‘Hello, Tess. I see you’re baking again,’ said Mrs Campbell, pointing to Tess’s hands covered in sticky mixture. Despite acknowledging that Tess was busy, it didn’t stop the old lady from launching into a tirade of gossip about several neighbours, Chippy’s latest escapades, her rheumatism and the change in the weather. After ten minutes, Tess felt dough drying and tightening on her fingers. She was about to make her excuses to escape, when something moving in her peripheral vision distracted her from the conversation. She turned to look and caught her breath. Daniel was walking his dogs past her house. Had he come to visit? He waved. Tess now had no idea what Mrs Campbell was saying. She waved back to encourage him to interrupt her neighbour, but disappointingly he continued walking until he disappeared along the lane.
‘Damn!’ Tess sighed.
‘Pardon, my dear?’
‘Erm… pan. I’ve left a pan on the hob. I’ll have to dash, I’m afraid.’
‘I do go on a bit, don’t I? I’ll leave you in peace.’
‘I’ll pop over in the week to catch up.’
‘Lovely. See you soon.’
Daniel and the dogs turned left at a huge oak tree and walked on to the village’s smaller grassy area. He let the dogs off their leads and watched them bolt across the expanse of grass. The wind had grown stronger and colder and he wrapped his jacket tighter around his body. The trees’ branches whipped and fought as they swayed violently and the sky grew darker. Mabel had been right about an imminent downpour.
He was halfway across the field of grass when he felt the first splat of a raindrop. Seconds later, the heavens opened. His jeans stuck to his legs and his T-shirt welded itself to his body. The sky flashed, followed by a hollow rumble. Goya and Gogh came running towards him. They all ran to a large tree in the middle of the field but it didn’t offer much shelter because half its leaves had already fallen. The thought crossed his mind that he shouldn’t be standing under a tree in a thunderstorm, but it was their only source of shelter, however minimal.
The deluge continued and the dogs huddled close to Daniel’s feet. He couldn’t see clearly because the rain streamed through his hair and down his face. The sky flashed and the thunder roared once again. The dogs looked forlorn, their ears wet and hanging like damp socks on a washing line. They shivered and pressed closer against Daniel’s legs.
Tess had walked back into the kitchen and washed the sticky mess off her hands before starting to knead the dough again. Thoughts of Daniel in his leather jacket filled her mind. She pressed the mixture into a circle and smeared tomato paste over it. If she was quick, she could run upstairs and wait by the bedroom curtains until he walked back. She tutted at the idea; she wasn’t a silly schoolgirl, nor was she a stalker.
When the mushrooms, pepperoni and mozzarella had been arranged on the dough base, she sprinkled some grated cheese on top. She gave the pepper grinder a few twists and placed the pizza on the top shelf of the oven.
Tess rinsed her hands again, glancing up when she heard tapping on the window. Silver raindrops were decorating the glass. After drying her hands, she started stacking the dishwasher just as the tapping turned to a loud hammering. The rain beat down on the windows with ferocious strength. Tess was thinking that a second deluge of water in twenty-four hours would be good for her sun-baked lawn, when she remembered Daniel. He’d passed by with the dogs and the only place for dogs to run in that direction would be the little green, which had no shelter.
Without hesitating, she grabbed her car keys and an umbrella from under the stairs and ran down the garden path. She jumped in her car and accelerated along the road with her wipers waving frantically in front of her. The rain pounded against the roof of her little car, deafening the music from the radio. She turned the corner and saw the expanse of grass and wild flowers being battered by the downpour. Standing in the middle of the green was Daniel and his dogs. They were hunched together under a tree. She beeped her horn and saw him turn to look towards her car.
Realisation dawned. She’d driven to Daniel’s rescue without giving it a second thought. Any moment now he would be sitting in her car. They would be enclosed in this tiny metal box, inches away from each other. Daniel was running towards her car. She began to hyperventilate. It was thrilling and terrifying. He was a few feet away now. She rolled down her window, feigning nonchalance.
‘Climb in. You look like you’re drowning. It’s a tiny ark, but you’re all welcome aboard.’
Daniel opened the door, pulled the passenger seat forwards and let Goya and Gogh leap in. He climbed in the front and shut the door, his broad shoulders already brushing up against her slender ones. The dogs shook themselves on the back seat, showering them both and making them both laugh, breaking the ice.
He turned to face her. ‘It’s the best ark I’ve ever seen. Thanks.’
Tess looked at his wet, handsome face. She felt awkward and shy now that he was sitting so close in such a cramped space. She hoped he couldn’t tell her heart was hammering inside her chest, so she made up an excuse for passing by.
‘I was on my way to Jackson’s Store for mushrooms.’
‘Sorry to hold you up, but thanks for stopping. I was beginning to think I’d need a snorkel.’
He was tantalisingly close. She could feel his breath on her skin when he spoke and could smell a faint citrusy fragrance as she manoeuvred the car into reverse.
‘What about your mushrooms?’ asked Daniel.
‘Oh, they’re not important. I’ve left something in the oven. Would you mind if I call in home before I drop you off? If you have time I could put the kettle on.’
‘That would be great.’
They pulled up outside Rose Cottage and made a dash to the front door. Tess unlocked it and a delicious smell of dough and cheese welcomed them. Hurrying into the kitchen, she bent double and peered into the oven. The pizza needed another five minutes for the cheese to turn golden.
She stood up and faced Daniel. Seeing him clearly for the first time in the last hectic five minutes, Tess was taken aback. He was peeling his leather jacket from his shoulders. His wet jeans clung to his thighs and his black T-shirt was stuck to the contours of his muscled stomach. His hair hung in dripping tendrils, raindrops decorating his face like tribal markings. Tess felt light-headed and incredibly confused.
‘I’ll fetch a towel.’ She ran upstairs. ‘Please let there be clean towels in the airing cupboard. Please don’t let Blake have used the last one,’ she muttered, under her breath.
‘I love your house,’ Daniel shouted up to her.
‘Thank you. Feel free to put the kettle on.’
‘Can I let the dogs out the back? The rain seems to have slowed.’
Tess yelled back through the spindles. ‘Of course.’
She opened the airing cupboard. One white bath towel sat neatly folded on the shelf. It smelt of jasmine and fresh air. She hugged it and whispered, ‘Thank you, thank you.’ Back downstairs she saw Daniel was shivering as he filled the kettle. Tess passed him the warm towel. Should she suggest that he remove his wet clothes? God no, what was she thinking?
‘Thanks.’ He wrapped the towel around his shoulders and used one corner of it to rub his dripping hair.
Tess busied herself getting two cups out of the cupboard and spooned ground coffee into her coffee pot. What had possessed her to invite him in? She knew the answer; she felt good whenever she thought about him, let alone being in his company. She filled the coffee pot with boiling water and immediately the kitchen was filled with the intoxicating aroma of fresh coffee. Tess gripped the tray to pick it up and carry it to the table, when Daniel appeared at her side.
‘Let me,’ he said.
‘Thank you.’ She wasn’t used to such chivalry. Tess felt his fingers brush against hers as he took the tray from her. A million watts of electricity passed from his skin to hers.
‘My pleasure. I really am grateful that you rescued us from the flood. Can I call you Noah?’
‘You
’re welcome, but as I said, I was on my way out anyway.’
‘Ah yes. Mushrooms.’
Tess cringed. She could see him looking at an unused number of mushrooms on the worktop.
‘Do you cook for a living?’ he asked.
‘Sadly not. Perhaps one day.’ Tess pushed down the filter with the palm of her hand. ‘I work in a boring deli in town. It’s not very interesting, but I work with nice people and it pays the bills.’
‘You’re doing well. You have a lovely house.’
‘Thank you. I rent it. Houses rarely come up for sale in Halston. Once here, no one wants to leave. But I can understand that, it’s a beautiful village.’ She lifted the coffee pot. ‘How do you take it?’
‘Black, no sugar. Thanks.’
Tess pulled out a chair and sat down at the table next to him.
‘I really like the initial ideas you gave me for the buffet,’ said Daniel. ‘How’s the final menu coming along?’
She poured milk into her coffee. ‘I was going to phone you this weekend about it. I’ve made a list I’d like to show you.’
‘That’s great. I can’t believe it’s only a couple of months away.’
Tess looked at him cradling his coffee cup, peering over the rim and meeting her gaze. With immense effort, she pulled herself away from the table and crossed the kitchen. Opening a drawer, she brought out a list of recipes that she’d scribbled onto a pad. She laid it on the table in front of him. As he studied the recipes, she looked at his dark hair pushed behind his ears and noticed the scar on his temple. She wondered what the story was behind it, but thought better of asking. Instead, she studied the tiny fair hairs on the skin of his neck. When he bent forwards to read her list, his hair fell forwards revealing a small freckle just above the neckline of his T-shirt. Tess quickly looked away when he leaned backwards.
‘This sounds fantastic. What’s a filo cigar?’
‘Oh, it’s just a posh name for rolled up paper thin pastry that can be stuffed with a sweet or savoury filling.’
‘Why don’t you cater for a living, if that’s what you really want to do? I’m sure you’d have no trouble cooking privately for dinner parties or even opening a little shop. Joe said your food was delicious. Life’s short. It has a way of coming up behind you when you’re not looking and pulling the rug out from under your feet.’
Tess saw his expression change for a split second. She wondered if he’d had a bad experience, maybe with an old girlfriend. She decided that she’d try to find out a little more about this man who’d walked into her life and occupied a large percentage of her daydreams.
‘Do you live locally?’ she asked, trying to appear casual while sipping her coffee.
‘Yes, you could say that.’
‘Just you?’
‘Just me and my two girls.’
Tess fought to keep her smile in place, imagining a wife and daughter.
‘Talking of which, they’re ominously quiet. What’re they up to?’ He stood up and peered out of the kitchen window.
Tess held in a sigh of relief. ‘Do your family live nearby?’
‘My parents died some years ago now, in a car accident.’
She gasped. ‘That’s dreadful. I’m so sorry for prying.’
‘It’s okay. You weren’t prying, just asking a perfectly normal question in conversation. Do you live alone or does your boyfriend live here too?’
‘Just me and Bob the goldfish.’
‘Ah! The elusive Bob. Where is he?’
‘He lives in the bathroom, with a rubber duck and plastic dolphin.’
‘A chap can never have too many friends.’
‘Do you have a girlfriend?’ Tess could have kicked herself for being so blunt.
‘No, I’m far too busy at the moment with my art. I’m a bit of a hermit, to be honest. If it wasn’t for the girls taking me on a walk twice a day, I’d probably grow a long beard and become a recluse.’
They laughed.
‘I suppose you could try internet dating.’ Tess couldn’t believe how her mouth was taking control of this conversation instead of her brain. What was she doing trying to enrol him at a dating agency?
‘Too scary. I’ve had friends who have dabbled in it. Apparently the odds are good, but the goods are odd!’
Tess swallowed her mouthful of coffee with some difficulty, trying not to giggle. She swallowed loudly, waving a hand in front of her face as if fanning herself. ‘Don’t make me laugh.’
Daniel rubbed her back as she gave a few tickly coughs. His touch was thrilling but she hid any reaction.
‘What about your family?’ Daniel asked.
‘Mum and Dad live in Cornwall. I’m their only child. Apparently I arrived in my own good time after seven years of them trying. How about you?’
‘I have a twin, but Den lives in London.’
‘A twin? How wonderful. Are you identical?’
He laughed. ‘No, but we both have Mum’s nose and eyes and Dad’s colouring, so there’s no mistaking that we’re related.’
Tess thought that his parents hadn’t used much imagination calling their twins, Dan and Den. It must have been very confusing having two boys with such similar names.
‘Will Den be coming to the exhibition?’
‘I hope so, but the family’s been going through a rough patch recently.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘Den’s not well at the moment and is waiting for test results.’
Tess nodded, knowingly. ‘That’s awful. My boyfriend has cancer, but he’s making good progress.’
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t know. That’s rough.’
‘He’s coping physically, but mentally he’s not so good. Short-tempered, impaired judgment, tired. He spent the night in a cell a few weeks ago for drunk driving. He’s never done that before. He must be stressed. Now he’s waiting for a date for a court appearance to find out what his punishment will be.’
‘Poor bloke. Sounds like he’s got a lot on his plate. But he’s got you.’
Tess smiled weakly but didn’t reply. They held each other’s gaze for a few seconds. The intimate moment was interrupted when the front door slammed. Tess jumped. Footsteps marched down the hall.
‘Bloody weather! Wipers aren’t working properly, so I’ll—’
The kitchen door swung open and Blake stopped mid-sentence. His last harsh haircut had left one millimetre of fair hair on his scalp. ‘What’s this?’
Daniel stood up and held out his hand. ‘Hi, I’m Daniel. Tess kindly rescued me from the storm.’
‘Did she?’
Since being with Daniel, Tess had totally forgotten that Blake was coming for lunch. She saw that he’d noticed the dining chairs she and Daniel were sitting on were at an angle, facing each other.
‘I’m Blake. Tess’s boyfriend.’
‘Pleased to meet you, Blake.’
‘This is the Daniel who’s asked me to cook for his exhibition. He’s an artist.’
‘So I hear.’ Blake sounded uninterested.
‘Do you want a coffee?’ Tess asked.
‘No, thanks. What’s that smell?’
‘Oh no!’ Tess hurried across the kitchen. She opened the oven and was greeted by a plume of smoke. The pizza looked like a huge dirty bronze penny.
‘Sorry, it was my fault,’ said Daniel. ‘I asked Tess about some recipes and distracted her. I’ll be off and get out of your way.’
Tess saw Blake open the fridge, looking for an alternative lunch. She looked at Daniel and pulled a face, hoping it would convey an apology.
Goya and Gogh were called from the back garden and hurled themselves excitedly across the kitchen floor into the hall. Blake looked up in disbelief, mumbling something about fleas and allergies.
At the front door, Daniel unwound the towel from his neck and handed it to Tess.
‘Thank you. I meant what I said about life being too short not to change what isn’t right.’
Tess wondered if he was
talking about her career or if intuition had told him that she and Blake were having problems. ‘I know. My best friend has said the same thing.’
‘I love your food ideas. Give me a call and we’ll arrange a time to meet up at The Rookery.’
‘I will.’
Tess hesitated. She didn’t know whether they knew each other well enough for a friendly hug or a kiss on the cheek? She felt awkward and clumsy. To cover her embarrassment, she opened the front door and watched Daniel walk down the path with his two bounding spaniels by his side again. That’s where she wanted to be.
He closed the gate and looked over his shoulder towards her, lifting an arm to wave.
Tess closed the door and hugged the damp towel. It was still warm from his skin. She pressed her nose into the softness, closed her eyes and inhaled.
Chapter Seventeen
A letter dropped onto Blake’s veneered flooring. Before picking it up, he pushed the last piece of toast into his mouth, swapping his half-smoked cigarette into his other hand. With his cheeks bulging, he carried the envelope towards the kitchen sink where the light was brighter on this grey morning. He turned it over to look for a clue to the identity of the sender. He stopped chewing. The address of the Magistrates’ Court was printed on the back.
‘Shit!’
As he hadn’t heard from them for a couple of weeks, he’d begun to believe that it had all gone away. Scanning the black type, too afraid to read it in detail, he picked out a few phrases.
In charge of vehicle with excess alcohol… mitigation… endorsement code DR40… fine… ban… imprisonment.
Visibly shaking, he searched for Tess’s number on his mobile.
Tess was singing along to the radio. She stopped only to gently slice the top off her boiled egg. A thick slice of toast popped out of the toaster and she smeared a generous amount of butter onto its golden surface. She wiggled her bottom to the music while cutting the slice into six fingers, before dipping a hot oozing soldier into her egg. This caused a volcano of yolk to slither down the shell. She chewed the delicious mouthful while carrying her plate and mug of tea to the table, enjoying the banter from the team on the radio. To add to her good mood, she had phoned Daniel last evening and they had arranged to get together tomorrow morning to discuss the list of party food.
You've Got My Number: Warm your heart this winter with this uplifting and deliciously romantic story! Page 10