upstairs she felt the excitement begin to bubble up within her. After all, it had been a long time since she’d been to a party. She tried on several combinations before finally deciding what to wear. She dressed with care, the smart navy trousers a change from her usual jeans, hugging her tiny hips atop ridiculously silly high heels – she needed all the help she could get. She chose a lacy cream-coloured top and loose-knit cream cardigan – its one detail, a single large button just above the waist, was the reason she’d bought it. Ornately carved, it set off the simplicity of the rest. She hoped to be able to take it off when she got there, but winter was fast approaching and the evenings were quite chilly. Well, cold if she was brutally honest. The lacy top was pretty though so she thought she might just have to suffer goose pimples.
***
Standing outside Kate and Charlie’s house, flanked by Emma on one side and Tom on the other, Holly’s heart was racing. Some of it was caused by apprehension but that was tempered by anticipation. She might prefer small groups but essentially Holly was a people person. All of a sudden she couldn’t wait to get inside and meet some.
Unbelievably, the first person she saw when they opened the door was the guy who’d bumped into her that morning. Well, not the first person exactly. Naturally Kate and Charlie were the first, greeting her as they did Emma and Tom, as if she was an old friend. She remembered meeting them on a previous visit to Emma and was really pleased to see them again. But behind them in their large entrance hall was the doctor chap.
Holly drew herself up to her full five foot two inches plus three for the shoes – she liked to think she was big in character, if not in stature – and moved forward to be introduced as her escorts disappeared into the room beyond. Doc was standing with two other men and a girl about the same age as her. They all looked up as Kate took her over to meet them and it was obvious from the expression on his face that her acquaintance from earlier in the day was about as delighted to see her as she was to see him.
‘This is Holly, guys. She’s new to Cuffingham. She’s staying with Emma and Tom until she finds a place of her own,’ Kate told them. ‘Holly, this is Phoebe, Gordon, Adam, and Steve. Oh, there goes the bell again. Look after her for me, will you, while I answer the door.’
Phoebe, Gordon, and Steve all smiled encouragingly at her. Adam looked as if he’d rather be on another planet, or that she would be. Also, unless she was mistaken, he was a bit red in the face.
‘It’s lovely to meet you, Holly. Adam’s just finished telling us how he crashed into you this morning.’ No wonder his face was red! ‘Not that you match his description at all. I was expecting a real firebrand, but you seem perfectly benign. I presume it was you? We don’t get too many new people in Cuffingham at this time of the year.’
Holly smiled back at Phoebe gratefully.
‘I guess that would be me then, though I didn’t realise it would be more dangerous in a country village than in London. I lived there all my life and I’ve never been mugged before.’
She smiled. It was a fairly innocuous joke after all, but she regretted it immediately, remembering that it was in fact she who’d been at fault. Before she had a chance to apologise, and without a word, Adam turned and walked away into what Holly found out later was the lounge. She didn’t know whether to be cross or embarrassed. But she was human so cross won the day.
‘That’s the second time he’s done that to me today. Is he always so rude?’
‘The thing is,’ Steve said ruefully, ‘Buttercup died. The calf survived but he’s convinced that if he’d only got there a bit sooner he could have saved them both. Feels that if he hadn’t got tied up with you he might have been in time.’
‘Tied up! But that’s ridiculous! The whole thing was over in less than two minutes.’ It was Holly’s turn now to be red-faced. ‘He can’t possibly blame me. That’s so unfair!’
‘You’re quite right, of course. But he takes this doctor/patient thing very seriously. Gets thoroughly upset if any of them die on him. He really is a damned good vet though. Come on now. Where are my manners? Let’s get you a drink.’
The four of them moved into the main reception room where Emma and Tom had gone to mingle and there were now twenty or so people gathered. Holly tried not to gasp and failed miserably. She had cause enough.
‘What a fantastic room!’
She was completely enchanted. Wider from the doorway than long, it must have measured about twenty-eight by twenty feet.
‘And look at those windows.’
The