Chapter 28
Tess peered out of the windows of the orangery, captivated by the wild, stormy weather currently battering the garden.
The wind howled against the cottage, and the heavy rain running through the gutters and splattering onto the ground was loud and insistent.
It wasn’t a total surprise, the local news had warned of the impending storm, named Harold, and she was only pleased that she didn’t have to go anywhere, relieved that she could curl up on the sofa with a blanket over her legs.
Hannah had gone to stay with Billy in London for the night, so Tess had the place to herself with only Barney to worry about.
She’d already taken him out in the garden and now he was curled up in a tight ball on the chair, studiously ignoring the mayhem outside.
At the same time, she had taken the precaution of moving any empty flowerpots and tools to inside the shed, as Rob had told her to do.
‘I’m just heading off to my parents’ place.
Mum’s invited me round for dinner,’ he’d told her.
‘I think she wants me to make sure everything in their garden is secured. Are you sure you’ll be okay?
Just put away anything that might be swept up by the storm.
Do you want me to come and give you a hand before I go? ’
‘No, really, I’ll be absolutely fine. There’s not a lot to tidy anyway.’
‘Well give me a call if there are any problems. And I’ll come and see you tomorrow. Missing you!’
Now Tess pulled the blinds closed, attempting to shut out the howling of the wind, not that it made a great deal of difference.
Still, it didn’t matter. She would make herself a mug of indulgent hot chocolate and then retreat to the snug, where she would immerse herself in a new two-hour crime drama on television.
It was that kind of night and with whatever was going on outside, the low lighting from the side lamps and a couple of strategically placed candles created a warm and cosy atmosphere inside.
Just then, there was a heavy rapping on the front door which caused Barney to look up and give a warning bark.
Who would be out on a night like this? she wondered, only the slightest sliver of alarm running down her spine.
She peered out the front window and spotted an unfamiliar car in the drive.
There was that knocking on the door again.
Whoever they were, they were clearly impatient.
With her hand poised on the handle of the door, ready to open it, she paused a moment.
‘Who is it?’
‘Oh hello, thank goodness.’ A woman’s voice. ‘I wonder if you can help me?’
Tess pulled open the door to find a lady of a similar age to Tess being buffeted against the wind, holding her hat down with one hand to prevent it from blowing away. In the other hand, she held up one of Tess’s business cards.
‘I’ve just been into the pub and they said that you might be able to help me out with some accommodation. Do you have a spare room by any chance? I’ve tried a couple of hotels on the way, but they’ve all been completely full.’
‘Oh, okay. Come in out of the rain for a moment,’ said Tess, quickly ushering the woman inside. ‘It looks absolutely wild out there.’
The unexpected visitor had thrown her somewhat, but wasn’t this exactly what she had signed up to do?
There was a moment’s panic when she tried to remember what condition she’d left the annexe in, but with it being out of bounds to Hannah and Barney, she knew it would be exactly as she had left it.
Calm, cosy and welcoming. Perfect for this stranger looking for a bed for the night.
‘I’m sure we can help you out.’
‘Thank you so much.’ The woman’s relief was palpable.
‘I’m Anita, by the way. I was meant to be driving home to Lincolnshire but I’ve already come across a couple of fallen trees and I’m not a great night-time driver as it is.
’ Tess understood entirely; she felt the same way, especially along an unfamiliar route.
‘I don’t want to chance it on the roads; I’d find it far too stressful.
Better to wait until the morning, when I can at least see where I’m going. ’
‘Don’t worry, you can stay in the garden retreat. I’m Tess. Come with me, and I’ll show you the accommodation.’
Picking the keys up from the box in the kitchen, and shutting Barney into the orangery, she led the way to the back door and as soon as she opened it, they were assaulted by the tempestuous weather, the wind and rain not letting up at all. The outside lights flooded on, much to Tess’s relief.
‘Don’t worry, it’s not very far,’ she called over her shoulder, although even in that short distance, they managed to get soaked through, especially when Tess struggled with the key in the door.
She wiped her forearm across her face, mopping up the rain.
‘Ah, here we are. Let me put the heating on. It soon warms up. Come on through.’
The lights flickered on in the lodge and Anita gave a gasp of approval.
‘This is ideal. You’re a lifesaver, Tess. I can see I’m going to be very comfortable for the night. I can’t thank you enough.’
‘It’s my pleasure. You should have everything you need here.
There’s extra blankets in the chest, but if there’s anything else I can help with, just let me know.
My phone number is on the card so you won’t have to brave the elements again.
I will fetch you some fresh milk and what about something to eat?
I don’t normally provide dinner, but I could certainly rustle up a sandwich or I’ve got some home-made leek and potato soup if you’d prefer something warm.
Or…’ Tess pondered on her words for a moment. ‘How about both?’
‘That would be great, if I’m not putting you to too much trouble. I’ve just realised how hungry I am.’
‘Not at all. Leave it with me,’ said Tess with a smile, as she left and dashed back to the cottage.
This was a turn-up for the books, but at least it had shown her the importance of keeping the annexe fresh and tidy for any unexpected guests.
And Tess was in her element looking after people, so she wasn’t in the least bit put out by having to provide supper for her visitor.
After delivering the food to Anita, she returned to the comfort of the orangery, and seeing the glow of light from the annexe gave her a warm feeling, knowing that she’d helped someone out in their hour of need, especially now that the storm was picking up in its ferocity.
She was about to retire to bed a couple of hours later when she heard an almighty crash outside that stopped her in her tracks as she climbed the stairs.
She startled, the wind rattling the old timber-framed windows with even more force now.
Before she’d even turned to go back down the stairs, there was an urgent knocking on the back door which filled her chest with doom.
‘Hi, sorry.’ It was the second time Tess had opened the door to an anxious-looking Anita tonight.
‘The fence has fallen over; it fell onto the lodge and gave me the shock of my life. I went outside to see what had happened and the wind almost took me off my feet and has ripped the door off one of its hinges. I can’t shut it properly now and there’s rain coming through the gap. Do you have a bucket?’
‘Oh good grief! Come in. Let me go and take a look. You stay here.’
Tess grabbed her waterproof jacket this time, tying the hood tightly around her chin, and braced herself to meet the elements outside.
The conditions had worsened since earlier and the rain fell in horizontal sheets, pushing her sideways as she battled to reach the annexe.
Her heart sank as she could immediately see the damage caused by the storm.
Two panels of the perimeter fence were down, and the door to the annexe was swinging back and forth, lopsided now, looking as though it was hanging on by a thread.
‘Maybe if I go inside the lodge and you lift the door and push it from the outside then we might be able to get it to stay in place for the night.’
‘Oh Anita.’ Tess turned, not realising her guest had followed her outside, and while Tess was protected partly from the rain by her hooded coat, poor Anita had only a sweat top and jeans on, her wet hair clung to the sides of her face, and rain fell in a continuous trickle down the length of her nose.
‘You shouldn’t be out here. Quickly, let’s get you back inside the cottage. ’
They turned around and hurried back indoors and Tess gave Anita a fresh towel to dry herself down, before rushing upstairs and rifling through her chest of drawers. When she found what she was looking for, she went back downstairs again.
‘You’ll need to get out of those wet clothes before you catch your death of cold.
Here’s some clean pyjamas and a jumper, if you need them.
’ Tess suspected that Anita had only the clothes she was standing in as her overnight stay wasn’t scheduled.
‘There’s a guest bedroom upstairs that you can use. ’
‘Are you sure?’ said Anita, looking immensely relieved at the suggestion.
‘Absolutely. There’s no way you can go back into the annexe tonight. Right, let’s get you warmed up. What would you like: a hot chocolate or a cup of tea?’ said Tess, suspecting she might be in for a long and worrisome night.