LIFE AFTER GLENBOGLE PART ONE By: Janey and Rachel It was a beautiful spring day as Lexie made her way up the lane, she had been in Banbridge for three weeks, it felt like much longer than that. She and Archie had spent ages working out what would be the best for their future and had decided on an outside catering business 'Occasions and Celebrations'. They had then spent time scouring the country deciding where to base themselves. They both decided the city wasn't somewhere they wanted to bring up children and stumbled across a wonderful property in Northumberland between the Cheviot Hills and the stunning coastline. Molly had been delighted as it was only about a 4 hour drive from Glenbogle. They had to move quickly on the purchase of the property, an old run down farmhouse on the edge of the village, with outbuildings which were perfect for the business, office and an industrial kitchen. Thanks to Archie's inheritance form his Uncle Jolyon who had tragically died they had the necessary money. Before they knew it the property had been theirs, although it wasn't habitable they had managed to rent a beautiful cottage in the same village so they had somewhere to stay whilst renovations took place. They had spent a week gutting the place, which had been hard work, but worth it and more fun had been the evenings they had spent discussing the furnishings for their new home, lying in front of an open fire drinking wine and just enjoying each others company. Lexie had then gone back to Glenbogle for three weeks to tie up all the loose ends and Archie had remained in Banbridge to oversee work by the electrician to rewire the place, the treatment of some dry rot and the replumbing of the bathroom, kitchen and installation of an en suite for their bedroom. Now here they were decorating and styling their home. Lexie couldn't believe how happy she was, although she hadn't initially wanted to leave Glenbogle, she realised how right it had been. Archie seemed more relaxed than ever and the wonder and pleasure of it just being the two of them was immeasurable, no one else to worry about or intrude on them, she felt they were closer than ever and she knew Archie felt the same. Lexie stepped back into reality. She had spent the morning on the phone getting quotes for the equipment needed for the catering kitchen, she had managed to find a company based in Newcastle who were going to come out the next day to discuss their requirements. She had packed lunch and was on her way to see how Archie was getting on with the decorating. Archie and decorating were not two words she would normally want to put together, and to be honest she was slightly dubious about his DIY and decorating skills! But he had been so enthusiastic she hadn't wanted to dampen his spirits. He was painting and putting up tiles in the kitchen, what could possibly go wrong with a relatively straightforward job? She arrived at their house and called out his name "Archie, Arch" he soon appeared looking a little dishevelled but none the less happy and smiling. "Lex" he said kissing her "lunch I'm starving, how did you get on this morning? Thought as it was a nice day we could have lunch outside, come on I found a perfect spot" he said grabbing her hand. "But Arch I want to see what you have been up to all morning."