Page 10 of All Wrapped Up

By the time Ash and Pixie left that evening, I was shocked to discover that I was genuinely, and surprisingly, wavering about taking the little dog on.

She had pottered about the cottage and out in the garden, finding the water bowl and making herself at home just as naturally as she’d settled on my lap and as if she’d always lived with me.

Ash said repeatedly that he hadn’t seen her looking so relaxed in all of the time he’d known her and even though someone else might have assumed that he could have been saying that to try and influence me, I knew he wasn’t. He loved Pixie too much to risk her future happiness on a whim.

For some reason, the little dog had felt comfortable around me and in return, I had been relaxed around her, too.

However, in spite of the fact that I was fast falling for the little scruffy black and tan bundle, I told Ash that I wouldn’t make a decision about potentially moving her in until after the first autumn festival meeting.

‘If I find myself inundated with planning and prepping after that,’ I pointed out, ‘I won’t have time to commit to settling her and that’s not fair on her, is it?’

I ignored the fact that as I was saying the words, Pixie was cosily snuggled up in my favourite armchair and didn’t look as though she’d need much, indeed any, coddling.

I also tried not to be swayed by the words from Callum’s last note.

Pixie certainly had the potential to be a very lovely thing that could come as a result of taking a risk, but I needed to take her needs seriously and give them further consideration.

‘And of course, I’d have to leave her here on her own while I’m setting things up in town sometimes,’ I added, as much to convince myself as Ash that rushing a response would be the wrong thing to do, ‘and she might not like that.’

‘I think if you left her in that chair, she wouldn’t budge.

’ Ash grinned. ‘And I can tell you, her previous owner was a very sociable woman, so I’m sure Pixie would soon get used to going out and about with you.

It’s not like she doesn’t know the town or the people in it and having the cottage to come back to with you after a trip out, would make all the difference. ’

‘That’s not helpful,’ I grumbled.

‘Just giving you all the facts,’ Ash laughed and gently picked Pixie up. ‘I’ll see you in the pub on Wednesday.’

‘See you Wednesday,’ I said as I opened the door to let him out.

‘And thanks for dinner.’

‘You’re welcome,’ I said, trying not to be further swayed by the sleepy but reproachful look Pixie gave me for allowing Ash to remove her from Rowan Cottage.

Ash had been keen on my autumn festival ideas and had come up with a couple of great ones of his own. Having chatted even more on the phone ahead of the meeting, by the time Wednesday dawned, I felt as though we were as prepared as we could be.

I hadn’t expected to feel quite so confident, but the spring in my step that day was a real bonus. I wasn’t sure if the feeling would remain when faced with a pub full of people, but I endeavoured to keep the festival visual at the forefront of my mind, go with the flow and hold my nerve.

I spent much of the day in the garden and posted a selection of photos on AutumnEverything featuring the peachy-hued dahlias which were now flowering in abundance.

It was the first image I’d shared that year to show how the garden was hinting at a sign of my favourite season being on the horizon and the likes and comments that rushed in suggested that my followers were as keen as I was to welcome in the scent of woodsmoke and get wrapped up in warm layers and big soft scarves again.

I was considering what to wear for the meeting that would set the right tone when Mum called.

‘Hello, Mum.’ I cheerfully smiled, as her face popped up and I carried on looking through my wardrobe.

‘Hello, my darling,’ she smiled back. ‘How are you? You sound in a good mood.’

‘I am.’ I nodded, as I pulled out a Joe Browns autumn patterned dress and wondered if it would be too much or an aesthetically pleasing extra confidence boost. ‘A really good mood as it happens, but I’m sorry I can’t chat for long, because I’ve got to go out.’

Mum looked delighted about that.

‘In that case, I won’t keep you,’ she promised. ‘Going anywhere nice?’

‘To the pub in town,’ I told her. ‘There’s a meeting there tonight to discuss the event I told you about.’

‘You didn’t tell me much,’ she wheedled, obviously hoping I’d share more now.

‘Well,’ I laughed, ‘I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow, because we’re nailing down the details tonight.’

I was both surprised and excited to still feel so confident and I was practically itching to ring Lizzie and ask if we could move the meeting forward by an hour or two!

‘I’ll hold you to that.’ Mum grinned. ‘And you’ve got me thinking, as you’re going to be involved with it, maybe your dad and I should come and visit while it’s happening? It’s been so long since we’ve seen you.’

‘Oh, I’d love that,’ I gasped.

Their presence at some point during the festival really would be the cherry on the cake. Though I’d have to prime them not to talk to anyone about the reason behind my move to the Fens. Or my Insta account. I felt my rush of excitement wane a little when faced with the prospect of that.

‘That’s settled then,’ said Mum.

‘Don’t do anything until we’ve got the itinerary sorted,’ I hedged, in spite of the fact there wasn’t actually anything they could plan until the festival details were settled on, ‘then I’ll let you know the best dates.’

‘It sounds like it’s going to be a big deal, Clemmie.’

‘It is,’ I confirmed, with an eye on the clock. ‘And I really had better start getting ready now, otherwise I’ll be late. I’m sorry to cut your call short.’

‘It’s fine,’ Mum insisted. ‘I’m sorry for holding you up, but I will just quickly tell you why I was ringing in the first place.’

‘Go on.’

‘Jill and Colin have had an offer on the house.’

‘Already?’

‘Yep.’ Mum nodded. ‘Already and above the asking price, too.’

‘That’s amazing. Are they going to take it?’

‘They are, and they’re in a right flap now because they haven’t started looking for anywhere to move to yet!’

‘A time limited house hunt is just what they need,’ I said seriously. ‘They won’t have a chance to think about anything else, while they’re doing viewings, booking surveys and packing boxes.’

Mum agreed. ‘This should really help them, shouldn’t it?’ she said thoughtfully. ‘Of course, it will be hard when the day comes to hand the keys over, but it’s the right thing to do.’

Knowing what a difference moving house, and indeed area, had made to me, I had every hope that my former in-laws would find the change as helpful and cathartic as I had.

‘Totally the right thing to do,’ I firmly said. ‘And I’m sorry, Mum, but I really must go now.’

‘Of course,’ she said, waving my apology away. ‘You get ready, my love. And let me know tomorrow what’s going on.’

‘Will do. Love you.’

‘Love you, too.’

My phone went off again during the drive into town, but obviously I didn’t check it until I had parked.

A flurry of nerves had forced their way in as I had got dressed and, for the hundredth time at least, gone through my list of ideas back at the cottage.

As a result of the jitters, I had set off earlier than planned in case they got the better of me and I was tempted to bail and retreat back into my previously reclusive habit.

I wasn’t impressed that my earlier confidence had for some reason headed for the hills, no mean feat in the flat Fens, and was even less impressed when I listened to the voicemail Ash had left while I had been driving.

‘Clemmie, I’m so sorry,’ he apologised, even before I had a chance to say hello when I immediately called him back.

‘You’re absolutely certain you won’t make it?’

His voicemail had explained that he was at a farm in the middle of nowhere and for some reason his truck wouldn’t start. The farmer and his mechanically-minded daughter had both had a look at it, but it still wouldn’t turn over.

‘I’ve got to wait for recovery,’ he told me, sounding genuinely upset. ‘And the call centre said it could be at least a couple of hours until someone gets to me.’

‘Could one of the farmers not drive you into town?’ I suggested. ‘And then I’ll take you back for the truck later.’

‘They can’t leave the farm and I’m miles from Wynbridge, so you wouldn’t make it back in time yourself if you came out to get me either,’ he said, before I suggested the idea. ‘I’m so sorry to let you down.’

I was sorry about that, too, but it wasn’t his fault.

‘It’s okay.’

‘It isn’t though, is it?’

‘Well, no, but these things happen and it can’t be helped. I’m sure I’ll manage, so don’t stress about it. You’re already having a bad enough day. But what about Pixie?’ I then gasped. ‘Is she with you?’

‘No,’ said Ash. ‘She’s at the barn and Will is going to check on her when he’s finished at the practice.’

‘But will that not upset her?’ I frowned. ‘Having someone other than you go in to see to her…’

‘I love that you’re so concerned,’ said Ash, capitalising on my worry for the little dog. ‘You are going to take her, aren’t you?’

‘Like I told you before,’ I evasively said, ‘I’ll decide about that after the meeting tonight.’

‘The meeting which is already off to a bad start,’ Ash then sighed.

‘I hope my absence won’t influence your feelings about the festival or Pixie because I promise you, Clemmie, I’m committed to helping support both.

And no, don’t worry, she won’t mind Will going in.

She’s used to him. He was her vet before I came along. ’

‘Thank you for saying that and I’m pleased Pixie will be okay. Now,’ I said, taking a big breath, ‘I’d better go and get set up before everyone arrives.’