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‘Who’s going to do that?’ Sassy asked, but not unkindly. ‘Takes money and time, and knowledge. Most people who have those things don’t want to sink them into a dying town.’
‘But if someone did,’ Jill said slowly, following Amelia’s thought. ‘If someone brought it back to life... maybe other things could come back too. Maybe it could give people a reason to stay. Or to come.’
‘It’s a nice dream,’ Sassy said, but her voice held longing.
They stood there for a long moment, looking at a ruin in the moonlight, each seeing something different.
‘Come on,’ Sassy said finally. ‘You girls should get some sleep. Big day of work again tomorrow.’
She hugged each of them before they watched her walk away down the dusty street, her figure growing smaller until she turned a corner and disappeared.
‘She’s lovely,’ Sophie said.
‘She is,’ Amelia agreed. ‘They all are. Lisa, Danny, Mitch. They care so much about this place.’
‘It’s sad,’ Jill said. ‘That they can’t save it. That it’s just going to fade away.’
They climbed into the van, settling onto their mattresses, but Amelia lay awake for a long time, looking up through the window at the old pub looming against the stars.
A town dying. Young people leaving. A community fading away.
A beautiful building rotting to ruin.
What if Alex did save it? What if it was possible to bring a place back to life?
The thoughts circled in her mind as she drifted toward sleep, not quite a dream yet, but something close.
In two days, maybe three, a professional builder would arrive to tell them if that dream was even possible.
Chapter Four
Sophie woke early on Wednesday, even though she wasn’t due at Sassy’s until eight. Alex had said Tuesday or Wednesday for Jake’s arrival. She climbed out of the van quietly, leaving the others sleeping, and walked to the amenities block. The morning was cool, the air sharp and clean. When she emerged, Alex was already up, standing by his caravan with a phone to his ear.
‘Right, sounds good. See you in a few hours then.’ He hung up, caught sight of Sophie, and smiled. ‘That was Jake. He’s on the road now. Should be here by lunchtime.’
‘That’s great. You must be excited to see him.’
‘I am,’ Alex agreed. ‘Though mostly I’m curious what he’ll make of all this.’ He gestured at the pub. ‘Jake doesn’t sugarcoat. If this place is a lost cause, he’ll tell me straight.’
‘And if it’s not?’
Alex’s expression turned thoughtful. ‘Then maybe an old man’s dream isn’t quite as foolish as it seems.’
By the time Sophie left for work, and Jill headed into town soon after, Amelia found herself making excuses to stay at the campground. She told herself it was because Zara had given her the day off, that she wanted a quiet morning, and had laundry to do. But the truth was simpler: she was curious about this builder everyone was waiting for, this son who could apparently make or break Alex’s dream.
The morning crawled by for Sophie. She restocked shelves at Sassy’s automatically, her mind elsewhere. What would Jake be like? Alex was gentle and thoughtful—would his son be similar? Or would he be brusque and practical, the kind of builder who saw only problems and costs?
And why did it matter to them so much?
‘You’re distracted today, love,’ Sassy observed around eleven. ‘Everything alright?’
‘Fine,’ Sophie said quickly. ‘Just—Alex’s son is arriving today. The builder. To assess whether the Royal can be saved. I’m curious what he’ll say.’
‘Ah,’ Sassy said, her eyes twinkling in that knowing way. ‘The mysterious Jake. Alex talks about him constantly. Apparently, he’s quite brilliant at restoration work. Expensive, but worth it.’
‘Have you met him?’
‘Once, a few years ago, when he was just starting out. Handsome boy, very serious about his work.’ Sassy smiled. ‘Though I suppose he’s not a boy anymore. Must be in his thirties now. Alex says he’s made quite a name for himself in heritage restoration.’
