Page 23 of Chasing Dreams in Eversley Village

Holly kicked her under the table. ‘Jaz is driving and I’ve got work to do this afternoon. A lot of work.’ Holly glanced out of the window.

‘If you need any help or tradesmen, I’ll put word out.’

‘Thanks, Julian.’ Holly watched him walk back to the bar. ‘See, a lovely man.’

‘Be my guest.’ Jaz stared at her phone as if checking for messages.

Holly smiled at her friend, it was plain to see there was a chemistry between Jaz and Julian, but Jaz always brushed it off for some unknown reason. Julian soon returned with their drinks and took their meal orders, all the time beaming at Jaz.

After a plate of thick, salty ham, eggs and chips, Holly took a deep breath and glanced at the door. ‘It’s time to face my new reality.’

Holly’s heartbeatpounded as Jaz drove the short five hundred meters from the pub to the nursery. Cruising along the drive, they saw Joe’sclosed for refurbishmentsign. Jaz drew into the carpark and stopped alongside Holly’s transit. Holly’s solar plexus burned. Into view came the caravan, placed behind her favourite bench. Joe was hooking up an orange gas bottle.

‘Come on then, hun. It’s a shame that sexy Mitch isn’t here to carry you over the threshold.’

Holly shook her head.‘How many more times? He’s married.’

‘You’ve got that so wrong, hun. That man is single and you best get in there quick.’

Holly tapped her friend’s arm playfully. ‘Jaz, you’re the one that’s wrong.’ But she was glad Jaz was distracting her with their usual banter, and felt the atmosphere lighten.

They walked beside a wide trail of tyre tracks cut into the grass towards the caravan.

Joe turned to face them as they approached. ‘You’ve got gas there for cooking and heating. I’ve got Larry coming in to sort out an electric hook up but tonight you’ll have to live by lamplight.’

Holly had seen it from a distance of course, but the light-green caravan was longer and wider than she had imagined. ‘Thanks Joe.’

‘Shame himself’s not here – he’s gone off to some sort of farmers’ meeting. Says he’ll be back tomorrow evening.’

Jaz grabbed Holly’s hand. ‘Come on then. Let’s look inside.’

The door opened with a squeak.

‘I’ll WD40 that for you,’ Joe said.

Inside, the caravan was colourless. Beige furnishings, beige carpet, beige cupboards.Definitely in need of re-upholstering,Holly thought as she surveyed the split seats with yellowed foam poking out.

Joe squeezed Holly’s shoulder. ‘I’m sure you can make it a home. If you give them cupboards a lick of paint it’ll freshen the place up no end. Val says she’s got spare bedding you can have.’

‘No. That’s fine, I’ll buy new.’ If Holly was going to make it her own, she wanted the contents to be items she had chosen.

Jaz clapped her hands. ‘Another shopping trip.’

Holly glanced out of the window which was situated above the sink. Looming up like a black ghost were the nursery buildings. She moved forward and closed the dusty curtains.

Joe led them to a small shower room with a toilet. Poking her head around the corner Jaz hopped from side to side. ‘As soon as I see a loo. I have to use it.’

‘Well, it’s good to go,’ Joe said with a laugh. ‘Lucky we have water piped through, with this being a nursery.’

They left Jaz to christen the toilet. Joe pointed to a vase of roses and a bowl of fruit placed on the half circle dining table between the kitchen and the lounge area.

‘They’re from Julie and Anne. They wanted to brighten the place up and make it homely.’

Holly was not usually a fan of cut flowers but was struck by the colours. Various shades of green foliage were set against the pink blooms of roses. Turning, she looked out of another window on the opposite side of the caravan which framed the landscape. The same view as herBeauty of Somersetcomposition. She smiled. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll make it my own.’

‘It was tricky to get up here, mind. Made an awful mess of that there grass. A bit of seed’ll sort it out though.’ Joe rubbed his hands. ‘The Booth lad says he’ll not intrude, not with the stress you’re under. Though of course he’s had his own share of troubles.’

Holly was about to ask Joe what Mitch’s troubles were, but Jaz entered the room shaking excess water from her hands.

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