Page 21 of The Forever Cottage

‘I know, but it’s cathartic to talk about it, don’t you think? Especially to someone who never knew you as part of that couple. It’s freeing and therapeutic.’

‘You’re right. I do appreciate that.’ All her friends and family had their own perspectives on Charles and Tess’s marriage, what he had done and how she should react, so it was refreshing to chat with Rob, who came at it from a different angle. Like her, he was the injured party, even if they had both reacted to the break-up of their respective marriages in very different ways. She turned to look at his strong profile, grateful for his presence at her side, as they sat surveying the garden scene, comfortable in each other’s company.

‘Thanks for the tea,’ he said, jumping up from the bench. ‘I’ll make a start on these lawns.’

She watched him as he strode off in the direction of the shed at the far end of the garden. Dressed all in black, in jeans and a short-sleeved t-shirt, she reckoned he was about six foot two tall, his strong, athletic build making him seem more youthful than his forty-nine years. He might be a good five years younger than her, but she’d sensed a connection with him from the moment they first met, even before she’d got to know his backstory. Perhaps it was because she’d been so vulnerable in that moment and Rob’s appearance had taken her mind off Charles and Melody, who had been acting like love’s young dream. Who knew the reason why, but it had been instinctive and she was glad that Rob had come into her life, and that she was able to help him out through a difficult period.

Now, she brought her attention back to the moment, smiling as Barney stuck close to Rob’s side, eager to be involved in the action. Every now and then, Rob would bend over to satisfy the dog’s demands for attention, the pair of them having made their own bond already. She could just imagine what Gina and Suzy might say when they eventually found out about Tess’s house guest; they would chastise her for not telling them sooner, then they would caution her for allowing someone she barely knew into her safe space, and then they might swoon over him when they finally got to meet him, for he was undeniably a handsome man. There was no doubting that, as her gaze ran over his frame as he wielded the lawn mower with authority.

As for Charles, she’d already seen his reaction to her house visitor, and that was with him only knowing half the story. Hannah and Marjorie would only worry, thinking that Tess’s head had been turned by a handsome younger man, when in reality, nothing was further from the truth. Rob and Tess had formed a friendship of sorts, born out of their shared experience, a new friendship that would help them both as they navigated a different path in life. If the people in her life couldn’t understand her relationship with Rob, then that was their problem. She looked across at him and gave him a wave as he made short work of restoring the stripes in her lawn, Barney padding along at his side.

Her dog had always been a good judge of character and Barney seemed to adore Rob, so as far as she was concerned, his opinion was the only one that mattered right now.

16

‘Now, if I say so myself, it looks amazing. It’s taken at least ten years off you. What do you think?’

Tess surveyed her reflection in the mirror with Dilly standing behind her, running a hand through her newly coiffed locks. She had to admit her neighbour had worked such a miracle on her appearance that she hardly recognised the woman staring back at her. Her previously crispy, slightly greying hair had been lifted with some subtle honey-blonde highlights and cut into flattering choppy layers which framed her face. Somehow, the new colour had brought a light and radiance to her skin which complemented the hazel tone to her eyes.

‘I love it,’ said Tess, laughing. ‘I barely recognise myself. Honestly, Dilly, I can’t thank you enough.’

‘It’s my pleasure. I’ve been dying to get my hands on your hair for ages, and now we’ve got it into some kind of shape, it’ll be easier to maintain and manage going forward. There’ll be no excuses now. We’ll get you booked in for another appointment in eight weeks’ time.’

‘Great!’ Tess felt she had no option but to go along with Dilly’s suggestion. ‘How much do I owe you?’ she asked, picking up her handbag to pull out her purse.

Dilly put up a hand to stop her. ‘This one’s on me. Think on it as my gift to you in this new stage in your life.’

‘Thank you.’ Tess turned and gave Dilly an impromptu hug. ‘Well, in that case, you must come to mine for lunch very soon.’ It was way overdue, but then Tess was learning that it was never too late to start afresh in so many aspects of her life.

It was funny to think that this small hairdressing studio, a side extension on Dilly’s cottage, had been there for several years, apparently. Dilly told her she used it only a couple of days a week for her long-standing customers from the village, reserving one day a week to visit other clients in their own homes, those who were older and immobile, or who couldn’t make it to her salon for whatever reason. Probably the reason Dilly had her ear to the ground on all the local gossip.

It was the first time Tess had been inside Dilly’s house and it revealed so much about her personality. The order and clean lines of the studio contrasted against the bohemian charms of the cottage which was filled with floral prints and designs, colourful jugs containing fresh flowers, and books and magazines left invitingly on wooden chests that doubled up as side tables.

‘Come and sit in the living room,’ said Dilly. ‘I’ll make us a coffee. It’s so lovely to have you here,’ she enthused, seeming genuinely excited. ‘Here, let me move that.’ She picked up a hessian tote bag that was overflowing with wool and a multi-striped blanket, on the needle, which she tucked inside the bag, before putting it down on the floor.

Tess’s gaze travelled around the room, which was long and narrow and led into the galley kitchen. It was probably less than half the size of the one in Hollyhocks Cottage, but it was cosy and welcoming, with a wood-burning stove in the old brick fireplace with a basket of logs on one side and a basket of large pinecones on the other.

‘Thank you.’ Tess took the mug offered by Dilly. ‘You’ve got a lovely place here. It’s deceptive from the outside because it looks small and quaint, but it’s actually airy and spacious inside.’

‘I like it,’ she said with a hint of pride. ‘When the outside world gets too much for me, I can close my front door and forget about everything else. Curl up with a book, or do some baking or crocheting. It’s the simple pleasures that see you through.’

‘I know that feeling,’ said Tess. ‘I do the same, although I didn’t realise you were a crafter too.’

It struck Tess that she had more in common with Dilly than she had ever realised. They both liked their own space and time, and most of all enjoyed pottering about at home.

‘Obviously sometimes, I get lonely. Normally at bank holidays or weekends when it seems that everyone else in the world has plans and you’re the only one with nothing to do, but I’ve learned to enjoy those times now. I make sure I have some treats in store for myself. A film to watch, a good book to read, something nice to eat. That way, it feels like I’ve made a conscious decision to do those things, rather than the day just slipping away from me.’

Tess felt a pang of regret for all those occasions over the years when they’d had get-togethers at the cottage, lunchtime drinks, dinner parties, and afternoon teas. Happy, uplifting occasions where the sound of animated chatter and laughter would have drifted over the fence into Dilly’s garden. They hadn’t intended to deliberately exclude her, but they’d been guilty of viewing Dilly as an annoying, overbearing neighbour when, in fact, the last few weeks had proved her to be the opposite.

‘I’m still getting used to being on my own. It’s weird, having been married for all those years and putting other people first before my own needs, to now have only myself to worry about.’

‘Well,’ said Dilly, with a familiar glint in her eye. ‘Of course, you’re not entirely on your own, are you? I noticed that you have a visitor. Someone staying with you? A tall, good-looking guy?’

Tess gave a tight smile; she might have known she could get nothing past Dilly.

‘Oh, you mean Rob. He’s a friend. I’m just helping him out for a couple of months. He’s staying in the annexe. In fact, I barely know he’s there. He’s out for most of the day, and he’s very quiet around the place.’

Dilly nodded, biding her time.

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