‘A nightcap?’
‘That would be lovely, thank you.’
Still clutching her soft toy, Tess climbed down from her seat and followed Daniel towards the front door. She stepped inside, wondering if a kiss meant that she was officially his girlfriend.
‘I’ll just let the dogs into the back garden for a minute. What can I get you?’
‘A Baileys would be lovely, thanks.’
‘Why don’t you relax in the library? I stoked up the fire before we went out, so the room should be nice and warm.’
Tess wandered towards the door he’d pointed to. She’d never been in the library before. They usually sat at the kitchen table and a couple of times they’d carried their drinks into his studio. She pushed open the door. The room was cosy and glowing embers were still burning in the hearth. An arc of light spilled from beneath a satin lampshade that was sitting on a writing bureau. Bookcases stretched the length of two walls from floor to ceiling, crammed with hundreds of books, old vinyl records and family photographs. A thick rug lay in front of a stone fireplace opposite a soft leather settee.
Tess took off her coat and laid it on the arm of the settee alongside her stuffed toy dog. She picked up some kindling and several small logs and sat them on top of the embers. The fire crackled into yellow flames. She could hear Daniel calling Goya and Gogh back inside and hugged herself, unable to believe that she was now single and had been kissed by Daniel. Just wait until she phoned Holly.
Tess walked over to study a painting that hung on the wall near the library door. It was a watercolour of The Rookery. She wondered whether it was one of Daniel’s or his mother’s. Just then he came in through the door and made her jump.
‘Oops! I was just admiring this picture.’
‘It’s an old one of mine. It’s fading a bit now.’
‘It’s lovely.’
He paused, still looking at her.
‘What’s the matter?’ she asked.
‘I came in to ask you something, but I’ve completely forgotten what it was?’
‘Dogs? Drink?’
Daniel stood facing her but didn’t answer. He just slowly shook his head and leaned forwards until he was an inch away from her face. Although her mouth parted to speak, no words formed. She felt unable to do more than blink. Tess sensed his arm moving upwards, and still holding his gaze, she felt him cup the back of her neck with his palm. An involuntary sigh escaped her mouth as he slid the tip of his tongue along her parted lips. She closed her eyes as he pressed his lips softly against hers and kissed her.
He pulled away a fraction and Tess opened her eyes. In an instant they were clinging to each other, kissing frenziedly. They kissed deeply, their hands grasping and squeezing. Their breath was quick and audible. She cradled his head in her arms, her fingers grasping handfuls of his soft dark hair. She buried her head in his neck, smelling the warm spice on his skin.
He began to unbutton her blouse and she reached for his shirt. They kissed as they moved to the rug in front of the fire. The logs crackled and the smell of wood smoke intensified the heady atmosphere. Tess lay on her back, looking up at Daniel. His hands went to his jeans where he began to unbutton them.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The day of Sean’s arrival dawned chilly and overcast, but by the time Tess left Rose Cottage, the village green glistened beneath bursts of sunlight and racing cloud shadows. A mixture of nerves and excitement churned in her stomach as she walked towards The Royal Oak. She dug her hands deep into her pockets and glanced across the cricket pitch to the tall chimneys of The Rookery, the house itself hidden behind thick evergreen bushes and wide mature tree trunks. She tried to imagine what Daniel was doing and couldn’t help but smile to herself while remembering their passionate night a few days earlier. They’d phoned and texted many times since, but had been too busy preparing for the big event to meet each other, until now. Maybe he was even looking out of his studio window and wondering what she was doing marching towards the pub an hour before they’d agreed to meet.
Tess pushed open the front door and entered the lounge area. Christmas hymns played in the background, a log fire burned in an open grate and the spicy smell of cinnamon and gingerbread filled the air with a delicious aroma.
She looked around the room, feeling a little self-conscious. Several couples sat on sofas deep in conversation but then movement from a corner table caught her attention. A tall, fair-haired man stood up and walked towards her.
‘Tess?’
‘Yes.’
He held out his arm and firmly shook her hand, smiling broadly. ‘I’m Sean. It’s so good to finally meet after all our emails.’
Tess had worried that she might find it impossible not to stare at someone without an eye, but she found herself looking more closely because he had two dark blue eyes that matched perfectly.
He gestured towards his table. ‘Come and take a seat. Is Dan still unaware?’
Tess removed her coat and settled into a seat. ‘He’s no idea. I only hope it doesn’t come as too much of a shock for him.’
‘From what you tell me about his feelings of guilt, I’m hoping I can put his mind at ease. Right! Before we get chatting, what can I get you to drink?’
‘I’d love a mulled wine, please.’
Sean ordered the drink and sat opposite her at the small table.
‘Are you and Dan an item?’ asked Sean.
‘I… think so. It’s very early days.’
‘He must mean a lot to you if you went to the trouble of contacting me.’
‘He does.’ She paused. ‘I’m trying to help him over a few challenges.’
Tess hadn’t revealed anything about Daniel’s OCD to Sean as she didn’t think it was her place to share personal details, but if Daniel wanted to share his anxieties with Sean at a later date, that would be his choice.
Sean took a mouthful of beer and Tess leant back to give the barmaid space to place her glass on the table. Tess thanked her before sipping the warm, spiced wine.
‘Daniel tells me you’ve known each other since you were both five.’
‘Seems a life time away,’ said Sean. ‘I remember the first day we met. Dan had started school the term before me and had been given the responsibility of settling me in. I took one look at this skinny boy in grey shorts, shiny black shoes and thick-rimmed glasses and doubted that he could protect me from a fly, let alone the bigger lads.’
Tess laughed. ‘Just wait until I tease him about that.’
‘It turned out I needn’t have worried. He was well liked and funny so he protected me with his charm rather than his fists.’
Tess sipped her wine. During their conversation she had noticed that one of his eyes moved less than the other, but it was still incredible how realistic the false one looked.
‘He missed you terribly, you know? When you went to America.’
Sean nodded slowly. ‘I don’t really remember too much of the move. It happened so quickly after I left hospital. My family over-protected me for a long time as I came to terms with my limited vision, but when I was alone at night, I’d think about England, school and Dan.’
‘I showed him the interview you’d given to the Tribune. You can imagine the relief he felt when he read it.’
‘I had no idea he felt culpable. Nor about his parents.’ He shook his head, looking into his half-empty pint glass. ‘I want to see him. I can’t believe he still lives here after all this time.’
Tess turned and followed Sean’s gaze through the window and into the distance. The chimneystacks and top floor of The Rookery rose above towering fir trees across the cricket pitch.
Sean turned his attention back to Tess. ‘How did you meet Dan?’
She closed her eyes momentarily, remembering her embarrassment. ‘I’d gone to the local shop but had forgotten my purse. I needed pasta for a meal I was cooking. Daniel saw me floundering at the till and gave me a two pound coin.’
‘Prince Charming to the res
cue.’
‘Something like that, but a lot’s happened since then.’ Tess looked at her watch. ‘He should be here in half an hour. I’ll go out and meet him when he reaches the green and leave you two alone to talk.’
Sean gave a tight-lipped smile and nod of his head. He ran his finger around the rim of his glass. Although he was obviously looking forward to seeing Daniel again, it seemed that he was a little anxious too.
‘Have you met his twin, Den, yet?’ he asked.
‘No, but I’m hoping to meet the family at the exhibition.’
‘It’s not certain they’re coming, then?’
‘Den’s been… ill. I think they’re waiting for test results before committing.’
Sean leaned forward. ‘How ill? Is it serious?’
Tess took a deep breath. ‘I’ll let Daniel explain. He knows more about it than me and gets frequent updates.’
‘Christ! That family seems to have more than its fair share of trauma.’
Tess thought back to several weeks earlier when Daniel had opened up to her about his OCD. Almost absent-mindedly, Tess said, ‘Yes. They do.’
They chatted amiably for twenty minutes about Halston, her cookery and Sean’s family. Tess had bought another round and was feeling light-headed and emotional at the thought that Daniel and Sean were about to be reunited. She drained her glass and stood up.
‘It’s so lovely to meet you at last. I ought to go and meet Daniel on the green now. He’ll need a few minutes to let the news sink in that you’re here. I won’t come back in with him. I’ll leave you both to catch up.’
Sean stood up and helped Tess on with her coat before hugging her. ‘I know I’ve already said it, but thank you for getting in touch. I’ll see you at the exhibition tomorrow.’
‘I know this will mean the world to him, after he gets over the initial shock.’
Sean nodded, tears glistening in both eyes. ‘Me too.’
Tess hugged her coat tightly around her body as she left through the front door; a chill wind stinging her exposed skin. She walked across the cricket pitch but only got as far as the boundary line before she saw Daniel closing The Rookery’s iron gates behind him. He walked with his hands in his coat pockets and his head bowed against the wind, only raising his head a short distance before reaching her.
He slowed his gait, then stopped. He wore a silly grin on his face. ‘I’ve been thinking about you.’
‘What a coincidence! I’ve been thinking about you, too.’
Daniel leaned forwards and kissed her tenderly on her mouth. His lips were warm and soft. Tess closed her eyes, not wanting to move on from this second, before reminding herself that this moment was about Daniel and Sean. She gently pulled away.
‘Are we still going for a drink?’
‘Yes.’
He stuck out his elbow for her to slip her arm through his.
‘No, I mean you are. You have to go to the pub.’
‘I’m confused.’
Tess shivered with cold. ‘I’ve done something. I hope it was the right thing to do. I’m worried you’ll be upset. I did it for the right reason.’
‘Upset? What have you done? Come here.’
He reached out towards her pulled her to him, a button on his coat feeling like a cold disc against her cheek. She spoke while leaning against his chest.
‘I invited Sean to the exhibition.’
‘Sean?’
‘The Sean.’
Daniel gently pushed her away from his body and looked into her eyes. The smile had disappeared from his lips and a frown line had creased his brow.
‘You invited him?’
‘Yes.’
‘How?’
‘I searched and found his email address.’
Daniel’s mouth hung open in surprise. ‘Did he say he’d come?’
‘He’s here.’ Tess pointed to The Royal Oak. ‘He’s waiting inside for you.’
‘Sean’s here?’ He sounded incredulous.
Tess nodded. ‘I emailed him after I’d found the interview article. Remember when we talked about facing fears in order to overcome them? Well, I’m not convinced it’s solely fireworks or the thought of another accident that causes your anxieties. I think it may be guilt, too. Misplaced guilt. You’ve read that Sean’s accident wasn’t your fault, but I think you need to hear it too.’
‘Have you seen him? Have you spoken to him?’
‘Yes, we’ve had a drink.’
Daniel rubbed his palm back and forth across his jaw. ‘You never fail to surprise me. Are you coming too?’
Tess took his hand and spoke while absent-mindedly running her forefinger along a blue vein. ‘You two should spend time together, alone. It’s important. You both have years to catch up on and misunderstandings to talk about.’
‘Why do I feel as nervous as my first day at school?’
She teased to ease his nerves. ‘At least you’re not wearing shorts or thick-rimmed glasses.’
‘I see he’s been giving some secrets away already. Hallelujah for contact lenses.’
Tess was relieved to see him smiling again.
‘Sean and I chatted about a few things but I didn’t go into any personal details about you or Den.’
‘Okay.’ He shook his head. ‘I can’t believe he’s just there and I’m going to see him again.’
‘I’m going to go home and do some more baking for tomorrow. Relax. He seems lovely and very laid-back. Everything will be fine.’
Daniel inhaled deeply and slowly released his breath. ‘Thank you. I’ll call you later.’
He leaned forwards and kissed her, before heading for a reunion.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
The morning of Daniel’s birthday and exhibition had arrived. Tess stirred in her bed, consciousness pulling her from her sleep. She sat up in an instant, wide-eyed. Tonight was the night she was going to tell Daniel that she loved him. She’d almost told him last week after they’d made love in front of the fire, but Goya and Gogh had started to scratch at the closed library door. They had both laughed and leisurely dressed in the glow of the dying fire.
Everything seemed to be running smoothly. Tess’s new black dress was hanging on the bedroom door. The carved ark had been wrapped to perfection in navy and silver paper. Her car had been mended, the food was all prepared and it wasn’t raining.
Tess climbed out of bed and slid her feet into her slippers. Her fleecy pyjamas were warm enough to pop downstairs to put the kettle on. Tess padded out of the bedroom towards the stairs. She stopped. She felt a sense of foreboding. A cold chill swept up the stairs and she noticed the front door was slightly ajar. She knew she’d closed the door last night. She locked it every night. She crept down a few more stairs. Why could she smell such a strong aroma of food? Tess reached the bottom. She walked slowly towards the kitchen. Her hand trembled as she pushed open the door and caught her breath when she saw the devastation.
The exhibition food, that she had spent forty-eight hours preparing, was splattered around the kitchen. Mounds of cream, pastry, sponge, dough and fruit lay around the floor like a suppurating wound. Food was splashed against the paintwork and dried gelatinous liquids trailed down the side of cupboards. Thick viscous layers lay smeared across the worktops. Her tartlets, blinis, salmon en croute and spiced red cabbage were upturned on the kitchen floor. Running into the lounge, she picked up the house phone and dialled Daniel’s number.
‘Hello.’
‘It’s Tess.’
‘Hi, sweetheart. Why are you whispering?’
‘Someone’s broken in.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The front door was open and all the food in the fridge has been destroyed. It’s been thrown everywhere.’
‘What? Get out of the house. I’ll be with you in two minutes. Have you rung the police?’
‘No. I rang you first.’
‘Get out, Tess. I’ll ring them.’
Tess put down the phone. She opened
the front door and hurried down her garden path. She didn’t know what to do. A delicate frost had iced the fence. She began to shake with shock and cold. She was still wearing her pyjamas.
Daniel’s Land Rover growled to a stop and he and Sean jumped down. Daniel ran to her and took her in his arms. ‘Are you okay? I didn’t know you weren’t dressed. You must be freezing. I’ve rung the police and they’re on their way. You’d better stand in the hall. I’ll check out the house.’
‘Upstairs is fine. It’s just the kitchen.’
Sean joined them. ‘Hi. You didn’t need this, did you?’
‘Morning, Sean. Sorry to have disturbed you so early.’
‘No problem at all. We were up and drinking coffee.’
‘Come on,’ said Daniel. ‘Let’s take a look.’
The three of them stepped inside Rose Cottage, Daniel holding Tess’s hand. ‘Wait here by the radiator. Don’t move.’
The men walked down the hall and into the kitchen.
‘Bloody hell. What lunatic would do this? Is Blake still locked up?’ asked Daniel.
‘Yes. As far as I know. Anyway, it’s not his style. He would try to talk to me to make me change my mind.’
Tess joined him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He stroked her hair in a daze, neither of them able to take their eyes away from the carnage.
‘This is a proper British who dunnit mystery?’ said Sean, scratching his head.
An authoritative voice called from the front door. ‘Hello.’
‘In here.’
Two police officers joined them at the kitchen door. ‘What seems to be the problem, sir?’
‘The house has been broken into.’ Daniel pointed to the mess and let it speak for itself.
The policeman whistled in disbelief and shook his head. ‘Have you any ideas who could have done this?’
‘Tess’s ex-boyfriend was sentenced several weeks ago. His name’s Blake Snipes. Are you able to check if he’s still locked up?’
The policeman spoke into his radio relaying the information. Within minutes the answer came back that Blake was still in prison. The officers inspected the rest of the house, before they all sat at the surprisingly clean kitchen table. Notes were made as Tess answered questions. What time had she gone to bed? What time did she notice the destruction? Did any neighbours hold grudges?
You've Got My Number: Warm your heart this winter with this uplifting and deliciously romantic story! Page 24