Tales from the Finchbottom Vale – (17) Copper Beech Farm

 

Copper Beech Farm is in the Dulcets, the Dulcets consisting of a collection of villages and hamlets such as Dulcet Meadow, Dulcet St Mary, Dulcet Green and Dulcet-on-Brooke to name but a few, and it had been pretty much vacant for several months when 28 year old Anthony Holmes, a tall slight figure with sandy hair and hazel eyes, arrived as the reluctant incumbent.

He was not a farmer and never would be, he was a computer geek and a fairly successful one.

The farm had belonged to his estranged father who never got over the fact that his son had no desire to follow in his Dad’s footsteps. 

He tried to explain that his talents lay in a different direction but his father couldn’t see his fascination with computers and thought that he would be wasting his life on his hobby.       

Bitter words were exchanged between them the last time that had seen each other when both gave their points of view with great vehemence.

He had inherited the farm against his father’s wishes because in the five years since their last meeting he had neglected to disinherit his son from his will.

 

It had taken some months for Anthony to make up his mind about what to do with his inheritance.

He was living in London and going through a messy divorce when he received the news of his father’s death.

When he returned to the Dulcets for the funeral he found that the farm had fallen into decline in his absence and a woman named Charlotte Clode was the only remaining employee.

As he wanted to take some time to weigh up his options so he instructed his solicitor to rent out the majority of the surrounding land to neighbouring farms, which would give him a small income which would at least cover any running costs for the farm.

He kept Charlotte on to look after the farm house to care for the horses, which were his father’s passion, and the love of horses was the one thing Anthony had in common with his dad.

When his divorce was finalized he made up his mind to live and work at the farm just as soon as he had settled his affairs in London

 

It was early May when he drove into the cobbled yard of Copper Beech Farm, it wasn’t a big yard as farm yards go but it was a very neat and tidy one.

Which was in stark contrast to how it had looked when he was there the last time after the funeral.

All the clutter that had littered the yard was gone, the mud that caked the cobbles had been washed away and the flaked and peeling paintwork had been completely replaced with gleaming white gloss, guttering had been repaired or replaced and it was as if he was on a different farm.

The reason for this transformation was the tall skinny waif like creature climbing down a ladder to greet him.

Charlotte Clode was just 22, with short straw coloured hair, in a kind of pixie cut, although it was a look achieved more by accident than design and she was wearing a baggy tee shirt and overalls, she looked like a proper tomboy.

“Hello Mr Holmes” she said

“Hi Charlotte I see you’ve been busy” he remarked “it’s quite a transformation”

“It just needed a little TLC” she explained

“Well you’ve certainly given it plenty of that” he said looking around

“It should make it easier for you to sell” Charlotte said

“What makes you think I’m going to sell the farm?” he asked

“Because your Dad always said you had no interest in the farm”

“No, I had no interest in being a farmer there’s a difference” Anthony said and went inside the house.

 

Charlotte Clode felt resentment towards Anthony Holmes firstly because she loved the farm but also because she loved John Holmes like she was her father.

She started working at the farm straight from school when she was 16 years of age only a few months after the final argument between John and his son.

For the first two years she cycled from her parents’ home in Dulcets Meadow and right from the very beginning she worked every hour God sent and she sucked up knowledge like a sponge and she became invaluable to him, and then when she turned 18 she moved to the farm.

At the time Charlotte started John Holmes employed three casual labourers but her job was grooming and mucking out. 

When she moved to Copper Beech Farm she lived in a converted part of the stable block which had a bedroom, a sitting room with a small kitchen area and a toilet and shower.

It was only a small place but she loved it, but even if she hadn’t been comfortable there it would still have been better than living at home with her alcoholic parents. 

That were was another reason why she liked John and that was because he was a teetotaller.

 

Late afternoon on the next day he opened the farmhouse door and called across the yard.

“Charlotte!” 

She looked up in response to the shout and Anthony gestured for her to come in.

He was sitting at the roll top desk in the office when she opened the door and kicked off her boots. 

“Sit down Charlotte” Anthony instructed

“Are you sacking me?” she asked

“Why would I do that?”

“Well if you’re selling up I won’t be needed will I” she said coolly

“But I’m not selling”

“Oh” she said “I thought you had no interest in being a farmer”

“I don’t” he replied “and I have no intention of being one”

“Then I don’t understand” she remarked

“Well as far as I can see you have managed things very well since Dad died” Anthony said tapping a pile of papers on his desk “so I want you to carry on doing what you’ve been doing”

“Me?” she asked with surprise

“Yes, of course you” he confirmed “There will obviously have to be a pay rise, and you can move out of the stable block and move into the farmhouse”

“No I couldn’t do that” she said

“But you’ve been doing it for months” he responded

“No I don’t mean the job, of course I want the job, but I can’t live in the farmhouse with you that wouldn’t be right, what would people think”

“What people?” Anthony asked

“The people that know me” Charlotte said “the people at my church”

“Well if you’re sure” he said

“I’m sure”

“Ok then”

“I will need to use the office occasionally” she pointed out

“That’s fine you can still come and go as you please”

“Now that’s settled I just have one query, we seem to be buying a lot of feed” he said holding up an invoice

“How many horses do we have at the moment?”

“9”

“9?” he asked “I didn’t know Dad had that many”

“No, he didn’t” she said “only two belong to you, one belongs to a man from Dulcets Green, Luke Barrowman, and the other six are Lynda Radcliffe’s, she has a riding school in Dulcet St Mary, but the stables she was using burnt down, so she’s stabling here for the time being”

“Only for the time being?” he asked

“Yes until she knows if she can run her riding school from the farm” Charlotte said

“So what’s she waiting for?” Anthony asked

“Your go ahead, it wasn’t a decision I could make”

“Well it is now” he pointed out

“I wouldn’t know how to figure out what we should charge for something like that” Charlotte said

“Well ask her to propose what terms she has in mind” he suggested

“I know Lynda, she a good egg, she won’t try to con you”

“Oh ok” she said doubtfully “So you trust her?”

“Yes, but more importantly I trust you” he said

 

As the weeks past Anthony was very pleased with his decision to put Charlotte in charge she had the farm running as smooth as silk which allowed him to concentrate on his work which revolved around his computer which was on his desk in front of his study window so when he looked up he could look out at the real world and when he did he liked what he saw.

In his quieter moments he liked to watch Charlotte busying around the yard with her long gangly gait.

He had pretty much everything he needed at Copper Beech and he was happier than he had been for several years and he also came to appreciate just how hard a worker he had in Charlotte Clode.  

He did have to make the occasional trip out into the real world, for meetings with clients, but he tried to keep them to a minimum.

One such meeting was in Abbottsford at the end of September which ran on until late, the client then insisted on continuing over dinner.

The business was concluded to everyone’s satisfaction but they didn’t leave the restaurant until after midnight.

He could easily have booked into a hotel but he decided to drive back to the Dulcets and subsequently got to bed very late and as a result he slept equally late the next morning.

He got up and opened the curtains but it was such a dark dismal morning it made little difference, as the clouds were slate grey and the rain was absolutely lashing down.

After he showered he went downstairs and turned on the kitchen light, picked up the kettle and walked to the sink to fill it but as he looked out through the rain spattered window he could see a figure moving about in the yard.

He couldn’t identify the figure immediately due to the poor visibility   but when he concentrated it was impossible not to recognize the gawky gangling gait of his farm manager Charlotte Clode sweeping at a great puddle of water.

Anthony finished filling the kettle and put it back on the counter and flicked the switch before going to the door and opening it.

“CHARLOTTE” he shouted but she carried on sweeping water away across the yard.

“CHARLOTTE” he shouted again and this time she stood up and looked in his direction and waved.

She looked like a drowned rat and her hair was plastered to her face and her short waterproof coat just served to divert the expelled water down to her dungarees, which were soaked up to the thighs.

“COME HERE” he called to her accompanied by a gesture.

She stopped what she was doing and trotted across the yard to the back door.

“Morning” she said, her rain soaked face smiling, and then she shivered.

“What on earth are you doing working outside in this weather?” he asked crossly “I can’t believe you’re working in this”

“The drain’s blocked” Charlotte said “Dyno-Rod need to pump it out”

“So why didn’t you just call them, you silly girl?” he asked

“I have but I don’t want to water to run into the stables” she replied

“Come inside, you’ll catch your death” he instructed

“I need to finish what I’m doing” she replied “I’ll only be another half an hour”

“I get my coat and give you a hand” Anthony offered

“No it’s ok, there’s no need for both of us to get soaked” she said “But you can put the kettle on?”

 

Good to her word Charlotte opened the door and stepped onto the mat half an hour later.

“Take your boots off and get in there” he said and marched her into the utility “no more work today”

“But what about Dyno-Rod?”

“I’ll deal with them” he said “take your coat off and put it on the drainer”

While she obliged he opened the tumble dryer and took out the dry towels and a bathrobe that where in side which had already been washed and dried then he handed Charlotte the clean robe and said

“Take off everything you have on that’s wet, pants as well if necessary, and put them in the tumble dryer then put on the robe and come into the kitchen, ok?”

Charlotte nodded and he went out and shut the door behind him and by the time she emerged from the utility he had made a bowl of soup for her and coffee for them both.

 “Thank you that was lovely” she said after she’d finished eating and then she shivered

“No problem” he said and picked up her bowl

“I’m still worried about that drain” Charlotte said and shivered again

“Forget about the damn drain, go and have a shower and get warmed up, you must be chilled to the bone”

“Anthony?” she began

“Yes”

“Would you mind very much if…?”

“If what?” he asked

“If I had a bath instead, I only have a shower and I never get the chance to have a bath”

“Of course you can” he said and smiled and then took her upstairs and showed her to the en suite bathroom in his bedroom,

 

The main bathroom in the farmhouse had a good sized tub and would easily accommodate her long gangly legs.

He gave her the fresh towels from the tumble dryer and told her where the bubble bath and lotions and potions were.

“Enjoy” he said, “Soak for as long as you like”

“Thanks Anthony” she said “for everything”

“What do you mean?” he asked

“Giving me the job, hot soup and a hot bath, and for caring” she replied

“My Dad believed in you and I could see why, that was all” he said, “You did the rest, as for caring, that I can take no credit for, it was the way I was brought up”

She smiled and he closed the door,

What she didn’t realise was that his actions in helping her weren’t wholly driven by philanthropy he did actually care about her however at that time even he didn’t know quite how much.

 

He sat in the kitchen drinking coffee and staring out through the rain streaked window and after about half an hour he went into the utility room and checked the contents of the tumble drier.

He had no idea what was in there as Charlotte had already loaded it and then he merely switched it on.

So firstly he took everything out, socks (still a bit damp) dungarees (still wet) t-shirt (dry) pants, (dry) and a white bra also dry.

He put the dungarees and socks back in the dryer and closed the door to finish them off and then he took the t-shirt, pants and bra into the lounge.

As is was a cold damp day he had already lit the fire and put her wet boots and jacket in front of it and they were steaming happily.

Just as he returned to the kitchen he heard the sound of a vehicle in the yard so he slipped on his coat and wellies and went out to speak to the man from Dyno-Rod.

 

It was about half an hour after Anthony returned dripping to the house after speaking with the drain man when Charlotte finally came downstairs.

“Anthony” she called

“I’m in the study,” he answered

The door opened and her blonde mopped head appeared around the door, her face all pink and shiny.

“I accidently dunked the bath robe in the bath” Charlotte said with a giggle “so I borrowed one of your shirts, is that ok?”

She stepped in from behind the door wearing one of his denim shirts like a dress, she had the sleeves rolled half way up her spindly arms and the shirt tails almost reached her knees, her legs and arms were also pink from her hot bath.

He found himself thinking that in his shirt she looked even more of a tomboy, but he also reflected that with her damp pixie cut hair she looked quite delicious.

“No problem” he said “It looks better on you than it does on me”

She blushed and then he realised he’d said it out loud

“Your t-shirt and pants are on the airer in the lounge” he told her

“The rest is still in the dryer”

Just at that moment there was a loud bang on the door so she stepped into his study and he went to answer the door.

 

When he returned to the house he found Charlotte in the kitchen and she was fully dressed.

“All dry?” he asked

“Yes” she replied and smiled

“Good” he replied, “and the drain is all clear”

“Is the water running away ok?” she asked and tried to look out of the window,

“Yes it is” he replied “but remember what I said “no more work today””

“Oh ok” she said and slipped on her coat and then as she went towards the door she kissed him on the cheek and her gangly arms wrapped serpent like around his neck.

“Thank you”

Almost as quickly she relinquished her hold and went out through the door to the yard.

“Remember no more work” he shouted after her “I’ll be watching”

 

The morning after couldn’t have been more different the sky was clear blue and the yard was bathed in bright September sunshine and Anthony was reluctant to lock himself in his study and put his nose to the grindstone and spent most of the morning prevaricating.

By eleven o’clock he was sitting on the bench in the yard chatting to Lynda Radcliffe, who was running her riding school out of the yard.

She was a rotund redhead who he had known for years, they even dated briefly when they were at school.

And it was their childhood that was the subject of their discourse when Charlotte appeared from the stable block looking more lethargic and leggy than was the norm.

She was walking towards them or at least towards the farmhouse with some paperwork for the office but when she got closer Anthony noticed a pallor to her countenance.

“Are you alright?” he asked with concern

“I’m fine” she replied unconvincingly

“You don’t look it?” Lynda added

“I’m fi…” she began and fainted into Anthony’s arms

 

Anthony guided Charlotte’s limp skinny frame onto the bench and tried to revive her.

“My God she’s burning up” He said as he touched her cheek

“I have something in my bag that will bring her round” Lynda said

“What is it smelling salts?”

“No Horse liniment” she replied

He removed the cap and held it under Charlotte’s nose and she came around in a few seconds but she wasn’t with it at all and she began shivering…

“She has a proper fever” Lynda said

“I’m not surprised she got soaked to the skin yesterday” Anthony said

“Let’s get her to bed”

“Ok” Lynda said and took two steps towards the stables until Anthony said

“Let’s get her into my bed, there’s an en suite in my room”

 

Anthony helped Charlotte up to his bedroom and laid her on the bed then he took her boots and socks off, next they sat her up again and slipped her overalls straps off her shoulders and as she got her to her feet the dungarees fell to the floor, then as Lynda pulled back the duvet and they had her ready to lay down she suddenly got a burst of energy and started to resist.

“Don’t make a fuss” she insisted “I told you I’m fine”

So he let go of her but after a few moments she went a bit wobbly so he sat her on the bed again.

“Fine are you?” he said crossly

“There’s a thermometer in the bathroom cabinet” he said to Lynda who duly obliged and when she returned he switched it on, zeroed the reading and put it in her mouth, a moment later he removed it.

“You’re fine are you?” he said “just below 104, now get into bed”  

Charlotte reluctantly complied.

While Lynda finished settling her into bed Anthony went downstairs and phoned the doctor.

 

He phoned the Doctors surgery in Purplemere, and after a lengthy interrogation by the SS trained receptionist he was finally put through to a Doctor Browning.

“Have you taken her temperature?” he asked

“Yes its 104”

“Ok give her paracetamol for the fever, keep her warm and give her plenty of fluids and I will call in this evening” the doctor said

 

Anthony went back upstairs with a jug of water and some tablets just as Lynda was leaving the room.

“What did they say?” she asked

“Paracetamol, fluids and sleep” he replied “and a house call later” 

“Really which one?”

“This one obviously” he replied and laughed

“Very funny” she said “Which doctor?”

“Dr Browning” he replied

“Really, Elliott?”

“Yes, is he a good one?” he asked

“I don’t know about professionally” she replied “but he could give me a bed bath any day of the week”

“Oh it’s like that is it?” he said “You’d better make sure you’re here when he calls then, come for dinner”

“Ok I’ll bring Pizza” she replied

 

Lynda left and Anthony went inside and gave Charlotte the tablets and a generous slug of water.

“Thank you” she said softly

“For what?” I asked

“For everything” she replied “for this”

“It’s no trouble” I said

“It’s a lot of trouble” Charlotte corrected him

“And now I need to go home”

She threw back the duvet and swung her legs out and stood up but no sooner had she got to her feet than her legs wobbled beneath her.

“Oops a daisy” he said as he took hold of her.

“Let’s get you lying down again” he said gently

“No” she replied, “this is your room”

“Well for the next few days it’s your room” he insisted

She didn’t have the strength to argue anymore so she lay down and as Anthony sat beside her on the bed she drifted off to sleep within a few minutes.

 

Anthony sat with the sleeping Charlotte for about ten minutes and then went downstairs to make a coffee and while he was in the kitchen finishing his drink he had a thought.

He went to the office and opened the key box and having retrieved the appropriate key he went across the yard to Charlotte’s rooms.

He wasn’t really comfortable going through her drawers but he thought she would prefer to see the doctor properly dressed than not. 

He found a nightdress, some pyjamas and some pants and socks.

With the appropriate items in hand he returned to the house but then another thought occurred to him how was he going to get her into them?

She had balked at his suggestion that she should move into the house so he was certain sure she wouldn’t be happy with him changing her knickers.

 

The answer to the problem was Lynda Radcliffe, he simply phoned Lynda and explained his dilemma and she agreed she would come to the farm early, but that she wouldn’t have time to get the pizza.

“Don’t worry I’ll cook” he said

So Anthony divided his time that afternoon between checking on Charlotte and cooking dinner.

 

Lynda arrived at the farm just after 5 o’clock, looking a little over dressed for the occasion and went straight upstairs to redress Charlotte and she was still up there when he heard someone at the front door.

It was Doctor Browning, a tall, broad, jovial looking man in his early thirties.

“Mr Holmes?” he said

“How’s the patient?”

“Still burning up” he replied

“Ok show me the way” he said somewhat concerned so Anthony led him up the stairs and when they reached the landing Lynda was just leaving the bedroom. 

“Oh Lynda Radcliffe, what a lovely surprise” the Doctor said

“Oh hello Doctor”

“Call me Elliott”

Lynda then showed him in and Anthony went back to the kitchen.

 

Dr Browning came downstairs a little happier than when he went up even though Charlottes temperature hadn’t yet broken.

He was satisfied she wasn’t getting any worse for the time being anyway, but if it got onto her chest he would prescribe antibiotics.

But he hoped the fever would break over the following 48 hours. 

“She’s awake now” Elliott said as he walked into the kitchen

“And would love a cup of tea”

“Ok I’ll take one up” Anthony responded

“I say something smells delicious” he said

“It’s only Pasticcio” Anthony said “You are welcome to join us”

“Nothing would give me greater pleasure, Good food and even better company” he said looking at Lynda as he said company “but alas I have a full list”

“Another time perhaps” Anthony suggested

“That would be lovely, don’t you think Lynda” he asked 

“Oh yes indeed yes” she blurted out a little flustered

 

After the Doctor had left Anthony went upstairs to check on Charlotte and took her up a cup of tea but she had drifted off to sleep again so he left the tea on the bedside table.

 “My God has he got it bad” Anthony said when he returned down stairs,

“What do you mean?” she asked innocently

“I mean I felt like a gooseberry” he said “As soon as he saw you that was all he could see”

“Oh you do exaggerate” Lynda said

“And he was flirting outrageously and he wasn’t flirting with me”

Anthony pointed out

“So what’s holding you back?”

 

Anthony spent half an hour listening to Lynda explaining why a relationship between her and the Doctor was a non-starter.

After he watched Lynda drive off he drew all the curtains, turned on the lights then he went into the kitchen and boiled the kettle.

He made two cups of tea and took them upstairs, Charlotte was still sleeping so he put her cup on the night stand and settled himself into the armchair in the corner, which was probably the most uncomfortable chair he had ever sat in.

Charlotte kept drifting in and out of sleep while he passed the time away on his laptop.

After an hour his mobile rang, he could see it was Lynda so he answered it.

“Hi Lynda” he said

“Hi” she responded “how’s the patient?”

“Sleeping” he replied

“No I’m not” interrupted Charlotte and drifted off again

“How’s her temperature?” Lynda asked

“No change” he replied

After a few more minutes she said goodbye and promised to ring again the next day.

 

It was about 2 am when he woke up in the armchair after a short doze just in time to see Charlotte coming out of the bathroom.

“What are doing?” he asked

“I needed the loo” she replied

“But I’m here to help” he said

“You were asleep” she said “and I don’t need help to pee”

Anthony helped her back into bed and gave her a drink of water before settling her down.

“Do you want something to eat” he asked

“I’m not hungry” she said

“You should try and eat something” he insisted “how about some soup?”

“No I’m really not hungry” she answered

“What about a drink?” he asked

“I think my fever is getting worse” she said fanning herself at the same time so Anthony put his hand to her forehead.  

“Could I just have another cup of tea” she asked quietly and sank back into the pillows.

“Of course you can?” He said but she never heard the answer.

 

He took the dirty cups away and did the washing up before taking two fresh cups upstairs.  

After her cup of tea Charlotte said she felt a little better but ten minutes later she drifted back off into a fitful sleep.

He touched her forehead and it was still burning hot but although the room didn’t feel cold she was shivering so he pulled the throw up over the top of the duvet.

He slept again in the uncomfortable armchair in his bedroom and woke up about 4 am with pins and needles in his arm.

He gingerly picked up his dead arm with his unaffected hand while life flooded painfully back into it.

Having successfully restored blood flow to his stricken limb he walked downstairs to the kitchen.

He waited for the kettle to boil and made himself a mug of Milo and went back upstairs and she was still restlessly murmuring in her sleep.

He drank his Milo and settled back into the armchair from hell and dosed off again.

 

When he came too an hour or so later he forgot where he was, he couldn’t see much in the darkness and there were no familiar sounds to aid him, and then it dawned on him, there was silence.

He fumbled with the light switch on the lamp and eventually switched it on.

There before him, peacefully sleeping in his bed was Charlotte.

He stood up and walked over to the bedside and sat down on the bed.

She was breathing un-laboured and when he touched her forehead it was cool and clammy, her fever had broken.

He sat there for about 20 minutes just watching her sleep then quite suddenly she licked her lips and opened her eyes.

After a moment she looked at him and smiled.

“Could I have a bacon sandwich?” she said “I’m starving”

 

While Charlotte sat in bed devouring two rounds of bacon sandwiches Anthony went downstairs and phoned Lynda.

“Hello” A cheerful voice answered.

“Lynda! The fever has broken” he said

“Thank God” Lynda responded “is she still sleeping?”

“No” he replied “she’s eating a bacon sandwich”

They both laughed and then he hung up the phone and went straight back upstairs to find Charlotte wiping bacon grease off her chin.

“Was that to madam’s satisfaction?” he asked her in a pompous butler’s voice

“Lovely” she replied wiping the corners of her mouth with her serviette.

“Have you had enough?” he enquired

“Oh yes” she replied “if I have any more I won’t enjoy my second breakfast”

“I didn’t realise you were a hobbit, what about another tea?” he suggested

“Oh yes please” she replied with a grin

 

After she had her tea he said

“Time for a hot bath while I change the bed and then back to bed to rest”

“No I’ve got to muck out” she said

“No you don’t” he replied

“I really do” she insisted

“Lynda’s girls have taken care of the horses” he said “so do as you’re told”

“But I’m not even tired” she insisted

“There are clean clothes on the chair” Anthony said

“You’re bossy just like your father” she said sulkily as she stomped to the bathroom.

The bed sheets were quite damp from her sweats which was why he changed the linen while she bathed.

 

When re-emerged from the bathroom she was wearing a clean nightdress, which he had collected from her rooms the day before.

Then she got under the crisp clean bedclothes and snuggled down and he kissed her forehead.

By the time he had gathered up her dirty clothes and wet towels she was already fast asleep so he turned off the light and went downstairs.

 

She slept all day in his bed and she only got up when she was hungry and they ate downstairs together off trays on their laps.

Afterward she said

“I should get home”

“No you can sleep here again tonight”

“No I need to go home to my own bed” Charlotte said

“Why is there something wrong with my bed?” he asked

“No of course not it’s a very comfy bed” she replied defensively

“Ok so you can stay one more night and then go home”

“Where will you sleep?” she asked

“In the spare room and provided I’m satisfied you’re well rested I will let you back to work” he said.

“Light duties mind, Lynda’s girls will muck out tomorrow regardless”

 

The next morning Charlotte was up bright and early, Anthony was awoken by the sound of the bathtub filling.

He assumed she wanted to take her last opportunity for a soak.

He got up and showered and went downstairs and started to prepare breakfast.

When she appeared Anthony was satisfied she was fully recovered but he still made her sit in the kitchen and eat a cooked breakfast.

“The offer still stands” he said as he watched her devouring her fry-up.

“What offer?” she asked

“To live here” 

“No I can’t live in the farmhouse with you, that wouldn’t be right”

“Fair enough” Anthony said “But if you change your mind?”

“I won’t” Charlotte said “But I will miss that bath though”

“Well you’re welcome to use it anytime, as long as I’m not in it”

He said and they both blushed at the thought of it.

 

After breakfast she gathered her few items of dirty clothing together and prepared to leave.

“Now remember what I said, take it easy today” he said

“I promise I won’t do anything strenuous” she said “I’m just going to cycle to St Mary’s”

“What’s that if it’s not strenuous” he said crossly “I will drive you to St Mary’s”

“You don’t have to do that” she said

“I insist” he said

“Oh ok” she said with resignation

 

He stood waiting by his car in the yard until Charlotte emerged from the stable block wearing her Sunday best.

And instead of her usual tomboy overalls she was wearing girl clothes and he liked what he saw.

 

As they drove to Dulcet St Mary Charlotte said

“You really didn’t have to do this?”

“Nonsense” he replied “You had a very nasty chill, we were very worried about you”

“I’m fine now” she insisted

“You think you are but you are not as strong as you think” he said

“You have all been very kind to me”

“That’s because I care about you, I mean we care about you” he said and fortunately arrival at the church spared his blushes.

“You go ahead” he said

He knew she would want to talk to her friends and probably wouldn’t want to explain why she was attending Church with her employer.

 

It had been a few years since he last sat in a Church on a Sunday morning, he sat quietly at the back of the church and felt a comforting feeling spread over him, and he hadn’t felt that for a while.

He tried to remember what momentous event in his life made him stop going to church but he couldn’t think of one.

All of a sudden he was aware of someone sitting beside him and he turned to look hoping that it was Charlotte but instead he saw the smiling face of Lynda Radcliffe and he tried not to show his disappointment.

“Hello stranger” she said “I haven’t seen you here before”

“I drove Charlotte” he explained “she was going to cycle”

“Oh I see”

 

After the service Lynda went off to talk to the mother of one of her pupils and Anthony went outside and waited by the Lych-gate until Charlotte came out.

When she appeared she was looking a little pale.

“You were right” she said when she got in the passenger seat “I wouldn’t have been able to cycle home, I’m pooped”

Anthony just smiled and drove towards home, she lasted about half a mile before she went to sleep.

When they got back to the farm he lifted her out of the car and carried her into the house and lay her on the sofa and covered her with a throw.

 

Anthony felt a definite closeness between him and Charlotte as he watched her sleeping in his lounge.

But in the days following her waking up embarrassed on his sofa he felt that closeness fading along with the hope he had harboured that things would have progressed between.

Instead he got the feeling she was holding back, and distancing herself from him and he didn’t know why, but he had to try to do something to make an impression on her and one day as a sharp wind blew rain horizontally across the yard he had an idea, so he went on the internet.

 

More than a week had passed since the weekend she spent in the farmhouse and Anthony was watching Charlotte through the kitchen window when the postman pulled into the yard.

He put down his mug and walked to the door and took in the Parcels and put them on the kitchen table.

He knew exactly what was in them but he opened them anyway and their contents were as expected.

So he looked out through the window and could see Charlotte walking across the yard so he opened the door and called out to her

“Hey Charlotte”

She turned around and smiled

“Morning Anthony” and carried on walking

“Come inside a minute, I’ve got something for you”

“Ok” she replied “just for a minute though”

After a few minutes she came into the kitchen and stood on the doormat.

“I haven’t seen you for a few days” he said

“I know I’ve been really busy” Charlotte said not meeting his gaze

“There’s something for you on the table” he said, pointing at the boxes in question, and then he put the kettle on.

“For me?” she asked surprised

“Yes”

“What is it?” Charlotte asked

“Well, have a look and you’ll find out” he said

So she stooped down and untied her boots and then slipped them off before walking to the table.

She delved into the first box, which was the biggest, with a puzzled expression and then a broad grin came over her face.

“Wow” she said excitedly holding up the green waterproof coat.

“These coats are really expensive”

“Put it on, in case I ordered the wrong size” he said and she quickly complied “Perfect”

“Can I keep it then?” she asked

“Of course you can but let me cut the labels off”

Once the labels were removed she was so busy admiring her new coat that she forgot about the other parcels.

“Don’t you want to know what’s in the others?” he asked

“Oooh yes I forgot about them”

The second package was a sealed plastic bag which she ripped her way into in a second to reveal a pair of waterproof trousers.

“Not very exciting but they should keep you dry the next time you’re out in a deluge”

“I could have done with them last week couldn’t I?” she said “Thank you”

“Now the last one is also practical but it’s also a bit more personal, I hope you don’t think they are two personal” 

This package was also ripped into savagely and revealed two pairs of thermal underwear. 

“They’re perfect, they’re just what I need, it gets really cold out there” She said

“You’re not offended?” Anthony asked

“Not at all” Charlotte said

“They’re perfect” she repeated offering the combinations up to herself.

“Thanks Anthony, I’m not going try them on here though” she said and blushed

“That’s fine go upstairs” he said, “you know where to go, I’ll make a drink”

She quickly shed her coat and rushed off clutching the long underwear to her chest like they were something precious.

Anthony picked up her coat and hung it on the back of a chair and then made the drink.

He was sitting at the table when she returned.

“Are they ok?”

“Yes they fit perfectly” she said excitedly “I’m wearing them now”

“What both pairs?” he asked

“Don’t be silly” she said sitting down to put her boots on.

Charlotte drank her coffee and gathered her treasures together into the one box a then wrapped her long arms around his neck and kissed his cheek and then as they looked into each other’s eyes there was a moment when he thought they would kiss but it didn’t happen and she said

“Thank you Anthony” and pausing only to grab her box she went out the door.

 

Anthony became a regular congregant at St Mary’s after the first time he drove Charlotte there in September but although he offered every week to take her she only accepted when the weather was particularly bad.

Fortunately with the onset of winter the weather grew increasingly bad.

Other than that he saw very little of her in the weeks following the day he gave her the long underwear.

However in November both he and Charlotte were invited to Lynda Radcliffe’s house for a Guy Fawkes party, Charlotte wasn’t particularly keen on the idea but Lynda was very persuasive.

  

On the way to Dulcet St Mary Charlotte was a bit grumpy and feeling like she had been pressganged into attending, but once she got there and realized how many of her church friends were there she loosened up.

The party was very enjoyable and there were quite a few people he knew himself.

He saw hardly anything of Charlotte, he caught glimpses of her during the evening quite often with a drink in her hand.

The fireworks were spectacular but while everyone else was looking skyward at the pyrotechnic display Anthony had eyes only for Charlotte alas her eyes were looking heavenward.

 

As the evening wore on though he discovered that she had taken the whole loosening up a little too far and by 10 o’clock she was so loose she could hardly stand.

Which was when, with Lynda’s help he discreetly sneaked her out the side door and into the car.

“Thanks Lyn” he said

“No problem, look after her”

 

“I’ve had a lovely time” she said

“You’ve had a lot to drink as well” he pointed out

“I’m more fun when I’ve had a drink” she slurred

“No you’re more confident that’s all”

“I bet you’ll like me when I’m more fun” she said

“I always like you” he said

 

Back at the farm he got her out of the passenger seat and leant her against the car while he rummaged in her bag for the key.

“You’re lovely you are” she said

“So are you” he said and in response she gave him a very passionate kiss.

“You see, you wouldn’t have snogged me if I hadn’t been drinking” she said

“Well technically you snogged me which you wouldn’t have done without a drink” he said to which she blew a raspberry.

“Anyway I thought you were avoiding me” he said when he had extricated himself from her embrace and unlocked her door

“I was, I am” she said and giggled

“But why?”

“Because you’re my boss” she slurred

“But I want to be more” Anthony said “Much more”

“I want to be sure, that you’re sure” she said “Before I ruin everything”

And then Charlotte kissed him again and went inside and shut the door.

 

The next day Charlotte Clode was in possession of a savage hangover, she was also in possession of his heart.

She felt absolutely wretched, she wasn’t used to alcohol she didn’t even like it very much and the only reason she got drunk was so she would have the courage to tell him how much she loved him, and she couldn’t even do that drunk.

 

After the drunken Guy Fawkes debacle Charlotte seemed to avoid him even more but everything changed on the day in December that he walked across the yard in the late afternoon and he met Lynda Radcliffe coming the other way.

“Hello Lyn” he said surprised “is everything ok?”

“Come quick” she said and headed back the way she came.

“Why what’s the problem?” he responded and rushed after Lynda who was now almost around the corner

“It’s Charlotte” she said

“Why? What’s happened?” he asked

“She fell out of the hay loft” Lynda answered

“Oh God, where is she?” he demanded

“In the barn” she answered “but she won’t come out”

They hurried off towards the barn and when they entered he could see in the gloom sitting on a hay bale the quivering figure of Charlotte, her knees were drawn up to her chin and she was sobbing uncontrollably.

“Hey Charlotte” he said brightly “what have you been up to?”

And she looked up and as soon as she saw him she was on her feet and bowling towards him at a rate of knots and she was still crying as she launched herself at him

“Oh Anthony” she cried

“It’s alright, I’ve got you now” he said and just let her sob into his shoulder and after about five minutes she had calmed down considerably.

“Ok” he said, “let’s have a look at you”

Charlotte had a bruise on her forehead and her right eye was badly swollen, and her nose was bloodied.

Apart from that she just had scrapes and bruises.

“Right let’s get you to the house” he said with a smile “and we’ll get you cleaned up”

“Ok” she said managing a week smile

“Do you want me to come too Anthony?” Lynda asked quietly

“Yes please” he said as he put his arm around Charlotte’s shoulder and steered her slowly across the yard, but by the time they had reached halfway she was managing to walk under her own steam and she continued to do so for the short distance from there to the kitchen door.

“I’m sorry” she said

“What for?” he asked

“For being a nuisance” she replied

“Don’t be daft” he said and kissed the top of her head

“Now go through to the kitchen”

He looked over his shoulder to where Lynda was standing and she raised an eyebrow.

In the sanctuary of the kitchen as Lynda made coffee Anthony got to work cleaning Charlotte up and attending to the cuts on her face,

“Did you lose consciousness?” he asked

“No” she said and put her hand to her swollen eye.

“That’s good” he said

“I’ll take you to the hospital if you want” he offered

“No” she said, “I’ll be ok”

“Good girl” Lynda said and patted her back, which made Charlotte wince and Lynda immediately apologized.

“I’m sorry luvvie, did I hurt you?”

Anthony and Lynda exchanged a knowing look and he pulled her shirt up and he could see the bruises immediately.

“Not wearing your thermals today?” he said and Lynda gave him a look

“No it wasn’t cold enough” she replied

“How about a long hot bath?” he suggested “that will help the bruising”

“Oh yes please” she answered brightly “with bubbles?”

“Yes with bubbles and whatever other lotions and potions your heart desires”

It was amazing to think that a simple thing like a bubble bath could illicit such joy and not for the first time he was overwhelmed with love for her.

 

Anthony led Charlotte and Lynda to the main bathroom and the large Charlotte length bath.

He then left Lynda to take charge while he went across to her home to sort out some clean clothes for her.

He gave Lynda the clean towels and put the clothes on the bed and Lynda took the towels into Charlotte and he went downstairs, Lynda followed a few moments later.

In the kitchen they sat silently at the table and continued to drink their coffee.

Lynda finally broke the silence

“How long?”

“How long what” he replied

“You and Charlotte” she said in a sisterly tone “and don’t deny it”

He remained silent

“Come on then out with it how long have you been in love with her” she insisted

“Since the first time I saw her” he said “But…”

“But what?” she pressed and he went on to explain how things had stalled between them.

“Well I know one thing for sure” she said “Charlotte is in love with you”

“Is she?” he asked

“Of course she is you idiot”

“Then why is she holding back?” he asked

“She’s waiting for you to tell her that you love her”

“But I do” he protested “I do love her”

“It’s no good telling me that though is it?” Lynda pointed out “You need to tell her”

 

After Coffee Lynda went back out to the yard and it was another five minutes after that before Charlotte reappeared looking altogether better.

The unbruised sections of her face were pink and fresh; her hair was damp and tousled.

“Feeling a bit better now?” he asked her as he handed her a dressing gown

“Much” she said, “where’s Lynda?”

“She’s gone back to lock up, there’s a storm brewing” he said

“I should go and help her” Charlotte said and stood up

“You’re going nowhere” he snapped “sit”

“Ok” she said resignedly

“Now then” he said, “Are you hungry?”

“A bit”

“How about some soup?”

“Yes please”

“Go and sit in the lounge then and I’ll bring it through”

“Ok thanks”

“Put the TV on if you want” he called after her

While he was warming the soup Lynda returned with Gemma, one of the stable girls

“How is she?” Gemma asked with real concern

“Much better” he answered,

They went into the kitchen and watched while he finished warming the soup.

“Right” he said pouring the soup into a bowl.

“Let’s go and see her, she’s in the lounge, go through” he said and followed on with a dinner tray.

But when they arrived in the lounge they found Charlotte fast asleep on the sofa.

He put the tray down briefly while he picked up a flowered throw which Lynda took from him and covered the sleeping figure.

Anthony then picked up the tray again and all three of them tiptoed from the room.

By the kitchen door Lynda whispered

“Did you tell her?”

“No not yet” he replied “you old nag bag”

 

When Lynda and Gemma had left Anthony ate the soup and sat at the kitchen table and pondered on how he was going to broach the subject of love with Charlotte without making a complete arse of himself.

He sat in the lounge with her, on the sofa facing hers, just watching her sleep and unsurprisingly his thoughts turned to Charlotte and of course love.

He sat there for most of the evening until the long blinks began to set in and as Charlotte was still sleeping soundly he was about to take himself off to bed just as the rain began to fall but the rhythm of the rain sent him off to sleep.

It wasn’t a sound sleep and it wasn’t long before the thunder rolled in and lighting flashes lit the sky, he was sitting on the sofa facing the window and he had a great view through the open curtains when he opened his eyes.

Anthony had been drifting in and out of sleep for maybe an hour when he became aware that he was not alone, he could hear soft breaths and could feel the weight of her limbs draped across him.

“Hello Charlotte” he said, “what are you doing over here?”

“You left me all alone” she said “and the thunder frightened me”

She held onto him very tightly

“Or did you just want a cuddle?” he asked suspiciously

“No I didn’t just want a cuddle I wanted a kiss as well” she said and kissed him with true conviction.

She buried her face in his neck and there they lay for an indeterminate time before it became apparent she wanted to kiss him again.

But as her lips approached his he turned away and brought a halt to proceedings.

“What’s wrong?” she said and sat up

“We need to talk” he explained

“What about?”

“Us”

“Us?” she asked

“Yes I want there to be an “us”” he said

“There is an “us”” she retorted

“No I don’t mean an occasional hug, or if I’m lucky a drunken snog” he said “I want you all the time and I want it all”

“What do you mean?” she asked

“What I mean is, I love you Charlotte Clode” Anthony said

“I love you too” she replied and kissed him with such passion.

“But I want you here in my arms every day and every night, I want us to sit together in church, hold hands in public, I want you to share my comfy bed and I want us to wallow together in the bath”

“I want everything too” she squealed

“And I want to marry you” Anthony said and she stopped squealing

“Do you mean it?” she asked

“With all my heart” he confirmed