of morning conversation between Jean and her son and she settled herself at the farmhouse table to connect with her family. She looked forward to listening to all the local gossip, the regaling of family stories and all that needed to be done on the manor at this time of the year.
Her cousin Jamie was just on the way out the door when she’d arrived downstairs. He gave her a hug. ‘Unfortunately, I’m afraid I can’t stop and chat, Sophie, as the weather is mild and I have to inspect trees today. The wind we’ve had over the last few weeks has weakened some limbs. I need to get out and get those dealt with. We don’t want them taking out a new bride in the spring, now do we?’ he stated, grinning at her as he grabbed a piece of toast spread with his mother’s home-made marmalade and headed out the door. ‘Enjoy your day,’ he sang out as he left.
As she watched him leave she tried to recall the boy she had often climbed trees and fished with in the lake on endless summer holidays. The scrawny teenager of her youth had filled out into a good-looking man with curious brown eyes and a close-cut beard. He looked a lot like his father, her uncle Philip, who had passed away when they’d both been young. Now, as he trudged out in his green wellies and green Barbour jacket, he looked every bit the country farmer.
Her auntie Jean was busy making breakfast. ‘How would you like your eggs, Sophie?’
‘Eggs? I actually don’t really eat breakfast normally.’
‘Well, you’re in the country now, and the country air will make you hungry. You need to make sure you eat something.’
‘If you’re going to force me, then scrambled eggs would be wonderful.’
Jean nodded and started working at the stove as the sizzle and smell of butter filled the kitchen. ‘What are you planning on doing today? Make sure you get plenty of relaxation while you’re here.’
The words stabbed at her, reminding her of one of the reasons she was here – yes, to do the research, but also because of the break-up with Matt. She hastily pushed thoughts of him away from her mind.
‘There’s a lot going on in town today,’ Jean continued. ‘It’s market day. And even though it’s not outside at this time of year, the village hall has stalls if you wanted to pop in there,’ she suggested, cracking eggs into a bowl, whisking, and pouring them into the hot buttered pan; where they spluttered and spat.
‘I think I will continue doing the research about Vivienne, our phantom ancestor. I was wondering if that little museum is still in town.’
Her auntie stopped and stared out of the kitchen window for a second then realised what she meant and nodded. ‘Oh, of course. Harold Westlake keeps that place spic and span. Probably because half of it’s dedicated to his father’s supposed heroics during the war. But yes, it’s still there. Let me see. If you check in the paper, it should tell you what time it’s open under the local section.’
Sophie opened the newspaper folded on the table as a full English breakfast was placed in front of her. ‘Good grief, Auntie Jean. How do you expect me to eat all this?’
Her auntie smiled. ‘At least it’ll put something in your stomach, even if you can’t manage it all. There are plenty of mouths around here to help you out.’
Sophie’s attention was drawn under the table where she could hear the thudding, wagging tails of the family’s two golden retrievers as they rapped on the floor, knowing their cue. She dived into the food, which somehow tasted so much better in the country. Free-range eggs, country sausage, stewed tomatoes, and her auntie’s home-made marmalade and crusty bread.
Studying the newspaper, Sophie could see the museum would be open at midday. She glanced at her phone. Just after nine. Good. She’d have a little time to get ready and maybe do some further online war research.
‘It is lovely being here,’ she mused as she spread Jean’s golden marmalade on another piece of toast.
‘And we love having you,’ Jean added, pouring her a cup of tea. ‘Though you should know my dad is having one of his forgetful days today. You may find him rather different on these challenging days.’
Sophie nodded. She had been surprised the day before when he had been so chatty, after the stories of his dementia from her gran, and