she was hoping to shove me back on, then she was going to be in for a shock. We might have managed to stay friends, but there were no romantic feelings between us whatsoever.
‘Well,’ I said, fiddling with my hair and deciding now was not the time to set her straight, ‘I’ll certainly think about it.’
‘Yes do,’ she said, sounding pleased. ‘A fresh start away from Suffolk is just what you need.’
She was right of course, but I was considering crossing the county line, rather than travelling halfway around the world.
‘Come on,’ I said to Nell, once I’d finally got Mum to hang up and fired off a text to Peter warning him to look out for any hints of rekindled romance that my parents might be about to start sending his way. ‘Let’s go and talk to Eloise.’
* * *
It was too soggy underfoot to sit in my usual spot next to Eloise’s head, so Nell and I made use of the nearest bench instead.
‘Thank you for the sign, Eloise,’ I said aloud, grateful that there was no one else about to hear.
The morning service had finished and everyone had no doubt rushed off to tend to their Sunday roasts.
‘As I’m sure you know, it’s led me and Nell to somewhere really rather special.’ I imagined my old friend smiling and nodding. ‘And as wonderful as it is, and as excited as I am to even have the chance to be thinking about taking it on, I am still very sorry about Jackson and his decision to sell up. I know how keen you were to keep the estate in the family. My only hope now is that the next owner will love the place just as much as you did, Eloise.’
I let my thoughts drift, mulling over what Mum had said, and listened to the soft susurration of the trees, enjoying the feel of the gentle breeze stirring my hair as I turned my face to the sun.
‘And that’s exactly why,’ I eventually carried on, having come a little closer to making my decision, ‘I won’t be offering to stay on when Jackson makes his sale. The new owners are bound to want to make changes,’ I swallowed, ‘and even if they do end up being wonderful, I don’t want to be in any way responsible for them.’
The fact that the sign I had asked her for had been sent was evidence enough that Eloise did understand, and I couldn’t help thinking that the tone of my little monologue made it sound very much like I had found my courage, set aside Jackson’s attempts to knock me down and decided what I was going to do.
It felt as if a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders as I took a deep breath and walked back to the van.
‘Luke, hi,’ I swallowed, ‘it’s Freya.’
I had planned to make the call when I got back to the house, but having made up my mind, I couldn’t wait a second longer so rang him from where I’d parked at the church.
‘Freya,’ he said, ‘hello. We weren’t expecting you to ring so soon. Kate’s here. I’m going to put you on speakerphone. Hold on.’
‘Hey, Freya,’ said Kate. ‘How are you?’
‘I’m good,’ I said, nodding even though she couldn’t see me. ‘Great actually. I’m not interrupting your lunch or anything, am I?’
I could hear the girls in the background.
‘No,’ said Kate, ‘we’re eating later.’
‘Okay,’ I said, ‘great. I’ll probably do the same myself today.’
There was a beat of silence and then Luke spoke. ‘Look you two,’ he said, sounding flustered, ‘as lovely as this small talk is, can we please just cut to the chase?’
I couldn’t help but laugh and Kate did too.
‘Sorry,’ I said.
‘We are actually on tenterhooks here,’ Kate said, and I could tell she was smiling. ‘Luke’s even got his fingers crossed.’
‘Really?’ I laughed again.
‘Really.’
‘So,’ he said, ‘are you ringing with good news or bad?’
‘Good,’ I said, deciding to put him out of his misery. ‘Well,’ I added, ‘good for me and I hope good for you.’
I quickly batted away the fear that I might not be good enough, which was still determined to rear its ugly head.
‘You’re coming?’ Luke questioned.
‘I’m coming,’ I said firmly. ‘I’d like to take you up on your offer of a job and a home in Nightingale Square.’
Luke let out a very loud cheer, which started Abigail, at least I think it was Abigail, crying.
‘Oh, that’s wonderful Freya,’ said Kate. ‘Fantastic news.’