Chapter 10 #2
‘Yes, but as a parent, you always worry, however old they might be. From what I know of Hannah, she’s independent and determined, so anything you say is probably not going to change her mind.
What is important is that she knows that you’re there for her, in whatever decisions she makes. That’s all that matters.’
Tess nodded, grateful for Rob’s wise words.
It was true. The dynamic in their relationship had changed, but that was only to be expected as Hannah stepped out towards a more independent life.
Talking with Charles about their daughter only ended up in an argument.
He still believed that she was the little girl who hung onto his every word and idolised her father.
Tess suspected that he was finding the transition much harder than she was.
‘This is very good, by the way,’ said Tess, savouring each mouthful of the lasagne. It was every bit as delicious as it promised to be and the flavours of courgette, peppers, sweet potato and tomatoes, covered in an unctuous cheesy sauce, tingled on her taste buds.
‘Thanks. One of the kids’ favourites so I’m glad you like it too.’
‘How are they?’ asked Tess, helping herself to a chunk of bread from the basket.
‘Good! Thanks. I can’t believe Josh is in Year 13 now. It’s gone by so quickly. He’s got some uni visits upcoming, so that’s pretty exciting. And Issy’s not far behind him. She’ll be taking her GCSEs at the end of this year. Soon, they’ll be off doing their own thing.’
‘Well, if they’re anything like Hannah, they’ll go and then they’ll come back.
Several times,’ she said with a smile. It seemed like the ideal opportunity to ask about Jennifer, but as the question hovered on her tongue, something stopped her.
Surely, if he wanted her to know, then he would have volunteered the information.
A kernel of irritation weaved its way through her body.
She might have expected him to explain fully what had happened the other day, now that he had the opportunity, especially as it had brought an abrupt end to their own arrangements.
‘After everything we’ve been through, as a family, these last couple of years, I’m just relieved that they’re doing okay. As a parent, you want to do the right thing by your kids, for them to be happy.’
Did she detect a hint of regret from Rob? And what did he mean, exactly, by doing the right thing by his children?
‘Absolutely.’ She filled the momentary pause with the question burning on her lips.
‘So what’s happening with Jennifer? I hope she managed to sort out her problems with Jack.
’ She kept her tone light, breezy, as though the answer to the question was inconsequential to her when in fact, the opposite was true.
Rob sighed and ran a hand through his close-cut, dark hair.
‘No, unfortunately. Looks like they’ve split for good.
’ He shook his head and puffed out his cheeks.
‘She found out that Jack was more of a workaholic than I was, that he has a short temper and his moods are mercurial to say the least. I could have told her all those things, and I think I probably did, but would she listen to me? No, she had to find out the hard way, for herself.’
Unusually, she heard a note of bitterness in his voice and suspected the failure of his wife’s new relationship had affected him more than he was letting on, causing him to revisit old emotions that he’d tried so hard to overcome.
‘Oh…’ she said, so many questions forming in her head, but she was unable to voice any of them as Rob was determined to brush the subject aside.
‘Anyway, let’s not talk about that,’ he said, placing a hand on her knee.
‘It’s taken up too much of my headspace this week as it is.
’ He shook his head as if to get rid of the thoughts, before turning to her with a warm smile.
‘How have you been? Are you ready for your first guests in The Garden Retreat?’
‘Yes, it’s all ready and waiting. I keep going out to check how it looks, trying to imagine it through a stranger’s eyes, and, fingers crossed, it’s as perfect as it’s going to be. I’ll give it a last-minute spruce-up just before they arrive, but otherwise, I think we’re good to go.’
‘Well, I’m actually quite envious of those people, seeing it for the first time. The annexe at Hollyhocks Cottage will always hold a special place in my heart.’ His deep blue eyes latched onto hers as he laid the flat of his palm onto his chest.
‘And word seems to be spreading already,’ she said, ignoring the wave of emotion his comment evoked.
‘We have a new guy in the village who’s just moved into The Old Post Office.
Dilly mentioned that she’d met him, and you know Dilly, she was smitten from the start.
His name’s Michael; he’s an architect and a bit of a silver fox. ’
‘Ah, is that right? I remember a time when she was smitten with me. It’s obviously a case of out of sight, out of mind,’ he said with an exaggerated sigh.
‘Never. Dilly is still your biggest fan, and if I hadn’t snapped you up for myself when I did, then who knows where you might be now. Sitting here with Dilly instead.’
‘Now, stop right there.’ Rob held up a hand, his eyes wide.
‘I love Dilly, you know that, but only ever as a friend. Her chaotic energy is delightful, in small doses, but I think she might drive me to distraction if I were to spend any length of time with her,’ he said with a chuckle.
‘Besides, I only had eyes for one person at the time. Even if I wasn’t in the market for a romantic relationship. ’
Tess smiled, her gaze hooking onto his.
‘I don’t think either of us was.’ It had taken them both by surprise, swept up by the moment, leaning on each other when they were both in need of a friendly ear.
Now she wondered if their connection had been heightened because of their emotional vulnerability at the time and now that they’d moved on, in their individual ways, perhaps they weren’t so reliant on each other in the same way.
Brushing those thoughts aside, she continued.
‘Anyway, I bumped into Michael the other day. He has a very friendly dog called Monty, who took a liking to Barney, so I took him on one of our favourite walks over in the woods. He seems like a nice guy. Someone must have told him about the annexe because he asked if I had any availability over Christmas. He’s popping round next week to take a look and to hopefully book some dates in. ’
‘What did I tell you? Word of mouth is always the best recommendation. Although I’m not sure I like the sound of this silver-fox fella.
’ Rob narrowed his eyes and his brow crumpled in mock disconcertion.
‘He’s already turned Dilly’s head. I hope he doesn’t have intentions of doing the same to you.
’ He was teasing her, his blue eyes shining mischievously, making her toes curl.
She gave a careless shrug, neither confirming nor denying the possibility.
Tess could understand why Dilly might be so enamoured by Michael, what with his strong bone structure, lean build and nice smile, but Tess wasn’t attracted to him in the same way.
She had warmed to his personality and was pleased to welcome the newcomer to the village, but only in a platonic, friendly way.
Funny how since she’d met Rob, she’d only had eyes for him too.
‘He told me he’s been single for years, ever since his wife died.
I don’t think he’s looking for a relationship. ’
‘Phew, well that’s a relief.’ Rob swiped his forearm across his brow dramatically.
‘I would hate to lose you when I’ve only just found you,’ he said, fixing her with a probing stare.
‘Now, I didn’t get round to making a pudding, but I did pick up a salted caramel cheesecake from the local farm shop. How does that sound?’
‘Hugely calorific, but far too enticing to resist.’
‘Great, that’s what I hoped you might say. Let me go and see to it then.’
Tess smiled, enjoying being waited on by Rob, appreciating the effort and care he’d put into preparing supper.
Despite her head having been filled with anxieties about their relationship, wondering if the closeness between them had shifted, spending time in Rob’s company had allowed those concerns to flitter off into the distance.
It was always the same. Rob had the ability to take her out of herself and guide her into a different headspace, making her feel lighter, happier, and able to fully immerse herself in the moment.
She picked up the bowls with the remaining salad and bread and followed Rob out into the kitchen.
‘Thank you.’ He took the dishes from her and placed them onto the worktop, the kitchen resembling a disaster area. He caught her surreptitious glance around the room. ‘Please don’t judge,’ he said, with a comical grimace.
‘I wouldn’t dare,’ she said, laughing with him, resisting the urge to roll up her sleeves and clear stuff away.
‘It’s nothing that won’t keep until later. Tomorrow, even. There’s more important things for tonight.’ He rested his hands on her shoulders and leaned forward to kiss her on the lips. ‘Pudding, for starters!’
They wandered back into the living room and ate the decadently rich cheesecake, both of them indecently full after finishing every last morsel on their plates.
‘That was delicious and a proper treat to be cooked for. Thank you. I’m not used to someone waiting on me, hand and foot, but I could definitely get accustomed to it.’
‘Well, I aim to please.’
They were sitting beside each other on the small sofa and Rob had turned his body towards her, reaching a hand up to trace a finger through her hair that fell onto her face. ‘You will stay tonight, won’t you?’
She had done so on other occasions when Rob had cooked for her, but she hadn’t assumed it as a given, especially not this evening, not knowing how events would unfold between them.
Even so, she had taken the precaution of popping her overnight bag in the boot of her car.
Just in case. Now, the last thing she wanted to do was to call a taxi as she’d had too many glasses of wine to drive.
Hannah would still be entertaining Billy and she would have to slip inside and make polite conversation, when all she wanted to do was to head to bed and unwind.
Her prolonged musing was interrupted by Rob, whose expectant expression told her he was waiting patiently for an answer, his gaze running over her face.
She locked eyes with him and smiled, wondering why she was questioning everything, when really, if the last six months had taught her anything, it was to seize the moment.
And in this moment, there was nowhere else she would really rather be.
‘Please…? I’d love you to, but only if you want to, of course. No pressure.’
‘There’s nothing I’d like more,’ she said, leaning forward, meeting his lips with her own and falling into his embrace.