Page 22 of The Forever Cottage

‘Yes, I thought so. He’s Rob Templeton, right? The guy who trashed his wife’s lover’s car? I thought I recognised him.’

‘Do you know him then?’ asked Tess with an involuntary grimace.

‘No, not personally, but it was the talk around the villages when it happened and it was all over the local press. One of my customers lives a few doors down from him and his wife and she said what a lovely guy he was. Friendly, unassuming and really kind, the type of guy that would do anything for anyone.’ That reassured Tess; it was the impression she had got too. ‘So I think that was why it was such a shock to everyone. It was so out of character. Apparently.’

‘Yes, well I don’t know the ins and outs, but it was obviously a tough time for him and he’s ready to start afresh. He’s staying until he gets back on his feet. I think everyone deserves a second chance in life, don’t you?’

‘I suppose so. Maybe not mass murderers, though?’

‘Rob isn’t a mass murderer. He’s a man who made a mistake. A big mistake, but one he’s paid the price for. Listen, Dilly, I’d be very grateful if you could keep the news about Rob living at Hollyhocks Cottage to yourself. He’s dealt with enough speculation and gossip these last few months. I think he just needs to be left alone to get on with his life now.’

‘Of course,’ said Dilly, placing her forefinger to her mouth. ‘My lips are sealed.’ Although the slight roll of her eyes hinted at her disappointment at not being able to tell her wide range of acquaintances where Rob Templeton was now living. ‘So, how are you going to christen this new look?’ asked Dilly. ‘I’m sorry if I keep looking at you, but I can’t get over the difference it’s made. Really, you should be taken out tonight to a posh restaurant or something. Maybe Rob has something in mind?’ said Dilly with a mischievous, wide-eyed look.

‘Dilly! What did I just say? Really, it’s important to me that people don’t get the wrong impression. So please?—’

‘I was only teasing, honestly.’

‘Good. Besides, I don’t need to go anywhere or impress anyone with my hair because I love it and that’s all that matters. I’ve got to the stage in my life where I realise I don’t have to do things for the benefit of anyone else. It’s all about me now and I feel like a new woman.’

‘That’s good because you look like a new woman, one who’s ready to take on the world. You do realise you’re a member of a not-so-exclusive but an incredibly supportive club now? A group of women who, having sent their kids off into the world to fend for themselves, find themselves alone with an empty nest in middle life. It’s terrifying at first, but exciting and full of opportunities too.’

‘I suppose,’ agreed Tess, sounding downbeat. ‘It’s a club I never really wanted to join, though.’

‘I know, that’s often the case, but you’re a member now whether you like it or not, and take it from me, you’ll grow to love it. I’ve always admired you, Tess. You’re so capable and popular around the village, and I know that you’ll adapt to this next stage in your life just as well. There’s bound to be ups and downs, but think on it as a brand-new start. On those bad days when you wake up and think you can’t go on – we all have them – then you have to remind yourself of all the good things in your life that you’re grateful for: your mum and Hannah, Barney and all your friends. They’d tell you, Tess, you’ve got this, really you have.’

17

‘Nico!’ Tess’s face lit up to see him standing on the doorstep. She’d hesitated over calling him, but then she remembered that he’d been very sincere in his offer to help and she’d thought, why not? Every day was a new challenge in stepping out of her comfort zone and she was doing her best to embrace it. ‘Thanks so much for coming. Come on through.’

If anything, he looked far nicer than she remembered and as he brushed past her, she caught a scent of his aftershave, one she didn’t recognise. She tried to pick out the notes, orange, citrus, bergamot, as the aromas danced around her nostrils, but she couldn’t be entirely sure. It was a distraction that she hadn’t anticipated and took her by surprise.

‘You look well,’ she said, noticing the glow to his skin.

He followed her into the kitchen where she put two glass mugs onto the high-tech coffee maker and pressed a button to set the machine whirring into action.

‘I’ve had a week in Barcelona. Bit of a last-minute thing, but one of the joys of being single and semi-retired is that you can take off when you want to; it’s liberating. And I had a great time. I love the architecture of Barcelona and enjoy visiting museums and art galleries too so there was plenty for me to do. Throw in the cava and the tapas and it made for a pretty good week.’

‘Sounds wonderful,’ said Tess, meaning it, but not being able to imagine a time when she might want to head off on her own to visit another country. Maybe one day, she mused, if the inclination ever took her, although somehow, she couldn’t see it. She was far too content pottering about at home and besides, she had Barney to think of as well.

‘You’re looking great, Tess. The new hairstyle really suits you.’

‘Thanks,’ she said, feeling grateful that Nico had even noticed.

‘So what is it that I can help you with?’ he asked, his expression open and friendly. ‘More bookshelves that need moving?’ He made a show of flexing his muscles.

‘No, nothing like that,’ she said, laughing. Tess indicated for him to take a seat at the kitchen island and she fetched the mugs of coffee, placing his in front of him. ‘I’ve decided that I want to pursue divorce proceedings from Charles.’

‘Okay.’ Nico nodded. ‘That’s understandable…’ He gave a slight tilt of his head. ‘Is that something you feel you want to do now, rather than waiting until the dust has settled a bit?’

‘No, I can see no reason to wait. I want to draw a line under the marriage and move on. All the time we’re still married, it gives Charles the opportunity to wander in and out of my life as he pleases, giving me the benefit of his advice on my entire life: the dog, the house, the company I keep.’

‘Ah yes, and we all know how much Charles likes to give the benefit of his advice, given half the chance,’ said Nico wryly.

‘Exactly. I want to get everything finalised, the paperwork and the finances, so that we can make a clean break.’

Nico nodded.

Tess pressed her lips together, her vulnerability pricking at her skin, grateful to Nico for listening intently, for his understanding and for simply being there. She hadn’t known who else to ask. She knew lots of solicitors in the area by name, had probably met some of them at various business events, but the trouble was they would all know or at least be aware of Charles. She couldn’t take any chances by ringing one of the local solicitors and finding out that she was speaking to a close associate of Charles’s or, God forbid, someone he’d had a flirtation with, even if their professional code of conduct would ensure they would act only in the best interests of her as their client. At least Nico had made it clear that he had no allegiance to Charles and from what he’d said, or rather what he hadn’t said, she suspected he wasn’t Charles’s biggest fan.

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