Summer Wedding at the Cornish Manor, page 10
Jess looks a tad uneasy. ‘That Ivy’s busy at the bakery and every spare minute she gets, she’s doing what she calls baby prep. I told Sarah that I’ve been giving Ivy some space and when she’s ready, she’ll reach out to us all, I’m sure.’
Ivy was the same when she took over the bakery. She quickly pulled together her grand plan and from the moment she arrived, she didn’t stop until everything was set up as she wanted it.
‘I can barely remember Ollie as a baby now… just fleeting memories that pop into my head,’ I reflect. ‘I remember he cried a lot at times. Fiona and I would take turns pacing up and down with him until he settled. No two days were ever the same. Ivy is aware of that, isn’t she?’
‘She ought to be, as she gave me a hand with Lola after she was born but, as you say, memories dim and it was a long time ago. Ivy spends hours online researching and reading parenting books,’ Jess admits. ‘It’s her coping mechanism, although I fear it’s also information overload. But she’ll gradually settle down and going into it feeling organised will stop her from panicking.’
I let out a deep breath. ‘Adam’s trying his best to act calm and collected, but I don’t think he knows what to worry about first.’
‘When the babies are here, the plan will go out the window and Ivy will just do what most new mums do.’
‘Which is?’ I query.
‘Get through it one day at a time. We worry about our offspring when they’re crying, and we worry about them when they’re sleeping. I was constantly checking Lola was still breathing, poor little thing. The number of times I inadvertently woke her up when I put my hand on her chest because I couldn’t see it moving, was ridiculous.’ Jess laughs softly to herself. ‘And I was constantly on the phone to my mum, asking her advice as what did I know? I was young and it was scary at times.’
As Jess is talking, her face seems to light up. ‘Happy times, though,’ I remark, and she nods her head in agreement.
‘Nothing can prepare you for that feeling of joy; or for the roller coaster of emotions that follow when you realise you’ve brought a new life into the world and they’re totally reliant upon you.’
Is Jess trying to tell me in a roundabout way that with Lola and Ollie, she feels our family is complete? Having a baby is a huge commitment, I get that, but it would have been wonderful to experience it with Jess. Oh, well – we’ve more than enough on our plate to cope with as it is and I’ve not exactly proven myself to be a role model when it comes to being a dad, have I?
*
Cappy isn’t at all surprised when Adam reports back on what the planning officer told him. ‘What I don’t understand,’ Adam continues, sounding perplexed, ‘is that you got permission to install dormer windows to the rear of Renweneth Manor.’
‘It’s not listed, Adam, and the deciding factor was that the rear elevation can’t be seen from the road, or another property. The cluster of cottages in the courtyard are even older than the manor itself and are a landmark around here. The outer shell has to remain unchanged and, even with the barn, we had to ensure the exterior was in keeping with the existing buildings. Cladding at ground level would have been so much cheaper than stonework, but the end result is pleasing to the eye; it just cost a heck of a lot more.’
I’m not sure the explanation helps, as Adam is looking crestfallen. ‘There’s no way we’re going to be able to make Smithy’s Cottage work for us when the babies are here, and Ivy is going to freak out. I could put up a shed in the garden and insulate it, so that it’s suitable to store a double buggy and toys. But without a third bedroom, the cottage just isn’t a long-term solution for us as a family.’
We’re all aware of the impact of that. Cappy half-turns to reach into his backpack and pulls out a cardboard tube. ‘I was looking at the architect’s plans earlier, trying to figure out what options there might be.’
I help him to unroll the drawing, as Adam clears the table and casts around for four anchors to hold it flat.
‘In theory, there are two options to create an extra room on the first-floor level. It might muddy the waters in terms of you and Ivy buying the cottage, Adam. It can be harder to get a mortgage when a part of the property would be what they refer to in legal terms, as a flying freehold.’
It’s unusual but being in the trade Adam has probably come across this before.
Cappy stabs his finger at Smithy’s Cottage on the plan. ‘On one side you have The Farmhouse Bakery, on the other The Courtyard Hub, formerly the small barn.’ We all lean forward in a huddle. ‘I’m not saying either of the options are easy and I have no idea about cost, but let’s set that to one side for now.’
Cappy begins tapping his finger on what is now The Courtyard Hub. ‘When we did the conversion and created the mezzanine, the decision to extend it across approximately 50 per cent of the total area was to increase the amount of light on the ground floor. It might be possible to knock through from the second bedroom in Smithy’s Cottage and extend the mezzanine. Admittedly, it would be a bedroom off a bedroom, but it would be a big room. We’re talking at least the entire width of the cottage, maybe a bit more, so it could also accommodate a lot of storage space.’
It’s not a bad idea, but I know what Jess’s first question will be. ‘What about getting light into the ground floor of The Courtyard Hub?’
Cappy points to the side wall of the barn, which abuts the large car parking area in the grounds of Renweneth Manor. ‘It’s more daylight, not visibility we’re after. If we installed a whole run of windows the entire length of the room as high up as we can, every bay would benefit from natural daylight.’
‘The extra room would be a part of the cottage but the ground beneath it would still belong to Renweneth Farm.’ Adam frowns, as he gives it some serious thought.
‘Exactly. Now, the other option is to knock through on the other side into The Farmhouse Bakery. It would mean moving the kitchen into the former office, which you’re currently using as a spare guest room, Adam. I have no idea how that would affect the running of the bakery, as the stockroom would probably need moving, too. It would be a major upheaval, though, and would mean the kitchen would be out of operation for at least a few days.’
‘Either way, both are flying freeholds,’ I point out.
‘Yes and this is just between us for now. I thought it might be worth considering. If it solves your problem, then we can delve into it a bit deeper.’ Cappy sits back, picking up his pint as Adam continues to stare down at the drawings.
‘What do you think, Riley? I mean, it’s got to work for Jess, too.’
‘The last thing Ivy is going to want is anything that upsets the running of the bakery. I think it would add yet another challenge into the mix. From the farm’s point of view, I think it would be a mistake for The Farmhouse Bakery not to be a standalone property. However, the option to extend the mezzanine might work. It would just come down to cost and minimising the disruption to the businesses on the ground floor.’
Cappy runs his hand along his chin. ‘Do you think that getting in the new joists and laying the floor above could be done in a day if we pulled together a small team, Riley?’
‘It would take a bit of planning, but I don’t see why not. That way the knocking-through bit, which is going to be dusty, wouldn’t affect the businesses in The Courtyard Hub at all.’
‘Well.’ Cappy looks at Adam questioningly. ‘Where do we go from here? Do you want me to pop into the council offices and check we wouldn’t need to submit a planning application before we give this any further consideration? If we’re lucky, it might just involve building regs, which would mean we could make it happen pretty darn quickly if Ivy and Jess like the idea.’
Adam sighs. ‘Ivy’s very sensitive right now so, yes, if you don’t mind, that seems like a sensible next step. Look, I haven’t told her that the dormer windows aren’t an option yet. She’s going to be gutted. Can I mention there might possibly be another solution we haven’t considered?’
Cappy and I glance at each other rather uncomfortably and I suspect we’re thinking the same thing. ‘In that case, why don’t we head back to The Farmhouse and put our cards on the table. Worst case is we get our hopes up and planning throw a spanner in the works, but it’s better than nothing.’
He raises his glass and Adam and I join him. ‘Here’s to solutions, not problems!’ Cappy states, robustly.
As for me, I think the cost and the disruption involved aren’t worth it. The truth is, they need a bigger property.
Jess
10
A Major Headache
After a late-night chat with Cappy, Riley, Adam and Ivy at The Farmhouse, I’m feeling as if our carefully made plans are beginning to unravel. We all want to come up with a workable solution, but at what point do we stand back and accept the inevitable?
This morning, Riley joins Cappy and me for breakfast and the three of us linger around the kitchen table for a second coffee while Lola gets ready for school.
‘Last night, I felt there was an air of desperation around the table,’ I conclude. The two men stare at me without saying a word. I swallow hard before I continue. ‘At some point, Ivy is going to ask for my opinion and no one is going to like what I have to say.’
Now they’re both frowning.
‘Smithy’s Cottage is perfect for a young couple with maybe one child, but not two. I understand that it’s a huge comfort for Ivy, being able to walk from her front door to her business in seconds. If a problem arises at the bakery, she’s on hand to sort it out. And, if she can find a good babysitter, she can maybe even consider working a couple of hours a day. But in the long term, even with a third bedroom, it won’t work.’
‘Why?’ Cappy queries, his frown intensifying.
It’s hard not to sound dismissive. ‘Because a growing family needs space. Bedrooms are one thing, but the living areas are important, too. They’ll soon outgrow the space they have. It’ll drive Ivy mad when every inch is filled with all the things that come with not one, but two children. Refusing to address the problem now is just delaying the inevitable.’
‘Is it because you’re against the idea of extending the mezzanine in The Courtyard Hub?’ Riley questions.
‘No. If Smithy’s Cottage were gaining a two-storey addition, then it would be the perfect solution. But I know what it’s like at the end of the day to have to blitz the house because it feels like every inch is covered with toys, shoes, coats… you name it. And I only had one child to contend with.
‘Let’s face it, the sitting room and kitchen/diner are what you expect from a cottage: compact and cosy living. Adam and Ivy need to look at bigger properties, as close to the farm as possible. My fear is that if they don’t, Ivy will end up finding it all too much and talk Adam into returning to Stroud. I genuinely think they’d regret it. Being pregnant and preparing for the babies is going to be a testing time for Ivy; add building work into the mix and it’s going to make their lives a misery.’
They both nod their heads in agreement.
Cappy turns to face me. ‘You need to have a heart-to-heart with Ivy. It’s obvious the pair of you have been avoiding each other.’
There’s no point in denying it. Even at our get-together last night before the guys returned, all we talked about was the growing list of baby clothes and various kit she thought she was going to need.
‘I intend to. Adam is so desperate to find a quick and easy solution that he’s not standing back to think about the bigger picture. Ivy is totally caught up with how she’s going to manage to keep the business running while caring for two little ones and is doing much the same thing. It’s better to face the fact that living on site isn’t a viable option for them long term. In the short term, though, it’s probably the only way for Ivy to cope.’
‘So, you think they’ll rent the cottage for a while until life has settled down enough to look at finding something affordable?’ Riley asks.
‘If I were in their situation, it’s what I’d do, and it’ll give them some breathing space. It will be a little while before they need to think about putting the children into separate bedrooms, unless they’re constantly waking each other up. While the babies are small, they’ll probably cope with the space they have but it’s time to face facts. Smithy’s Cottage isn’t their forever home.’
However, it does leave me with a problem. Swapping a hefty influx of cash for a monthly rental income isn’t what I need right now. But I must do the right thing by Ivy and Adam; I can’t stand back and see them invest their savings in a place they’ll soon outgrow.
It’s a dent in the dream I had and in theirs, too. Oh, how wonderful it would be to have them living here and see their children growing up, day by day. I know that Lola would love it, too, but it’s a decision that must be made with the head and not the heart. What Ivy needs now is practical advice and, as her best friend, it’s about what’s right for her, Adam and the twins.
*
Riley has put me on sanding duty in the manor, to bring some of the original wall panelling back to life. Layers and layers of old varnish obscure the beautiful moulding and while it’s hard work, it’s also a satisfying job. It’s too windy to work outside today, so I’m in what was the original dining room. Only one of the internal walls is still in situ but the suction hose attached to the belt sander is doing a decent job of drawing in most of the dust, so it doesn’t spread far and wide. It’s also noisy, but with two plumbers drilling holes, and Riley on the first floor making a start on plaster boarding what will be the family bathroom, we’re all wearing ear defenders.
My mind is on other things, though. Cappy really pulled out the stops trying to solve Ivy and Adam’s problem. He meant well and I could see he was disappointed when I spoke my mind earlier on. But it also made me feel a tad guilty. He believes in Prudie’s cause and maybe I’ve been quick to judge her, simply because her forthright style grates with me. She’s spent her entire working life fighting for something she’s passionate about and I admire her for that. If Grandma and Cappy supported her, then who am I to turn her away? I have an idea I think might work but I want to keep it up my sleeve for now. It could be another reason for Cappy to return to the farm for good, but it would change the dynamic of the courtyard. And until I know for sure whether Ivy and Adam are staying, I think it’s wise to keep the status quo. If they decide to go back to Stroud, then I’ll probably look to rent out the cottage on a twelve-month tenancy and I’ll be back to square one with the bakery.
Some of my best thinking time is when I’m doing repetitive jobs, like restoring the panelling. Riley says I have what he calls stickability. I guess I’ve always been an ardent starter/finisher. There’s something so satisfying about taking something that many people would throw away and discovering what will make it beautiful again. A carpenter laboured over the detail, making sure the mitred joints were perfect. Here we are, all these years later, and the quality of the workmanship still stands out. If it weren’t for the water ingress, we could have saved all of it.
But I’m happy. I want the entrance hallway to be welcoming and cosy, and when I’ve finished sanding, undercoating and top coating these panels, the colour is going to create that warm welcome I want for our future home. Ivy isn’t the only one who’s nesting, and I get how important it is. When your life is about to be turned upside down, home becomes a sanctuary, and it would be wrong of me not to point out the obvious.
*
‘Jess, have you sorted out the guest list yet?’ Mum’s patience is beginning to wear thin. ‘You know that until we have a firm idea of numbers, nothing can be finalised.’
‘It’s top of my to-do list, I promise.’ It wasn’t, but it is now. ‘I was wondering whether you and Dad fancied coming down for Easter weekend. There’s a wedding fayre being held in the village hall. It’s the weekend of the eighth and ninth of April.’
Vyvyan is one of the coordinators and there’s quite a buzz about it. It’s attracting vendors from all around the country and there’s going to be a huge, heated marquee behind the village hall. Inside, there will be floral demonstrations and they’ll even be holding two fashion shows. The campsite will be full, and Cappy has promised that there won’t be a digger in sight by then.
‘Oh, that would be lovely!’
‘I’ll sort out some accommodation for you.’
It’s difficult not having any spare guest rooms at The Farmhouse. Life will be so much easier once we’ve moved into Renweneth Manor and have all those extra bedrooms. Then reality hits as I realise that given Ivy and Adam’s likely plans, there’s going to be a bit of a long pause between phase one and phase two, that’s for sure.
Without a big injection of cash, and with an increasing tax liability to cover next year, there won’t be as much net profit going into the capital expenditure account as I’d envisaged. Phase two could be delayed for a year, maybe longer.
Just getting the essential rooms up and running to allow us to move in is going to be a big stretch. We’re already running 15 per cent over budget and that’s with Riley keeping a tight rein on everything.
‘How is everyone?’ Mum enquires.
‘Good. Ben’s going to have Lola to stay for the weekend when Riley and I go to his brother Tom’s wedding in May.’
‘Oh, is it one of those do’s where children aren’t invited? I can never understand that. It’s the kids that make a wedding – all that boisterous excitement is a joy to watch.’
‘No, it’s not that. Riley’s not sure what sort of welcome he’s going to get from his family. If it isn’t a positive one, then to avoid any unpleasantness, we may well end up heading for home earlier than expected. That wouldn’t be fair on Lola. Tom has also confirmed that Fiona and Ollie will be there and that, too, is going to be a little awkward if she’s still not speaking to Riley. The last thing we want to do is cause a scene that could potentially spoil Tom and Helen’s special day.’
