A Home at Honeysuckle Farm: A gorgeous and heartwarming summer read

Gripped by intrigue and excitement, I responded, ‘Do I ever,’ feeling the corners of my mouth lift. Just thinking about the old place sent a tingle through my body. I wondered if it would still be the same as I remembered and how I would feel seeing it again after all this time. It was only a matter of seconds before I’d find out.

‘But what about Grandie?’ I asked, eager to see him.

Connie took a swift glance towards me. ‘I know you are desperate to see him, but he’s got visitors today. Why don’t you freshen up, unpack and settle in. And, we’ll go first thing tomorrow? There will be plenty of time to talk then too.’

I nodded. Even though I felt a pang of disappointment, I knew Connie was right. I didn’t want to go steaming in there, in front of other people, giving him the shock of his life, and tomorrow we had all the time in the world.

Two seconds later, as we travelled up Horsey Lane, the familiarity swathed me, and a swarm of butterflies erupted inside my tummy. Connie slowed the car right down in front of the wrought-iron gates and I reminded myself to breathe calmly, my heart thumping with a mixture of trepidation and anticipation. I couldn’t wait to see my childhood home once more. There was a time when I thought I’d never see it again and now here I was, waiting anxiously for the gates to open. It was so surreal!

Connie pressed a small black remote control on the dashboard of the car, and the gates creaked and slowly began to open.

I glanced up the driveway towards Honeysuckle Farm. Thankfully, the rain had finally ceased, and the sun was shining through, glinting off the red tiled roof of the farmhouse. A vivid rainbow arched over the enormous cherry trees that flanked the edges of the driveway, their branches swaying lightly in the breeze.

‘Home,’ I breathed to myself.

The view was spectacular and took my breath away. It was a world away from the cloud-reaching skyscrapers of New York. Here bursts of colour bloomed from every flower bed, the gardens maintained like the perfectly manicured grounds of a stately home.

The three-storey farmhouse was every bit as idyllic as I remembered, just perfect in fact.

Everything felt calm and peaceful.

‘How are you feeling?’

‘A little strange, if I’m being honest. It’s weird. I used to live here. I used to run around splashing in that stream and, oh my … there’s Billy.’ I stared with surprise towards the chestnut Welsh pony who was currently scratching his bum against the old apple tree. Happy tears were now pricking my eyes.

‘Yes, he’s still going strong,’ smiled Connie, slowly driving the car up the long gravel driveway. ‘And look at that rainbow, now that’s a welcome home. Very impressive!’

Connie cut the engine and we climbed out of the car.

‘Can you smell that?’ I grabbed hold of Connie’s arm while I sniffed the air.

‘Smell what?’ answered Connie with amusement.

‘The country air, the smell of the farm, eau de cow muck. I’ve missed that.’

Connie chuckled, ‘I can’t make up my mind whether I’m laughing because you’ve missed the smell of dung or because you sound funny with that accent. Even though it’s you, you don’t sound like you … if you know what I mean.’

‘Home sweet home,’ I said with a contented sigh.

For a moment, I was rooted to the spot and silent. Staring up at the farmhouse, I couldn’t take my eyes off it and could visualise the last time I’d seen Grace and Connie standing there, waving goodbye to me the day I left. I shot a quick glance up to the bedroom window, hoping to see Grandie staring back at me, but of course he wasn’t there.

My sudden silence must have worried Connie because she reached out and squeezed my hand.

‘I didn’t think you’d ever be back, you know.’ She gazed in the same direction as me, and her voice wavered a little.

‘It’s like you’ve just read my mind,’ I said softly. ‘I’ve been thinking about it for a while but I think Grace’s message gave me the push I needed.’

‘It must be hard, with the way things are between your grandfather and your mum.’

‘I don’t understand it. Mum won’t talk about it. I’ve no idea why we left, do you?’

Connie shook her head, ‘The circumstances were all very peculiar, and Ted wouldn’t talk about it either. Whatever went on between the pair of them left him heartbroken and I really have no clue. He never fully recovered from you both leaving so suddenly.’

A wave of guilt hit me. I knew I couldn’t do anything about it at the time but maybe I should have taken the plunge and got back in touch sooner. He’d been on his own all these years.

‘Families, eh?’ I said slowly, once more turning the bizarre situation over in my mind.

‘Come on, you’re here now, that’s all that matters.’ She gave me a warm smile as I followed her up the stone steps and waited behind her while she turned the key in the lock. The second she pushed open the door I heard a woof, then the sound of paws clattering along the wooden floor of the hallway. My heart began to beat faster and furiously, surely not … I held my breath and couldn’t believe my eyes as a black-and-white spaniel woofed again.

‘Marley! Oh my God, Marley!’ I dropped to my knees, the tears falling from my eyes. Being happy to see him again was an understatement. Marley wagged his tail and circled round me, sniffing frantically. Wrapping my arms around him, I buried my head into his neck and breathed in his familiar smell, then ruffled the fur on the top of his head as he began licking my face.

‘I can’t believe … I just can’t believe it. I didn’t think he’d still be here.’

Connie was smiling down at us. ‘Now that is what you call a welcome home. He’s a very old man now.’

‘Do you think he remembers me?’

‘I think it’s safe to say over the years I’ve never witnessed a welcome like that before.’

When I stood up, Marley kept close to me. I paused beside the imposing grandfather clock and looked around wide-eyed. Mixed emotions poured through my body. A part of me felt sad, knowing Grandie had rattled around in this place on his own since we left, and another part of me felt proud that he’d kept the farm.

‘How has he managed, living here all this time by himself?’ I asked, peering around. Even now, this place still looked humungous to me.

‘He hasn’t. Once Grace left home I sold our house and moved into the annexe. Up until then, I was here every day from eight in the morning and most evenings past eight too, but once Ted began to struggle to move around the place, it seemed the simplest solution would be to move in. I could never abandon him, he’s like family to me. He’s looked after me for all these years and Grace and I have never wanted for anything.’

‘He’s so lucky to have you.’

‘I’m the lucky one. I’ve loved my job here and I never want it to end.’ Connie’s voice faltered, and she blinked back the tears.

I knew what she was thinking and touched her arm gently. ‘Let’s not think about that,’ I said softly, linking my arm through hers. ‘Grandie will live forever, he’s a tough old cookie.’ Of course, I knew this wasn’t true but like Connie, I couldn’t bear to think about life without him being there. I was going to cherish every moment I had with him.

‘Let’s hope so,’ she gave my hand a little squeeze. ‘He moved his bedroom to the dining room once he began to find it difficult climbing the stairs. I prepare all his meals and usually he only uses the small sitting room off the kitchen. This place has been his home for over sixty years. Jim’s still here too. Do you remember him?’

It only took me a second to place Jim. ‘Yes … yes of course I do, Jim the gardener with his flat cap and green overalls.’

‘Probably still the same flat cap and the same pair of overalls,’ joked Connie. ‘He still maintains the garden and the general upkeep of the place.’

We walked up the hallway and I hovered near the antique dresser full of framed photographs. ‘Look at this one,’ I said, clutching the silver frame. ‘Mum looks so young and I’m riding Billy. I must have been about five years old.’ I cast my mind back to that day. The sun was shining, and I rode Billy through the field of buttercups. Mum and I sang songs from every musical we could remember, and picnicked in the bottom field. I messed about in the stream while Mum lounged on the red tartan rug reading a book.

‘Happy times.’

On our way towards the kitchen, Connie led me through the vast gallery. Heavy tapestry curtains adorned the huge windows at the far end of the room and the wallpaper of the hunt, with horses and foxes, still hung on the walls.

I glanced towards the stone fireplace and there she was, still watching me with a sparkle in her eye, like she’d done when I was a child. I paused and looked up at the magnificent painting.

‘Grandma’s still here then?’

‘She is, the beautiful Florrie Parker, your grandfather’s one and only true love. I don’t think he ever had another relationship after she passed away.’