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

‘That’s so heart-breaking … Mum never speaks about her, actually never talks about anything that’s to do with England,’ I said sadly, still staring up at the portrait.

I’d never met my grandmother, she’d passed away before I was born, but Grandie used to say I was just like her, beautiful inside and out and full of character. She reminded me of royalty, the queen of the manor. Her hair was just so, and her skin peachy white. When I’d walked through the room I’d always felt her eyes were twinkling at me.

Connie turned her head to look at me. ‘Cup of tea?’

‘Perfect.’

The kitchen looked just exactly how it did thirteen years ago. Floral curtains framed the windows that looked out over the fields. Pots and pans hung off the old wooden beams that ran across the ceiling. The racing-green Aga gleamed and there were even the same tea and coffee canisters that stood proudly next to the kettle. I paused at the window and peered out. I could see the top of the hill, where Brook Bridge woods met the top of the field. Grey stone walls criss-crossed the land and a tiny stretch of road snaked into the distance. The cattle in the nearby field were grazing, the calves swishing their tails beside their mothers. That view was achingly familiar, a view I’d loved as a child and one I’d missed. Feeling a little emotional, I gave myself a little shake. It was so different to New York City. This place felt like home.

Turning, I sat down at the oversized pine table while Connie made the drinks. Marley nestled close to me.

‘How long will Grandie be in hospital for?’

Connie looked in my direction for a fraction of a second before rummaging in the top cupboard for a couple of mugs.

‘I’m not entirely sure. Hopefully the doctor will be able to update us tomorrow,’ she said, sitting down opposite me.

On the journey home, Connie had told me about Grandie’s fall. She’d been watching him from the window of the annexe. One minute he’d been there and the next he was gone, toppling down the steps that led to the patio. She’d found him within seconds, but he’d banged the side of his head on the corner of the stone wall and had felt dazed. The doctors had stitched him up and decided to keep him in for observation.

Finally, the kettle whistled and Connie stood up and made us both a cup of tea.

‘Thank you, Connie,’ I said. ‘I really appreciate everything you do for him.’ Being back here, I could see for myself that the upkeep of the farmhouse would be a struggle for anyone on their own, never mind an elderly person like Grandie.

‘You don’t need to thank me. Your grandfather gave me a job when I was at the lowest point of my life and I’ll always be grateful.’ She sat back down and slid the mug across the table towards me.

‘I couldn’t have carried on being married to Paul. It was a big decision to go it alone with a child but he’d stripped me of my self-confidence and self-worth and something had to change.’

‘What happened between you two? Did he have an affair?’

‘That’s an understatement,’ she rolled her eyes, ‘but I’m over it now and I haven’t set eyes on him since the day he left.’

‘What about Grace?’

‘She’s not seen him either. He’s never been in touch, disappeared off the face of the earth. I withdrew from relationships for a while and concentrated on making a happy life for me and Grace.’

I gave her a tentative smile. ‘And now?’ I said, raising an eyebrow.

‘Life twists and turns in many ways,’ she answered, cupping her mug of tea. ‘Jim …’ she paused, ‘me and Jim are together. We’ve been lucky to have been friends for years. When I first moved into the annexe, I’d discover fresh food parcels on the doorstep every morning.’

‘How romantic,’ I smiled, thinking how lovely it was that their friendship had blossomed over the years …

Connie blushed and suddenly Marley woofed, sat up and began thumping his tail on the floor.

‘Brought together by asparagus and strawberries,’ another voice suddenly chipped into the conversation.

Immediately, we both spun round to see a teary-eyed Grace beaming back at us.

‘Oh my life … Alice Parker, you’re home!’ she shrieked.

Huge happy tears threatened to break loose at any second. Grace squealed, then I squealed, scraping my chair backwards as she rushed towards me with her arms flung wide, then clamped them around me.

We bounced up and down like kids on pogo sticks. ‘I can’t believe you’re actually here … Alice Parker, look at you, even more gorgeous in real life, you haven’t changed a bit!… Except for that dodgy-sounding accent!’ she exclaimed breathlessly.

I loved the way she’d said my full name in an English accent.

‘What’s wrong with my accent?’ I laughed, emphasising it even more. ‘And after that many hours on a plane I wouldn’t class myself as gorgeous. My make-up slid off several hours ago!’

‘Who needs make-up?’ She took a step back and looked me over again. ‘You’re real, you’re actually here. We’ve got so much catching up to do!’

Connie watched us with amusement. ‘How did you know we were here?’

Grace turned towards her mum and kissed her on her cheek. ‘You weren’t at mine and you kind of live here, which is a bit of a giveaway. So, I thought I’d come over. I couldn’t wait any longer to see Alice,’ she said, swinging back towards me.

‘Grab a seat, I’ll make you a drink,’ Connie said, standing up to boil the kettle once again.

‘How’re you feeling? Tired?’ asked Grace, slipping into her mum’s seat, grabbing my hands across the table and clasping them tight. ‘The jetlag will kick in soon. I still can’t believe you are here … I’m babbling now, aren’t I?’ she trilled, and I bit back a giggle at her excitement.

‘At the minute, I’m not too bad, I think my body is running on adrenalin! And luckily for me, I managed to sleep the whole of the flight.’

‘I’ve been on edge all day!’ she said, taking the drink from Connie. ‘I actually woke up this morning and prepared myself for the worst. I was worried you would change your mind about coming.’

‘I almost did. I can’t believe that yesterday I was in New York and now I’m back here, in Brook Bridge village.’ I grinned at Grace, ‘It’s so surreal.’

‘That’s what aeroplanes are for! How’re you feeling about seeing the village again, this place?’

‘I didn’t know how I’d feel, but now I’m here, I have to admit I’ve missed this place more than I realised. And Marley …’ I shot him a glance, ‘I never thought I’d ever see him again.’

Connie and Grace both smiled at me.

‘It’s great to see you back here,’ Connie chipped in.

‘It feels so right to be back, it’s been far too long. The only upsetting thing is, I wish Mum was with me.’

Grace gave me a sympathetic smile before sipping her tea.

For the next half hour, we reminisced about life before New York: our trips to the sweet shop to buy penny chews and the time we’d got stuck up the old apple tree in the orchard and the fire brigade was nearly called out to rescue us.

‘Are you up for the pub later? No pressure if you’d rather chill and grab a bottle of wine and put your feet up?’ asked Grace when we’d finished our drinks.

‘I’m up for the pub,’ I replied, remembering the Sunday afternoons I’d be sat by Grandie’s side while he enjoyed a game of dominoes with his friends – such fond memories. ‘But I’ll apologise in advance if my head suddenly droops and you find me fast asleep at the table.’

‘You just shout up when you’ve had enough.’

‘What’s the plan now?’ Connie interrupted. ‘Shall we head back to yours, Grace, or do you want me to rustle you up some food here?’ she asked, taking the empty mugs and rinsing them out in the sink.

‘What’s Jim doing?’ Grace turned towards her.

‘He’s sorting himself out tonight, so I thought I’d grab a bite with you girls.’