Amanda swallowed before she spoke. Telling people about the way she came to live at Moongate Manor always felt like she was telling a huge lie, but sometimes the most fanciful-sounding things in the world were actually true.
‘I won it in a lottery. My mum bought the ticket,’ she said and waited for Maggie’s response of surprise and shock.
Maggie gasped and Amanda nodded. ‘Yes, it sounds crazy.’
‘It does. But also very exciting.’
‘The owner is hoping I will return the garden to its former glory but that takes money, which I don’t really have.’
‘That’s true – so you need a job,’ Maggie said. ‘You know, you should come and meet my mother-in-law, Helen. She could tell you all about the house and the woman who used to live there.’
Amanda nodded. ‘Sure.’ She paused. ‘You said she lost a baby? What did you mean? Do you know what happened to it?’
Maggie shrugged. ‘No idea, to be honest. I just remember Helen saying there was a pregnancy and then the baby wasn’t with the woman when she returned to the house. And my mother-in-law stopped seeing her. All very sad.’
‘Yes, very,’ Amanda said but her mind was elsewhere.
Diana had a baby? She said she didn’t have children. She needed to think this over.
‘Do you like going to spas?’ asked Maggie.
Amanda paused. ‘You know, I’ve never really been to one. It’s not something I have thought about doing.’
Maggie nodded and looked down.
Amanda was silent, thinking for a moment.
‘I don’t think I’m right for this job,’ she said and she pulled her hair out of the bun. Her curls sprung from her head. ‘I’m sure you will find someone great but I think I would prefer something outside, in nature.’
Maggie smiled. ‘Of course. Maybe you weren’t here for the job but to hear about Moongate Manor. Life has a funny way of directing us onto the right path if we stay open.’
Amanda smiled. Maggie’s philosophy made sense.
‘I like that idea,’ Amanda said.
‘Do you want my mother-in-law’s number? She would love to chat to you, I’m sure. She can talk the leg off a chair,’ Maggie joked.
‘I would love that,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’
Maggie opened her phone, wrote the number on a piece of notepaper and handed it to Amanda.
‘Here you go,’ she said, and then she opened a cupboard next to her and took out some small bottles and tubes and put them into a gift bag.
‘Have some samples – hand creams and sunscreen. Look after your skin if you’re going to be outside so much.’
Amanda took the bag. ‘This is so nice of you, especially since I’ve wasted your time.’
Maggie laughed. ‘You didn’t – it’s fine. I’ve had lots of girls apply anyway. I was interested to meet you when I found out you were American.’
Amanda liked Maggie more and more with each moment.
‘You know there’s a garden centre that’s looking for someone. My friend owns it. Perhaps that would be a better fit for you?’
‘Oh wow, that would be amazing.’
‘Let me call them and then I’ll let you know what they say. Does that work?’
Amanda could have cried. Working at a garden centre would mean she could learn and maybe even have a discount on plants.
