Chapter 29
Tess got barely any sleep as she lay awake, anxious, her ears straining to listen to the ominous noises of the storm, her mind imagining all sorts of dreadful scenarios.
At least Anita was happily settled in the guest room and hopefully unwinding after her unexpectedly eventful evening.
Once Anita had gone to bed, Tess had ventured outside again.
She did so reluctantly, worried that a loose roof tile or a broken branch might hit her, so she wrapped one arm around her head, just in case.
There was nothing she could do tonight, but she wanted to see if she could temporarily secure that door so that it didn’t come flying off completely, causing even more damage.
With the wind and rain still doing its worst, she managed, with all her brute force, to lift the door and push it back into place, in the way Anita had suggested.
It was by no means a permanent solution and it looked pretty precarious, as though it might fall off again at any moment, but it was the best she could do in the circumstances.
She only hoped it would last through the night.
Back in the kitchen, she texted Dilly to let her know what had happened, telling her, in no uncertain terms, not to go outdoors until the storm had subsided.
It was too dangerous. Although, she suspected Dilly might have slept through the whole ordeal because otherwise, she was certain she would have heard from her by now, wanting to know how she could help.
As she lay in bed with the events of the evening running through her head, she contemplated whether she could have done anything more to minimise the damage.
The fence was in good condition, they’d had it redone about five years ago, but she hadn’t checked it lately, and as for the annexe door, it was in perfect working order so she had no reason to believe that it might come off its hinges so easily.
As much as she tried to rationalise what had happened, she couldn’t help feeling sad and guilty that Anita had experienced such a disappointing time at The Garden Retreat.
Tess suspected she wouldn’t be rushing to return any time soon.
Eventually, she must have drifted off to sleep because when she awoke the following morning, she was relieved that she could no longer hear the wind howling around the cottage.
She leapt out of bed and peered through the window that overlooked the front garden.
It was still raining, but only lightly, but remnants of the storm were clearly visible all around.
Broken branches littered the front lawn, along with several plastic plant pots which must have come from neighbouring gardens.
Piles of brown leaves had formed into large heaps and there was even what looked to be a trampoline cover hanging forlornly from a bush.
Tess sighed. It was a mess out there, but nothing that couldn’t be sorted with a broom and a few hours of hard work, but it was the back garden that she knew had borne the brunt of the storm.
Quickly getting dressed, she tiptoed downstairs, careful not to wake her visitor, and immediately went outside to see for herself the damage.
Her gaze ran over the annexe, searching out the roof and gutters and while there was plenty of debris over the roof, she couldn’t see any permanent damage, although she would need to call out a professional to properly check the entire structure to make sure it was still safe.
In the daylight, she counted three fallen fence panels which would need to be replaced as soon as possible because until the garden was secure again, she wouldn’t be able to let Barney outside.
‘Tess, oh my goodness, what a mess!’ Dilly came hurrying up the path. ‘I’m so sorry but I only picked up your message this morning. I don’t know how, but I managed to sleep through the whole thing.’
‘Don’t worry, that was probably the best approach.
It was scary because it sounded terrible out here.
To make matters worse, I had a guest in the annexe last night; she turned up after dark, a bit apprehensive about the incoming storm so I was glad to be able to offer her a room.
She hadn’t been out there for long when the fence panels came crashing down around her. Poor woman!’
‘Where is she now then?’
‘She had to stay in my guest room. There was no way she could stay in the annexe; I was worried she might get blown away like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. I expect she’ll be down soon, but I wanted to come out and check on the damage before I got started on breakfast. I’m just about to call Rob, although I have a feeling he might be exceptionally busy today with all their properties at work.
In the meantime, Barney will need to be kept on a lead in the garden.
’ She exhaled a big sigh as she surveyed the scene around her.
‘It was certainly an eventful night, that’s for sure, although I suppose I should be grateful the damage isn’t any worse than it is. ’
Back in the kitchen of Hollyhocks, Tess laid the table for breakfast, putting out some juices, cereal and conserves. She switched on the coffee machine and checked in the fridge that she had all the ingredients for a fry-up should Anita want one.
It wasn’t long before her guest appeared from upstairs.
‘Good morning!’ Anita looked so much more relaxed and refreshed than she had last night.
‘Well, I have to say, I had the best night’s sleep I’ve had in ages.
It’s a lovely room and a very comfortable bed.
As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was off.
It must have been all the drama of last night.
I’m pleased that it’s looking a bit calmer out there this morning. ’
‘Morning.’ Tess pulled out a chair at the kitchen table for Anita to sit down.
‘I’m pleased you had a good night. I’m just sorry you had to experience all that upheaval.
This is a new business venture for me and my intention was to offer my guests a relaxing home away from home experience, but I’m not certain I’ve succeeded in that with you,’ she said wryly.
‘Nonsense. It wasn’t your fault that there was a major storm and you have gone above and beyond.
I’m only grateful that you were able to put me up or else I’m not sure what I would have done.
You have such a lovely place here, though.
’ Anita’s gaze travelled around her, soaking up the atmosphere of the country kitchen.
‘And you’re in such a lovely spot too that I would definitely want to visit again and explore the local area. ’
‘Well, you’d be very welcome here any time.’
Anita gladly accepted Tess’s offer of a full English breakfast and while Tess got the frying pan on the go, Anita chatted away happily about her visit to her elderly aunt in Bristol yesterday, and how she tried to get to see her every four months or so.
Anita was a lecturer in economics, apparently, had never married and lived alone with her three cats, although it sounded to Tess as though she led a busy life, as she was involved with the local amateur dramatics group and a local photography club too.
The aromas of sizzling bacon and sausages permeated the air, so much so that Tess decided she would join Anita for breakfast and sat down with her at the table with both their plates overflowing with mushrooms, tomatoes, hash browns, eggs and beans. There was plenty of brown and white toast too.
It occurred to Tess that this is what she enjoyed most of all: meeting people, learning about their lives and providing good food.
‘I must admit, I do feel a bit guilty about your annexe door. If I hadn’t turned up last night then it might not have happened.’
‘It could have happened at any time so don’t worry about that.
’ Tess was quick to reassure her. ‘There must have been a weakness in the hinge for it to come off like that. It’s a good thing in a way because it means I can get it thoroughly checked out and repaired in time for the start of the season next year. ’
‘Oh, so it sounds as though I’ve done you a massive favour then,’ she said with a smile, appreciating Tess’s efforts to make her feel better.
After a leisurely breakfast where Anita seemed determined to get her money’s worth by demolishing her fry-up, having a couple of slices of toast and marmalade, cutting up an apple and then popping a pastry in her handbag for later, she looked around reluctantly.
‘Well, I could sit here all morning enjoying your hospitality, but I should make a move. The cats will be wondering where I’ve got to.’
While Anita fetched her few belongings from the bedroom, Tess started tidying up the kitchen and quickly prepared Anita’s bill. That was her second letting under her belt, and while it didn’t go quite as she planned, she considered it a successful visit in the grand scheme of things.
‘That’s very good value,’ said Anita as she settled the bill.
Hannah had set her up with a credit-card machine and Tess had held her breath when she’d handed it over for the first time, uncertain of the new technology, but it worked perfectly.
‘I feel I’ve made a new old friend in you; it’s as though I’ve known you forever.
I will make a point of staying here when I next visit my aunt. Make a little break of it.’
‘Well, I’ll make sure The Garden Retreat is in perfect working order for you next time.’