A Country Escape by Katie Fforde

Author:Katie Fforde
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cornerstone Publishing

Chapter Fourteen

Fran drove back to the farm full of optimism. She could make a living out of cheese – if she sold it to the highest-end shop there was. If Roger could persuade his customers to like it, it could really put her on the Posh People’s Foodie Map.

She arrived in the kitchen with a load of empty containers to discover Issi, just as upbeat.

‘Hey!’ said Issi, clicking on the kettle. ‘Good day?’

‘Amazing, actually. We sold everything and an old chef friend from London was there. Sold most of it to him, actually. But you’re looking pretty happy yourself.’

‘I am! Guess why?’

‘Too tired for guessing. Give me a cup of tea and tell me. Please?’

Issi relented and also handed over a piece of cake. ‘Present from Tig’s mum – who’s told us we have to call her Mary by the way. And the news is …’ She waited.

‘Ta da?’ suggested Fran feebly.

‘Roy’s gone!’

Fran’s mouth fell open. ‘Gone? What do you mean, gone? Forever?’

‘No, sadly,’ said Issi. ‘But for a while.’

‘Why?’ asked Fran, unable to enjoy the cake until she knew more.

‘Because he was bored. He actually said that Amy was taking too long to die and so he’s gone off with his mates from the pub – some sort of sporting tour, I think – to pass the time.’

Fran bit into the cake, full of fruit and tasting of cinnamon – utterly delicious. ‘He could go back to Australia and wait for her to die, couldn’t he?’

‘Just what I suggested, but no, he said he didn’t want to be too far away because he didn’t trust you not to get up to something.’

‘Just what could I get up to, I wonder?’ She took another mouthful of cake. ‘I’m open to ideas.’

‘He thinks you’ll be influencing Amy to leave the farm to you and not to him.’

‘Too right, I will.’ Fran sipped her tea and sighed, unable to put Mr Addison’s visit to the care home the other day out of her mind. Was he visiting Amy? Or someone else? ‘Not that Amy is exactly influenceable, if that is a word. She has a mind of her own and it’s very strong.’ She paused. ‘Although I must admit, she does seem to have taken to Roy. But this is perfect – him being away. I can sell the roof tiles, and with the cheese going so well, we’re in with a chance, Is.’

‘Sell the roof tiles?’

‘To pay off the bank, hold them off, really. I told you, Is.’

‘Oh yes, sorry,’ said Issi.

‘But I’m feeling really optimistic. We’re on the up.’ She frowned. ‘Of course I owe Antony big time, which does worry me. I hate owing people things.’

‘He has loads of money, Fran.’

‘That’s not the point. And besides, he’s given me support and information and has just been great—’

‘Because he likes you.’

‘—and I want to pay him back.’

‘There will be a way, I’m sure. But hey! You must get up early tomorrow and see the cows.’

‘Really?’

Issi nodded her head enthusiastically. ‘It’s their coming-out day.

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