I'm finally up and about. Being sick was a total bore though I did manage to wonder down to the kitchen gardens with a blanket and snooze in the sun once I was feeling better.
To continue with my day on the 19th of May before I got sick...
I read the paper in silence, settling down for a truly enjoyable day. The bar girl disappeared for a break and Jon took over. He sent over another pint when I tipped him the wink but I was surprised when the pint was brought over by the russet haired young man who had been talking to the bar girl. He popped it in front of me with a,
"I rather think it's my fault that you were almost refused your tab, I'm so sorry." I looked up into an open and friendly face with that glorious English skin and smiled.
"No I rather think she would have hated me on sight anyway. I'm sure when I was that age I hated any woman older than myself who didn't have to do bar work or whatever we did in our youths to get paid."
"I put up marquees and hated every person who went to the parties." He said as he sat down in the chair next to mine.
"Champagne bar that did the season. It was terrible going to Ascot and Henley and all these events and having to wear boring black, not drink and stand up all day."
"Here's to not being 19 again." He tipped his glass to mine and I cheersed him with a "god yes." We smiled at each other and a light bulb clicked in my head.
"You're the new Squire aren't you?"
"Yes, tell me, will I be the new squire even when I'm old and gray?"
"Good lord yes!" I laughed, "certainly until everyone my mothers age has passed away or at least until you're married and have filled the rooms of The Hall with children."
"So not until I'm old and gray then?"
"How long have you been here now?" He grimaced before replying.
"Not long enough. My uncle, the old Squire, wouldn't have my side of the family any where near him so I know bugger all about all this."
"You'll be fine. Just kiss babies, don't kiss teenagers or get anyone's daughter pregnant and hold a feast day every summer. They'll soon love you. Ask for help from your staff too. If they're anything like ours they'll bend over backwards if they know you just want to make their lives easier and better and that you'll listen to their complaints."
"Your staff... What Jim said... are you really her Ladyships daughter?"
"Of course, is it so hard to credit?" He blushed, a deep stain that spread across that silky skin and I marveled at how few men look good blushing.
"No it's just that I've met your mother..."
"And you're amazed I don't have a booming voice, wear tweeds and shout at the locals?"
"Well..."
"Don't worry, based on your uncle I think we were all expecting the same from you." He laughed and settled back into his chair.
"So what's a feast day?" he asked.
"Oh you know, you open the gardens, hire a band, set up a bbq, ask the Womens Institute to do a cake stall, have a tombola and a prize for the biggest carrot or what have you then donate any money raised to the church steeple fund. If you have a famous friend to give out prizes even better. Kind of like the village fair but you pay for everything and charge very little."
"Does you're mother do this too?"
"Goodness no. It would be a terrible presumption. It's the Squires job, new or old." He rubbed his eyes and shook his head.
"I can see I have a lot to learn. God, I wish I had been brought up in this like you." I laughed.
"Hardly. I've lived less in England than I have overseas now. Unless you count boarding school. I just seem to have made an impression with the locals when I am here."
"Yes you do make quite an impression..." he tailed off and we looked at each other. A blush bloomed over his cheeks again.
"Will you have lunch with me? Unless you have somewhere else to go..." I said.
He said he would love to so I jumped up to get the daily menu and we perused it together our heads almost touching. My heart beat loud in my chest and I smiled shakily at him. We both ordered, potted shrimp followed by sausage and mash for me, ploughman's followed by home made steak and kidney pie for him.
The food was delicious and simple. Home made and perfect. We talked and laughed together as our knees touched and my belly tingled. Our eyes would catch and he blushed all the more - a delicate rosy colour that suited him perfectly.
He paid, bless him, for our lunch and offered to escort me home, deeming Hatty and Pidge unfit to guard me. I laughed and let him as Jon the barman winked me out the door.
