You’ll want to look round the houses, but we’ll warn you in advance that we haven’t finished them off completely inside because we don’t know what types of artists will be occupying them.

Perhaps you could phone or email us? Any day next week will be fine for a visit. Whatever suits you.

A map is enclosed to show you how to get to Saffron Lane if you’re driving.

Yours sincerely

Nell Chaytor, Project Manager

Elise was so stunned by this response she collapsed on the nearest chair, still clutching the letter so tightly she had to smooth it out before she could read it again.

Positive, was all she could think of. It was a positive reaction. She’d got through to the second round. She smiled, then cried a little out of both pleasure and relief.

She made herself a pot of tea and while it was brewing she got her road atlas out of her car. Sexton Bassett was two hours’ drive away at least.

Oh dear! She was a bit worried about driving there and back at this stage in her recovery, even though she was now driving quite comfortably around town.

If only Harriet was here to take her.

She couldn’t let this opportunity pass, so perhaps she could hire a car and driver? Yes, of course, that would do just fine. This was no time to worry about the cost.

She lost herself in dreams for a while. There was nothing she’d like more than to live in such a community. Her long-time home had become a very lonely place after her husband’s death and she’d be glad to be away from the area now that dear Victor was no longer alive, either.

She finished her tea then went to her computer and researched hired cars with drivers. One caught her eye because it showed a photo of the driver, a middle-aged woman with a delightful smile.

She picked up the phone. ‘Amy’s Luxury Cars? I’d like to book a car and driver for the day next Monday.’

Only after she’d put down the phone did she realise she hadn’t checked with Ms Chaytor as to whether Monday morning would be suitable. How silly of her! They’d said any day would do but she’d better check.

She picked up the phone again.

The post arrived early, just one letter. When Stacy turned it over and saw on the envelope who it was from, her heart started to thump. She decided she had time to open it before setting off for work if she was quick.

Without thinking she used the butter knife to open it and got grease all over the envelope.

‘Idiot!’ she muttered to herself.

The letter was from someone called Nell Chaytor, telling her she’d got through to the second round of applications for the Arts and Crafts Village.

She stopped reading to clap one hand to her mouth, she was so astounded by this, then took a deep, shaky breath and read the rest of the letter.