Page 74 of Chasing Dreams in Eversley Village

‘I can’t say anything to make you feel better. But I know that you clearly loved her and it wasn’t your doing.’

‘I’m sorry.’ He sat up and rubbed the back of his neck. ‘I didn’t mean to be morbid and self-absorbed.’

‘It’s a shock when people die, even when it’s expected.’

Mitch nodded. ‘I’ve not spoken about it – about Vanessa – apart from to the police. Not a word since she died.’

Holly reached a hand across the table and touched his fingers. Mitch held her gaze and she felt a warmth travel over her body. Her arms ached, she wanted to embrace him, to be with him. Bringing her hand back, she broke contact, knowing this was not the right time.

Holly jumped as there was a loud rap on the door. ‘I’ll get it.’ She stood up to let the paramedics in.

* * *

Holly felt surprisinglyawake for the reopening of the nursery, considering how little sleep she’d had. Looking out of the caravan window, she admired the information boards in the distance that she had set up to promote the farmers’ market. They had decided to call it, West Country Farmers’ Market, not wanting to use either the Loveland or Booth names. Mitch had suggested they called it ‘West Country’ rather than ‘Somerset’ as he had two contacts in North Devon who were keen to bring stock over.

Holly looked down towards the farmhouse, wondering how Mitch was. She had texted him first thing to offer her help over the coming days, which she knew would be full of paperwork and arrangements, but she hadn’t heard anything from him yet. Staring at the inside of the caravan door she straightened her uniform.

‘Let’s get this nursery open,’ she said to a yapping Trixy

There was a steady stream of customers from the village. Holly guessed that Jaz had bullied everyone she saw into coming, considering she had been spending a lot of her time in the Eversley Arms. There were villagers who came through the gates that she had never seen before at the nursery. Holly had been over to the Eversley Arms for a few evening meals, and had got to know more of the locals. Holly had been feeling much more connected to the village, realising that over the years the Lovelands had always been perceived as being somewhat aloof, with her family historically keeping themselves to themselves, as had the Booths. She wanted to feel a part of the village now, hoping that the planned arts hub would bring everyone together.

Holly had considered offering a free cup of tea to entice people in, but Jaz had told her to have more confidence. And she was right, as there were many people forming a queue at the snack shack. There were few free spaces at the tables and chairs which Holly had set out. She still had ‘for sale’ notices on the garden furniture, hoping that customers would enjoy using it and order a set. Her staff buzzed around; Val was not there due to her hip hurting, but she had baked many cakes with Anne’s help.

Kids of all ages were using the play area. Some gawped through the fence at her burned-down house. The younger ones were calling to their parents, ‘Mummy come see.’Mitch was right,she thought. As soon as she pictured Mitch in her mind, she saw him walk up the path, Trixy yapped wildly. Holly ran towards him with Trixy at her heels. She was surprised to see him after the shock he had the previous evening. Once he reached her, he avoided her gaze. Trixy jumped up at him, he picked her up and the dog licked his face.

Mitch smiled, but Holly thought his tired eyes had lost their shine. ‘Someone’s pleased to see me?’ He ruffled Trixy’s fur.

‘Yes,’ was all Holly could manage.Don’t be awkward, she told herself.

‘You look great.’ Mitch stared at Holly’s uniform then lowered his gaze.

Holly smoothed down her cerise, figure-hugging polo top, sporting the new nursery logo which she had teamed with khaki shorts.

‘There are a fair few people here. I won’t disturb you while you’re busy.’ Mitch tucked Trixy under his arm. ‘I’ll catch up with you on Monday about the farmers’ market. It’s rushing up.’ Mitch’s voice sounded flat.

Holly hated seeing Mitch this low.

‘Do you have Trixy’s lead? I’ll get her from under your feet.’

‘Oh, yes. Yes, of course.’ She walked back to the caravan, feeling glum. Opening the door, she picked up Trixy’s lead and bed, then turned – Mitch had followed her in and was standing close.

‘Thanks, Holly,’ he said staring deep into her eyes.

Holly smiled. ‘See you soon.’ She watched as Mitch put the lead on Trixy then stuffed the soft bed under his arm. He turned and left, with Trixy jumping up at him. Holly felt the urge to run after them both but instead took a deep breath and returned to work.

‘Well that was a success.’Holly said, sitting outside the caravan on an iron table and chair set with Joe. He wore his green polo with a pink logo. An inverse of Holly’s top as he had been far from keen on the cerise. Holly had joked that meant he had to wear pink trousers, but let him get away with green shorts as well, realising she had got carried away with her ‘Gypsy Rose’ theme.

Joe finished the last dregs of his bottled beer. ‘How much did we take?’

‘Just over six thousand, can you believe it?’

‘My, that’s some cups of tea.’

Holly laughed. ‘With the hot weather, people wanted the tables, chairs and sun umbrellas. I’ve put in a massive order on-line, so you’ll be out on deliveries next week, I’m so pleased. You know my greatest fear was that I’d have to let you all go.’

‘Well, it’s early days.’

‘True, and we can’t expect this every weekend. But let’s hope the weather stays put.’

That evening, the caravan seemed eerily quiet in contrast to her busy day. Holly pulled the duvet over her aching body. ‘Trixy,’ she called waiting for the bundle of white fluff to bounce up onto her bed. She sighed, remembering Trixy had gone home. Too tired for the loneliness to keep her awake, she drifted off to sleep imagining she could hear Trixy bark and whine.

---