Harvesting Acorns Read Free Page A

approach.
    “Chloe,
are you all right?” she giggled, as Chloe looked up after the third time she
called to her.
    “Oh
my goodness, Phoebe! I am sorry, I didn’t hear you! I was looking out at the
park, I had not noticed it yesterday and I guess my mind wandered off,” Chloe
apologised profusely for being rude.
    “Don’t
worry. You have a lot to take in and even though you had a good sleep, I am
sure it will still take a few days for you to start feeling human again. Can I
get you some coffee and what can I get you for breakfast?” There it was again,
that comforting nurturing that Chloe had seen the day before.
    “I
am going to be very greedy this morning I am afraid. I am ravenous!” Chloe told
Phoebe what she had decided on.
    “Of
course, I’ll make sure it is ready as quickly as possible,” Phoebe giggled in
the way Chloe had now heard a few times – not girlish, mature but with a hint
of the youthful spirit that danced behind those wise eyes.
    Chloe
looked back out the window at the oak tree. There was now a little boy standing
underneath it and looking up into the branches. He had a cooler box next to
him. Chloe assumed he was about to picnic or had just finished a picnic. She didn’t
pay any more attention to it and focused on her laptop. She checked her
e-mails.
    There
were two from her closest friends just asking if she had arrived anywhere in
particular and curious as to where she had chosen. They expressed their concern
and volunteered their support if she needed anything. It was good to feel their
friendship and care for her. She was going to miss them, but they had their own
lives. Vivienne had recently got married and Candice was expecting her second
baby so she didn’t feel like she was throwing away friendships that demanded
her constant presence. They had been friends since their school days and so she
was confident that they would keep in touch and update each other on what was
happening in each other’s lives.
    Phoebe
arrived with the coffee and food simultaneously. That was something quite rare
in restaurants and Chloe liked it. The mixture of the aromas of coffee and
cinnamon and toast had Chloe’s belly grumbling loudly in anticipation. She and
Phoebe laughed out loud.
    “I
will leave you in peace to satisfy that appetite of yours and then when you are
ready I would love to chat and see how we can help with whatever your next move
is” she said as she placed the plate in front of Chloe.
    “Bon
appétit!”
    “Thank
you” Chloe smiled up at her, “I am going to enjoy and savour every mouthful of
this.”
    Phoebe
returned to the kitchen and Chloe began with her meal. She looked up out at the
park again. The little boy was now sitting on his cooler box just gazing up
into the tree’s branches. Very curious she thought. She watched him as she ate
and sipped her coffee. It took her about half an hour to finish and throughout
that time the little boy had remained where he was, just sitting on his cooler
box and looking up into the tree. Perhaps he was watching a bird nesting,
although as it was autumn she doubted that. Maybe there were squirrels then.
She found herself unusually interested in the child’s behaviour. Perhaps it was
the journalist in her looking for a story behind every day events, looking for
the extraordinary in the ordinary. She turned her attention to finishing the
rest of her meal. She didn’t want to keep Phoebe waiting too long for their
chat, especially as she had arrived for breakfast so late. She realised that
Phoebe would soon need to start preparing for the lunchtime intake of diners.
    Phoebe
noticed that she had finished and came over with two cappuccinos. She took a
seat in the booth opposite Chloe.
    “So,
where to from here? You know you are welcome to stay here; we will keep that
room for you for as long as you need. If you want to go exploring the village
and try out other places - do so knowing you have a backup plan should it get
late and you find