Page 52 of Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm
It was one of the larger ones meant for a family. There were a couple of soft rugs on the floor, and mismatched cushions on the sofa and the bed. A blanket was draped over the back of the sofa as well as the end of the bed. She had even found a blanket box which she had varnished and polished that could be used as a table next to the sofa.
But it was the extra touches Flora was pleased with. Tarnished silver candlesticks, an old birdcage, tea light holders made out of old jam jars to give the place a romantic feel. She had even sourced some cheap little blackboard signs to place next to each tent with the names of the visiting family written on it.
‘It’s romantic,’ said Nico.
Flora nodded. ‘I agree. Especially at sunset and then, at night, you’ve got the vast expanse of sky. The stars.’
‘A big bed,’ he added with a smile.
‘Be serious,’ she told him, giving him a nudge with her elbow.
But in a way, she was getting used to his flirty nature. It was just an Italian thing, according to Grams.
‘Just like his grandfather,’ said Grams, as she was making dinner later. ‘They’re all charming.’ She looked at her granddaughter. ‘Does this mean that you’ve changed your opinion of him?’
‘I guess so,’ replied Flora.
‘Well, he’s handsome, funny and smart. Is it possible that you don’t want to be attracted to him when it’s perfectly obvious to me that you are?’
Flora baulked at her grandmother’s words and glanced around the kitchen to make sure that no one was around to overhear. ‘No, it’s not that,’ she said, shaking her head vehemently.
Grams smiled to herself and busied herself with the dinner.
‘Besides, I’m certainly not his type and he’s the complete opposite of mine,’ said Flora, getting up quickly. ‘He’s not remotely sensible!’
‘Thank goodness for that, because otherwise there’d be no campsite and we’d be struggling to hang on to this place,’ said Grams, bringing out the cutlery. ‘Now, don’t get upset. We were just chatting. If you’re not attracted to him, then that’s fine.’
But as Flora laid the kitchen table for dinner, she had to face up to why she had been so desperate to dissuade Grams from thinking that she was attracted to Nico.
Because Flora was beginning to think that she might just be and desperately hoped that it was just a small crush that would disappear.
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‘So that’s that. Tomorrow we open and we’re officially a campsite,’ said Flora, giving Grams a tremulous smile.
‘Then I reckon we’d better enjoy ourselves tonight at our celebration,’ said Grams. ‘You’ve both worked so hard, you deserve a break before it gets even busier tomorrow.’
It was her birthday and they had decided to celebrate with all their friends as a way of saying thank you for the hard work that they had all contributed to the campsite. So Katy and Ryan had closed the pizza restaurant that evening to host a private party.
* * *
‘Staying over wasn’t really that much hard work,’ said Katy, with a wide smile later that evening. ‘I got to sleep in the most luxurious tent I’ve ever been in.’
‘It’s the only tent you’ve ever been in,’ said Libby, stretching out like a cat on one of the sofas. ‘And likely to be the only one as well.’
‘It’s still the best one,’ said Katy, giving Flora a nudge with her arm.
Katy was looking very relaxed and Flora couldn’t help but feel the same way. Libby had concocted one of her infamous gin cocktail mixes and anyone who drank one was feeling no pain.
‘I need another slice,’ said Harriet, leaning forward to help herself to the pizza that had been placed on the table. ‘I think I’m seeing two Paddingtons.’
Paddington the golden retriever was sitting next to the table, his tongue lolling out in anticipation that the strong gin cocktail might just help a piece or two of pizza accidentally fall to the floor.
‘So now what happens?’ asked Libby.
‘A large glass of water and some painkillers in the morning, I should think,’ said Katy, glancing at her cocktail.
Libby shook her head. ‘I meant, now that the campsite is about to open. What happens between you and your silent partner?’
