Page 8 of A Sky Full of Stars
‘I won’t, Granny!’ Cora replied. Charlotte smiled as she heard Cora explain the warning solemnly to her younger brother, Dylan. Then, once Comet had found his paws, they continued their game.
‘I’ve learned to make the most of these moments,’ Lorelai said reflectively. ‘After all, I’m not sure how many of them I’ll have left.’ She brushed away Charlotte’s polite murmurs. ‘That’s why I choose to have lodgers from time to time, you see. Conversation keeps the old brain cells active, and I do so love meeting new people. Of course, now Flowerdew Homes has permission to build on the land on the other side of the wood, there’ll be a lot of newcomers into the village. That’ll take some getting used to.’
‘And you said last night you’re in favour of it?’ Charlotte asked as they settled themselves in the garden chairs. ‘The new development, I mean?’
Lorelai looked surprised at the question. ‘Of course!’ she said. ‘I know that might surprise you, but as I said, Thea’s got her heart set on one of the new houses, so she can move closer to me as I head towards la-la land. It’ll be nice to have her nearby.’ She paused. ‘I suppose you thought, because I’m old and I have a nice house, that I’d automatically be against it?’
Charlotte flushed. ‘Well, yes, I suppose I did.’
‘Glad to see I’m still capable of surprising people,’ Lorelai replied with a grin. ‘Of course, it’s not ideal, but Observatory Field has been a wasteland for years. Ever since the observatory itself was formally closed, it’s been a magnet for the less desirable elements of the community. It’ll be a good thing when it’s cleared and finally put to some use.’
‘But it’s such a special site,’ Charlotte said. ‘It seems criminal just to tear it down now, no matter what state it’s in.’
‘Some things deserve to be torn down,’ Lorelai replied, and this time there was no mistaking the dark edge to her tone, more pronounced than it had been last night when they’d first discussed the development. ‘It’ll be for the best when that place is gone. And then, maybe everyone can at last move on.’
Charlotte’s curiosity was fully piqued now, but at that moment, Comet came trotting back to her and put two wet paws onto her knees. ‘Worked up an appetite, have you, pup?’ she laughed. ‘Well, perhaps it’s time for a treat or two.’ As she felt into her pocket for the gravy bones the dog so adored, she mused on Lorelai’s words. She wondered if, when she started archiving Observatory Field, she’d find some answers to the questions Lorelai’s words had raised.
9
After a leisurely Sunday afternoon, Charlotte went to bed that evening in a state of excited anticipation about starting her job at Observatory Field. She was again surprised at how well she slept, and as the bird chorus woke her with the dawn, she stretched luxuriously in her bed and began running through the things she needed to remember for her first day. It was going to be a tricky job, to balance the interests of the university with those of Flowerdew Homes, and after seeing the state of the outside of the observatory yesterday, she knew she had to factor in extra care if she was going to stick to her original plan and take Comet with her. She certainly didn’t want him off-lead and getting into trouble again.
‘Morning, love,’ Lorelai said as, a short time later, Charlotte wandered out of the exterior door that led to the back garden. Lorelai was sitting on a chair on the patio, drinking a leisurely cuppa and nibbling on a piece of toast. ‘Looking forward to your first day?’ she asked as they both watched Comet snuffling and sniffing around.
Charlotte nodded. ‘I can’t wait to get through the door and see what’s in there.’ She felt a frisson of excitement every time she thought about the treasures that might be hidden in the observatory. But then her worry about Comet, who was looking expectantly at her at the prospect of another jaunt, resurfaced.
Lorelai, sharp and inquisitive, obviously noticed the way Charlotte’s gaze had shifted to the dog, who, having just had his breakfast, was now champing at the bit to get going. Charlotte had told her what had happened yesterday, although she’d left out the part about the guy who’d rescued Comet. She still wasn’t sure why.
‘You’re worried about taking this one back there, aren’t you?’ Lorelai said, gesturing to Comet, who was looking up at Lorelai, hoping for a bit of toast for himself. There was a slight pause.
‘I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t,’ Charlotte admitted. ‘I was hoping I could give him a bit of a free rein but the land around the observatory is in a worse state than I’d been led to believe. Until I’ve checked out how dog-proof and safe the actual building is, he’s going to get awfully bored being kept on a lead all day.’
Lorelai glanced down at Comet, who regarded her back with bright, hopeful eyes. Charlotte suppressed a smile as an understanding seemed to pass between the old lady and the spaniel.
‘Well, he’s more than welcome to spend the day with me, today, if you’re happy to leave him,’ Lorelai said as she looked back at Charlotte. ‘As you know, the garden is dog-proof and I’ve got no plans to go out.’
Charlotte shook her head. ‘Oh, I couldn’t possibly impose him on you. He can be a bit of a handful when he gets bored.’
‘I’d best make sure he doesn’t get bored, then!’ Lorelai replied. ‘I reckon a quick stroll in the woods would do us both good, anyway.’ She looked fondly down at Comet. ‘I used to have a chocolate Labrador who never learned to stop pulling on the lead… after that, a spaniel will be a breeze!’
‘Only if you’re sure,’ Charlotte said, but she was already relieved at the offer. Not having to worry about Comet for her first day would be a definite plus.
‘Say no more,’ Lorelai replied. ‘Just leave whatever he needs with me. We’ll keep each other company today.’
‘Thank you so much,’ Charlotte replied. ‘It would be a weight off my mind.’ She knelt down and took Comet’s head in her hands. ‘And you make sure you behave yourself,’ she said sternly. She grinned as Comet raised innocent eyes to his mistress. Dropping a kiss on the top of his nose, she got back to her feet.
‘I’m not sure how long I’ll be up there, today,’ she said. ‘But I’ll try to get back as soon as I can.’
‘Take your time,’ Lorelai said breezily. ‘I’m sure Comet and I will find plenty to talk about.’
After thanking Lorelai effusively once more, Charlotte shoved her lunch into her backpack and headed back out to Observatory Field. At least, she thought, having given the place a bit of a recce yesterday, she was more prepared for the hazards of the site. She’d put on a pair of sturdy walking boots and jeans and was wearing a striped T-shirt under a long-sleeved sweatshirt. It was a far cry from the sandals and shorts of yesterday.
Thoughts of the day before inevitably led back to her encounter with the brusque guy on site, and as she walked briskly uphill through the woods her mind was drawn back to what had happened. She couldn’t blame him really, for being pissed off with her: she’d looked like yet another trespasser, and it had been clear from his reaction that the observatory had been plagued with them. Hopefully, that would be the last she’d see of him. She tried to put the whole unpleasant incident to the back of her mind: Comet’s ear, once bathed and disinfected, seemed fine, and at least he was safely tucked away at Nightshade Cottage for the day. Charlotte was free to concentrate on the job at hand.
Picking up her pace, she was soon at the entrance to Observatory Field and covering the distance across the expanse of grass to where the building itself sat dejectedly in the centre. She could see why, in its heyday, it had been a fabulous spot to observe the stars. There would be virtually no light pollution out here, and the flat expanse made it accessible. She felt a stab of sadness that the building was going to be demolished but steeled herself to give it the respect it deserved in its final days and weeks. She cast her mind back to Lorelai’s strange reaction when they’d talked about it yesterday. There was a story there. She hoped, while she was staying at Nightshade Cottage, that she might eventually be let into Lorelai’s confidence. Villages like Lower Brambleton were rich with folklore and history, and while things inevitably had to change, that didn’t mean the history should be forgotten.
As Charlotte drew closer to the building, she could see a figure was already at the gate. Relieved that it wasn’t the same man she’d encountered yesterday, she drew in a breath and upped her pace. She’d had an email to say that someone would be meeting her at the entrance, and now her work was about to start, she felt the rising excitement. She’d do her very best for Observatory Field, and she couldn’t wait to get stuck in.
10
