After a moment of quiet, she shrugged. “He might have gone for a walk or something. Do you want me to show you around?”
“Please,” Lily said.
“If your friend wants to do the retreat, I should show you the guest accommodation,” she said, heading for the stairs. “It’s all on the website, of course, but the website isn’t that great. Sometimes I think Gideon doesn’t even want customers…” Her voice trailed off as she descended the stairs.
Instead of following, Lily moved to the door and tried the handle. The door didn’t budge, and Lily briefly wonderedwhat she’d have done if it had opened. Would she really have been bold enough to trespass?
She needed her backpack, she reminded herself. If she had to trespass to get it, so be it.
“Everything okay?” Saffron called from below.
“Sorry,” Lily said, taking the steps down. “I got distracted by the view.”
Saffron showed Lily more of the room below before they moved back outside.
“How many people are on the retreat?” Lily asked.
“Four. That’s the maximum. That way, everyone has access to Gideon and his guidance with the art. And there are only four guest rooms.”
“What’s Gideon like?” Lily asked.
She lowered her voice and leaned closer. “He’s pretty grumpy.”
“Is he a famous artist, or something?”
“Yes!” She squinted. “I think so anyway. He used to have a gallery in London. I think he did really well for himself, but he didn’t like the attention, so he moved back here for the solitude.”
“Is he from here?”
“Yes. His mum was a painter too. This was the house he grew up in. He inherited it from his parents. I think that’s right.” Her eyes danced with delight. “Don’t quote me or anything.”
Lily smiled lightly. “Do you get on with the other people on the retreat? I guess that can be a bit of a gamble… it’s like being on holiday with strangers.”
“Weird, isn’t it? I love it, though. I always enjoy meeting new people. And the people here are really lovely. I can introduce you if they’re around. We’ll probably leave Silas alone.” Her eyes went to the guy with the rope, who was now swirling it at the other end of the field close to a tent.
“Whose tent is it?” Lily asked.
“Silas’s. He didn’t want to stay in the regular accommodation.I suspect he can’t afford it, but maybe he also just enjoys being outdoors. It’s probably both reasons.”
She flicked her chin towards the building across a small patch of grass and led the way.
“I can show you my room. If you want, you can take photos for your friend.” She pulled the front door open and stepped into a long hallway where the white walls displayed a selection of oil paintings which, to Lily’s untrained eye, resembled chaotic swirls of colour.
“You’ll just have to tell her to ignore the mess,” Saffron went on.
“What?” Lily waited while she opened the first door on the right.
“If you take photos,” she said with a smile. “I’m always a bit messy.”
“Right.” Lily followed her into the room with a double bed, wardrobe and desk.
“The bathroom is lovely and modern,” Saffron said, opening the door in the corner. “The water pressure is great.”
“That’s good.” Lily's eyes scanned the room for her backpack. Automatically, she bent down and peered under the bed, then opened the wardrobe door before realising how intrusive she was being. “My friend asked about storage space,” she said. “She’s one of those people who always packs too much.”
“There’s plenty of space,” Saffron said, apparently unconcerned by Lily searching her room. “But I tend to travel light. Come on, I’ll show you the kitchen and living room.”
Lily stuck her head into the bathroom before following Saffron back into the hallway. They walked past more doors before arriving at the large kitchen at the back of the house. Once again, an abundance of windows offered an uninterrupted view of rolling fields.
