Chapter 18
Gina’s plush barn conversion was at the other end of the village, in the grounds of an old farmyard.
The run-down, stone buildings had been renovated into four dwellings, similar in design, but each with their own individual style and charm, situated around a gravel courtyard.
At the back of Gina’s property there was a small, enclosed garden with a low picket fence giving wide-reaching views over the surrounding countryside.
The patio running the length of the building housed a profusion of stone pots blooming with pink, white and mauve flowers and a small, wrought-iron table with matching chairs.
It was the perfect spot to sit and watch the world go by, especially on a beautiful summer’s evening, with a glass of Prosecco in hand when the warmth of the day still lingered in the air.
‘This is so wonderful,’ Tess uttered, lifting her face to the sky to catch the last of the sun’s rays.
She had enjoyed the walk through the village on a summer’s evening, picking up Suzy on the way and stopping to chat to some villagers who she hadn’t seen since Charles had moved out.
There was a part of her that felt embarrassed and ashamed about her situation, but she had no reason to be.
Everyone she spoke to had been dismayed by her husband’s behaviour and offered only encouragement and support when realising she was on her own now, insisting that she must get in touch with them if she needed any help.
Breathing in the mellow evening air as they arrived at Gina’s place, she felt grateful for living in such a picturesque and supportive village as Lower Leaping.
Gina had moved into The Dairy five years previously after Adam had left the family home in a neighbouring village to join the army.
It was as different from Tess’s country cottage as it was possible to be, with its clean lines and modern styling, but it had Gina’s distinctive and sophisticated flair written all over it.
‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I still have to pinch myself sometimes to believe that it’s all mine.
I’ve got it exactly as I want it now, and I like that it’s pretty rural, but I can still walk into the village, and pick up some milk, or go to the pub.
Best of all though, I love knowing that you two are just a stone’s throw away.
I know we don’t see each other as much as when the children were small, but simply knowing that you’re nearby means the world to me. ’
‘Definitely,’ said Suzy. ‘That’s what friends are for, right? We might go days or weeks without seeing each other, but knowing that you’re both there for me gives me a real sense of belonging and security.’
Tess understood the sentiment entirely, having leaned on her friends heavily in recent weeks.
‘Exactly,’ said Gina. ‘And it’s been too long since we’ve got together like this. We need to do this much more often, now that we’re able to. Let me fetch some wine.’
Gina dashed off to grab the bottle from the fridge and topped up everyone’s glasses, before bringing out dishes of pistachio nuts and cheese straws.
‘So, how have you been?’ Tess asked when Gina sat down at the table. ‘Did you manage to smooth things over with Ryan?’
‘No, we’ve split up,’ said Gina, feigning a nonchalance Tess knew couldn’t be genuine.
‘His decision. He said if I wasn’t as committed to the relationship as he was then there was no point in carrying on.
He wanted us to marry and move in together, but I’ve done that and certainly don’t want to do it again.
Sometimes, I think familiarity can breed contempt. ’
‘Oh, Gina, that’s tough.’ Tess leaned forward in her chair and wrapped her arms around her friend, before clasping her face in her hands. ‘The pair of you were so good together.’
‘I know. And shouldn’t that have been enough?
We were having a great time, seeing each other a couple of times a week, having fun, but also having time to ourselves as well.
That time spent apart made it all the more special when we did get together.
My life is busy with the business, seeing Adam when he’s home on leave, the tennis club and everything else I try to cram into my week.
I haven’t got the time for a husband! Ryan lives in a small, rented flat above a shop so it would mean him moving in with me, taking over this lovely space.
Can you imagine? All his gear and grubby smalls making a mess everywhere.
’ Gina gestured indoors towards the beautiful, minimalist living space, her expression giving away exactly what she thought to that idea.
‘It’s not what I want. I’ve worked hard to get to this position in life and I don’t want to give up my freedom and independence.
If that makes me selfish then so be it.’
‘Not at all,’ said Suzy. ‘You’ve got to be true to yourself. And if it’s not what you want then you shouldn’t be made to feel bad about that.’
‘Yeah.’ Gina puffed out a sigh. ‘I miss him, though. I suppose I might have been guilty of taking him for granted but I assumed the relationship suited us both the way it was. Obviously not. It’s sad but hey, I’ll get over it,’ she said with a wistful smile.
‘And there’s no chance of you getting back together?’ said Tess, immediately regretting the question remembering how she’d reacted when Nico had asked her the very same thing about Charles.
Gina shrugged, seemingly unperturbed.
‘I don’t think so. Ryan talks about putting down roots with someone. He might be twelve years younger than me, but I think he’s searching for a quieter, more settled way of life. And maybe someone to look after him too. I’m not that person,’ said Gina resignedly.
‘Right, well you do realise that this is the first time in all the years that we’ve known each other that we’re all single at the same time,’ Suzy said. ‘I’m not sure if that’s our good luck or bad luck,’ she added, laughing.
‘Only our good luck, something we should drink to,’ said Gina, raising her glass towards her friends, who returned the gesture.
‘I hadn’t thought of that, but I’m pleased that I’m keeping such good company,’ said Tess, reminded of Dilly’s words about being a member of an exclusive club now.
‘And of course, we’re at a wonderful point in our lives where we can please ourselves.
We don’t need men for anything any more; we’ve had our babies, and our mortgages, so if we do decide we want to have a new relationship or just some male companionship, then we can do that on our terms. At our age, we don’t have to accept bad behaviour or dubious habits.
Or unreasonable demands.’ Gina was warming to her subject.
‘We need to start putting ourselves first, after a lifetime of looking after other people and, on that very note, and the real reason why I’ve got you here tonight…
’ Gina gave an evil laugh. ‘How do we fancy a weekend away together at the end of the month?’
Suzy and Tess glanced at each other, wondering what Gina had in mind.
‘Well, that’s something we can definitely do at some point,’ said Tess. ‘We’ll have to get a weekend in the diary and decide where we want to go.’
‘No, I was thinking specifically the end of this month. To a hotel in Annecy, right on the lake. It was all booked for Ryan and me to go together, and I thought about cancelling it, but then I reasoned, why should I? It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go.
I mean, I could go on my own, but it would be much better if you two could come with me?
It’s for three nights in a beautiful hotel right on the shores of the lake.
We’d have the best time. I gave them a call earlier and they have space available in the next door room that we could book. What do you think?’
‘Well, it sounds like a good idea,’ Tess ventured, her mind already conjuring up a number of reasons why she couldn’t or shouldn’t go. ‘But why don’t you two go together this time, as it’s already booked, and then we can get something else planned for another time, maybe next year.’
‘Are you busy that weekend then?’ Gina pulled up the calendar on her phone to show Tess when she had in mind.
‘I don’t think so, but it’s not that far away. Mum only came out of hospital today and then I’ve got Barney to think about too. What about you, Suzy? How are you fixed?’
‘Yes, I’m in! Gina mentioned the date earlier when I phoned to confirm the arrangements for tonight and I thought what a great idea it sounded.
Getting away for a couple of nights might do us all good.
Well, if you can make it, of course. I had thought Marjorie was on the mend…
I’m sure she’ll be perfectly well looked after in your absence, and you can always keep in touch by phone.
As for Barney, couldn’t Charles look after him while you’re away? ’
‘Oh, I wouldn’t need…’ She stopped herself in the nick of time from blurting out that she wouldn’t need Charles’s help when she had Rob at home to look after Barney, assuming he might agree.
She bit on her lip, uncertain why she was reluctant to tell her friends about Rob.
Now might be the perfect time. They would be fascinated to hear about the good-looking guy living in the annexe, eager to know his life story, but Tess wasn’t sure she was ready to share that information with them, anticipating their good-natured ribbing.
For the time being, she would keep shtum, until she got to know Rob better herself.
‘Come on, Tess, it will be good fun!’ urged Gina now, breaking into her thoughts.
Tess plastered on a smile, wondering why she was filled with apprehension at the thought of going away.
It wasn’t as if she had anything to keep her at home and it was only for three nights.
Three nights when she would be away with her friends in a gorgeous location, having fun.
Her mum was back in the safe care of the home, and Marjorie would be urging her daughter to get away if she knew she had the opportunity.
She thought of Charles and realised with a sense of freedom that she didn’t need to tell him, she could do exactly what she liked, whenever she liked, and the cottage would be well looked after with Rob living on site and Dilly keeping a friendly eye out from next door.
‘I wouldn’t want Charles looking after Barney.
Did I tell you he suggested that Melody might enjoy having Barney stay with them?
She likes dogs, apparently! Ha ha ha!’ Tess said, with only a touch of mania to her voice.
‘Not content with stealing my husband, she wants my dog as well! That’s not going to happen. ’
‘The bloody cheek of the woman!’ exclaimed Gina, suitably outraged.
‘Exactly!’ said Tess, grateful for the moral support.
‘No, but you could find someone else to look after the dog?’ Suzy said, trying to get the conversation back on track. ‘What about that slightly odd woman who lives next door, wouldn’t she help you out?’
‘You mean Dilly.’ Tess paused for a moment, mulling over that idea.
‘She probably would actually. Funny thing is, I’ve got to know her a bit better over the last couple of months and she’s not odd at all.
’ Tess felt guilty knowing that Suzy would only have got that impression from what she’d told her.
‘I admit, I always thought she was too nosey for her own good, but I think that’s her way of being friendly and neighbourly.
She’s been a bit of a lifeline to me recently, a much welcome friendly face over the fence. ’
‘There you go then,’ said Gina, who was sensing Tess was on the brink of agreeing. ‘Let me show you the hotel. It looks wonderful. It should be a proper peaceful retreat.’
‘What, with you leading the party?’ said Suzy. ‘I don’t believe that for one moment.’
‘Fair enough,’ Gina giggled, ‘but it will be amazing all the same.’
Tess sensed she wouldn’t be able to say no even if she wanted to, but the funny thing was, as she craned over pictures of plush hotel bedrooms and beautiful sunsets, she realised she didn’t want to say no.
‘Yes! Why not?’ she breezed impulsively. ‘As long as I can make sure Mum will be okay and make arrangements for Barney, then yes, I’d love to come,’ she said, feeling a fizz of excitement already building inside.