Page 27 of The Forever Cottage

‘So, what was it that you wanted to ask me?’

‘Oh yes, that! Well it’s a favour, actually.’

‘Ask away,’ he said, with a warm expression.

‘Well, I’m going away, next weekend, just for three nights, and I wondered if you might look after Barney in my absence? That’s if you haven’t got any other plans?’

‘Of course, that’s no problem at all. I’ll be here anyway, and it will be good to have some company on my walks, won’t it, Barney?’

Barney immediately went to Rob’s side, looking up with doleful eyes and a waggy tail, thinking he might be in line for a crust of bread.

‘Thanks. I’ll let you know what he has food wise, and where the treats are kept; in fact, it’s all in the cupboard there, by the window, but it will be a weight off my mind knowing he can stay at home and his routine won’t be completely upended.’

‘We can get some work done in the garden, and Barney has taken to wandering into my room as he pleases so he’ll be perfectly happy and well looked after. You’ll have no need to worry. If there are any other jobs you want me to do while you’re away, then let me know. I know you mentioned you wanted to change the colour of the front door. I’m a dab hand with a paintbrush.’

Tess laughed, relieved that Rob was so accommodating.

‘Where are you off to then? Anywhere nice?’ he asked now.

‘Annecy in France. With my best friends. It’s a bit of a last-minute thing. Gina was meant to go with her partner, but they’ve recently split up – there must be something in the water around these parts – so Suzy and I are going along in his place. We’ve been friends since the children were small so it should be fun, a proper girls’ holiday. I’m looking forward to it.’

‘Well, go and have the best time ever and I’ll take care of things here,’ said Rob, and Tess couldn’t help thinking how grateful she was that Rob had come into her life. She might be doing him a big favour by providing a roof over his head for a couple of months, but he’d repaid that favour already by helping out around the place, agreeing to look after Barney, and most of all for being a good support and listener. She was hopeful that when Rob did move on, they would keep in touch because she considered him a friend and she didn’t like the idea that he might only be a temporary presence in her life.

20

‘You will be okay, won’t you? Because really, I don’t have to go. I mean, it’s only for three nights and there’ll be other occasions when I can go.’

‘Darling Tess, whatever are you talking about? I shall be very cross if you don’t decide to go. When was the last time you went away? I certainly can’t remember. What on earth do you expect to happen to me in that time? Am I really looking that ill?’

‘No, not at all. It’s not you, it’s me.’

In fairness, Marjorie looked brighter and stronger every time Tess saw her these days. Now returned to her favourite armchair in her room at the care home, the newspaper resting on the arm of the seat, a vase of summer blooms on the windowsill beside her, you could be mistaken for thinking that Marjorie was fully recovered from her recent illness. It was only because Tess knew her mum’s features so intimately that she noticed the translucency of her skin, and the deepening of the laughter lines around her mouth and eyes portraying a fragility which was noticeable in her every movement.

‘You know I worry about you.’

‘Well there’s no need! I’m fine. Just elderly. And I can’t do anything about that, but I’m not just going to roll over and accept my fate. I’m determined to get better even if it might take a little longer than it once did. I’m well looked after here, as you know, and if there should be any problem then you know the girls here would contact you. Now stop fussing. It’s becoming tiresome.’

‘Sorry, Mum. I suppose I’m finding excuses not to go!’ Tess laughed rather too loudly. ‘My head’s been all over the place these last couple of months.’

‘Well, that’s hardly surprising with everything you’ve had going on. But you need to take some time out for yourself. You’ve spent far too long looking after and worrying about Charles, Hannah and now me. It’s time to look after yourself. You’re going to love this trip, and you never know, it might stir a wanderlust within you.’

Tess wasn’t so sure about that. She was certain she would enjoy herself once she got there, Gina and Suzy would see to that, but she couldn’t see herself taking regular trips abroad. She was far too much of a homebird for that.

‘Anyway, tell me how Hannah is getting along. Have you heard from her recently? I sent her a text, but she said she’d get back to me when she had better reception. Where on earth is she now? Is she right out in the sticks?’

‘I think she’s been poorly and she probably didn’t want to worry you. She picked up some sickness bug which knocked her sideways. They found a hostel to stay in and I don’t think they moved for over a week, but I spoke to her yesterday and she tells me she’s feeling better now. Billy’s been taking very good care of her, apparently.’

‘Aw, poor love, there’s nothing worse than feeling ill when you’re away from home, but thank goodness for Billy, eh? I do miss seeing her sunny face popping around the door, hearing what she’s been up to and the sound of her laughter tinkling around the room.’

‘Me too. I can’t wait to give her a hug. I miss feeling her in my arms, but I suppose it’s all part of being a mum, isn’t it? Letting them go, allowing them to find their own path in life.’ Tess sounded wistful.

‘It’s not as though we’ve lost her forever. She’ll be back in a couple of months and when she is, it will be all the more special, so that’s why you need to make the most of the free time you have now.’

‘It’s a strange feeling not having to think about Charles, or Hannah all the time she’s away. I keep thinking I’ve forgotten something. As though there’s something missing. It might take some adjusting to this new state of being single.’

‘You’ll get used to it, darling. And you’ll come to appreciate the freedom and opportunities it brings. Believe you me, a few more months and your life with Charles will be a hazy memory.’

‘Oh, it’s already going that way. He’s been annoying me immensely. I think when it first happened, I was consumed with hurt and disbelief, but now whenever I see him, he just ends up irritating me and I can’t wait to see the back of him. That’s why I’ve started putting feelers out to get the divorce underway.’

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