Chapter 13
‘Is this a bad time?’
Tess opened the back door to find her friend Suzy standing on the threshold with a tentative smile on her face, looking effortlessly stylish in grey flannel trousers teamed with a pale-pink, soft knit jumper.
‘Not at all! It’s the perfect time.’ She stepped forward to welcome her in a hug. ‘Come along in. I was about to pop the kettle on anyway. How are you?’
Suzy followed Tess into the kitchen at Hollyhocks and took a seat at the island, exhaling a sigh.
‘I’m fine. Well, I should be fine. Only I’ve had a bit of a wobble this morning.
’ She pressed her lips together and gave a shrug.
‘It’s funny; I thought I would relish having time to myself, now I’m working only two days a week, but it’s taking some getting used to.
Oh, hello there, Barney,’ she said, giving into the demands of the dog, who was insistent on some petting.
‘Some days, I don’t know what to do with myself.
Like this morning. I woke early – I can’t seem to shake that habit either – I made myself some breakfast, read some of my book, answered my emails, looked at my watch and it was still only eight o’clock.
Outside, it was tipping it down with rain and I thought, what on earth am I going to do with the rest of the day?
I knew I just had to get out of the house. ’
‘Well, you came to the right place. You’re always welcome round here whenever you’re feeling at a loose end.’
‘I thought you’d say that, and that’s why I’m here. You’re a lifesaver, and I’m very grateful. I feel a bit more human just being here, but I’m going to have to find a better way of dealing with these moments.’
‘You’ll adjust. It’s a big change so it’s bound to take some getting used to.’
‘Honestly, Tess, I’ve got to this age, and suddenly, after being so busy for years, bringing up the boys, and working at the school, it’s as though I don’t know who I am any more.
What am I supposed to do with all this time I have now?
I’ve been looking forward to this for so long, but the reality is much scarier than I ever imagined. ’
Tess placed a mug of coffee in front of Suzy and a hand on her shoulder, giving her a gentle squeeze.
‘Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You don’t have to fill every moment of the day. You can simply stop, smell the coffee and take time to decide what it is you want to do with your life.’
Suzy’s face crumpled in disbelief.
‘I’m not sure if I even know how to do that. My life has been structured for so long that not knowing where I should be and what I should be doing at,’ she glanced at her watch, ‘eleven o’clock on a Tuesday morning sends me into a complete panic.’
Tess understood entirely how Suzy might be feeling.
She’d been friends with her long enough to know that Suzy thrived on routine, on being in control, and not stepping out of her comfort zone.
Even her mousey-brown hair, now naturally lightened with a few strands of silver, had been worn in the same style, a short pixie cut that framed her fine delicate features, ever since Tess had known her.
‘You’ll get the hang of it, I promise. In a matter of no time, you’ll be able to while away the hours, like me, and you’ll get to the end of the day and wonder what you’ve done all day.’
Tess could see the tension and anxiety escape from Suzy’s tightly held shoulders as she took a sip from her mug of coffee and relaxed into her chair.
It pleased Tess no end because she knew the kitchen at Hollyhocks had an innate ability to wrap its warmth and charm around you, making you feel immediately at ease.
‘That’s what I’m striving for. I’ve always looked at you and Gina and been in awe of how you both seem to have found the perfect balance in your lives.’
‘Really?’ said Tess doubtfully.
‘Yes, I admire how you seem to have it all worked out. You have a great family life, even without Charles, a new love interest in Rob, your voluntary work at the library, your passion for cooking and gardening, and now a new venture with your garden annexe. Oh, and Barney as well, of course,’ she added with a chuckle.
‘I’m not sure you should hold me up as a beacon of having it all.
Although…’ She tilted her head to one side, contemplating her own situation, and how it might be viewed though her friend’s eyes.
Her gaze drifted around her and out through the wooden windows onto the gardens, appreciating the sanctuary of her beautiful cottage and its surrounds, something she would never take for granted, especially when she had wondered if she might lose the house when she first split with Charles.
Thankfully, a financial agreement had been agreed in principle with Charles which meant she would get to keep the home that she had always loved in the divorce settlement which hopefully would be finalised sometime next year.
Staying at Hollyhocks meant that everything else was manageable as far as she was concerned.
‘I must admit, I’ve got to this point in my life and realise I’m probably as happy now as I’ve ever been.
’ Saying the words aloud felt empowering.
‘Despite everything that’s gone on this year, I’ve found a new kind of contentment and that’s come from accepting the person I am – not Charles’s wife, or Hannah’s mother, or Marjorie’s daughter, but my own person. It will be the same for you, Suzy.’
‘Do you think?’
‘Yes, I know it will. You’ve been entirely focused on bringing up the boys and giving your all to your job.
Understandably. Now it’s time to concentrate on yourself.
To discover what it is that you want to do, to satisfy the person you are beneath the surface.
Don’t look on it as a scary proposition but instead, feel excited about what’s to come. ’
‘You know if the B & B doesn’t work out, then you would have a great future as a life coach,’ Suzy said with a kindly smile.
Tess laughed. ‘Well, advice to my friends will always come free and from the heart, even when you don’t necessarily want to hear it.’
Just then, the doorbell rang and Suzy gave a questioning glance.
‘Are you expecting someone? I can make a move, if you are?’
‘No, and even if I was, I’d want you to stay. You’ve only just got here and there’s still so much to catch up on. It’s probably a delivery for Hannah. Honestly, sometimes, I feel as though I could get a job in Goods Inwards somewhere, the amount of packages I sign for every week.’
Laughing, Tess went off to answer the front door.
‘Oh, hello!’ Suzy would have heard the surprise in Tess’s voice from the kitchen.
‘Hey, I hope this is not a bad time, but I thought I’d better return this to Dilly.
’ Michael was holding a cake tin aloft. ‘I wasn’t sure which one was her property, so thought I’d come and have look at the accommodation while I’m here, if that’s okay with you, and then you can point me in the right direction. ’
‘Of course, let me take that from you. I’ll just grab the keys.
’ Mouthing to Suzy that she wouldn’t be long, she led the way out to the annexe.
Thank goodness she’d had a thorough clean-up after Hannah’s impromptu party the other evening.
Opening up the doors to the charming wooden structure nestled in the garden, Tess felt a surge of pride.
With the light flooding in through the windows, it was welcoming and homely.
‘It’s fully equipped with everything I hope people might need for a short break.
There’s a kettle and a microwave, but I can provide cooked breakfasts, packed lunches and afternoon teas, if that is something required.
I’m very flexible so I will encourage visitors to ask for anything that isn’t immediately available.
’ Tess clasped her hands in front of her, hoping she was striking the right note, not wanting to sound desperate, but keen to show off the annexe in its best possible light.
‘This is ideal,’ said Michael with a warm smile, his gaze running around the room. ‘You’ve done a great job. It’s very inviting and relaxing and would be entirely suitable for my friends if I could get them booked in for a couple of days after Christmas.’
‘Absolutely! I’d be delighted to host them. Come over to the house and I’ll jot down the details, then I can get the confirmation sent over to you.’
On the way out, Michael hesitated, his attention taken by the painting of Hollyhocks on the wall.
‘Did you paint this?’ he asked, turning towards her.
‘No. A friend of mine, Rob, painted it. He stayed here for a few weeks over the summer and this was his parting gift. Isn’t he talented?’
Michael nodded his agreement.
‘Does he take commissions, do you know? I’m thinking it might be nice to get something similar done for The Old Post Office. To mark the beginning of this new chapter in my life.’
‘I can certainly ask him. I know he’s keen to do more painting, mostly for his own amusement, but I’m pretty sure he’d be delighted to help, if he can.’
Tess had already suggested to Rob that he could sell his artwork, he was that talented, and he hadn’t been totally opposed to the idea.