Out of this WORLD

Claire had sought solitude in order to heal – but perhaps she wasn’t alone after all...

- Sheelagh Mooney

Hi Mike, it’s me, Claire. I’m at the cottage, I found the key hanging on the nail inside the barn door as per your email. This place is wonderful, it’s going to be just perfect for me.’

Looking around, she took in the simplicity of the cottage with its wood-burning stove and well-worn armchair tucked into the alcove. A freshly-placed jar of wildflowers had been set in the deep window ledge and a basket on the pine table held a selection of homemade preserves, fresh eggs, and a still-warm cake of soda bread. ‘Oh, and thanks for all the provisions you left on the table,’ she added.

The letting agent sounded bemused. ‘Mrs Fleming, the caretaker, must have left them. Tommy from the village shop will deliver groceries to you any time. But it’s not online shopping. If you want anything, you have to phone in your list and arrange for him to drop your groceries off at the cottage. Keep it simple, though, as Tommy doesn’t go in for avocados or oat milk smoothies,’ he added, with a laugh.

It sounded ideal to Claire, a real get-away-from-it-all sort of place.

Out in the garden, she was delighted to find rhubarb, potatoes, herbs, and salad crops growing. The plot, though something of a biodiversity hotspot, looked well-cared for. This was another bonus the agent had failed to mention.