Page 87 of New Beginnings on Railway Lane

‘We’ll think of something,’ said Libby, bending down to follow suit with a hug for Flora after Katy had stepped back. ‘Or at least Katy will, if recent history is anything to go by. I’d better be off. See you all tomorrow.’

After Libby had said her goodbyes and left, everyone else turned to look at Katy. ‘So, how can we help?’ asked Flora.

‘If you could help me out with the interior design of the carriages, then I’d be really grateful,’ said Katy.

‘Of course,’ said Flora, with a smile. ‘It’s pretty quiet on the farm at the moment with all that recent rain. Not much I can do other than grab a boat and row my way across the fields.’

‘I’m busy at the spa,’ said Harriet. ‘But if you like, I can donate some soaps and things when you’re nearer the opening day.’

‘That’s great,’ said Katy. ‘I really want to stock them with local products.’

‘When is opening day?’ asked Flora.

‘Valentine’s Day,’ said Katy. ‘We figured it was a good date to aim for, especially with the marketing.’

‘So you’re staying until then?’ asked Maggie with a smile.

Katy nodded. ‘Yes. I am.’

‘That’s great,’ said Harriet, giving her a spontaneous hug. ‘You’ll be here for all the Christmas excitement.’

‘Not sure there’s ever that much excitement to be had in Cranfield, to be honest,’ said Flora with a grin.

‘Are you kidding?’ said Harriet. ‘We’ve got a coffee shop to pop into these days. Soon it’ll be Christmas and then Valentine’s Day and finally back round to summer again and the lavender fields will be in full bloom.’

‘Steady on,’ said Maggie, laughing. ‘You’ve just wished away the next six months.’

‘Okay,’ replied Harriet. ‘I guess I can wait a bit longer for romantic picnics with Joe amongst the lavender. Especially if we have your cakes to enjoy with a cup of proper coffee each day.’

‘Definitely,’ said Maggie. ‘I’ll have to think up some Christmas-themed ones, won’t I?’

Normally Katy ignored Christmas, always grateful when it was over. It held such bad memories, especially that Christmas Eve all those years ago when their lives had fallen apart, that she had learnt to ignore it ever since.

But it seemed that it would be hard to do that in Cranfield. Perhaps it was time to face up to her fears and embrace Christmas full on. After all, she felt that Harriet would be very hard to say no to once she got an idea.

And besides, perhaps if she hung some mistletoe somewhere in the coffee shop, there might just be another opportunity to kiss Ryan as well.

47

Life began to fall into a daily pattern for Katy during the rest of November. Except now, there was even more to be done each day. But she was feeling very excited about the future for the old station.

Whilst Ryan was doing the heavier work on the renovations of the carriages, Katy worked in the coffee shop, which was beginning to become even more popular. The local people were coming around to the idea of grabbing a decent coffee to go or meeting with friends in the waiting room. The customers came from Cranfield and they even began to attract ramblers who were walking through the countryside from Cranbridge.

Equally popular was the pizza restaurant and Ryan had begun to produce pizzas for collection which were now available most evenings. Later in the afternoon each day, Ryan would make up pizzas to order as there would be a queue of people in the ticket office waiting to collect them after six o’clock.

Finally, an hour or so later, Katy and Ryan would finally stagger upstairs to the apartment and collapse onto the sofa in front of the fireplace, exhausted but hopeful for the future.

Each night they would discuss their plans for the renovations of the carriages.

‘They’ve got to be luxurious,’ Katy told Ryan one evening. ‘I suppose there’s no room for a hot tub.’

Ryan looked surprised. ‘You like hot tubs?’

‘I used to like the spa in the hotels,’ Katy told him. ‘To be in that warm bubbling water. It was so relaxing. Maybe outside with the stars, it might be even better.’ She had a daydream of being in one at that moment before she came back down to earth. ‘I was thinking that there should be little touches inside, such as a clock, books and blankets. And maybe some proper steps outside, so I can put a tub of flowers either side. It’s called window dressing, according to Flora.’

‘It’s called added expense,’ said Ryan, with a grimace.

‘Look, I don’t know about much, but I know about this,’ Katy told him. ‘I know what attracts people to stay in luxury places.’