go anywhere near the lawns, and digging’s going to be impossible.’
Not much of the white stuff had fallen, it was more of an icing sugar dusting than a ‘do you wanna build a snowman’ layer, but with the drop in temperature, it was enough to stop any practical outdoor work happening. It was very pretty though and, sticking to the paths, Graham and I had walked around the garden taking photographs to capture the icy beauty and frosted effect.
The old bandstand looked particularly lovely, as did Prosperous Place itself, surrounded by a white haven of peace and tranquillity. The road beyond the confines of the garden wall was definitely quieter and the only birdsong we heard came from a robust robin, who was keen to share his annoyance with the world through his shrill persistent outbursts.
Together, using straw brought in for the Grow-Well hens, Graham and I had cosseted and wrapped the tree ferns and there wasn’t much more we could do after that, besides wait it out.
‘Well, if you’re sure,’ said Chloe, who had already told me her school was closed because of heating issues.
‘I am,’ I insisted, ‘have another day at home.’
‘To be honest,’ she confided, ‘it couldn’t be better timed. What with my wreath-making session scheduled for Saturday, this is the perfect opportunity to finalise my plans and make sure I’ve got everything.’
‘There you are then,’ I smiled, ‘make the most of it.’
‘I intend to, and you’re still up for helping, aren’t you?’
‘Absolutely.’
Given how wonderful the first Winterfest weekend had been, I was very much looking forward to it. Saturday I would help Chloe, and maybe even make something for my own front door and Sunday, Poppy and Mark were going to be sharing their chutney- and bread-making skills.
I hadn’t formally signed up to that one, but Poppy had called to ask if I would like a spot which had become available in exchange for helping tidy up. Her friend Lou, who runs the vintage shop nearby, had offered to help but now had to duck out.
‘And how are things between you and Finn?’ Chloe asked. ‘Did you manage to go the entire day on Sunday without falling out?’
‘We did,’ I told her, but I didn’t go into details about our chat in the church porch. ‘I even went to talk to him today.’
‘That’s good.’
‘But he wasn’t about.’
‘Oh,’ she said. ‘Not good then. I can’t imagine he was working for his dad today. A building site wouldn’t be much fun in this weather, would it?’
‘About as much fun as the garden,’ I sighed, hoping we weren’t down for another sprinkling of snow any time soon.
There was still plenty to finish ahead of the official Winter Garden opening and sub-zero temperatures and more snow would only hamper the schedule.
‘Well, let’s keep our fingers crossed for better weather,’ Chloe said, ‘and I’ll see you on Thursday and in the meantime, keep on the right side of Finn, okay?’
I didn’t see how I could to do that when I couldn’t find him, but at least his absence limited our opportunity to argue.
‘And don’t forget to put up your advent calendar,’ I reminded my friend. ‘It’s the first tomorrow.’
‘So it is,’ she tutted, ‘where have the months gone?’
I mulled her question over as I hung up my two calendars. It was astonishing to think that so much could happen in such a short space of time. I was delighted with my decision to be brave and take up Luke’s offer to move to Nightingale Square. I loved living in the house and working in the garden, and my neighbours had been more than welcoming.
I had barely been here five minutes before I was feeling like a part of the community, so my courageousness had definitely paid off, but I still missed Eloise, and that morning I hadn’t been able to stop myself from wondering if Broad-Meadows had woken to snow and what it all looked like.
The decision to not keep visiting Eloise’s grave had been a difficult one, even though I knew that it was the right thing to do, for Nell especially, but I missed the estate too. I often pictured the magnificent vistas and wide-open spaces, both with and without snow, but that was only to be expected, I supposed, especially as I didn’t know what was happening to them. Had Jackson sold the place yet? And if he had, were the new owners planning to flatten everything?
Nell pushed her cold nose against my hand and I stroked her