Page 2 of The Beekeeper's Cottage
‘Yes, it does,’ she replied. ‘Or at least we like to think so. Now, would you like a drink first, before I show you around? That way you can meet everyone at the same time.’
‘Only if there’s nothing you need doing straight away. There’s still plenty of light left in the day.’
Flora narrowed her eyes. ‘I think we could let you off work this evening, as you’ve just arrived, but I do still have all the flowers to water and that takesages.’
‘Then I will gladly help,’ replied Amos, ruffling the dog’s fur. ‘Hello Brodie,’ he added.
The dog lifted his paw which Amos shook, laughing. ‘That’s a neat trick,’ he remarked, looking back up at Flora, only to find her staring at both him and the dog.
‘I’ve never even seen him do that before!’ She laughed again. ‘Come on then. Brodie, lead the way.’
Amos realised he was still clutching his loaf of bread and he held it out. He’d been planning to have it for his supper, but that was before he’d met Flora. ‘A contribution,’ he said. ‘It’s the least I can do.’
But Flora shook her head. ‘Not necessary,’ she said. ‘But I’ll take it anyway, otherwise you’ll be carrying it around everywhere and feeling foolish. We can talk when we get inside and work out how we’re going to do this, but don’t worry for now though.’
The farmhouse kitchen was a big square room, clearly the most used in the house, with a well-worn sofa against one wall and a traditional scrubbed pine table occupying its centre. Seated at either end of this were a much older couple who met Amos’s wave with polite interest, but no smiles he noticed. Not yet.
‘Amos, this is my mother-in-law, Hannah, and father-in-law, Fraser. Have a seat and I’ll get you a drink. What would you like?’
‘Just a glass of water if I may, thank you.’
He took the chair nearest to him, closer to Hannah who gave him the briefest of smiles and then nudged her glasses up her nose.
‘Are you hungry, Amos?’ she asked. ‘Only I’m afraid we’ve already eaten.’
She had a kind face and neatly cut grey hair, and was wearing a colourful floral tee shirt with jeans. Older than him, certainly, but not that old. He shook his head.
‘Thank you, but I brought a loaf from the village, so please don’t go to any trouble.’
Flora put the bread down on the table.
‘Some cake then?’ she said. ‘Fresh honey cake, made this afternoon…’
‘Well, I must admit to having a rather sweet tooth so that would be lovely.’ He nodded his thanks.
‘Coming right up. I’ll just go and fetch Ned. If he hears there’s cake and doesn’t get a piece, he’ll be very upset.’
She smiled and left the room while Amos sat a little awkwardly waiting for the inevitable. The seconds ticked by.
‘So, what brings you here then, lad?’ asked Fraser somewhat gruffly from the end of the table.
It was a question that Amos never knew quite how to answer. He usually thought that honesty was the best policy, but saying ‘a guilty conscience’ would have him shown the front door in a matter of minutes. So, instead, he settled for a vague version of the truth that usually sufficed.
‘I’d been doing some work not too far from here. It’s a beautiful place and as I was passing through I thought perhaps I might like to stay awhile. Flora said you could have need of an extra pair of hands.’
Fraser’s eyes narrowed. ‘Aye, we do that right enough. What sort of work do you do?’
‘Odd jobs mostly, but I can turn my hand to many things. Farms are busy places and I’ve worked on quite a few before now.’
There was a nod and the steady appraisal continued, but that was okay, Amos expected no less. He could hear Flora returning through the hallway and he looked up just as she arrived, a burly red-headed man close behind. He could see the family resemblance straight away; Fraser was a less hearty-looking, paler version of his son. His red hair was now faded with age to a soft sandy colour, but there was no mistaking where Flora’s husband got his looks from.
In contrast to his parents, however, Ned wore a bright grin and immediately strode across to where Amos was sitting, his hand extended in welcome.
‘I’m Ned. Flora’s been telling me all about you. It’s so nice to meet you.’
Amos got to his feet. ‘And you. I hope I can be of help. You’ve just been let down, I gather.’
Ned rolled his eyes. ‘Your arrival could not be more perfectly timed. I’m sure we can find you plenty of things to do.’
