Page 84 of Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm

She decided to take advantage of the last couple of days of having a tiny bit of free time and went to grab a takeout coffee from Platform 1 to enjoy whilst she painted a new canvas.

Inside the coffee shop, she found Libby dressed in her flight attendant’s uniform with her mind also on a strong coffee.

‘Mmm, that’s better,’ said Libby, after taking a sip. ‘Have you got five minutes spare? My taxi isn’t due until quarter past.’

‘Sure. Where are you off to this time?’ asked Flora.

‘Jamaica,’ replied Libby as they headed out onto the station platform. ‘This week has been exhausting. I signed up for extra time because, you know, the money, but ugh, the hours have been relentless.’

They sat down on one of the benches on the platform and looked across at the view. The lavender fields were a blur of purple now and lit up the landscape with their incredible colours.

‘So,’ said Libby, after another sip of coffee. ‘I’ve been so busy, we haven’t had time to catch up. How was your date?’

‘It was fine,’ replied Flora quickly.

There was a short silence.

‘Just fine?’ prompted Libby.

‘I know,’ said Flora with a huff. ‘I expect all your dates are expensive dinners by candlelight, but I’m not that kind of girl. You know that.’

‘I know that any date I describe as “fine” isn’t worth a second date,’ Libby told her in a pointed tone.

Flora didn’t reply and sipped her coffee instead, looking out across the lavender fields once more.

‘Is this to do with Tyler or the handsome Italian?’ she heard Libby say.

Flora kept her eyes on the landscape. ‘I don’t think Nico thinks about me that way,’ she replied.

‘I’ve seen the way he looks at you,’ Libby replied. ‘There’s something there. You know there is. What’s the problem?’

Flora looked beyond the lavender fields to the grass and trees beyond. The brighter emeralds of early summer had now faded to a softer green, and even a pale yellow here and there. The year was rolling on under the heat of summer. And soon Nico would leave. The dull ache in her heart reminded her how much pain that would cause her.

‘He’s leaving at the end of the summer when the campsite closes,’ she finally replied. ‘It was only ever about the investment.’ She turned to look at Libby. ‘He lives in another country.’

Libby’s blue eyes blazed at her. ‘So ask him to stay,’ she said.

Flora sighed. She hadn’t seen Tyler since their date. She knew that he wasn’t the right person for her and didn’t want to lead him on any more. It wasn’t fair. But there was a distance now between her and Nico. She wasn’t sure what had happened, but he had suddenly backed off. Their cosy chats and the easy relaxed atmosphere had changed in the past few days. Perhaps he wanted to leave anyway.

A car horn at the front of the building broke into her thoughts.

Libby quickly stood up. ‘That’s my ride,’ she said.

Flora stood up to give her a hug. ‘Have a safe journey. We’ll see you when we get back. Although I’m not sure when that’ll be. We’re full from this weekend, so it’s likely to be crazy busy.’

‘More reason than ever to try out those strawberry margaritas.’ Libby searched her friend’s face. ‘Take a chance,’ she said, before giving her Flora another bear hug. ‘What have you got to lose?’

Only my heart, thought Flora.

As Libby walked away through the station and got into her taxi, Katy came outside.

‘Phew, it’s mad today. You okay?’ she asked, looking at Flora with a frown. ‘You look all serious.’

Flora considered Libby’s advice. The month of August was likely to rush past as quickly as July. Then September would arrive, the campsite would close and Nico would leave forever. She needed to say thank you whilst there was time. To thank him for all that he had done for her and Grams. In encouraging her to paint. In bringing her back to life. And she knew just what would make him happiest.

Flora looked at Katy. ‘Are you fully booked for tonight?’ she asked.

It was one of Ryan’s Italian cooking nights.