Page 77 of Welcome to Pennycress Inn

‘I’d like to propose a truce.’ Laura held her glass towards Evie and held her breath. Although she’d seen Evie around the village since the whole hospital ward incident, this was the first time they’d spoken.

Evie took another sip of her bubbly, eyeing Laura as she did so.

Shifting on her feet, Laura twisted the stem of her glass in her fingers, determined not to give in so easily. They both lived in Meadowfield, and ignoring and avoiding each other was just hard work. If they could at least be civil to each other, both their lives would be easier. ‘We both live in the same village. We can’t avoid each other forever and I’d like us to get along. To start afresh.’

Tilting her head and staring at her, seemingly thinking, Evie finally lifted her glass and clinked it with Laura’s. ‘A truce.’

Breathing a sigh of relief, Laura grinned. ‘Fantastic.’

‘Auntie Laura!’

Turning, Laura heard Tammy’s voice before she spotted her running towards them.

‘There’s someone to see you and she has a big gold chain around her neck. Toby thinks she’s a pirate, but I told him she probably just really, really likes jewellery.’ Tammy jumped from foot to foot in front of her.

‘Oh, that will be the mayoress, Miss Cooke. Thank you, Tammy. I’ll come down and speak to her.’ Laura looked at Evie and smiled. ‘Thank you again for coming.’

‘Do you like Snakes & Ladders? Will you come and play with us?’ Tammy gripped hold of Evie’s hand and began pulling her down the steps towards the garden.

Laura stifled a laugh as she watched Evie teetering on her heels in an attempt to keep up with Tammy’s pace. That was one thing she didn’t think she’d ever see: icy Evie Taunton playing Snakes & Ladders.

‘Ah, there you are.’ Miss Cooke joined Laura on the decking.

‘Hello. Welcome to Pennycress Inn.’ Laura finished with a flourish of her hands.

‘I’ve got to say, Laura, you’re a credit to our village, you are. It will be wonderful to have Pennycress open and hosting local events again, not to mention the extra business your guests will bring to the village. You’ve done a fabulous job.’ Miss Cooke placed her hands on her hips and surveyed the garden.

‘Thank you. That means a lot. Of course, I couldn’t have done it without all the help from Jackson and Jill’s amazing gardening skills.’ She grinned. The journey to transform Pennycress from the run-down state the inn had been in to how it was today hadn’t been easy and there had been many obstacles along theway – the pipe she’d burst in the hallway, the broken banister… the list was endless – many of which had led her to question her decision to buy Pennycress in the first place, but she was glad she’d stuck it out. Now the inn was freshly decorated and everything in place to welcome her guests, Laura felt a great sense of pride that she hadn’t given up on her dreams and vision for Pennycress.

‘I’ve been speaking to Vivienne’s daughter, Nicola. She told me you’re pretty much booked up from now until the end of the summer?’

‘Yes, that’s right.’ Laura nodded. She didn’t know what she’d have done without Nicola’s expertise these last few weeks in the run-up to opening. Over the couple of months since Vivienne had introduced them, Nicola had become a firm friend as well as helping her out so much with the website and ideas for future events, and then last week Laura had officially welcomed her into the Pennycress team – her first proper member of staff. ‘The new website and social media accounts Nicola has made for the inn have had a really positive impact.’

‘Well done. Oh, and congratulations.’

Congratulations? Laura shook her head. ‘Thank you.’

Nodding, Miss Cooke retreated down the stairs to mingle with the other villagers who were turning up.

Leaning her elbows on the wooden railing encompassing the decking, Laura looked out across the garden. Amidst some unfamiliar faces, she recognised a lot of the guests – among them her darts teammates, Catherine, Dan and Terry, Mrs Pierce from the bakery, Pat, Mrs Pritchard and, of course, her family who had driven down to celebrate the opening with her.

She grinned. A few short months ago she’d have never even dreamt that she’d have been capable of buying, restoring and opening an inn as beautiful as Pennycress.

She straightened her back as Nicola hurried towards her.

‘Laura, our first guests have arrived.’ Slightly out of breath, Nicola clapped her hands. ‘They’re here!’

‘The Oakleys?’

‘Yes. They’re at the front desk. I asked them to wait whilst I came to get you. I hope that’s okay? I didn’t want to check them in without you.’

Laura squealed. ‘I can’t believe it, our first guests. Come on, let’s go and get them checked in.’ Placing her glass on one of three rattan table and chair sets positioned on the decking, Laura gripped hold of Nicola’s shirt sleeve as they made their way through the back door and into the hallway.

‘Morning, you must be Mr and Mrs Oakley. Welcome to Pennycress Inn.’ Laura held her hand out and welcomed them. ‘I’m so sorry for the delay. It’s our grand opening today and you’re our first ever guests!’

‘No problem.’ Mrs Oakley smiled as she placed her handbag down on the reception desk.

‘Right, let’s just get you both checked in and then we can show you to your room.’ Laura clicked the booking-in form on the computer as Nicola joined her behind the desk. ‘There we go. All done. I’ll show you the bedroom now and talk you through the breakfast options.’

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