Fern Wyman, an actual artist. A woman who was able to pick up a brush, daring to show the world what she saw through her own eyes. I felt a surge of emotion so incredibly empowering that I could barely contain myself. I wanted to jump up and scream at the top of my lungs, ‘Yes, I did it!’ but I didn’t, of course. I sat there, discreetly wiped away my tears and smiled brightly back at Nico. The tender look on his face had been one of pride and immense satisfaction. And when Nico reached out for my hand, all I remember was the warmth of his skin as our fingers touched.

18

Santa Arrives a Little Early This Year

It’s delivery day. A whole vanload of new kit arrived this morning. The treatment rooms and fitness centre are now complete, all that’s left is to do a final clean through and sort out the furniture and furnishings. So, the former craft room is now stacked high with boxes, all waiting to be unpacked and put in situ over the next few days.

One week today the first visitors will arrive to test out the new facilities and we have to be ready to welcome them. I still haven’t had a chance to chat to the new guy, Pierce Mansford-Smythe. Shortly after he arrived, Pierce, who hails from Ireland, and Ceana, headed off together to attend a four-week course in London. They aren’t due back until the weekend.

Staring at the mountain of boxes, the task ahead is daunting.

‘It was bad enough helping to carry these in, let alone move them again,’ Kellie declares. ‘Some of that stuff is heavy. I suppose there’s more space to unpack it in here, though, and half of it will be staying, anyway. What’s next, Fern?’

In Ceana’s absence, I’m in charge of the day-to-day organisation as we plough forward. Everyone is standing around looking to me for direction.

‘Well, if Taylor and Bastien would like to begin unpacking the exercise equipment, I’ll mark out the floor where it’s all supposed to go. If Dee-Dee and Odile are happy to carry through this stack of supplies, perhaps you and I can make a start on getting the new craft room sorted, Kellie. Is everyone okay with that?’

Taylor’s head suddenly appears around the side of a tower of boxes, catching my eye. ‘Fern, it might be a good idea if we moved these lightweight boxes back against the wall. They’re bulky suckers and we’re going to need a lot more floor space when we start assembling the equipment.’

I survey the mound of boxes and realise he’s right.

‘Good point, Taylor. Probably a third of them are the interlocking floor mats, anyway.’

He grins at me. ‘Are you saying they need to go down before we erect these extremely heavy pieces of equipment?’