Read Online A Vintage Wedding by Katie Fforde - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Katie Fforde
Ads: Link
us a testimonial.’
‘I just hope we get on!’ Beth suddenly felt nervous. ‘I’ve never done anything quite like this before.’
‘Nor have any of us,’ said Rachel. ‘And you’ll be fine.’
Sarah was prompt and Beth, who had been watching for her, ran out to the car. It was a beautiful winter’s day. Bright, cold, with a blue, sun-tinged sky that made spring seem imminent.
‘It’s lovely having this little tour,’ said Beth, looking out of the window at the countryside. The gentle hills were covered with a mixture of farmland and woods and today the leafless trees stood out against the duck-egg sky.
‘I love days like this,’ said Sarah. ‘I think I almost prefer the trees in winter. I like seeing every little branch and twig outlined. Of course it is gorgeous in summer, too, but days like this are special.’
‘You’re right!’ said Beth, thinking of photographs and the website. ‘Not having a car means I’ve been stuck with places I can walk to. I didn’t realise how much really great scenery there is just a little further away.’
‘But you can drive?’
‘Oh yes. I saved up lots of money when I was working, as a student, but when it came to it, I felt a car was more than I could afford really.’ She paused. ‘Although maybe I should have got one. At least then I would have more choice of jobs.’
‘This isn’t the best area for jobs if you’ve got to walk there,’ said Sarah. ‘Although there is the pub.’
‘I know. I’m starting there tonight. When Sukey heard how much experience I had she said I could start straight away. She is so lovely.’ Beth paused, waiting in case Sarah had something bad to say about her new employer.
‘She is. She has really turned that pub around. She only moved here a few years ago.’
Reassured, Beth went on: ‘Aren’t there any other businesses that might need someone like me? I’ve got skills that could be useful for a small business. You know, I could set up websites, help with marketing, write blogs for small firms who don’t have an online presence but need one.’
Sarah shook her head. ‘Not within walking distance. I’m a farm secretary but I only work part-time and I couldn’t even do that if I didn’t have a car.’
‘Oh well. In the meantime I could help any locals get online so they can send emails, or Skype, if they’ve got computers and don’t know how to use them. That would be for nothing, of course.’
Sarah shot her an approving look. ‘That’s kind. I’m sure there are a few people in that situation.’
‘But I’m obviously going to need a car if I’m going to get a proper job.’
Sarah nodded as she changed gear. ‘Lindy has the same problem. She’d love to do something that gets her out of the house a bit, but with no transport and the cost of childcare, she has to do stuff from home.’ She paused. ‘It would be wonderful if you girls could make a go of your business. Just hearing about it in the pub the other night got me all enthusiastic.’
‘But it will take ages before we’re actually able to make money from it,’ said Beth. She thought for a few moments. ‘We can use Rachel’s car, I suppose, but we ought to have a works van or something.’
‘You’re right. You need wheels. I’ll have a think. Lindy’s never managed to afford one on her own – even with us helping her – but if there was something she could occasionally have the use of to help her get to bigger towns to get materials, deliver things, it would be really useful. There are busses of course, but not at very convenient times.’
They fell into a friendly silence. Beth reflected how nice it must be to be able to just chat to your mum without there always being undercurrents. Beth’s mother wanted to micromanage every corner of her daughters’ lives. It was silly; if she weren’t so bossy she’d see more of them, Beth and Helena both acknowledged.
They had climbed up out of the valley and on to the hill and now
‘I just hope we get on!’ Beth suddenly felt nervous. ‘I’ve never done anything quite like this before.’
‘Nor have any of us,’ said Rachel. ‘And you’ll be fine.’
Sarah was prompt and Beth, who had been watching for her, ran out to the car. It was a beautiful winter’s day. Bright, cold, with a blue, sun-tinged sky that made spring seem imminent.
‘It’s lovely having this little tour,’ said Beth, looking out of the window at the countryside. The gentle hills were covered with a mixture of farmland and woods and today the leafless trees stood out against the duck-egg sky.
‘I love days like this,’ said Sarah. ‘I think I almost prefer the trees in winter. I like seeing every little branch and twig outlined. Of course it is gorgeous in summer, too, but days like this are special.’
‘You’re right!’ said Beth, thinking of photographs and the website. ‘Not having a car means I’ve been stuck with places I can walk to. I didn’t realise how much really great scenery there is just a little further away.’
‘But you can drive?’
‘Oh yes. I saved up lots of money when I was working, as a student, but when it came to it, I felt a car was more than I could afford really.’ She paused. ‘Although maybe I should have got one. At least then I would have more choice of jobs.’
‘This isn’t the best area for jobs if you’ve got to walk there,’ said Sarah. ‘Although there is the pub.’
‘I know. I’m starting there tonight. When Sukey heard how much experience I had she said I could start straight away. She is so lovely.’ Beth paused, waiting in case Sarah had something bad to say about her new employer.
‘She is. She has really turned that pub around. She only moved here a few years ago.’
Reassured, Beth went on: ‘Aren’t there any other businesses that might need someone like me? I’ve got skills that could be useful for a small business. You know, I could set up websites, help with marketing, write blogs for small firms who don’t have an online presence but need one.’
Sarah shook her head. ‘Not within walking distance. I’m a farm secretary but I only work part-time and I couldn’t even do that if I didn’t have a car.’
‘Oh well. In the meantime I could help any locals get online so they can send emails, or Skype, if they’ve got computers and don’t know how to use them. That would be for nothing, of course.’
Sarah shot her an approving look. ‘That’s kind. I’m sure there are a few people in that situation.’
‘But I’m obviously going to need a car if I’m going to get a proper job.’
Sarah nodded as she changed gear. ‘Lindy has the same problem. She’d love to do something that gets her out of the house a bit, but with no transport and the cost of childcare, she has to do stuff from home.’ She paused. ‘It would be wonderful if you girls could make a go of your business. Just hearing about it in the pub the other night got me all enthusiastic.’
‘But it will take ages before we’re actually able to make money from it,’ said Beth. She thought for a few moments. ‘We can use Rachel’s car, I suppose, but we ought to have a works van or something.’
‘You’re right. You need wheels. I’ll have a think. Lindy’s never managed to afford one on her own – even with us helping her – but if there was something she could occasionally have the use of to help her get to bigger towns to get materials, deliver things, it would be really useful. There are busses of course, but not at very convenient times.’
They fell into a friendly silence. Beth reflected how nice it must be to be able to just chat to your mum without there always being undercurrents. Beth’s mother wanted to micromanage every corner of her daughters’ lives. It was silly; if she weren’t so bossy she’d see more of them, Beth and Helena both acknowledged.
They had climbed up out of the valley and on to the hill and now
Similar Books
