Page 64 of Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm

‘This is all looking great,’ she told him, a smile lighting up her pretty face. ‘And just in time for the campers!’

He followed her gaze to where the campers were beginning to come out of their tents and make a break for Grams’ breakfast hamper.

‘Perhaps we could set up an honesty box in here as well,’ she said, tapping her chin in thought. ‘You know, for a few bits and pieces so that they don’t need to go too far.’

‘That’s a good idea,’ he told her.

The campers were delighted when they discovered the barn. The table tennis was immediately in use and people seemed pleased to be able to take a break from their tents, even to chat to the other campers. Grams had placed a couple of magazines and books in a box as well and people were beginning to relax and enjoy themselves. There was even space for a spirited boules competition.

The outing to the steam train workshop late in the morning proved to be hugely popular, especially with the young children, who took great delight in pulling the train whistle. Nico could hear it ring out every half-hour or so.

Some of the ladies took up Harriet’s kind offer and the smell of lavender was in the air when they returned, the sweet aroma wafting around the barn.

Thankfully, the wind had died down, but the rain still carried on and on. But people were smiling more and chatting to their camping neighbours.

Nico was just walking back to the farmhouse when he saw Tyson cycling in the opposite direction.

‘Hey,’ he said. ‘What are you doing out in this weather?’

‘Was bored at home, so thought I’d look at the motorbike,’ replied Tyson.

Suddenly, a cheer went up from the barn.

‘What’s that?’ asked the teenager.

‘We’ve set up a games room,’ Nico told him. ‘Come and take a look.’

Tyson hesitated but finally nodded and followed Nico back into the barn.

The cheer had been a game of darts that had just finished. Everyone was chatting and looking far happier.

Tyson looked around in amazement. ‘When did you do all this?’ he asked.

‘Earlier today,’ Nico told him. ‘The campers were a bit bored being stuck inside their tents, so we thought we’d set up a few things for them to use.’

Tyson looked mesmerised by the table tennis table and was startled when a younger boy came up to him.

‘Wanna play?’ he asked.

Tyson looked at Nico, who merely nodded. ‘Go for it,’ he said. ‘Stay as long as you want.’

So both boys picked up the rackets and began to play. Nico sat down on a nearby hay bale and watched, pleased, as a smile began to form on Tyson’s face. It was a shame that those people had left as soon as the rain started, he thought. He could see the pleasure that Tyson was getting from playing with other children and relaxing.

With those tents now empty, he began to form an idea as to how they might fill them.

‘Shame about the weather,’ he said to Tyson when there was a break a little later in between games.

Tyson gave a shrug. ‘Who cares? We wouldn’t. We haven’t had a holiday in years.’

Nico looked at him. ‘Well, there’s some empty tents here if you’d like for your family to stay for a few days. Free of charge. I know it’s half-term but your mum has to work, I guess.’

The boy’s face lit up. ‘Seriously? She’s got tomorrow off for the bank holiday weekend.’

Nico smiled at him. ‘Brilliant. Well, please let her know. Tell her from me that if you and your family need a break, then, of course, you’re all welcome to come here.’

As he said the words, he knew it was the right thing to do. He thought about Flora talking about giving back to the land. Perhaps it was right that he started to give back to people less fortunate than him as well.

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