Mum had roped in Shauna, Emilie and me to be photographed wearing alpaca items of clothing over our own clothes: scarves, headbands, cardigans, skirts and jumpers. Shauna and Emilie were natural models, but I took some coaxing before I could relax into it. It helped when I told myself it didn’t matter what I looked like because the clothes and accessories were the main focus, and the backdrops were spectacular too. We shot on the lime-green fields amid different coloured alpacas, and up on the rocks at Hare Heads with our hair blowing in the breeze. Shauna looked especially striking with her multiple ear piercings and her long flame-coloured tendrils falling free of her loose plait.
We also did some pictures on Chicken Island with the stream flowing at our feet, and on the bench seat in Mum’s flower garden, which currently looks as though it’s been caught in a snowstorm thanks to the number of white daisies growing around the border.
The photos came out better than I expected. I was kind of amazed, actually. The filter Gemma used gave the shots a summery seventies feel, and the daisies she’d asked us to wear in our hair also added to the retro look.
Mum had the photographs made up into postcards which are now pinned to corkboards on the walls. Many items of clothing are here, hanging on rails in a delicious palette of light and dark greys, chocolate browns, cream, fawn and black liquorice. There are also big baskets of skeins of yarn in multiple shades. It all looks so professional and I’m full of pride for Mum and how much work she’s put into this.
A knitting pattern comes included in today’s workshop price, so when customers start to arrive, Mum takes their tea or coffee order and urges them to browse the designs so they can choose what they’d like to knit. Today she’ll help them to cast on and show them how to get started, but they’ll finish their designs at home.
Becky studies the postcards with amazement.
‘Flipping ’eck, Leah, you look like a model!’
‘I felt so awkward.’
‘You don’t seem it.’
‘Thanks.’ I try to accept the compliment, knowing she means it. If she’d made this sort of fuss when we were younger, I would have been embarrassed.
‘I love this dress. Where’s it from?’
She’s talking about the burgundy dress I have on under a knitted grey bolero. I’m wearing the same outfit today with high heels.
‘I got it from the boutique I used to work in.’ It was made by a local designer.
I think I used to spend half my salary on clothes. It was quite nice to put them on again for the shoot. I haven’t had much of a chance to dress up in the last couple of years, and not much of an inclination to bother, either.
* * *
The afternoon is nothing short of a success. Everyone’s eyes go as wide as saucers when Shauna and her team bring through afternoon tea – tiered vintage-style plates full of sandwiches, mini cakes and scones – and it’s heart-warming to hear the happy chatter as people get stuck in. Mum gives everyone discount cards to pass on to their friends, and everyone leaves promising that they’ll spread the word, with a few already talking about coming back in a couple of weeks, just for the fun of it.
As Shauna closes up and Mum, Becky and I set about cleaning, we hear the jingle of the bell over the door.
‘We’re closed!’ Shauna shouts, then she laughs and exclaims, ‘Hello, you!’ in such a warm voice that Mum, Becky and I look at each other before all at once heading towards the front room.
We hear Jamie’s voice before we see him.
‘What are you doing here?’ Mum gasps, running through the café to sweep him up in a hug. Dani is hovering behind him.
‘We couldn’t miss your debut,’ Jamie replies, before disgruntledly adding, ‘Well, actually, turns out we could miss it. There was an emergency at work. Sorry we’re late.’
‘Never mind, never mind,’ Mum waves him away. ‘I can’t believe you drove all this way from London!’ Her cheeks are pink.
‘It’s so good to see you,’ I say as I hug them both.
‘We’re only here for one night,’ Jamie tells me regretfully.
‘Where are you staying?’
‘Royal Oak. George says there’s a room free.’
‘You’ve got to be kidding, why wouldn’t you stay with us? The spare room is all made up.’
It used to be Jamie’s room anyway, but now it has a big double bed in it. He rarely uses it. Jamie doesn’t drink – mainly because he doesn’t like the taste, not because he has particular issues with alcohol – so never minded driving home after an evening at the farm.
With Jamie and Dani’s help, we have everything packed up and in the car in less than fifteen minutes. Becky doesn’t have to rush back to Hayden, so she suggests we go for a drink at the pub to celebrate Mum’s success. That way, Jamie can let George know that they won’t be using the room after all. Gemma and Shauna already have plans so can’t join us.
My stomach is a tangle of nerves as we walk along the high street, Jamie carrying a perky Emilie on his shoulders. Dani leads the way into the pub, holding the door back for the rest of us.
I’m full of anticipation as I enter, expecting to see George behind the bar. Instead, there’s a young blond guy serving customers.
‘Grab that table,’ Jamie instructs us as one comes free by the window.
‘I thought George was working tonight,’ Mum says when Jamie comes back with a bottle of Prosecco, an apple juice for Emilie and two small bottles of elderflower fizz.
‘Not till later,’ he replies, opening one of the soft drinks and pouring it into a glass of ice. ‘The lad behind the bar says he’s upstairs, but he’s going to give him a shout and let him know we’re here.’
The rush I feel scares me.
Jamie passes one of the elderflower fizzes to Dani. She’s not drinking? Mum notices too.
He opens the Prosecco next and pours Mum, Becky and me each a glass.
‘I’m driving so I can only have one,’ Becky tells the table.
‘Me too,’ Mum says.
‘I could,’ I offer.
Mum shakes her head. ‘I’m fine, love. You don’t get out often enough.’
‘Neither do you,’ I point out.
‘I’m going to Veronica and William’s tomorrow night,’ she reminds me.
I was invited too, but only as an afterthought. Becky and Robin aren’t going to be there – they’ve got theatre tickets. Mum seemed pleased to hear that I’d already made plans with George. Suddenly he appears at the doorway leading to the upstairs rooms. I sit up straighter, watching as he scans the room before alighting on us. He smiles and comes over.
Jamie jumps to his feet to embrace him. ‘Now then, fella, how are you?’ he says amiably.
‘Grand. You? How’s it going in London?’
‘Pull up a pew and I’ll tell you all about it.’
‘I will do, I’ll just grab a drink first. I don’t start work for another forty-five minutes.’ George places his hand on Mum’s shoulder in greeting. ‘Everyone else okay?’ he checks, making sure our glasses are full. I lift my flute at him and feel a flutter inside my stomach at his extra warm smile.