by Nicola May
Jacob, Raffa, Titch and Josh cheered as the crowd clapped, the ribbon fell to the ground and the small crowd slowly started filing into the shop.
CHAPTER 41
It wasn’t until she and Josh were counting the takings in the lounge, that Rosa realised Joe had never turned up. She checked her phone for messages, but the screen was blank.
Josh was making a fuss of Hot, who looked rather comical waddling around with his midriff bandage. He was already a lot livelier and had started barking at the seagulls out on the balcony once more.
‘Aw. Look at you being a big, brave boy,’ Josh cooed. ‘Maybe me and Mummy will take you for a little w . . .’
‘Don’t you say that four-letter word out loud, Joshua Smith. He can’t get too excited, but yes, I can’t be doing with picking up pooh from outside any more. Yuk. Makes me feel sick.’
‘Good job he’s not a Great Dane then, isn’t it?’
Rosa looked at him sideways. ‘Joe has got a Great Dane, did you know that?’
‘No. I was just thinking of types of big dogs in my head. Anyway, where is lover boy? You’d have thought he could have made a bit of an effort, not only on your special day, but also Valentine’s Day of all days.’
‘We are not exactly dating, are we?’ But Rosa couldn’t deny that she felt disappointed.
Josh went to the kitchen and came back with two glasses from a leftover bottle of Prosecco. ‘I want to make a toast,’ he said and lifted his glass. ‘To my little Rosalar, shop owner extraordinaire and a top girl. Happy Valentine’s Day, chick.’
Rosa clinked glasses with him. ‘Thank you - and for everything you’ve done to get me to this stage. I know I’m a moany bitch sometimes, but I do really appreciate it. And you can be my pretend Valentine any day.’
‘Excellent. Where’s Titch, by the way?’ Josh asked.
‘She’s staying with her mum tonight. I’m quite relieved actually as I’m too knackered to help her move her stuff.’
‘What’s all this about her being pregnant?’
‘Crazy, isn’t it? She’s adamant she’s keeping the baby. Good on her, because if I was in her position, I really don’t think I could be as strong.’
‘And does she know whose it is?’
‘Well, all I know is that it isn’t Lucas’s.’
‘What? I’m confused now.’
‘She shagged Lucas and has told his mum that it’s his baby, even though it’s definitely not, as she used a condom.’
‘What the . . .’
‘I know, tell me about it. It gets worse.’
‘Go on.’
‘Sheila paid her off to have the abortion and to never mention it again.’
‘Jeeze! Sheila Hannafore really is a nasty piece of work.’
Just at that moment, a text came through on her phone.
In a monotone voice, Josh quipped, ‘Whoopidoo, quick, maybe that’s him.’
Rosa reached for her phone and read: So sorry, Rosa. Progress on the hit-and-run story and I couldn’t get away. Hope today was successful. Will make it up to you, I promise.
Josh saw her face fall. ‘And . . .?’
‘It’s fine, he’s got news on the hit-and-run, and I know how important his work is to him. I wonder what he’s found out?’
‘Call him, Rosa.’
‘No.’
‘Why not?’ Josh could immediately smell a rat.
‘He’s made no indication of when I’m next seeing him. He can fuck off.’
‘You don’t mean that. For the first time since I’ve known you I can tell you actually like this guy.’
‘Whatever.’ Rosa downed her Prosecco and pulled herself together. Today was so important to her for many reasons and she wasn’t going to let a man spoil it.
She jumped up from the sofa. ‘Right, let’s sort this money out.’
Hot plonked himself down at her feet and nuzzled them, and she gave him a heart treat that she had kept in her pocket.
Silence ensued whilst Rosa and Josh counted the takings and sorted them into plastic money bags that Jacob had kindly given Rosa that morning.
‘Bloody hell.’ Josh broke the silence. ‘Six hundred pounds! Now if you could take that every day, you’d be laughing.’
‘Oh my God, that’s amazing.’ Rosa juggled some of the change bags. ‘Obviously it’s not all profit.’
‘Of course not, but for a little shop, in a small town not even in tourist season, that’s fantastic. And looking at your stock earlier, a lot of it was the dog food and not luxuries that sold, so hopefully you’ll get repeat business on that.’
He pointed to the money and said in a schoolmaster-ish voice: ‘Now, what do you do with this on Monday morning?’
‘I go and buy a designer handbag and a vat of wine, of course,’ Rosa grinned.
Josh wagged a finger. ‘Straight to the bank and into the business account.’
‘You’re so dull.’
‘I know, but someone’s got to rein you in. You don’t want to be keeping loads of cash in the flat. Saying that, did you ever find that necklace?’
‘No. I’m trying not to think about it. Titch did leave the back door open the other day, so if she’s done that before then I do reckon an opportunist thief may have come and taken it as I literally have looked everywhere.’
‘Strange though, that nothing else has gone missing.’
‘There’s nothing else here of value to take really, though is there? I haven’t even got a TV yet.’
Another text came in and Rosa hurriedly checked it. ‘Oh bless, it’s Jacob seeing if we are coming in for a drink.’
‘Do you fancy going up there? I need to settle my bill anyway. I told him I would stay here with you tonight - guess that’s OK with you?’
‘Do you know what, I don’t really want to leave Hot, to be honest. You go, I’ll have a bath and chill for a bit.’
‘OK, I won’t be long. How about I pick up some fish and chips up on the way back.’
‘Perfect.’
Rosa was just about to run a bath, when there was a knock on the upstairs patio door. Strange - she thought she had locked the back gate. It had to be either Titch or Josh as not many people knew they could get up the little flight of steps to the balcony in this way.
Putting her dressing gown on, she gingerly went to the glass door and did a little scream in fright at the face pressed against it.
‘Lucas Hannafore, you scared the life out of me!’
‘Well, let me in then.’
Rosa took in his handsome, cheeky face and was annoyed that she still felt attracted to him.
‘Hear it went well today,’ he said casually. ‘The window looks great.’
‘Thanks, but what are you doing down here in Cockleberry Bay, especially on Valentine’s Day? Shouldn’t you be romancing Jasmine?’
‘Mother summoned me down. She tells me the police came in to see you.’
‘Yes, they did, and I told the truth, sorry. I said you left here at four-thirty and I had no idea where you were heading.’
‘Well, thanks for that, Rosa. That’s what they said you’d said but I wanted to check. I had half-hoped you’d be loyal to me.’
‘Look, Luke. I don’t want to get involved. If you’re guilty then why don’t you just put your hands up? Jasmine won’t press charges, anyway. Tell her it was a stupid accident.’
‘Hmm, now that she’s just caught me shagging her best friend, I’m not so sure.’
‘For goodness sake, can’t you just keep it in your trousers!’
‘Says the girl whose knickers were off quicker than any whore’s drawers.’
‘That was then. I have a little more self-respect now. In fact, I’m dating somebody.’
‘Really, your City boy twat? He’ll be bored of this sleepy town in no time.’
‘Josh is worth a hundred of you. And it’s none of your business who I’m seeing.’
‘Ah, got it. The guy from the Gazette has been sniffing around, hasn’t he? Got you the gig on the radio - that must have been worth a blow job at least.’
‘Get out, just get out.’ Rosa pointed down the stairs.
Luke was relentless. ‘And you think I’m bad blood.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean? You’re just jealous.’
‘Jealous? Don’t be ridiculous.’
‘Oh, just clear off, Luke. And never come back.’
‘Don’t worry, I’m going - but I’m so angry with you, Rosa.’
‘Maybe you should ask Titch about it,’ Rosa seethed.
Forming two fists with his hands in complete frustration, Luke shouted, ‘It bloody wasn’t me who ran that stupid bitch of an ex of mine over.’
Hot started barking wildly. Then in what seemed like seconds, Josh had bounded up the stairs, thrown the carrier bag of fish and chips on the floor, grabbed Luke by his collar and with the words ‘Never, ever show your face in here again,’ had dragged him down and thrown him out on the street.
Rosa crouched down to comfort a shaking Hot, whispering, ‘I’m so sorry, darling boy.’
Josh went down to her level and put his arm around her.
‘Keep away from him and his mother from now on, Rosa. Jacob said they were bad news and at least we know we can trust his opinion.’
Rosa nodded and nuzzled into Josh’s chest. ‘Will you sleep in with me and Hot tonight?’
Too tired to even eat, they headed to the bedroom and within minutes of Rosa’s head touching the pillow, she was sound asleep. Hot snored gently at their feet and with the window open Josh could hear the sea crashing on the beach. He turned his head and looked at Rosa. With her dark brown curls spread across the pillow and still wearing her pink glittery eye shadow, she looked far younger than her twenty-five years.
He thought back to a comment that Carlton had made earlier when he was saying something about Rosa not being girlfriend material. ‘Love is friendship set on fire, isn’t that what they say though, mate?’
Josh kissed his finger, gently placed it on the little lightning-shaped scar that he so adored, then with a deep sigh, spooned into the warmth of his pretty companion and fell into a deep sleep.
CHAPTER 42
‘Sorry I’ve got to leave so early, but Carlton needs to get back as he’s got a shop-fit tonight,’ Josh told Rosa the next morning. He omitted to add that he had also promised Lucy a late Valentine’s meal.
‘It’s fine. The Cockleberry Coven have actually asked me round for Sunday lunch.’
‘What’ll that be then - eye of newt and toe of frog, wool of bat and tongue of dog?’ Josh’s Shakespeare quip went right over Rosa’s uneducated head.
‘Euw. Stop it. I was rather hoping for roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Now, do you want me to ring the taxi man and see if he’s free?’
‘Yes, please, we should have done it last night, I guess. Carlton said I need to be up at the station by ten.’
‘No worries if Ralph’s not free. Seb Watkins takes a fiver for some trips for extra cash as he’s always up and down for work.’
Hot came running into the kitchen and jumped up at Josh’s leg. ‘Aw, he seems so much more himself.’
‘Yes, he does, thank goodness. Jacob is going to run me up to the vet’s in the morning just to check him over once more.’
‘Little scamp.’ Josh picked him up gently and put him over his shoulder. Hot started to lick his face vigorously.
‘Er . . .’ Josh placed him down on the kitchen floor promptly and rubbed the wet from his ear and cheek.
When Josh had gone, Rosa had a tidy-up, then went down to the shop to check on her stock levels. She smiled as she saw the half-empty baskets and now depleted row of leads on the rack. It had been such fun taking actual cash for her very own business. She was aware that it would be hard work and that every Saturday probably wouldn’t be quite as busy, but at least she knew now what she had to do, and it was just a case of doing it and doing it well.
Back upstairs, thinking she’d climb back into bed for a bit before she got ready for lunch, she decided to get the letters down from their hiding place and have a read. ‘Ooh yes,’ she said aloud. ‘Let’s see what Naughty Ned was up to.’
With Hot asleep at her feet, she unfurled the pile and began to read.
15 August 1954
My Darling T
It’s been two months now since I’ve seen you and I really cannot bear it. They’ve put a new telephone box on the jetty, just below ‘our place’ on West Cliffs. The number is Cockleberry 7875. I will be there at 6 p.m. this Sunday. Do promise me you will call, I have to know if you are well.
Dotty has taken a turn for the worse. Despite it being a year already since her last miscarriage and the hysterectomy, she cannot come to terms with the fact that she will never give us a family together. The doctor has been coming in daily, but we can’t seem to pull her out of such a deep depression.
I know it seems daft, but she needs her friend. I need a friend. I know that one night we overstepped the mark, but I couldn’t resist you. My love for you is so strong, T. But I have a responsibility to my wife now too. Please understand.
I hope you can find it in yourself to call me on Sunday.
Meet me where the sky touches the sea.
Your loving Ned X
Rosa was now transfixed by the real ongoing love story.
21 August 1954
Dearest Ned
I’m hoping you receive this before Sunday as I don’t feel I can talk to you at the moment. The guilt and pain I feel with regard to Dotty is eating me up, and as much as I want to be in your arms, it is for her and her alone that I am going to come home for a weekend. I then will be going straight back to London as I cannot bear to be near you, but not with you.
Who would have thought that true love could be so painful? And, all the time I sit here thinking of you, I also have to think of myself and my future. There is no way you can leave Dotty when she is in this sort of state, and the repercussions will be so great if you do, that we are in a difficult situation whatever happens.
We have to end whatever this is now, Ned: it is not healthy for any of us. I can sell the cottage, move away, start again in London.
Meet me where the sky touches the sea.
Your T XX
Rosa felt exhausted just feeling the pain between the lines. She couldn’t imagine what the lovers were going through emotionally. What an awful situation to be in. She wondered why the letters were still there, but then they had been so well-hidden. Maybe Ned just got old and forgot. It was like reading a book, but she knew the ending already. In a macabre way she now wanted to know not only how the story panned out, but also how Dotty had died. From Queenie’s reaction it can’t have been good. She had to keep on reading.
1 Sep 1956
My Darling T
The joy of seeing your beautiful face at the weekend was almost too much to bear. And whatever you did to uplift Dotty’s spirits, well, it’s been like a wonder cure. I’ve never seen her so animated as when you left. What did you say to her?
This still does not counteract the fact of how much I still miss you. Having you so close and not being able to caress your soft skin, or kiss those rosebud lips of yours was sheer torture.
Come home, T. If Dotty can come through her depression, and I think we may be seeing the start of her recovery now, then maybe she will be able to cope with ‘us’ and we will have a future.
Meet me where the sky touches the sea.
Your ever-loving Ned X
Rosa checked her watch; she still had an hour before she had to be at the Coven. When Hot made a little ‘feeping’ sound, she leant down the bed to stroke him, then carried on reading.
5 September 1956
Dearest Ned
This is probably one of the most difficult letters I will ever have to write in my life.
You a
sked me what I said to Dotty. Well, I told her that I am pregnant, and that that is the reason why I’m staying in London. And it’s true. How shameful am I? A baby out of wedlock - and no, Ned, it’s not yours. I am thirty, after all, and I couldn’t wait forever. Nobody knows me here, so they can say what they want.
Rosa’s mouth fell open wide. ‘I don’t believe her,’ she said to Hot, and continued reading.
I’m so, so sorry to break this to you in a letter. I will forever love you, Ned, but I will forever love Dotty too, and she is too good a woman to have her heart broken by the two people who love her the most.
Meet me where the sky touches the sea.
T XX
Rosa scrabbled to find the next letter, but it was just a blank bit of paper.
No. Surely that wasn’t it? Bloody hell. The mystery remained.
Poor Dotty, and poor Ned. And also, poor Teresa. It would have been hard in the 1950s to have a child out of wedlock - and nobody had ever mentioned that Ned had had a child down here, so what on earth had happened? She was sure that Seb had said Ned had died with friends around him, as he had no family. And what about T? She would have to ask Queenie now, there was just too much left unanswered.
A text message brought her back to reality. It was Joe.
Hey sexy shop owner, fancy a bite to eat later? Can be with you at 7 x?
Rosa sighed. With everything that had been going on, she hadn’t even thought about Joe. She replied: Hey sexy sleuth, that sounds like a great idea! See you then x.
CHAPTER 43
‘Quick, get yourself in the warm, Rosa, it’s bitterly cold out there today.’ Mary shut the front door of Seaspray Cottage behind them and took Rosa’s coat. A lovely log fire was burning in the kitchen. Seeing the visitor, Merlin screeched his disapproval.