by Nicola May
Rosa played her part well. ‘So, all I can give you now is a little taster of the names on the envelopes. We don’t want to give too much away, do we?’
She could tell that Barry would be beside himself at the way she was ably creating a buzz for the audience.
‘Oh. No, no no,’ he gloated, Mr Toad-like. ‘We love a surprise on the breakfast show.’
‘And, of course, I am very much looking forward to announcing the winner with you [her third lie] live on Christmas Eve from the Cockleberry Bay Village Hall.’
‘Oh, yes, it’s going to be amazing. It’s all everyone is talking about on all our social media channels,’ he gushed. ‘The anticipation is driving us mad.’
Nate sat nervously in the back kitchen, fiddling about on his phone, while Hot sniffed around him, angling for a walk.
‘So, we have Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and there’s a Pigs in Blankets.’
‘Hahaha. I like those,’ Barry interjected.
‘And not forgetting Frosty the Snowman, whose entry arrived in a beautiful bright orange envelope. So, brownie points for that too.’
‘Well, thanks for that, Rosa, and we can’t wait to all be there for the grand finale in just over two weeks’ time. And now, listeners, here’s the King himself, Elvis Presley, singing “I’ll be Home for Christmas”…’
‘I always did find it easier to walk and talk.’ Rosa let Hot’s lead out to a length where he could run ahead without fear of him going anywhere near the cliffs’ edge. It was yet another bright and crisp day. A couple of pleasure boats had even made their way out to sea and gulls were circling and mewing their delight at some much-appreciated winter sunshine.
‘Do you also make a habit of closing the shop mid-morning?’
‘Only for something this important.’ Rosa sat down on what Alec called his ‘thinking bench’ and patted the place next to her. She pulled her woolly hat down over her ears and dug her gloves out of her pocket.
‘Don’t you be getting too cold up here though,’ Nate said, sitting close to her.
‘I won’t. Thanks for the roses, by the way.’
‘I heard that white roses were a symbol of trust. That’s what brothers and sisters should have, right?’
Rosa gulped at the enormity of the situation. All those years she’d been alone in those children’s homes, alone in her tortured mind, not even knowing if she had a mother or father left in the world, let alone any siblings. And now here she was in her favourite place in the whole world with a mother, supposed father and half-brother. It was extraordinary, exciting and terrifying all at the same time.
She couldn’t bear the suspense any longer. ‘Nate, let’s stop skirting around the issue, shall we?’ she blurted out. ‘Just get on and tell me the truth. I want to know everything, warts and all. And if you dare lie to me, well – just please don’t.’
CHAPTER 50
In the rush to help Titch get the puppies walked and fed, and Theo delivered to the new nursery they had decided to put him in, one day a week, Ritchie had left the house without his clean apron.
Knowing how his mum would give him her ‘cleanliness is next to godliness’ speech, he came hurrying up the hill and through the back door into the bungalow. Greeting Titch’s mum who was sitting in her wheelchair knitting by the fire, he grabbed the clean apron from the radiator, smiling as he noticed Saveloy and Mr Chips snuggled up on either side of her, sleeping soundly. The radio was buzzing in the background, but it was loud enough for Ritchie to catch the tail end of Barry Savage talking about the Corner Shop giveaway.
‘It’s the last day for young Rosa to get entries in,’ Mrs Whittaker said, knitting busily; she was making a blanket for the puppies. ‘I think she’s mad giving that shop away. Old Ned and Dottie will be turning in their graves.’
Ritchie didn’t have time to re-explain to her that it was with Ned’s blessing that Rosa was doing it; instead he kindly asked her if she needed anything doing before he left. Thankful that she didn’t, he went to the bill rack – only to find the silver envelope with the gold stars in exactly the same place where it had been left.
CHAPTER 51
Josh was paying Ralph Weeks for his taxi ride from the station when Lucas came running up the hill, dressed head-to-toe in Nike gear. On seeing the big man, he stopped, took out one of his wireless earbuds and walked over to the car.
Lucas stood up straight and took a deep breath. ‘Welcome home, mate. She’s desperate to see you, you know.’
Josh, slightly thrown by this greeting, just mumbled, ‘Er, thanks.’ Then, remembering what had happened and despite not having had any time for Sheila, he offered, ‘Sorry to hear about your mum.’
His dislike of Lucas Hannafore had slightly waned since ‘the incident’ last year when Rosa didn’t know if she’d slept with the plumber or not. Lucas had been man enough to tell Josh that despite him fancying his wife, nothing had gone on. Josh acknowledged that this had taken guts – and showed respect for Rosa too.
It was Hot barking that alerted Rosa to Josh’s arrival. Hurtling through the Corner Shop front door, she jumped up into his arms, forcefully throwing both legs and arms around her husband.
‘Oh my God, I am SO happy to see you. You’re early – why didn’t you call me?’ She showered his head with kisses.
‘I wanted to surprise you.’
Lucas looked on, until Rosa unfurled herself, slid down to the pavement and noticed him standing there.
‘Luke? Hi. You OK?’
‘Because I’m in running gear, you mean?’ He managed a smile. He had to be strong now. Play out some of the lessons that Alec had really helped him a lot with already. Alec was also right that the Smiths were a tight couple and they would be so much better as friends than foes.
‘Yes, here.’ He pushed some banknotes into her hand. ‘The oner that I borrowed off ya. I did a couple of jobs yesterday. Bye then!’ He nodded at them both then put his earbud back in and carried on jogging up the hill.
‘Come on.’ Rosa went to lift one of Josh’s cases.
‘Oi, get off that this minute, lady.’ He put his hand to her tummy. ‘How is Mr Bump doing now then? I can’t tell you how worried I was the other night.’ He walked through and put his cases in the back kitchen out of the way. Then, on looking up at the ceiling, he observed, ‘You’ve moved the camera slightly.’
‘Blimey, you’re worse than PC Poirot. You had got that camera hidden so well, I didn’t even realise it was there until the other day.’
‘Why did you suddenly notice?’
‘Oh, er…they say you nest, don’t you, when you’re pregnant and I had my feather duster out.’
‘My pregnancy book said it was much closer to the birth that you are supposed to start washing your net curtains and cleaning the skirting boards. This is a bit early.’
Rosa mock-swiped him. ‘I’m going to burn that ruddy pregnancy book.’ She then put her arms around him. ‘I literally love that you are home. I have missed you so much.’
‘You still found time to see Lucas though and lend him money,’ Josh blurted out, surprising himself that he had spoken his thoughts aloud and so brutally.
Rosa took a deep breath then filled the kettle and flicked it on. ‘Josh.’ She paused to make sure her words came out as she wanted them to. ‘The poor bastard has just lost his mother. I was at the scene when she was gravely ill. I’m not going to lie; he has feelings for me, and he told me so outright. But the new Rosa, the non-drinking, the think-before-she-acts Rosa, told him straight that I was very much in love, with you. He didn’t ask me for the money. He told me he hadn’t been working, so I lent him a hundred quid to take away the immediate pressure of not having to work while he was arranging the funeral.’
Rosa turned away and took out her prettiest mugs from the cupboard and the special cake she’d been keeping for Josh’s homecoming.
She went on: ‘Now, let’s concentrate on us, shall we? And just as importantly, tomorrow morning we need t
o discuss who is going to take over this shop and give us the freedom to move and concentrate on the café.’ She stopped to make the tea as Josh stared right at her. Hot whined for attention as Rosa carried on, ‘And, aside that monumental decision, we also need to focus on getting our general future in order so that we can be the best parents that Mr or Miss Bump could ask for.’
Josh carried on staring right at Rosa without talking, then started clapping. He had tears in his eyes. Rosa, now slightly bemused at her husband’s actions, let Hot out into the back yard before asking, ‘What is it, Josh?’
‘I bloody love you, Rosa Smith.’
‘And that deserves a round of applause?’
‘I love your confidence. I love your truth. I love your kindness.’
‘They’ve always been there; I just wasn’t sure how to get them out there.’ Tears formed in her eyes now. ‘I need to get something else out there too. Something SO massive. But before I do, let’s go upstairs and just make love, can we?’
CHAPTER 52
‘Polly Cobb – just look at you. You, haven’t changed a bit.’
Mary winced on hearing her nickname. The nickname she used to use in her deluded alcohol-soaked days of emotional suicide. Composing herself, she put her fingers to her lips to check that her new lipstick was still in place. It felt weird to have something on them. Her lashes felt heavy with the mascara she had not worn in a decade either. She had even curled her long black hair with the tong things that Rosa had given her last Christmas. Feeling the need for her inhaler, as a comfort rather than a cure, she put her hand on it in her bag to check its whereabouts, then left it there.
‘Kit Webb. I’m surprised I even remembered your name.’ Mary bit her lip at the remembrance of when sleeping with men and not having much recollection of it became the norm in her twenties. She also very much remembered waking up sore and bruised after being with this man: that was the reason she hadn’t wanted to tell him that he was the father of her child. Taking in his contoured features and then his perfectly formed full lips, she could not only see a classically handsome man before her but also could tell that he was the father of her child.
‘Well,’ he replied, ‘I remember us going bowling, then going back to the pub where you worked and,’ he smiled, ‘you were a stunner – had all the chat too.’
‘Yes, and then we did more than just bowling together, I guess.’ Mary attempted a smile, then yawned, hastily hiding it behind her hand. She’d had less than three hours sleep last night, with the worry of this meeting playing on her mind.
‘Yes, according to my son, we created a daughter together. Let me get you a drink.’ Christopher Webb stood up. His white hair was covered by a smart hat, his long black coat still on, despite the roaring fire in the cosy pub in Polhampton. ‘It’s the least I can do with you getting the bus out here.’
‘Well, you’ve come all the way from North Devon.’
‘It takes less time than the old Cockleberry Bay bus, I should imagine. Anyway, what’s your poison?’
‘Just a ginger ale with lots of ice, please.’
Christopher returned to their table with a pint of bitter and Mary’s sparkling drink. He sucked away on an empty pipe.
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ he asked.
Mary really didn’t know what to say. She was grateful for Christopher when he started speaking again.
‘How Rosa found me was because my name was on the birth certificate, so you were obviously certain the father was me.’ He could see the pained look on Mary’s face and put his hand on top of hers. ‘I’m not here to be angry or cross or any of those things. I bury people every day. I know that life is short and that the here and now is where we should be living, not the past. I guess I’m wishing you had told me, as I could have helped you. Could have been a part of Rosa’s life. She seems like the bonniest girl.’
‘You’ve met her already?’
‘Just in passing.’ Christopher sighed. ‘She didn’t know who I was then. Have you spoken to her about me yet?’
‘No, I’ve been avoiding her. You see, she left me a message, told me what she knew. I wanted to talk to you first and, shameful as this sounds, I don’t remember much about that night I was with you,’ Mary managed to say. ‘In fact, I don’t know anything about you really – and, well, she deserves the full truth now. So, when did you get this letter from her? I was going to say I can’t believe that Rosa went through my private things, but now she’s pregnant…’ Mary remembered her asking about her dad ‘…well, I expect she wants to be able to tell her child who she is, who they are.’
‘In short, I didn’t get the letter.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘The letter was sent to my London address, the place I inherited from my parents. I was living in Devon then, but Nate – my son – he stayed there. He’s always been a troubled one, which, sadly, has a lot to do with his mother leaving us both. He didn’t want to move down to somewhere “where everybody is already half-dead” – his words, not mine.’
‘He and his half-sister have more in common than they think.’ Mary sounded woeful.
Christopher nodded. ‘Yes, they do. Anyway, he opened the letter to me in which your Rosa wrote that she hoped she had found me, but also in it she mentioned about the shop that she had inherited. I think in his deluded mind, my boy thought maybe he would be in for some of the bounty, as they could be related. Then when he came down here to work for Sea and Save and get closer to her, he heard that Rosa was giving the shop away. He must have been delighted. Nate then took it upon himself to do some proper digging, to see how best he could benefit – whether just to bid for it or reveal himself to her. All the while I was completely oblivious to this.’ Christopher sighed. ‘There was I, feeling rather proud that he was working for a charity, finally acting like a responsible adult. But then I got a phone call of the kind I am very used to getting – and it was only because he said that he had been beaten up and had no money that I came down to find him. I’ve got him out of many a scrape before, as you can imagine.’
Mary nodded. ‘What a tangled web he was weaving.’ She then laughed out loud. ‘Ha! Excuse the pun, Mr Webb.’
‘That laugh. It’s exquisite.’
Mary felt herself redden slightly. ‘So, he confessed all this to you, then?’
‘Yes, and I believe, to Rosa, yesterday. Hence her recent message to you, no doubt.’ Christopher took a drink from his pint glass. ‘The twist in the tale is rather a lovely one though. Because when Nate realised just how great a girl Rosa is, he couldn’t dupe her. In fact, he feels a compulsion now to protect her. “Peas in a pod”, was his description of them both.’
‘I’m guessing Rosa is not angry with him, then?’
‘No. Your girl has a big heart and somehow she understood. You see, he always knows he can come to me if he has money troubles. But he tries not to, and that’s when he thinks gambling is the answer. He thought getting the shop was another easy way of sorting himself out.’
‘She will understand more than anyone, because of her past. In fact, if anyone can help and guide him, it may well be her.’
‘I can only bloody hope so.’ Christopher drained his glass. ‘Relationships, eh? Whatever form they come in, they certainly need work. Did you ever marry, Mary?’
‘No.’ Mary felt suddenly sad. ‘Spinster of the Cockleberry Parish, me. Quite happy with my cat.’
‘Really? You just haven’t been swept off your feet by the right man yet.’
Mary felt herself redden again; was he flirting with her? It had been so long; she wasn’t even sure what that was any more.
‘And you?’ she asked daringly.
‘My long-term partner and I split a couple of years ago, but I’m a hopeless romantic. I still believe there is a lid for every pot out there.’ He paused. ‘Mary, I wanted to talk to you about that night.’
Mary went to her glass for comfort, but it was empty. She reached for her inhaler and took a big dra
g. Christopher Webb mirrored her by sucking on his empty pipe. She was scared at what she might hear.
Christopher took his time before beginning to speak. ‘After we spent the night together, I woke up the next day worried that you would think badly of me. The night before, I’d met you for the first time at the pub where you were working. The next day was your day off, so we went bowling and then drinking – and of course when you said I could stay over, being a twenty-something lad, I wasn’t going to say no, was I? The thing is…the person you had slept with before me had been rough with you, you told me. I said then of course there was no way I wanted to make love to you in case it hurt you, so we’d sleep apart. You insisted. I was weak. I was especially gentle with you, but then somehow the condom came off and, well, I said maybe you should be worried. You didn’t care, Mary. I even came in the pub the next night to see if you were OK, but you swore at me and I guess, in your drunken state, convinced yourself that I was the baddie.’
‘The demon drink, eh? Life could have been so different.’ Mary cringed at the thought of her previous drunken antics. But it wasn’t really the demon drink that was to blame, it was her own demon within: the pain of losing her mother in childbirth and, subsequently, her father. The only way she could subdue this pain was by drowning it in drink.
‘No, it couldn’t and wouldn’t have been different, dear Mary. It wasn’t the right time. Knowing what I know now about life, you needed professional help. We are where we are. Me with two beautiful kids now and you with your Rosa.’ He laughed, breaking the tension. ‘If life was perfect, it would be pretty boring.’
‘Yes, but what happened was about as far from perfect as it could have been. I lost my child. Worse still, she lost me.’ Mary looked Christopher in the eye. ‘And we both lost you.’