Page 39 of The Village Inn of Secret Dream

‘Now you’re pushing it,’ said Pete, with a wink.

She smiled to herself as he walked away, but her good mood did begin to falter as she considered what a fancy chef would do to a place like The Black Swan. How grand a dining experience was Pete talking about?

It worried her that he was taking the gastronomic dining to a whole new level and leaving Cranbridge, and Belle, far behind.

22

It was Friday night and the four best friends had finally sorted out their calendars and found a free night to meet up.

Belle drained the last dregs of the Prosecco in her glass and reached for the bottle on the coffee table in front of her to pour another drink.

‘I was going to ask how your week’s gone, but you’ve just answered my question already,’ said Lucy, who was sitting next to her on the sofa.

They had arranged to meet in Amber’s apartment above The Cranbridge Stores. It was beautifully furnished, with a light airy feel, helped by the oak beams which rose to an apex in the roof. Amber’s flair for decoration which had begun in the shop had also been put to use in the apartment. It was modern but cosy country chic and Belle had often wistfully thought how nice it would be to live in a place like that. It was certainly in stark comparison to the damp, dark inn.

‘It’s all such a mess at home,’ said Belle, handing the bottle to Lucy, who placed it back on the table. She hadn’t even finished her first glass yet. ‘The scaffolding’s up but they’ve already ripped out both the kitchens and left everything covered in dust. Plus the electricity keeps going on and off so all the chiller cabinets for the wine and soft drinks keep switching off too.’

‘I think it’s a good thing,’ said Molly, who tended to see the positive in everything. ‘The inn’s going to look great when it’s finished.’

‘It is,’ said Amber, smiling at them all in contentment as she sat down to join them. ‘You know, it’s been way too long since we did this.’

‘I know,’ said Lucy. ‘It’s been so crazy busy recently, this is the first time I’ve had to draw breath.’

‘So where’s Tom tonight?’ asked Molly.

‘He’s gone to the inn with Josh,’ Amber told her.

‘So we’re an entirely man-free zone,’ said Lucy, with a smile.

‘Cheers,’ they all said, clinking their glasses together.

As usual, the conversation was non-stop as they all caught up properly after weeks of only bumping into each other in the shop or on the lane.

‘Who’s in charge of the inn tonight if you’re over here?’ asked Molly, with a frown.

‘Pete,’ said Belle in a grim tone.

She had no idea what kind of state she would find it in when she returned. He had only just learnt how to pull a pint properly.

‘Josh will keep an eye on things and make sure that it’s okay,’ said Amber, with a soft smile.

‘I hope so,’ muttered Belle.

‘Look, I know you’re not happy but at least the inn will stay locally owned, just as it’s always been,’ added Amber, who was pouring out some crisps into a bowl.

‘But it doesn’t necessarily follow that I’ll be here to see all that success,’ said Belle, biting her lip in worry. ‘Pete’s planning on selling the inn as soon as it’s up and running and there’s no guarantee that I’ll be able to stay on after that.’

Amber looked across the oak coffee table at her friend. ‘Pete will make sure that you’re okay. Josh says that they’ve both always looked out for you and I’m sure that hasn’t changed.’

‘I’m not so sure,’ said Belle with a heavy sigh.

‘Well, perhaps we can try and persuade him otherwise at Cathy’s birthday party next week,’ said Molly, with a nod.

Cathy was celebrating her birthday at the inn the following Monday.

‘Is he really going to try to turn it into a fancy restaurant?’ asked Lucy, with a grimace. ‘I don’t understand why he thinks that there would be much call for that around here.’

‘Because he’s turned into a snob,’ Belle told her. ‘It’s like everything has to be the biggest and the best. I mean, who does he think he is?’