You've Got My Number: Warm your heart this winter with this uplifting and deliciously romantic story!

by Angela Barton

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Tess was walking along the cliff top with Padders, the crescent of golden sand on Harlyn Bay stretching far below. Her gloved hands were pushed deep inside her pockets and the hood of her winter coat protected her from the blustery gusts. The muddy path she was following wound its way between grassy banks and thickets of brambles. Occasionally the view of the beach would be lost, only to return around the next corner. Sheep grazed silently in the field to her left and birds swooped through the air on frenetic air currents. The trees on the cliff top were bent into submission by fierce coastal winds and leaned inland. Sometimes the wind would calm to a gentle whisper and Tess could feel the weak heat of the winter sun on her face.

  She’d been in Cornwall for two days and had visited the teashop for a second time. The bad news was that after reading the shop’s accounts, she knew she wouldn’t become rich running a little café, but nor would she earn less money than she was making now. The good news would be that she’d be baking and cooking close to where she’d grown up.

  Tess looked across the peninsula to where a small fishing boat was chugging through the waves. She groaned aloud in frustration, her voice lost in a sudden gust. There was Blake to consider. He was like a closed book. Not wanting to make a fuss about your illness was one thing, but not letting your girlfriend know how things were progressing, was quite another. Tess kicked a fallen twig, aware that she needed to know because she wanted to move on. That made her think of Daniel. Did he feel as strongly about her? If he did, would he wait? She’d posted a note to him before she’d left Halston, but she hadn’t heard from him. She hoped that Daniel had found it. It’d be just her luck if she’d inadvertently pushed it under the mat like her namesake, Tess of The D’Urbevilles.

  Tess walked down the coastal steps and on to the pale yellow sand. It crunched beneath her boots. She waded through the soft ground until she reached firmer damp sand. The beach was furrowed in ridges, as if it were frowning at the elements. Figures in the distance were trying to fly a kite, but the wind was so strong today that the kite was flitting about wildly or crashing onto the sand.

  Tess continued towards the base of the cliffs. Its steep sides would protect her from the chilly gusts. Feeling more sheltered, she climbed over fallen rocks that were scattered haphazardly onto the beach. Water trickled down the cliff face, weaving in and out of velvety lichen and barnacles that were clinging to the rock. She bent to pick up a cream shell, slipping it into her pocket; another addition to her bathroom collection.

  She stood at the yawning mouth of a cave, remembering what Daniel had said about the dense bushes in his garden. He’d said that as a child he pretended the foliage was a cave to hide in. This cave was only ten meters deep, but two decades ago, it’d been a make-believe sanctuary from the sea dragon that lived in the next bay for her and Holly. Tess stepped inside the entrance. Her footsteps echoed. It was dark and damp, with hollow plops of water perpetually dripping in the gloom. Padders barked at the entrance, as if asking what she was doing in a dark cave. It didn’t feel the same being there by herself, anyway. Tess turned and walked back into the winter sunshine. Shaking off the clinging chill, she pulled off her boots, rolled up her jeans and walked towards the sea. Waves crashed against huge boulders and water splashed off the rocks into splinters of light, before hushing their way up the sand. This was much more exciting for Padders and he splashed around in the shallows.

  At the water’s edge, strands of seaweed tickled her toes. A smooth pebble cartwheeled on a shallow wave and stopped at her feet. She picked it up and stared in disbelief. Lying in her palm was a pebble – the perfect shape of the capital letter D. Was it a sign? Tess shook her head with a smile. Now she was just being sentimental. Common sense told her that somewhere on its ocean-tossed journey, this round pebble would have smashed against rocks and split in two. She wrapped her fingers tightly around her precious rescued treasure. Glancing along the deserted beach to check that she was alone and that the kite flyers had left, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes, lifted her face to the sun and shouted out to sea.

  ‘I love you, Daniel Cavanagh.’

  His name was lost among the call of the gulls.

  Tess had been walking for almost an hour when the wind’s frantic gusts settled enough for her to hear her phone ringing. She rummaged in her pocket, first grasping the shell, then the pebble and finally feeling her mobile. The screen read, Holly calling.

  ‘Hello, you’ll never guess where I’ve just been?’ said Tess.

  ‘Where?’

  ‘In our cave on the beach.’

  ‘You’re kidding. Is it just the same?’

  ‘Exactly the same, but a bit scary on my own.’

  ‘I presume the sea dragon didn’t eat you or you wouldn’t be talking to me now.’

  Tess laughed. ‘No, it’s too windy for him today.’

  ‘Guess what? Great news. You know the couple living above the shop?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘They’ve only gone and flooded the bathroom. The leak has ruined The Blue Olive’s wooden flooring and warped several shelves.’

  ‘And that’s great news?’

  ‘Yes. The deli has closed for four days and we can go home on full pay. I’m catching a train to Bodmin tomorrow so I can spend a few days with Mum and Dad. Can we meet up?’

  Tess jumped up and down in a shallow pool. ‘We haven’t been back here together for about three years.’

  ‘I know. My train gets in at one tomorrow. Can you meet me because Mum and Dad will be at work?’

  ‘I’ll be there. I’ll wear a carnation so you’ll recognise me.’

  ‘You’re crazy, Tess Fenton. It’s going to be like we were teenagers again.’

  ‘I can’t wait. See you tomorrow.’

  ‘Bye.’

  The train pulled in on time at Bodmin Station and ghostly grey figures emerged from the fog. Tess felt a bit like Roberta in The Railway Children. A red figure slowly appeared through the mist. Either Father Christmas had spent all year at Weight Watchers or someone was dressed festively. Tess strained her eyes to see more clearly and took a tentative few steps towards the figure. Then she grinned. Holly was wearing a red jumper with a wide black belt around her waist. She was so laden down with luggage that she carried her cream gloves between her teeth. At a distance, these had obscured her face and looked like Santa’s beard.

  ‘Mmmm mm!’ mumbled Holly.

  Tess hurried towards her and took her gloves out of her mouth. ‘Pardon?’

  ‘I said, help me.’

  Holly dropped everything and hugged Tess. ‘Any plans?’

  ‘Not yet,’ replied Tess.

  ‘Great. Let’s hit the shops in Truro then.’

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Daniel was ticking items off his exhibition list at the kitchen table. Goya and Gogh were gently snoring at his feet and a glass of wine sat next to his notebook.

  Marquee – Lawn and Leisure Marquees

  Flowers – Thistle Do Nicely

  Press – Nottingham Evening Gazette

  Band – Sepia Rainbow

  Catering – Tess Fenton

  His pen hovered over her name. He was missing her. Maybe he should call in at The Royal Oak for an hour. Then again, the thought of noisy banter exhausted him. He needed to talk to someone who understood him, someone he could tell anything to. He looked at his watch and decided to call his sister.

  ‘Hello, Den.’

  ‘Hiya. How are you?’

  ‘Not bad. I phoned last night to ask how your chemo session had gone, but Simon said you were tired and had gone to bed early.’

  ‘Yes, I felt shattered and woke up this morning feeling a bit nauseous, but I’d been told to expect it. Anyway, how about you? How are the exhibition plans coming along?’

  ‘I’m getting there. The invitations have gone out, I’m ticking off people on my list that need to be booked and I’m organising the canvases.’

  ‘Wh
at about the food? Are you and Tess an item yet?’

  ‘Behave. We’re just good friends.’

  ‘They say that all the best love stories start with friendship.’

  ‘She’s in Cornwall at her parents’ house for a while.’

  ‘Are you missing her?’ Denise teased.

  Daniel laughed. ‘Yes, okay. I miss her company.’

  ‘My little brother’s in love.’

  ‘Will you stop it. And less of the little brother; you’re only seven minutes older than me.’ Daniel paused. ‘Den, can I ask you a question?’

  ‘Of course you can.’

  ‘When Tess came over a few weeks ago, she hinted that she wished things could be different. She says she couldn’t leave her boyfriend just yet, because he’s sick. I suppose it gave me a bit of hope. Now she’s looking at a café that’s for sale in Cornwall. You’re a girl, why would she say she couldn’t leave her boyfriend and then look at a business down south? And if she liked me, why would she be planning to leave? Do I keep on waiting and hoping, or am I just being a mug here?’

  ‘She’s probably keeping her options open. Have you told her how you feel about her? We girls aren’t mind readers, you know?’

  ‘Sort of.’

  ‘What does that mean?’

  ‘I might have tried to kiss her.’

  ‘Tried?’

  ‘She pulled away.’

  ‘Good. You should be pleased.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘What would you have thought of her if she’d kissed you while she was in a relationship? She’d certainly have plummeted in my estimation. Now I like her even more and I haven’t met her.’

  Daniel groaned. ‘I’m such an idiot! I cringe whenever I think about it. Why did I put her in that position? She probably thinks I’m just an arrogant letch.’

  ‘I’m sure she doesn’t. You’re just an old romantic at heart, aren’t you? No more Desperate Dan, okay? Get on the phone or text her. Keep in touch. Let her know you’re there for her, but not by using your lips, okay? It only needs to be a simple message, nothing flowery that will embarrass you when she gets back. Communication is at the heart of everything, whether it’s married couples, parents and children or even world leaders.’

  ‘You sound like Mum.’

  ‘I’ll take that as a compliment.’

  ‘You should. You’re coming to the exhibition, aren’t you?’

  ‘I hope so, but it depends how I’m feeling after my chemo session the day before.’

  ‘I wish it was me and not you. You don’t deserve it.’

  ‘No one does.’

  ‘How are Sam and Peter coping? Do they know anything?’

  ‘We’ve told them I have a bad headache and need to rest now and then. When I start to lose my hair we’ll have to give them a diluted version of things.’

  ‘Children are resilient and Simon can turn his hand to anything.’

  ‘Anything but maths homework.’ She laughed. ‘He’s been wonderful at looking after the boys, cooking, cleaning and being the taxi for cubs and football practice. We’ll be fine. I just wish…’

  ‘You wish Mum was here.’

  ‘You can still read my mind.’

  ‘Look, I’ll let you go. I can hear the boys calling you. What are they doing?’

  ‘Simon’s parents brought a big box over that they’d struggled to get down from their loft to take the boys’ minds off things. So sweet of them. It had been up there for nearly twenty years and is full of Simon’s old toys and annuals. It’s right up your street. There are Dandy and Beano comics and lots of Secret Seven paperbacks. There’s a Spirograph, Thunderbird figures, a talking Captain Scarlet figure and an Etch-A-Sketch. The boys have found an old Meccano set and have been as quiet as mice for half an hour with a couple of spanners and some instructions.’

  ‘Tell them I’m coming down at Christmas and they’re not to lose any pieces.’

  ‘I will.’

  ‘Seriously though, I’ll be there to look after you and help with the boys. I don’t want you worrying about the workload.’

  ‘Thank you. And who knows? You might be bringing a lovely new girlfriend with you.’

  ‘Behave.’

  ‘Text her. Now!’

  ‘I will as soon as I put the phone down.’

  ‘I must dash before they wreck the place. Let me know what she says, won’t you?’

  ‘I will. Bye.’

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Truro was a bustling cathedral city surrounded by flowing rivers. Picturesque Georgian streets mingled with eighteenth-century town houses and little bridges crossed narrow waterways. At the heart of the city’s shopping centre, stood Truro Cathedral. Its gothic grey granite walls stretched two hundred and fifty feet into the pale blue sky as if reaching for the heavens. A smaller green-tipped spire added a splash of colour to its austere facade.

  By mid-afternoon, the fog had cleared and a watery sun hung in the sky. Holly’s parents wouldn’t be home from work until gone five, so she and Tess decided to head straight into town for a couple of hours Christmas shopping. They joined the throngs of bargain hunters and began to explore the city where they’d spent many a weekend as teenagers.

  Tess called Holly away from Monsoon’s window display. ‘Come and look at this, isn’t it lovely?’

  Holly joined her friend and linked arms as they gazed down into a toyshop window. On the other side of the glass was a miniature village designed as a winter wonderland. Tiny toy cottages were adorned with warm, golden lights and wreaths of holly berries hung on miniature front doors. Fir trees were decorated with glittering baubles and a choir of tiny figures sang open-mouthed at a church door. The streets and houses were covered in a blanket of snow and fairy lights twinkled through a black cloth sky. The hymn, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ sang out of a small speaker close to the door.

  ‘Don’t you think it looks like Halston?’ said Tess.

  ‘Even nicer. No smelly cows.’

  ‘Do you think you will ever come back here to live?’

  Holly pursed her lips. ‘I’d never say never, but I love city life. Perhaps when I retire in another forty years. Why do you ask?’

  ‘I’ve been giving it some thought. I haven’t told you this as I didn’t want to upset you, but Mum’s seen a teashop for sale in Padstow and has offered to help me buy it.’

  Holly turned to Tess. ‘You’re thinking of coming back here to work? To live? What about Blake? And me? I couldn’t bear to work at the deli without you.’

  Tess hugged her friend and laughed kindly at her distraught face. ‘I just said I’d been giving it some thought. I actually think it’s come on the market at the wrong time for me. It’s partly a dream I’m playing out and partly keeping Mum happy by considering it. Deep down I know I can’t leave Halston. You know that Daniel and I are friends, but I really like him. I only hope that he’ll still be single when Blake gets the all-clear.’ Tess looked at her feet and kicked a small pebble. ‘I feel like I’ve found a beautifully wrapped present but I’m not allowed to open it because I don’t know if it belongs to me or not. Do you know what I mean?’

  ‘So you’re falling in love with him?’

  Tess shrugged her shoulders. ‘He’s kind, patient, a great organiser and so talented.’

  Holly snorted. ‘You sound like you’re giving him a job reference.’

  ‘Yes, I’m falling in love with him, but I’m not sure how he feels. He says lovely things but I think he’s relieved to have someone to talk to and to help organise the catering. He tells me he’s there for me, but as what? A surrogate brother, a friend, a neighbour?’

  ‘I’m sorry to bring it up, but have you asked Blake about how things are going? You said you were going to. He seems so much better. He rarely coughs. He’s in good spirits and he has a good appetite. You said you’d stay with him until he’s better, but he seems fine.’

  ‘I know, I will talk to him but things are so hectic at the moment. We
both have work, he’s been away in Amsterdam, I’ve been busy sorting out the menu for the exhibition and liaising with Daniel. Anyway…’ Tess lifted a hand as if she were stopping traffic ‘… no more excuses. It’s his court case next week. I just need to get that over and done with and then I’ll ask him to spell out to me just what’s happening about his progress. If he won’t tell me, I’ll let him know that I can’t do this any more. I’ll finish with him anyway. I’m so desperate to know what’s going on with his health that I’ve even considered going round to his mother’s and asking what she knows. She’d love to fill me in on information that her precious son has omitted to tell me. Think of the power it would give her.’

  ‘Crumbs, you are desperate! C’mon. Let’s find a bite to eat and talk some more.’

  They linked arms and sauntered up the shop-lined hill. Soon they reached an open café doorway where a hug of coffee aroma and mince pies enveloped them and beckoned them inside.

  ‘Quick, grab that settee and I’ll order,’ said Tess.

  Soon Holly was dipping her finger into a dollop of cream and sucking her finger. ‘Good call on the mince pies, by the way. They’re delicious. Now, where were we? Oh yes, so, let’s say, for argument’s sake, that you finish with Blake. What then?’

  ‘I’d see how things go with Daniel. I don’t want to be friends with benefits, but I’m frightened that if that’s all he offers, I wouldn’t be able to say no.’ Tess swallowed a mouthful of pastry and brushed crumbs off her scarf. ‘There’s something I haven’t told you.’