Page 7 of Wild About You

‘Does it mean something?’ I said.

He cleared his throat. ‘Technically – Bel for beautiful, heddon for heathy hill, brae for steep hill.’

I raised my eyebrows and glanced at his face.Beautiful heathy hill steep hill? He shrugged.

‘I suppose it has a ring about it,’ I said.

I took my phone out and took snaps of the area from different angles. Then I made a quick sketch of the beds, identifying those shrubs and plants I could make out. It was a joy to focus like this, my mind seeking and noting information. When I finished, I realised that for the first time in ages, I had quieted the humming sadness that seemed to buzz behind my thoughts all the time.

Callum had watched me the whole time, and seemed to approve. ‘I’ll make you a hot chocolate when we get back,’ he said. ‘You’ve earned it.’ Fi had warned me Callum’s hot chocolates were legendary, involving cream, marshmallows and usually a drop of whisky.

‘As long as you leave out the alcohol,’ I said. ‘Seriously. I’ve already got a hangover.’

He laughed. ‘If you like. On the way back I’ll introduce you to Keith and Mica, who look after the gardens. They’re married and live in one of the estate cottages.They do the cars too – Keith drives the earl to any official functions.’

‘Just your normal, average workplace,’ I murmured to myself. ‘Does the boss have a Rolls?’

‘Of course,’ he said, and I couldn’t work out whether he was joking or not.

CHAPTER 4

FROM: Anna Whitlock

TO: Jamie Mulholland

Hi Jamie, I have inspected Belheddonbrae this morning. Also the castle ruins, which were wonderful! I would suggest converting Belheddonbrae into wildflower meadow. Best, Anna.

FROM: Jamie Mulholland

TO: Anna Whitlock

Anna, was expecting something more innovative than that. I could throw a few handfuls of wildflower seed around myself without a professional’s input. For discussion. JM.

P.S. The ruins are unstable. I hope you wore a hard hat.

I screwed up my face in the least flattering way possible, aware that Tally was watching me. I wondered why I had abandoned all attempts to appear glossy and composed: I’d always been extra smiley when I was working in London, in buildings made of glass and steel, in my uniform of black skinny jeans (or not-so-skinny jeans as Sean snarkily referred to them sometimes), sharply pressed white cotton shirts, and blazers. Oh, and my hair always cut every six weeks and expensively highlighted.

Yet here I was: 1) No haircut for two months, it was starting to straggle out of its sharply defined style, the natural curl breaking out. 2) Sharp wardrobe being eroded by ‘country style’, including my clodhopper boots and the holey old woollen jumper in Scandi pattern I was wearing today. 3) I was making no attempt whatsoever to hide my true feelings about anything.

I tapped my phone open and messaged Rose in London.

Help. All style and composure gone. Am turning into country bumpkin. Was stylish & cool once, wasn’t I?

Her reply came back ninety seconds later.

Clearly true self is now emerging. Hahaha. Wuv you.

I pulled another face (hopefully a more enigmatic one) and watched Tally tremble into life, like a plant that’s just been watered.

TO: Jamie Mulholland

FROM: Anna Whitlock

Jamie, a wildflower meadow can be an incredibly sophisticated ecosystem. I will provide further details. I’m sure it’s the right choice for Belheddonbrae.

As I understand it, your focus is on large-scale rewilding and biodiversity. Presumably I can meet with you and Callum to talk more strategically?

Regards, Anna.

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