Finding Home by Kate Field (read book .txt) 📗

we also know that we’re lucky to live in such a gorgeous place, and being here enriches our lives more than a few pounds in the bank. Most of us are happy to share it with people who couldn’t otherwise afford to come.’

Heather had put into words something that Mim had felt over the last few weeks. She’d been incredibly lucky to connect with the Howards, and with the rent-free caravan and her two jobs, she’d started saving money for the first time. It didn’t mean that her worries were over. She could be kicked out of the caravan or be sacked at any moment. But there was something about this place – the view of the sea that changed every day, the rolling cliff tops, the salty breeze that blew in towards the shore – that gave her a sense of peace, and of optimism that somehow things would work out.

The group of volunteers gathered round Lia, who was dressed for the occasion in neon wellies and a trench coat, which seemed to be her idea of working clothes.

‘Thank you so much for coming to lend us a hand,’ Lia said. ‘We’re very grateful to you all for supporting our charity. We want As You Like It holidays to be the perfect retreat for anyone who needs a break. Mim – as it was your idea, why don’t you explain how much it means?’

Had it been her idea? Mim didn’t remember the original discussion going quite like that, but all eyes had now turned to her. She smiled.

‘If you’ve spoken to me in the shop or the pub, you’ll have gathered I’m not from round here,’ she said. There were a few smiles of acknowledgement. ‘I’ve spent all my life up north. I didn’t have holidays when I was growing up, for various reasons. I’d never been to Devon, or seen the sea, until a few weeks ago. Already I’ve realised there’s something special about this place, a peace and a beauty that creeps into your heart without you noticing and puts all the other worries of life into perspective. I’d love to be able to share that peace with families who need a break, and to help them spend time together with nothing to worry about other than having fun.’

She stopped, thinking that she’d said too much and been too sentimental, and was surprised when the volunteers burst into a quick round of applause.

‘I hope that’s inspired you all, because today’s job isn’t the most fun,’ Lia said. ‘Can we all divide up and start cleaning the exterior of the caravans? They are covered in so much grime that we can’t see if there’s any damage underneath.’

The group divided up into pairs. Heather and Karen teamed up, leaving Mim on her own, with Lia and Bobby also at a loose end. Neither of them looked at each other. Lia fiddled with the belt of her trench, her usual confidence seemingly vanished, and Bobby rubbed the side of his face.

‘Why don’t you two—’

‘Perhaps—’

‘I should—’

They all started to speak at once. Bobby was first to start again.

‘I’ll have a look at some of those verandas,’ he said, addressing Mim. ‘Make a note of any rotten posts and boards that need replacing.’

‘Great idea,’ Lia said, but he was already dashing away to the nearest caravan. Lia sighed. ‘You see, Mim? He must think I’m far too silly to be in charge of a project like this. He’s assigning his own tasks.’

‘There’s no point him cleaning,’ Mim said. ‘Anyone can do that. He’s better off looking at the skilled jobs that need doing.’

Twenty minutes later, Mim was revising her opinion that anyone could do the cleaning. Lia had donned some rubber gloves, and had made a couple of sweeps with a sponge on the side of the caravan she was working on with Mim, but she wasn’t exactly putting in hard graft. Not on the caravans, at least; she seemed extremely busy sorting out her social life. Her phone buzzed every couple of minutes and she gave Mim a running commentary on what was going on, and who would be pairing up for the Valentine dinner at the weekend. Apparently, Lia’s date was a City banker called Algie, a friend of a friend who she had been told was totally hot. Mim didn’t miss the glance across the field to Bobby when Lia said this.

Bea and Mrs Dennis arrived at lunchtime, carrying cool bags and wicker baskets full of food for the workers. Everyone squashed together on the steps leading to Mim’s caravan to enjoy the food.

‘Doesn’t it look brighter already?’ Bea said, gesturing across the field at the caravans, some of which were now looking clean again. ‘It’s a shame they are all that institutional cream colour. We were going for classic, neutral shades at the time we bought them, but something more cheerful would suit this project better.’

‘You could always paint them,’ Bobby said, picking a pork pie from a Tupperware box of treats.

‘Could we?’ Lia looked thrilled. ‘I had wondered, but I wasn’t sure what you could use on caravans.’

‘It would have to be special paint,’ Bobby said. ‘You can get a metal topcoat that protects from UV light and weathering. I don’t know what colours they do.’

Lia was looking at him as if he’d just discovered DNA.

‘You’re a genius,’ she said. ‘This is exactly what we need to make the site look more friendly and welcoming. We were thinking of a vintage look for the interior, so perhaps we can match that outside. What about cobalt blue, sea green, shell pink and maybe a yellow and a grey? Wouldn’t that look brilliant?’

‘Special paint sounds expensive,’ Mim said, trying to rein Lia in before she got too carried away. ‘The caravans will look okay once they’re cleaned up, won’t they?’

‘Hush Mim,’ Bea said. ‘I don’t want to hear another word about the expense. It will lift the spirits of our guests if they arrive and see some bright caravans