Chapter 16
‘Now, if I say so myself, it looks amazing. It’s taken at least ten years off you. What do you think?’
Tess surveyed her reflection in the mirror with Dilly standing behind her, running a hand through her newly coiffed locks.
She had to admit her neighbour had worked such a miracle on her appearance that she hardly recognised the woman staring back at her.
Her previously crispy, slightly greying hair had been lifted with some subtle honey-blonde highlights and cut into flattering choppy layers which framed her face.
Somehow, the new colour had brought a light and radiance to her skin which complemented the hazel tone to her eyes.
‘I love it,’ said Tess, laughing. ‘I barely recognise myself. Honestly, Dilly, I can’t thank you enough.’
‘It’s my pleasure. I’ve been dying to get my hands on your hair for ages, and now we’ve got it into some kind of shape, it’ll be easier to maintain and manage going forward. There’ll be no excuses now. We’ll get you booked in for another appointment in eight weeks’ time.’
‘Great!’ Tess felt she had no option but to go along with Dilly’s suggestion. ‘How much do I owe you?’ she asked, picking up her handbag to pull out her purse.
Dilly put up a hand to stop her. ‘This one’s on me. Think on it as my gift to you in this new stage in your life.’
‘Thank you.’ Tess turned and gave Dilly an impromptu hug. ‘Well, in that case, you must come to mine for lunch very soon.’ It was way overdue, but then Tess was learning that it was never too late to start afresh in so many aspects of her life.
It was funny to think that this small hairdressing studio, a side extension on Dilly’s cottage, had been there for several years, apparently.
Dilly told her she used it only a couple of days a week for her long-standing customers from the village, reserving one day a week to visit other clients in their own homes, those who were older and immobile, or who couldn’t make it to her salon for whatever reason.
Probably the reason Dilly had her ear to the ground on all the local gossip.
It was the first time Tess had been inside Dilly’s house and it revealed so much about her personality.
The order and clean lines of the studio contrasted against the bohemian charms of the cottage which was filled with floral prints and designs, colourful jugs containing fresh flowers, and books and magazines left invitingly on wooden chests that doubled up as side tables.
‘Come and sit in the living room,’ said Dilly.
‘I’ll make us a coffee. It’s so lovely to have you here,’ she enthused, seeming genuinely excited.
‘Here, let me move that.’ She picked up a hessian tote bag that was overflowing with wool and a multi-striped blanket, on the needle, which she tucked inside the bag, before putting it down on the floor.
Tess’s gaze travelled around the room, which was long and narrow and led into the galley kitchen.
It was probably less than half the size of the one in Hollyhocks Cottage, but it was cosy and welcoming, with a wood-burning stove in the old brick fireplace with a basket of logs on one side and a basket of large pinecones on the other.
‘Thank you.’ Tess took the mug offered by Dilly. ‘You’ve got a lovely place here. It’s deceptive from the outside because it looks small and quaint, but it’s actually airy and spacious inside.’
‘I like it,’ she said with a hint of pride. ‘When the outside world gets too much for me, I can close my front door and forget about everything else. Curl up with a book, or do some baking or crocheting. It’s the simple pleasures that see you through.’
‘I know that feeling,’ said Tess. ‘I do the same, although I didn’t realise you were a crafter too.’
It struck Tess that she had more in common with Dilly than she had ever realised. They both liked their own space and time, and most of all enjoyed pottering about at home.
‘Obviously sometimes, I get lonely. Normally at bank holidays or weekends when it seems that everyone else in the world has plans and you’re the only one with nothing to do, but I’ve learned to enjoy those times now.
I make sure I have some treats in store for myself.
A film to watch, a good book to read, something nice to eat.
That way, it feels like I’ve made a conscious decision to do those things, rather than the day just slipping away from me. ’
Tess felt a pang of regret for all those occasions over the years when they’d had get-togethers at the cottage, lunchtime drinks, dinner parties, and afternoon teas.
Happy, uplifting occasions where the sound of animated chatter and laughter would have drifted over the fence into Dilly’s garden.
They hadn’t intended to deliberately exclude her, but they’d been guilty of viewing Dilly as an annoying, overbearing neighbour when, in fact, the last few weeks had proved her to be the opposite.
‘I’m still getting used to being on my own. It’s weird, having been married for all those years and putting other people first before my own needs, to now have only myself to worry about.’
‘Well,’ said Dilly, with a familiar glint in her eye. ‘Of course, you’re not entirely on your own, are you? I noticed that you have a visitor. Someone staying with you? A tall, good-looking guy?’
Tess gave a tight smile; she might have known she could get nothing past Dilly.
‘Oh, you mean Rob. He’s a friend. I’m just helping him out for a couple of months. He’s staying in the annexe. In fact, I barely know he’s there. He’s out for most of the day, and he’s very quiet around the place.’
Dilly nodded, biding her time.
‘Yes, I thought so. He’s Rob Templeton, right? The guy who trashed his wife’s lover’s car? I thought I recognised him.’
‘Do you know him then?’ asked Tess with an involuntary grimace.
‘No, not personally, but it was the talk around the villages when it happened and it was all over the local press. One of my customers lives a few doors down from him and his wife and she said what a lovely guy he was. Friendly, unassuming and really kind, the type of guy that would do anything for anyone.’ That reassured Tess; it was the impression she had got too.
‘So I think that was why it was such a shock to everyone. It was so out of character. Apparently.’
‘Yes, well I don’t know the ins and outs, but it was obviously a tough time for him and he’s ready to start afresh. He’s staying until he gets back on his feet. I think everyone deserves a second chance in life, don’t you?’
‘I suppose so. Maybe not mass murderers, though?’
‘Rob isn’t a mass murderer. He’s a man who made a mistake.
A big mistake, but one he’s paid the price for.
Listen, Dilly, I’d be very grateful if you could keep the news about Rob living at Hollyhocks Cottage to yourself.
He’s dealt with enough speculation and gossip these last few months.
I think he just needs to be left alone to get on with his life now. ’
‘Of course,’ said Dilly, placing her forefinger to her mouth.
‘My lips are sealed.’ Although the slight roll of her eyes hinted at her disappointment at not being able to tell her wide range of acquaintances where Rob Templeton was now living.
‘So, how are you going to christen this new look?’ asked Dilly.
‘I’m sorry if I keep looking at you, but I can’t get over the difference it’s made.
Really, you should be taken out tonight to a posh restaurant or something.
Maybe Rob has something in mind?’ said Dilly with a mischievous, wide-eyed look.
‘Dilly! What did I just say? Really, it’s important to me that people don’t get the wrong impression. So please?—’
‘I was only teasing, honestly.’
‘Good. Besides, I don’t need to go anywhere or impress anyone with my hair because I love it and that’s all that matters. I’ve got to the stage in my life where I realise I don’t have to do things for the benefit of anyone else. It’s all about me now and I feel like a new woman.’
‘That’s good because you look like a new woman, one who’s ready to take on the world.
You do realise you’re a member of a not-so-exclusive but an incredibly supportive club now?
A group of women who, having sent their kids off into the world to fend for themselves, find themselves alone with an empty nest in middle life.
It’s terrifying at first, but exciting and full of opportunities too. ’
‘I suppose,’ agreed Tess, sounding downbeat. ‘It’s a club I never really wanted to join, though.’
‘I know, that’s often the case, but you’re a member now whether you like it or not, and take it from me, you’ll grow to love it.
I’ve always admired you, Tess. You’re so capable and popular around the village, and I know that you’ll adapt to this next stage in your life just as well.
There’s bound to be ups and downs, but think on it as a brand-new start.
On those bad days when you wake up and think you can’t go on – we all have them – then you have to remind yourself of all the good things in your life that you’re grateful for: your mum and Hannah, Barney and all your friends.
They’d tell you, Tess, you’ve got this, really you have. ’