Page 90 of A Recipe for Love
Two weeks later the atmosphere at the castle was barely recognisable from the cold empty building Bella had walked into when she first arrived. Buoyed by the first cookery school trial, Bella had pushed ahead with encouraging the village groups that had gone into hiatus, or had to relocate to Locharron while the hall was closed, to meet at the castle itself, and the first sessions were up and running.
As Bella made her way across the courtyard, Nina was putting out play mats and folding chairs for the parents and tots group. ‘Maggie said we’d be OK outside today? The forecast looks lovely.’
Bella nodded. ‘I’ll bring some squash out for the little ones. How many are you expecting?’
‘Usually about five or six parents and maybe eight or nine kids. We’d get more if the footbridge was useable.’
Bella thought a version of that thought every time she had to brave Flinty’s driving to make it into the village. ‘I know.’
‘I’m sure my Pavel would help if you need manpower.’
Noted. ‘Tea and biscuits for the grown-ups?’ Bella asked.
Nina nodded. ‘You’re a star.’
Inside Flinty was already in the kitchen. ‘Nina all right out there?’
‘Seems to be. There’s someone else in today isn’t there?’
‘Book club in the Yellow Room straight after mums and tots. Nina runs that too.’ Flinty peered at the calendar that was rapidly filling and had become their guide for everything. ‘You’ve put that they’re having lunch?’
‘Yeah. Just sandwiches and cake. And tea and coffee. They’re paying for it.’
‘Fair enough. How many people?’
Bella glanced over Flinty’s shoulder to decipher her scribbles. ‘Eight.’
‘That’s never an eight. It might be a three.’
‘You can’t have a book club with three people.’
‘Well you can’t have an eight without joining your loops up at the top.’
‘It’s an eight.’
Bella gestured at the tray with a teapot and proper cup and saucer already laid out. ‘Is that for…?’
Flinty nodded.
‘I’ll take it through.’
Veronica was installed in the estate office, three different folders open in front of her, computer screen on, spectacles perched on the bridge of her nose. ‘I brought you some tea.’
Veronica nodded towards the only clear square of desk.
‘How are things going here?’ Bella asked her.
‘Ticking over. Our costs are up quite markedly. Printing all your flyers, refreshments for all and sundry.’
The kernel of anxiety Bella had been carrying since the cookery school day prickled at her gut. The detente between herself and Veronica could crack at any moment. ‘Sorry.’
Veronica held a hand up. ‘But our income is up more thanks to the cookery school pre-bookings, donations from groups, and the charges for refreshments.’
‘Right. So that’s good?’
‘It is.’ She pursed her lips. ‘At least for now.’
‘Where’s Adam?’
