Page 34 of All Wrapped Up

‘And someone who I can rely on to work in the gallery,’ she carried on. ‘Help me with the exhibitions and, most importantly, take an active part in supporting the workshops.’

‘Sort of like I did yesterday, you mean.’

‘Exactly like you did yesterday,’ she said, with emphasis. ‘However, I’m adding some extras to the revised role, too, which I know Joanne wouldn’t want to take on, even if she was staying in Wynbridge.’

‘Okay.’ I swallowed. ‘So, what are those?’

‘In time, I’d like you to occasionally be responsible for running the gallery when I can’t be there and also coming up with and running your own workshops, too.’

‘Crikey,’ I said, thinking that sounded like rather a lot of responsibility when compared to what I’d done the day before.

‘But the extras wouldn’t happen until you were completely happy, confident and fully trained,’ Lizzie stressed. ‘There’d be no rush, but ultimately it would be wonderful to know that I could take a break or go on holiday, without having to close.’

‘I see,’ I said, as I slowly began to consider what was expected. ‘And what about the café? Does the job involve working in there, too?’

The reason I had been roped into helping in the gallery was because Jemma had no extra staff in the café and Joanne was needed there.

‘Only in extreme circumstances,’ Lizzie explained. ‘Like yesterday, for example. That sort of situation, where everyone is sick, rarely happens, but it’s good to know the rest of the team are willing to pitch in if necessary.’

‘Yes,’ I said, taking that in. ‘I can see it would be important to have a flexible approach.’

‘Very important,’ she nodded. ‘It’s time I loosened the reins a little and let someone else take on a bigger role.’

‘I know that isn’t easy though,’ I empathised. ‘I know when I’ve had work done on the cottage, I’ve quite often wished I was doing it myself.’

‘We’re not control freaks,’ Lizzie grinned.

‘Of course not,’ I smiled.

‘We just like things done properly.’

‘Exactly.’

‘And having the right person to work alongside me will make all the difference,’ she said meaningfully. ‘By which I mean…’

‘Potentially working with me.’ I swallowed.

‘No potential about it,’ she confirmed. ‘Definitely you.’

I could appreciate how big a deal this was for her.

Trusting someone else with something you had worked so hard to create was not something that was lightly done and I would need to be one hundred per cent certain that I was ready for the challenge before I decided whether to accept the offer of becoming a part of the Cherry Tree family.

As I further mulled over what she had said, I knew deep down that I was partway there already.

I had absolutely no desire to leave the area and I was becoming more involved with the community each and every day thanks to Lizzie encouraging me to take on the autumn festival.

That said, I still wasn’t about to jump in feet first. Not when my life had already so suddenly become so full.

‘I appreciate that it’s a lot to take in,’ Lizzie said kindly, ‘and that it’s come completely out of the blue.’

‘You can say that again,’ I smiled.

‘And I can also tell, given what you said yesterday about going from being home alone to doing so much, that it would be a huge change for you too, but given how brilliantly you’ve organised the festival, I know you can do it. No pressure though!’

‘Thank you for that.’ I nodded, feeling a very heady mix of emotions.

‘And if it helps your decision at all, I’d be more than happy for you to bring Pixie to work with you.’

‘I was going to ask about her.’ I smiled, feeling delighted that she could be involved. ‘What would the hours be?’

‘Part-time hours, around twenty to twenty-five. Maybe more at certain times of the year and when you were opening the gallery on my behalf.’

That didn’t sound too onerous.

‘And how would you feel if I came along to help with a couple more workshops while I think about it?’ I asked. ‘I’d really like to get more of a feel for what you offer and have a proper look around the gallery, of course.’

Lizzie looked thrilled. ‘I would be delighted if you did that,’ she agreed. ‘It would give you a solid idea as to what you’d be letting yourself in for, wouldn’t it?’

‘It would. My only concern would be that if I ultimately decided that it wasn’t the job for me, then you’d be left with no time to find someone else to take it on before you needed them.’

‘Don’t worry about that,’ Lizzie insisted. ‘I could easily find someone to fill in while I cast the net wider.’

I got the feeling that she truly had her heart set on me saying yes and although that was a little scary, it was also great to be wanted.

‘All right,’ I said, as I took a bracing breath and thought about what I’d earlier been considering when I stopped to look at the pumpkins. ‘Leave it all with me and I’ll come back to you as soon as I can.’

‘I know you’re swamped with the festival right now,’ Lizzie said kindly, ‘so there’s no immediate rush.’

I appreciated that because even though I had the highest of hopes that it would all fall into place, I also needed some peace and quiet in which to think it through. What a wonderful autumn I was having and it had only just begun!