It Started at Sunset Cottage

by Bella Osborne

  “Yep, I’ve got the sterile hospital look perfected,” he muttered to himself. If he thought, and it was a big “if”, if we ever do get it together and we make it up here she’ll think she’s been admitted to A&E. He pulled out his phone, “Google to the rescue”. After a few hours thumbing through miles of over-the-top bedroom looks that popped up and assaulted his eyeballs, some of which he thought he should bookmark for Concetta, he finally alighted on a look he could live with.

  Two hours and a mammoth shopping trip later, Andy surveyed the bedroom. Rich navy-blue curtains hung at the windows, a small chandelier twinkled above and, thanks to the newly fitted dimmer switch, the level of lighting was easily controlled. A large picture of an impossibly blue flower was hung perfectly in the exact middle of the wall and small vases of white roses and an array of candles of varying sizes lined the dresser and chest of drawers. Perfect, he thought.

  Chapter 24

  Sarah was rushed off her feet, thanks to extra shifts at the pub and a three-wedding weekend for the flower shop. Andy had been a great help ferrying Amy to and from school, but like Andy, she felt she should probably be returning home soon and trying to get back to normal. Who knew when, or if, Shaun would return? Friday lunchtime was always a busy affair in the Blacksmith’s Arms, but when you’d been up since five o’clock conditioning, dicing and arranging wedding flowers, it was like trying to run a marathon with your laces tied together and your head bubble-wrapped. Melanie was particularly perky, which only highlighted the contrast with how Sarah felt. When the last of the food orders had gone out and there was a brief pause at the bar, Melanie sidled over to Sarah and Phil and straightened the half-pint glasses.

  “Can I get off 15 minutes early?” she asked.

  “I’m not a charity,” grumbled Phil. “You’re not running off, too, are you?” he asked, turning to Sarah.

  “No, but I need to go on time, for school pick-up.” Phil nodded to both of them,

  “Go on, then, you can clear off and abandon us. I ‘spose you want your wages?” and he disappeared out the back.

  “I’ve got a new man,” Melanie said. She was jittery with excitement.

  “Ooh, exciting, do tell!”

  “I’ve not exactly got him yet, but I know he’s interested and it’s just a matter of time. He’s really sweet. He keeps calling round to check I’m okay and he’s got his own company.”

  “So this one is human, then. That’s a big step up. And a big boss of a company means he can keep you in shoes. I like the sound of him already.”

  “He’s just texted to say he’ll call round if I’m in, so if I leave a bit early I can change and touch up my make-up, so I look all natural.” Sarah wasn’t sure that that made sense. Phil reappeared and begrudgingly handed over the pay envelopes. When Melanie had checked the clock for the tenth time in two minutes, Phil handed Melanie her handbag and pointed at the door.

  “Go. You’re making everyone restless.” Melanie took her bag and almost skipped out of the pub, waving at them as if she were emigrating.

  “New bloke, is it?” Phil was refilling the crisp boxes.

  “Yeah, he sounds okay and she seems happy.”

  “Just need to find you a decent one and we can all relax.” He banged the empty box flat and carried on with the salt and vinegar.

  After lunch, Kate was ready to fall asleep as she sat outside the marquee in the sunshine. She checked her watch and decided a quick walk into town would be what she needed to recharge her batteries for the afternoon. She’d already promised herself a nap on the train. Tim sat down on the grass next to her and balanced a plate of salad on his knees.

  “I’m just off into town. Do you want anything?” Kate saw his face fall as she stood to leave. “It’s nothing personal. It’s just that I’ll nod off and start snoring and dribbling if I sit here any longer.”

  “Ew, fair enough. You’d best go, then. Apparently I need pictures and ornaments, according to Didi.”

  “That was quick. Has she moved in?”

  “No, but Pip is trying to get it sorted as soon as possible.”

  “How’s Lumina?” Kate asked tentatively, as she could imagine how she was, especially having seen her stomping about the marquee earlier demanding French bottled water and not the local “muck”, as she’d referred to it. Tim put down his fork and looked up at Kate.

  “I’m going to talk to Lumina over dinner tonight. Let’s say I don’t expect to get past starters before she throws a hissy fit. But it needs to be done,” he said, his expression serious.

  “Good luck with that, then,” and Kate put on her sunglasses, brushed the grass off her plain, yellow dress and headed off across the park.

  Kate enjoyed her potter around the shops and was pleased with her purchase of a Bath fridge magnet for Amy and a sketch of the cathedral for Didi – hopefully it would be a nice reminder for her. She couldn’t be bothered to get her purse out again, so she held the few pence change in her hand. There was bound to be a collector for some charity further up and she’d be happy to donate it to a good cause. She walked back up John Street with the crowds of shoppers and tourists going at all speeds and in all directions. The only people not moving around were the Big Issue sellers and the occasional street beggar.

  Kate was wondering whether to get a cardigan she’d seen as she dropped her few coins into the cup proffered by a man sitting on a piece of dirty cardboard, wearing equally dirty shorts and a black baseball cap. Kate carried on walking, when her brain tuned in to a familiar voice.

  “Fanks, love,” the beggar said. Kate took another couple of steps before she spun around only to see the man disappear into the crowd and start to run. She went back to where he had been sitting and looked at the dirty patch of cardboard. There was nothing left behind, no evidence, but Kate knew that it was Shaun.

  “Kate, calm down, you’re freaking me out.” Sarah took herself and her mobile away from the pricked-up ears of the pub regulars and Phil, who was blatantly listening.

  “It was Shaun. I gave him money and he said ‘Thanks, Love’ and then he ran away.”

  “How much did you give him?”

  “About 70 pence,” puzzled Kate.

  “Oh, good, I thought you meant he demanded money with menaces.”

  “No, he was begging, but he’s gone. I could give the police a description of what he’s wearing.”

  “Did you see his arm?”

  Kate had to think. “No, he was wearing long sleeves, with shorts, which is an odd combination. But he’s not dead, Sarah.”

  “What did he say when he realised it was you?”

  “Nothing. We didn’t look at each other. He must have recognised me as I walked away and I recognised his voice.”

  “You didn’t see his face, though?”

  “No, but Sarah, it’s him. His build, his voice, the way he ran. It was him, I’m sure and, anyway, why else would he run off?”

  “He was desperate for a latte? I don’t know.”

  “Can you give me the details of the policeman you’ve been dealing with and I’ll report it. It’s up to them what they do next. But Sarah, you can relax. You didn’t kill him and he’s miles away.”

  Sarah texted Kate the details and then texted Andy the revelation, but was careful to add that Kate only thought it was Shaun, she was not quite as confident as Kate or ready to celebrate just yet.

  Sarah was waiting outside the school gates, busily checking her phone for messages and was frustrated that there weren’t any. It didn’t matter how many times she checked her phone, nothing popped up. She wanted to know what Andy thought and she needed an update from Kate. Also she badly wanted to enjoy the tiny little ball of relief that was sparkling inside her at the thought that she wasn’t a murderer and wasn’t going to prison. She knew that Kate was good with details and only acted on facts, unlike herself. A hand on her shoulder startled her and her phone jumped about in her hands like a slippery bar of soap.

  “Sorry,” said And
y, looking as if he’d won the lottery and Sarah couldn’t help but hug him.

  “Did you get my text?”

  “Yeah, I was only around the corner and I knew you’d be here, so I thought I’d meet you.”

  “Why didn’t you text to tell me that?”

  “Dunno, didn’t seem worth it, when I’d be here in a few minutes,” he shrugged, still smiling. “So tell me what you know.”

  Sarah recounted, word for word, what Kate had said and Andy agreed that it was highly unlikely that Kate was mistaken. He was all for breaking out a bottle of bubbly.

  “Should I tell Irene?” Sarah bit her lip.

  “Do you want to tell Irene?”

  “Yes and no, mainly I want to say ‘ner, ner, ner-ner, ner!’”

  “I think leave it to the police. She’s unlikely to believe you, anyway.” The school doors opened and children tumbled out with anxious teachers trying to eyeball the right parents for the right child. Andy and Sarah both raised a hand at the same time when they saw Amy’s teacher with a firm hold on the little girl’s shoulder. The woman was clearly terrified of letting Amy leave with the wrong parent. She looked relieved, released her grip, and Amy charged across the playground towards them.

  Kate was on a high by the time she got back to the marquee and was bustled into a car with Marcus and back up to the offices for another round of filming. Kate relayed the exciting events to Marcus, who shared her excitement, but was not completely abreast of the whole story so kept asking too many questions and interrupting. Kate had insisted on speaking to Inspector Chauvin, who had called her back within a few minutes. He seemed like a nice, sensible sort of person and he listened carefully and asked some good questions. He asked her not to go looking for Shaun and said that his officers would be liaising with the local force in Bath and he would update Mrs Greasley if there were any significant developments. It wasn’t quite the big police swoop she had hoped for, but it made sense.

  When filming ended for the day, Kate was ready to skip to the train station. Tim came over as she and Pippa were sorting out who else was going to the station, to minimise the number of cars ferrying people in that direction.

  “Tim, are you seeing Didi this weekend?”

  “Yes, I was going to ask you something.”

  “Me first. I bought her this picture for her flat, well, your flat, actually. Can you give it to her, please?” and she handed Tim the bag. He didn’t take it.

  “Pippa wants to sort the apartment out before Didi moves in, so I thought a bit of sunshine would do us all good. I wondered if you fancied spending the weekend at my villa in Italy? You, me and Didi.” Tim was looking expectant and Kate lowered the bag with the picture in it. Her brain was a mass of questions and she didn’t know which one to voice first, so instead, she said nothing. “We’ll fly out early tomorrow and back Sunday evening. Think about it and let me know if you can make it.”

  “Thanks. I’ll let you know,” she managed before he went off to speak to Pippa.

  Tim was quiet in the back of the car as they inched their way through the Friday- evening traffic to pick up Lumina. She appeared on cue and sashayed towards to the car in a little black dress with a wrap elegantly arranged over her shoulders, her tiny feet squeezed into pointy patent shoes that increased her height by a good four inches. She had a bag in each hand; a tiny luminous-yellow clutch bag in her left and a small white bowling bag in her right, with a little furry head poking out of one end. It was simultaneous; as soon as Tim saw Horse he started to groan and as soon as Horse saw Tim he started to yap, even before Terry had opened the door.

  “No,” said Tim, “it’s dinner for two; you’re not bringing him!” But it was in vain, as Lumina was already swinging her sleek legs into the car.

  “Sorry, what was that? I can’t hear you over Horse.”

  “I think he’d be better off if you leave him here,” Tim raised his voice in order to be heard.

  “No, he gets lonely. Don’t woo, baby boy? He would miss his mummy.” Thankfully the interaction and kisses from Lumina distracted Horse for a few moments, and Tim slumped back in his seat in defeat. The car journey to the latest celebrity chef’s restaurant was a short one, but by the time they got there, Tim feared that his ears might actually be bleeding due to the high pitch of Horse’s incessant yaps. As they walked inside, Tim headed for the cloakroom attendant, who was already staring in their direction, having been alerted by the noise. Tim handed her a rolled-up note.

  “Please offer to take the dog,” Tim pleaded. The young woman’s face was already apologising, but a quick glance down at the 50-pound note had the required effect.

  “Thanks, I shouldn’t, but I will.”

  “Thank you,” mouthed Tim and, as Lumina approached, the young woman stepped forward to make a fuss of Horse.

  “Aren’t you a gorgeous girl?”

  “Boy!” chipped in Tim.

  “Boy, then. You like a fuss, don’t you? Would you like me to look after him while you have your meal?” Tim thought she did a convincing job and was nodding frantically at Lumina.

  “He does seem to like you,” said Lumina with a pout, as Horse licked the woman’s fingers and scrabbled to get out of the bag to get to her. “Okay,” and she handed over the bag and stalked off.

  “Thank you, we won’t be long,” smiled Tim.

  It was early for dinner but the restaurant was buzzing with chatter, and smart waiters and waitresses sped around looking slick and efficient. A tall waiter showed them to their table, which was nicely positioned, not too far from the exit and not in full, public view – perfect if Lumina decided to throw a strop. They studied the menus in silence. The waiter returned and took their orders. Tim checked his watch and then his phone.

  “Tim, are you taking this relationship seriously?” Lumina’s words were forceful and she was leaning forward in her seat.

  “It’s not a relationship… actually, Lumina, I did want to talk to you.”

  “Oh no, not the ‘I’m not ready to settle down’ speech again. I don’t want to settle down either.”

  “But I think you do. Maybe not this week, but sometime soon and I’m just not that guy. It’s not fair on you to make you think I will ever be that guy. Because I won’t.”

  “Tim, I’m not listening and we’re not ending this. I won’t let you, we had a deal.” She threw down her napkin like a toddler throwing down a toy and walked off. Tim watched her go for as long as his stretched neck would allow. He waited for a few minutes and was about to ask for the bill when Lumina reappeared. The disappointment in his face was visible, but he tried to hide it with a smile.

  Before they could continue the discussion, the starters arrived. An uncomfortable silence fell around their corner of the restaurant, as if in quarantine from the rest. Tim mulled over how else he could say it. He finished his starter and took a sip of water and went to speak. Lumina held up her hand to stop him and shook her head. This was hopeless. Tim checked his watch and then his phone. It had been the longest 30 minutes of his life.

  “Have you enjoyed Bath this week?” Tim asked. Lumina stared at him as if it was a trick question.

  “Yes, I have.”

  “Didi was a giggle, wasn’t she?”

  “No, she’s old and boring. I don’t know why you are friends with her.” Tim was pleased with the negative reaction and saw an opportunity.

  “She’s moving into my apartment this weekend.”

  “What? You’re moving in together?”

  “More of a flat-share.”

  “That’s ludicrous! I won’t…” Lumina stopped herself and waved her hands up and down in a floating motion, as if trying to calm herself down. “Fine, it’s your apartment. That’s fine.” Tim was stumped again. He checked his watch. His phone rang and he jumped on it in relief; he was thrilled to see who the caller was and leaned back as far as he could in his stiff, high-backed chair.

  “Hi, Jackie, how are you? I’ve missed you, too,” he glanced at Lu
mina. Her eyes were boring holes into his head, so he continued, “Did you like the clothes I sent you? Did they fit?” Another glance across the table showed that Lumina’s usually ceramic complexion was turning crimson and the rage in her eyes was borderline psycho; he knew he had nearly cracked it. “I can’t wait to see you wearing them, Jackie,” he said, and that did the trick. Lumina screamed at him. There weren’t any words, it was just a noise. She grabbed her glass of mineral water with a slice of lime and threw it over Tim with such force that for a second Tim thought the glass was coming at him, too. The slice of lime bounced rhythmically down his front. She stood up quickly, knocking her chair over backwards.

  “You utter bastard! It’s over.”

  “Hang on, Jackie,” said Tim, brushing off some of the liquid from his face and covering the phone, “Okay, Lumina, if that’s what you want. I take it the deal is off, too, then. I’m sorry it didn’t work out. Terry will take you home.”

  Another stifled scream of frustration signalled her departure and she stomped off. The chatter in the restaurant had dwindled to a muffled titter.

  “No, Jackie, it’s nothing for you to worry about. Tell me what you’ve been up to,” Tim said, as the waiters quickly rearranged the table and chair and proffered napkins for Tim to dry himself. Tim finished his phone call, paid the bill and walked out with his head held high. He was just reaching the doors when the cloakroom attendant called to him.

  “Sir, your dog?” Tim spun around to see the young woman cradling a snarling Horse and holding up the small bowling bag.

  “But he’s not mine.”

  “Look, if the manager sees him, I’m in trouble. Here,” and she popped Horse into his bag, zipped it up to his neck and offered it to Tim. The snarling turned to yapping as Tim approached.

  “Right. Thanks,” said Tim curtly, and he made a couple of failed attempts to grab the handles as Horse swivelled his head in an attempt to bite Tim.