by Nicola May
Rosa smirked. Rosa never smirked.
‘Gorgeous, isn’t he?’ Jacob winked and whispered at the same time.
‘So, where you do want me?’ Rosa sprang into work mode.
‘In a completely different place from where you want Angelo,’ Jacob said smuttily and Rosa mock-tutted. ‘Start behind the bar, please. Looks like we are going to be busy, so you can help with serving food too, if that’s OK?’
‘It’s fine.’ The more tips the better, Rosa thought to herself, sticking her chest out and putting on a big smile for the punters.
By the time Rosa got back to the flat it was midnight. On quietly pushing open the door to Titch’s room, she could hear her snoring peacefully. She made herself a hot chocolate and gave Hot a snack then went into the lounge, needing to wind down after such a busy night. Thinking how nice it would be to watch some inane television, she made a note to look for one to buy second-hand tomorrow.
Rosa flicked through her phone. There were no messages and she wondered what Josh was up to. Too tired to be bothered to phone him and talk, she took herself to her room and started to undress. Putting her watch into her bedside table drawer, she stood on the bed and took out a couple more of the faded light blue envelopes and began to read.
10 June 1954
Dearest Ned
How can I possibly be happy when I cannot be with the man I love? But this is how it has to be. I cannot betray a friend. I can’t even recall how we got to this stage of affection. So, I am going to stay with my sister Kathleen in London, hoping that the less I look into your beautiful kind eyes, the more the fire in my heart will subside.
I read this quote today from Kahlil Gibran:
‘When love beckons to you, follow him, though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you, yield to him, though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.’
This will not only wound us, but dear Dotty too.
Meet me where the sky touches the sea.
Your T XX
Rosa was open-mouthed. Oh my God, Ned was having some sort of an affair. She was desperate to keep reading, but sleep was overtaking her.
Hot stirred, wagged his tail and made his way over to the bed to lick Rosa’s face. ‘Hello, baby.’ She lifted him into bed with her, settled down, then drifted off into a restful slumber with his clean, leathery smell in her nostrils.
CHAPTER 31
Rosa woke to the sound of Titch being sick in the bathroom.
She rubbed her eyes, pulled on her dressing gown, and with Hot trotting at her heels went to the kitchen to put the kettle on and feed him. Titch appeared at the door, looking pale.
‘Oh, poor you. Can you face a cup of tea?’
‘Ew, no. Just some water, please.’
Rosa handed her a pint glass of cold water. ‘Come on, let’s go and sit in the lounge.’ She opened the balcony door, letting in the sound of gulls and a rush of cold air. Hot ran out barking, did a wee on his favourite plant pot then came scampering back in.
‘I promise I’ll take you out in a bit, Mr Sausage.’ Saying this suddenly reminded Rosa of Luke.
‘So, have you thought any more about what you are going to do?’ she asked Titch.
‘Yes, I have. I told Sheila Hannafore it’s Lucas’s baby.’
‘What?’ Rosa spurted a bit of tea from her mouth. ‘And is it?’
‘Of course it’s not. I’m on the Pill, but after getting chlamydia from a cute Scots bloke at a stag do last summer, I also use condoms too.’ Titch looked visibly upset. ‘But when I slept with the baby’s father, I didn’t.’
Rosa touched Titch’s shoulder. ‘It will be all right. So, when did all this happen, anyway?’
‘The day Lucas came here before Christmas to help you with your plumbing. I only live up the back of yours, was walking past as he came out. Seemed a bit tipsy, I thought. We chatted then I started flirting and we ended up in the back of his van . . . and the rest is history.’
‘But you told me you didn’t know who the father was?’
‘I was mixed-up and drunk when you found me that night.’
‘So, who is the father?’ By now, Rosa was thoroughly confused.
‘It doesn’t help anyone divulging that information, ‘cos he’s never going to find out. The fewer people who know, the better.’
Rosa actually felt a bit sick about the whole Luke scenario herself now. New Year’s Day had been what it was, just consenting sex, a physical act, nothing less, nothing more. She had felt no guilt about her actions, but now on hearing this, she did feel suddenly cheap. Lucas Hannafore was more of a snake than even she had reckoned with.
Titch clocked Rosa’s expression. ‘Don’t tell me you fancy him, after what he did to you in the Ship?’ Not trusting her own face, Rosa got up to shut the balcony door. ‘Oh my God!’ the girl exclaimed. ‘Something did happen between you.’
Rosa gave a sigh. ‘And there was me, thinking I was special in his infidelity. Probably something else that is best left unsaid.’
‘Give me some credit, please. And to be fair, you do hold a bigger secret over me. But all the more reason I’m glad I told Madam Hannafore now.’
‘But that doesn’t answer the question as to what you are going to do, Titch. You must be quite a few weeks’ gone by now. If you are going to have an abortion, then the sooner the better.’
‘I know exactly what I’m going to do, Rose. I’m going to do absolutely nothing for now, but wait. Just wait.’
CHAPTER 32
Rosa tied up Hot outside the Co-op and pushed open the door. Mary clumsily got up from
the stool she was resting her large buttocks on.
‘Hello, Rosa, lovely to see you, dear. How are you?’ She coughed loudly.
‘You really should take something for that cough, Mary.’
‘Gran has me on her own ginger, lemon and honey drink recipe, don’t you worry about me. Aw, just look at him.’ Mary craned her head towards the glass window to get a look at Hot. ‘Now, what are you after?’
‘I just wondered if I can put this card on the noticeboard, please. Is there a cost?’
‘As it’s you, of course not. You need every penny to get that shop off the ground. Have you got an opening date yet?’
‘Yes, two weeks today, actually. Valentine’s Day.’
‘That’s fantastic. You’d better save me that cat lead for Merlin.’ She took the handwritten card from Rosa and read aloud. ‘“Wanted, a medium-sized TV.” Oh, OK, I’ll make sure everyone who comes in is aware you are looking. Did you check yourself to see if anyone was selling? Collins the newsagent’s have a board too. And you will just make the deadline for the Gazette if you’re quick, but you’ll have to pay for that one.’
‘Great, thanks, Mary.’ Rosa pushed her hand through her hair. ‘Right - better get on. I’m having some voucher invites printed up for the opening so will pop one in to you. Should be fun. I’ve got music, and a face painter for the children sorted.’
‘Cockleberry Bay won’t know what’s hit it.’ Mary’s laugh turned into another hacking cough.
‘Give my love to your Gran,’ Rosa said when she’d come out of it.
‘Will do. Have a good day, dear. And – well, I think you should be really proud of yourself.’
Rosa felt a weird tingle go through her body, the like of which she had never experienced before. Maybe it was because nobody in her whole life had said that before. And, yes, it was true: in just a few short weeks, she had achieved more than she had ever dreamt she could be capable of.
‘Um. Thanks, Mary,’ she said, feeling almost tearful. ‘Thank you very much.’
Rosa was just pushing open the door to leave when Mary called her back. ‘Maybe I could take your number? Then if somebody does say they have a TV for sale I can let you know straight away, in case they forget to call you.’
‘OK, good idea, let me take yours and I will text it to you. Than
ks again, Mary.’
Mary’s chubby face lit up with a smile.
As Rosa was untying Hot’s lead from the post outside the Co-op she remembered what the old lady in the Lobster Pot had said the other night. What an earth could have happened to Mary that had caused her to never drink again? Whatever it was must have been pretty serious for her to have mentioned it. If the time was ever right, Rosa decided she would ask her.
Rosa wasn’t sure why, but she felt a bit sorry for Mary in general. Stuck living with her ancient grandmother and mad cat Merlin and she obviously didn’t make the best of herself. With a good haircut, an eyebrow tidy and a smudge of lipstick and mascara, she would look so much better. But that was Mary’s business and Rosa could empathise as she herself had never been one for beauty treatments or too much make-up either. It had always been too much of an effort for her. She’d never had a problem pulling men, but maybe that was because she was so easy in giving herself away. When she looked in the mirror, she didn’t see anyone particularly beautiful and despite it being small, her lightning- shaped zigzag scar always caught her eye.
‘Penny for them?’
Rosa nearly jumped out of her skin as Seb pulled up in a red van right next to her. Hot barked in sympathy.
‘Seb! You scared me. New wheels?’
‘Yep, the older banger had to go to the crusher. I found this little beauty on eBay. Only two hundred quid, too. You OK?’
Hot whimpered his disapproval of being made to stand still, and of red vans and skinny bearded men.
‘Yes, yes, all is well, thanks.’ Rosa couldn’t bear the way the ginger-bearded one looked her up and down.
‘Seen Titch lately?’ he asked. ‘Been no sign of her at the Ship for a while.’
Rosa didn’t know what she should or shouldn’t divulge to anyone about her wayward lodger. She didn’t even know if the girl had told anyone where she was living. And because of the back entrance to the Corner Shop, Titch could bomb in and out without detection quite easily. It seemed the Cockleberry grapevine was none the wiser - yet, anyway.
‘Rosa? What’s the matter?’ Seb prompted.
‘Nothing. I saw her at the café earlier, and she mentioned she was going into Polhampton to try and find some more work. Should I give her a message if I see her?’
‘Yes, please. Can you say for her to give me a call as soon as possible?’
‘That’s it?’
‘Yes, that’s it. Thank you.’
As Seb went into the Co-op, Rosa received a text. The word PLUMBER flashed up on her phone. Just checking you don’t need anything plunged next time I’m down? Followed by a winky face. Rosa deleted it immediately.
If she hadn’t known that Luscious Luke had also slept with Titch - and in the back of his van to boot - she might have considered a reply, but as it stood, even with her own current alley cat morals, he had overstepped the Rosa Larkin line. There was a one-off cheat on your girlfriend, but just dipping your wick into anything that moved wasn’t acceptable in any shape or form.
She was surprised he was even thinking of coming down, considering the Gazette was still going to town on the unsolved mystery of the Cockleberry Bay Christmas hit-and-run affair.
She guessed she had to believe Luke now that he hadn’t been involved, as Titch was living proof that he had been hitting on and running in a very different way.
Rosa and Hot walked round the block and she pushed open the rear gate to the shop, only to find that the back door was unlocked. Cross that Titch must have been back and not locked it, she went inside and turned the back-kitchen light off, tutting. That girl really had no idea about saving money. Then she had to smile at herself at her thoughts. Just a couple of months ago she would have been doing exactly the same at Josh’s place, with no regard for him having to pay the bills.
‘Hiya!’ she called out as she walked up the stairs – but there was no answer. Titch wasn’t there. Maybe she’d found some more work. Hot flopped down on the floor in front of the sofa and Rosa headed to the bedroom to get her laptop. Ever the sensible one, Josh had insisted that despite her thinking that she had mislaid the necklace, she should lock her valuables away if she was out, so she had just bought a mini-suitcase padlock and put stuff in her small case. She let out an ‘Ah’ as she saw the letters she’d taken down from the wardrobe sitting in there. She wasn’t sure why, but for some reason she had felt obliged to lock these away safely too.
Now though, she couldn’t wait to read more. It was all very intriguing, discovering what old Ned had been up to. She could allow herself a little free time to do so, as she had put some of her pub earnings back in the bank so that she had some money to transfer for the launch activities. Rosa had just made herself a coffee and was logging in to read her emails when THE FOX flashed up on her phone screen.
‘Joe Fox, reporter, Corner Shop launch organiser and quite frankly the loveliest man in the South Cliffs area full stop,’ he announced himself.
Rosa laughed. ‘Blimey, you’re in a good mood.’
‘Ha. Yes, I am actually. Helped by the fact I’m coming to meet you for lunch today.’
‘Bugger!’
‘Don’t tell me you’d forgotten. I feel mortally wounded.’
‘Not really forgotten, just had it on my calendar for tomorrow. What time had we arranged?’
‘Eleven-thirty, but I can come for one o’clock instead if that gives you some time? Tomorrow is too tight as we go to press the day after.’
‘Yes, yes, that’s fine. I literally am just transferring deposits for the face painter and I’ve found a little portable Bose speaker on sale for the music.’
‘Great. Let’s meet in Coffee, Tea or Sea. I can’t be getting on the beer today, too much to do.’
‘Perfect. See you there at one.’
CHAPTER 33
Josh phoned as Rosa was running out of the door.
‘Rosalar?’
‘Aw, Mr Smith. Where have you been? I’ve missed you.’
‘Of course you haven’t,’ Josh laughed. ‘I’m dashing into a meeting so can’t chat, just checking you’ve booked a room for me and Carlton at the pub?’
‘Shit, shit. No, not yet, sorry. I’m off to meet Joe from the Gazette now, I’ll pop in on my way. Two nights you wanted, wasn’t it?’
‘Yes, please.’
‘Cool. You OK?’
‘Fine, fine, gotta dash, let’s catch up properly later in the week.’
Joe smiled widely as Rosa pushed the door open to the café. She took off her coat to reveal a green mini-pinafore and pink roll-neck jumper, with green and pink stripy tights. Her brown curls were all over the place. He loved her quirkiness.
She sat down next to him and clapped her hands together really fast.
‘Bloody freezing today.’
Joe stood up. ‘Let me get you a coffee.’
‘Actually, can I have a mug of tea instead, please, and one of the lemon muffins they do? Here, I’ll get the cakes.’ She went to hand him a five-pound note, but he pushed it back to her.
‘My treat. Anything to get some good news into the paper, especially in January when there’s not much going on down here.’
As Joe was at the counter, Rosa took in his well-fitted jeans and trendy hoody. She liked the fact he was a bit geeky too.
‘Your mate Titch not working today, I see.’
‘No, she’s off job hunting in Polhampton, I think.’
‘Oh. My neck of the woods. Not working at the Ship any more, is she?’
‘God, you’re nosy.’ Rosa grinned at him and started to pull off the top of her muffin. Her favourite way of eating them.
‘It’s my job to be nosy. Talking of that, there has been a development in the hit-and-run case. Part of the bumper had fallen off whatever vehicle it was and there was a trace of white paint on it.’
‘That narrows it down – not,’ Rosa joked. ‘What are the police going to do, check every bump
er of every white car in the neighbourhood to see if a bit has fallen off? If it was me I’d have got it repaired sharpish.’
‘So, tell me, where are you at with the opening?’
‘Basically, just waiting on one more box of stock I ordered today and then I can start dressing the front window and shelves. I’m going to keep a black-out blind down to maintain the intrigue, but I’ve got a big poster up in the front window announcing it.’
‘Good, good. Did you put discount flyers in the pubs, cafes and shops yet?’
‘No. I just got them made on one of those quick internet sites and they are due today, hopefully. The plan is for me and Hot to deliver tomorrow.’
‘Great teamwork. Don’t forget South Cliffs Cottages too; they can put one in every rental, as half-term week is usually quite busy down here. It’ll be somewhere for the mums and dads to bring the kids, especially as you’ve got a face painter. Louise is great too, really gets everyone involved.’
‘Good. The music is sorted, I shall just run it from my phone to the new speaker - and are you still OK to run me to the cash and carry to get a few bottles of fizz and snacks, sometime this week?’
‘Will do. Also, how about some jugs of squash and paper cups for the kids - and did you order the doggie-treat hearts?’
‘Yep all done, and there’s also a couple of heart-shaped balloons with photos of Hot on them.’
‘Brilliant! I love that.’
‘Yes, fame at last. I thought I could put one either side of the door. It’s going to be rather cramped inside, but let’s hope it’s not too cold and we can spill out slightly into the street.’
Joe cleared his throat. ‘I’ve also managed to seal another amazing PR gig, but I’m not sure how you’ll feel about it.’
‘Oh God, go on.’
‘A morning slot on the South Cliffs Today radio show, the day before the opening.’