Kirsty rolled her eyes. ‘It’s a long story, which I will fill you in on properly when we meet, but I live back at the house I was brought up in. Although it’s now a guesthouse as well as being my home. But do let’s get together and chat. In fact, why don’t you come round for a coffee sometime? Do you remember where it is?’
‘Oh Kirsty, I would really like that. It would be wonderful to catch up properly and hear about what you’ve been doing.’ Although she was feeling a bit flummoxed as to where she would even start. She had spent so long avoiding getting close to people so that she didn’t need to tell them the details of where life had all gone wrong.
Kirsty laughed. ‘And remember I know where you work now, so there will be no avoiding me.’
Beth nodded. Kirsty had always been kind and genuine. It would have surely taken a lot for that to change. And Kirsty still radiated an authentic warmth. She knew she could do with some friends in her life. Maybe it was time to take a bit of a leap of faith. After all, what did she have to lose?
Chapter Seventeen
‘It’s about finding pockets of time where you can do this. We can all find time in our day to do make changes if we want to,’ said the assertive voice speaking in Callum’s ear. ‘If you want to transform your life then you have to do it yourself. Step into your own power. Prioritise yourself and your connections.’
He was leaning on the kitchen counter, staring out the window and admiring the patchwork of fields in the distance. He didn’t think he would ever tire of the view — all that space and the vastness of the sky. The thought of being in a city had never appealed, yet he had tried it for a few years in his twenties, as he felt he had to. But it didn’t end well. City life wasn’t for him. In fact, he wanted to protect Daisy from busy, dangerous cities as long as he could. Although he knew, at some point, he would have to let her go. She would have her own life to lead. But the thought of not being able to keep watch over her completely petrified him. As he stood there, lost in his thoughts, he jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
He turned to see Daisy glaring at him and, embarrassed that she’d caught him indulging in his guilty podcast pleasure, he pulled the pods from his ears and pressed pause.
‘Honestly, you tellmeoff for not replying when you call for me.’ Daisy flicked her hair over her shoulders.
‘You’re absolutely right. I should be available at all times at your beck and call, just in case you decide to holler.’ Stretching his arms up, he then placed his phone on the worktop.
‘Urgh.’ Daisy had looked at his phone and seen that it wasn’t a music playlist he’d had on. ‘Not another coaching session from one of those gurus again. Honestly, it’s like you’re permanently listening to them. Why don’t you let me make you up a playlist, then you can dance and connect with your inner creative. You need to have more fun. Like get out and meet a proper woman,rather than listening to all these voices in your head.’ She gestured at the ear pods. ‘Literally.’
Callum laughed. ‘Thanks for that, Daisy.’ He was always amazed at how much wisdom she possessed for someone who was so young. Yet it shouldn’t surprise him — her mother had been exactly the same. Isla had always been a free spirit, a woman who was wiser than her years. Part of the reason he listened to so many podcasts — apart from the fact he found them fascinating, particularly the self-help ones — was so he could get the female perspective on things now he no longer had Isla to talk to. Maisie was helpful with some stuff, and had been a good friend to him and like a surrogate grandma to Daisy, which they’d appreciated. Especially as his own mum didn’t live close by, although she was great at Facetiming and keeping in touch with Daisy. Having Maisie so close was an added bonus. She was a great storyteller, and so unassuming about how much she’d achieved in her ninety plus years. She always insisted that her good health was down to her daily dose of red wine.
‘Right,’ said Daisy, ‘just to let you know that I need to stay at school later today for the newspaper. One of the journalists from the paper is coming in to talk to us and give us some advice. Hopefully she’ll help us with the school newspaper.’
‘I’m sure you’ll probably be the one giving the advice.’
Daisy shrugged and gave a coy smile. ‘I will be on my best behaviour and just ask lots of questions.’ Then her expression changed, becoming a bit huffy. ‘That reminds me, parents’ night is fairly soon. It’s the week after the winter market. That’s going to be a treat.’
Callum nodded. ‘Yes, they’re both on the calendar. Which reminds me, do you need me to do anything for the market?’
Daisy shook her head. ‘I don’t think so. I will do some baking. All you need to do is just come and splash some cash.’
Callum nodded. ‘I can do that.’ He frowned when he realised Daisy’s brows were furrowed. ‘Is there something you’re worried about, or need to tell me about school and parents’ night?’
Daisy smiled weakly. ‘No, not really . . .’
‘Daisy?’
‘Everything’s fine. I’d better go or I’ll miss the bus.’
Over the years Callum had learned to pick his battles with Daisy, and he realised this was not the time or place to get into what was going on at school. He shrugged. ‘Okay. Do you want to text and let me know when I’ve to pick you up?’
‘Thank you.’ She gave him a hug. ‘See you later. By the way, I put the latest cake in the tin for you. Let me know what you think?’
Callum smiled weakly. He had been the guinea pig for Daisy’s vegan experiments since she announced her change of diet. It was fair to say that some were better than others. She kept telling him she was refining the art of how to make the perfect cake. He didn’t have the heart to tell her that he didn’t think that baking was her forte.
Just then his phone started to buzz. ‘Hello?’
‘Hi Callum. It’s just me, Maisie. Do you mind popping by when you have a minute, please? I need help with the logs.’
‘Of course. I’ll pop up over in ten minutes if that suits?’
‘Oh thank you Callum. Where would I be without you?’
‘What are you doing today?’ Daisy pulled on her jacket.
‘That was Maisie. I’ll go and help her with the logs and then I’ve a few work calls to make.’ Callum hadn’t yet told Daisy about the job Edie had asked him to do. He planned to make a start on drawing up a few ideas for that today and was really looking forward to it.
