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

by Angela Barton

  ‘I find one thing very confusing,’ said the officer who was taking the statement. ‘There doesn’t appear to have been a break in. No force has been used and there’s no damage to windows or doors. Does anyone else have a key?’

  ‘Only me and Blake. No wait! I gave Mrs Campbell a key to let the gasman in to check the oven some months ago. But she’s a lovely old lady.’

  ‘We’ll need to speak to her anyway. There’s nothing we can do at the moment. As nothing seems to be missing, I’d say someone has a grudge. Are you sure you locked the door?’

  ‘Yes, I think so. I mean, I always do, but…’

  ‘Coo-ee!’

  ‘That’s Mrs Campbell. She’s probably seen the police car,’ said Tess.

  ‘We might as well have a chat with her now, if it’s okay with you?’

  Tess nodded before shouting, ‘Mrs Campbell, in here.’

  ‘Oh my, what a to-do,’ flustered the elderly lady as she shuffled into the kitchen.

  ‘Hello, Mrs Campbell, I believe?’ said the senior officer.

  The old lady lifted her head up to the policeman’s face with some difficulty. ‘Goodness me. Policemen get younger and taller, don’t they?’

  The officer smiled. ‘Mrs Campbell?’

  ‘Yes, I’m Eileen Campbell.’

  Tess hadn’t known that her neighbour was called Eileen. How strange to find out while being interviewed by a policeman.

  ‘Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?’ asked the officer.

  ‘How exciting. Not at all. I’ve seen people being asked that on television.’

  ‘Come and sit down, Eileen,’ said Daniel. He pulled out a dining chair for her that she accepted gratefully.

  She looked around at the mess on the kitchen floor. ‘Oh my goodness. Whatever happened?’

  ‘Someone’s destroyed the food for tonight’s art exhibition,’ replied Tess, her voice breaking. Daniel moved to stand behind Tess’s chair and rubbed her shoulders.

  The officer who had been taking notes, sat down next to the old lady. ‘Did you see or hear anything unusual during the night, Eileen?’

  ‘I knew it seemed odd when I saw someone. You know I don’t sleep much these days? Actually, I don’t eat much either. I’m getting old, you know? I used to be able to sleep for ten hours, straight. Now my hips hurt and I can’t get comfortable. I was saying to my doctor the other day, I said, doctor I’d be better off on a perch with a blanket over my head, like Chippy. You know my little Chippy, don’t you, dear? Oh, where was I?’

  ‘I asked if you’d heard anything strange or seen anyone hanging around last night. You said you’d seen someone.’

  ‘Yes, dear, I did.’

  They all looked at her.

  ‘Who, Mrs Campbell?’

  ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘But I thought you said you did.’

  ‘That’s right.’

  The officer sighed. Daniel moved across to her and knelt down beside her.

  ‘Hello, Eileen.’ The old lady looked at Daniel with her pale blue eyes and beamed in recognition. Her set of beige teeth, set slightly apart, resembled a line of dominoes waiting to tumble.

  ‘Daniel, my dear boy. It’s you. I saw two handsome strapping men behind Tess, but I didn’t recognise you. My eyes, you know?’

  ‘I think you’re doing just fine. You said you’d seen someone. Can you tell us what you saw?’

  ‘I couldn’t sleep. Have I already told you that? I went to check on Chippy and he was being a good boy, as usual. I had a peep out of the front curtains. Habit really. I never usually see anything. But last night, I saw someone walking up Tess’s garden path.’

  ‘Did you recognise them?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Did you see how they got in, Eileen?’ interrupted the policeman.

  ‘They unlocked the door with a key.’

  Everyone shifted in their seats. Tess began to feel very sick.

  ‘It was dark. How do you know it was a key?’ asked the policeman.

  ‘Well, obviously I couldn’t see it. But a streetlight is outside the cottage and I saw the person put their hand in their pocket and pull something out. They touched the door with it and it opened straight away. I’m not Sherlock, but I guess it was a key.’

  Daniel smiled and rubbed the thin skin on the back of her crooked hand.

  ‘Can you recognise the person?’ asked the policeman.

  ‘No.’

  Everyone’s shoulders dropped in disappointment.

  ‘But I took a photograph with my new camera as they left.’

  ‘This is just like Miss Marple. We watch it in the States,’ said Sean.

  ‘Do you have your camera on you?’ asked the officer.

  ‘It’s here in my handbag. That’s what I came over to tell you but you kept asking me questions.’ She opened her bag and rustled about inside. ‘Can you get it, Daniel, dear. My joints aren’t what they used to be.’

  Daniel opened the bag wider and moved aside a bag of Mint Imperials, a case containing her glasses and a packet of tissues. A little leather case was nestled in the corner under her purse. He pulled it out.

  ‘May I?’

  ‘Of course. It’s my dignified camera and it’s so easy to use. I just press a button. My son sent it for my birthday.’

  Daniel didn’t correct her. He scrolled through photographs. Chippy eating. Chippy sleeping. Chippy standing on his perch. Chippy sitting on furniture. There were a few pictures of houseplants and then the picture in question. It was dark and grainy and the figure was off centre, but it clearly showed a face he recognised. Daniel handed it to the officer who’d been asking the questions. He looked at the photograph and passed it on to Tess.

  ‘Do you recognise this person?’

  Tess covered her mouth with her hand. ‘It’s Blake’s mother. Joy Snipes.’

  The room began to bustle with activity. The policeman stood up and spoke into his radio. He asked Tess for Joy’s address and a car was dispatched to pick her up. Daniel and Tess both thanked Mrs Campbell and told her how wonderful she had been.

  Twenty minutes later, the police had left and Sean was helping Mrs Campbell across the road and back home. Daniel and Tess stood with their arms wrapped round each other, rocking gently. Tess felt Daniel kiss her hair and rest his mouth there as he breathed. She felt his breath on her skin and sunk deeper into his chest before suddenly remembering something. She jumped backwards.

  ‘Happy birthday. I’m so sorry I forgot. What a terrible way to start your birthday.’

  ‘Thank you. Personally I think having you in my arms wearing just your Winnie the Pooh pyjamas is the best possible start. It’s only half past nine and as long as you’re okay, that’s all that matters. We took a lot of the party food to my fridge and there’s plenty more in the two fridges in The Rookery’s garage.’

  Daniel and Sean spent an hour at Rose Cottage helping Tess to clean up the mess but left at eleven as Daniel had some last minute preparations to sort out and Sean had offered to shop for some more food. Thistle Do Nicely had delivered and decorated a huge Christmas tree, which had been placed at the foot of The Rookery’s staircase. Garlands had been tied with red tartan bows and draped along the length of the first staircase, and flowers had been arranged into huge glass vases.

  In order to prevent the food from being out of the fridge for too long, it wasn’t being put out until the last moment. A couple of girls who worked behind the bar at The Royal Oak, plus the publicans’ two daughters, had said they’d be happy to help for the evening. They were going to arrange Tess’s food on the long dining table and help to clear away afterwards. Flash Bang Wallop Pyrotechnics had been hired for the firework display. This was a secret Daniel was keeping from Tess. He wanted to surprise her. He hoped she’d be proud of his progress, although he knew that he couldn’t have improved so much without her help. If Sean could fight and beat adversity, then he had no excuse.

  After a hectic day of organising
and hanging paintings, Daniel looked at his watch. He had an hour for a quick shower and to get ready before the first of his guests arrived.

  Tess was relieved that the destroyed food was only about a third of the buffet and they had probably over-estimated the amount they would need, anyway. Thank goodness The Rookery had three huge fridges and Sean had bought more desserts. The police had phoned to say that they were questioning Joy and she had admitted emptying the fridge; but only after she’d been shown the photograph. Apparently, it had been the first time she’d been speechless during the whole interview. They rang again an hour later to say that they’d be keeping her in a cell for the night because she’d become aggressive towards the interviewing policewoman. They were now awaiting the arrival of a psychiatrist to assess her mental health.

  Chapter Forty

  Tess lowered herself into a hot bath. She lay back and closed her eyes. Bubbles tickled her back as they ran along her spine and up to the surface. Nothing was going to spoil this evening now. She imagined spending the night with Daniel and repeating the scene in front of the fire. She soaked for twenty minutes, leaving a conditioning mask on her hair, rubbing Sanctuary sea salt into her skin and shaving her legs until they were as smooth as sugared almonds. She applied her make-up with the precision of an artist and curled her hair until it fell in soft spiralling tendrils. The two hours she’d set aside to pamper herself had flown by.

  Tess arrived at The Rookery for seven thirty. She wore a black sleeveless dress with a fitted bodice, showing just a hint of cleavage. Its waist was nipped with delicate pleats, from which flowed layers of soft silk that swayed and flowed down to her calves. Accentuating her waist was a wide silk sash in chartreuse-green, the colour of the French liqueur. Adorning her neck and ears were her grandmother’s pearls and on her feet, bead-encrusted stilettos.

  Before she’d left Rose Cottage, she’d twirled in circles in front of the mirror, feeling the layers lift and flow around her thighs. Here, standing in front of the Hall, she felt out of place. It didn’t feel like the fairy-tale place where she and Daniel had grown to know each other. It was full of strangers and looked different with Christmas decorations. She fiddled nervously with her clutch bag, inside which, was safely nestled Daniel’s ark.

  The band began to play as Tess walked to the back of the hallway and through the long dining room. Goosebumps prickled her arms. Huge church candles had been lit and the lights had been dimmed to give a comforting and inviting atmosphere. The dining table was laden with her carefully and lovingly prepared recipes, the food already having attracted numerous guests. The buzz of conversation was occasionally interrupted by high-pitched laughter, or glasses chinking as people toasted the festive season.

  Tess passed through the dining room and into the exhibition room. It was full of people studying Daniel’s work. Murmurs of appreciation buzzed around the exhibition. Where was Daniel? Tess turned to the huge bay window and French doors and gasped audibly at the magical sight in the garden.

  In the darkness, the marquee had turned from the enormous white tent, into a world of make-believe. The pathway leading from the gallery to the marquee was lined with dozens of silver lanterns, showering yellow beams along the coconut matting. An arch of fairy lights spanned the pathway, twinkling a warm welcome at the marquee’s entrance. The band was now singing Sade’s ‘Diamond Life’, the singer’s voice flowing like warm treacle around the enclosure.

  Tess followed a small group of people through the fairy lit arch into the marquee. She stood entranced at the stunning beauty of the ceiling. It was draped in a midnight black star cloth, lit from behind and looking like a galaxy of stars. A huge black painted backdrop reinforced the night sky theme and the sides of the marquee were hung with long black pleated drapes. The band played on a raised platform and to the left was a bar area.

  Staff served guests sitting on plush sofas. She spotted Sean talking with a small group of men while sharing a bottle of wine. It looked more like a hotel lobby than a glorified tent. The black and white chequer board flooring spanned a large area for dancing and the corner peaks of the marquee were lit up in midnight blue and azure. Upright poles were adorned with winter flowers of poinsettias, evergreen euphorbias and blood red holly berries, all interwoven with a plethora of long waxy green leaves. A scattering of tables and chairs gave refuge for tired dancers, or diners who were eating her recipes. In the middle of each table stood a sculpture of cinnamon sticks, dried fruit, pinecones and mistletoe, wrapped in a shawl of dark shiny green leaves. Powerful but quiet heaters, made the huge area as warm as toast on this frosty December evening.

  Tess was now desperate to find Daniel and tell him how amazing everything looked. She walked back through the gallery and into the dining room. People were now crowding around her table of food, groaning with pleasure at the tastes and textures. She crossed the hallway dodging a gathering of people and poked her head into the kitchen. It was empty.

  She was about to return to the gallery to look at Daniel’s art and wait for him there, when a movement on the stairs made her look up. Daniel was walking down the sweeping staircase. He was wearing a black suit and white shirt, undone at the collar. His dark hair was swept back away from his face. His handsome face softened when he saw her. He reached the bottom step, stood in front of her and lifted her hands in his.

  ‘You look beautiful.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  He gave a small bow and winked. ‘The food is amazing. Thank you so much. I couldn’t have done it without you and all your hard work.’

  ‘But you’ve done an amazing job. It looks like a land of make-believe outside. It’s so beautiful.’

  ‘They’ve done a great job, haven’t they? All I did was tell them what I wanted and where to put it.’

  ‘Yes, but that’s where the artistry lies. It could have looked like Santa’s grotto under someone else’s direction.’

  ‘That’s not a bad idea for Christmas. My nephews would love it. They’re coming tonight. I can’t wait for you to meet Den.’

  ‘What time are they coming?’

  ‘Later. Den had an afternoon check up at the hospital that couldn’t be changed. Then they have to drive up from London. I’ve just phoned them from my studio and they’ve set off.’

  Tess opened her clutch bag and felt for the ark. ‘I can’t believe that I’ll be meeting your twin tonight.’

  ‘Sorry. I’m being beckoned from the gallery.’ He kissed her cheek. ‘Save a dance for me,’ he called over his shoulder.

  Tess let go of the ark and let it drop back into her bag. She knew she had all night to give him his gift, so decided to take some food into the marquee and people watch for a while. She balanced some blinis on her plate and walked through the gallery. She saw Daniel explaining a piece of work to an elegant couple, the woman’s diamonds glittering on her ear lobes. As Daniel pointed at the picture in question, the gentleman’s gaze followed his arm, but the woman’s eyes lingered on Daniel’s face. Tess frowned. She was feeling a new and unwanted emotion. She felt a nervous twinge in the pit of her stomach. Could it be jealousy? It wasn’t something she’d experienced very often.

  Tess walked under the twinkling archway and sat close to the band in order to watch the dancing, wishing that Holly and Doug would hurry up. She ordered a glass of mulled wine and watched the guests, their hair swinging while laughter punctuated dance moves and perfume lingered in the air.

  Tess’s drink arrived. She took a sip of the warm ruby liquid and began to relax. The band started to play a beautiful piece of music, so she leant back and listened to the gentle strains of ‘Come Away With Me’. The female singer had a wonderful voice. Tess felt tears prickle her eyes, which made the artificial starry sky in the canopy of the marquee streak with misty sunbursts. The romantic words and her relief that tonight had actually arrived, was making her emotional.

  Thankfully, the tempo picked up for the next song and Tess found herself tapping her foot to the music. She saw D
aniel shaking hands and ordering a whiskey for an elderly gentleman at the bar. They were both smiling broadly, so perhaps he’d sold a painting.

  The band stopped for a break and the DJ seamlessly took over the music. He introduced himself and congratulated Daniel on his art exhibition, the beautiful marquee and wished him a happy birthday. Everyone cheered and clapped, and in turn, Daniel raised his glass in the air to thank them. Tess sipped her warm, spiced wine and shivered in anticipation of spending the night with him.

  Hozier’s ‘Take Me To Church’ started playing. The main lights dimmed and muted disco lights reflected off the rotating glitter ball. Tess loved the emotive track and with a little mulled wine bravado, she joined several small groups dancing in the soft shadows of the dance floor. The heat had brought out the scent of cinnamon and pine from the Christmas table displays and fairy lights twinkled in the swathes of material draped above them. The atmosphere was intoxicating. Tess could feel the silk from her dress sliding against her thighs and calves as she swayed to the music.

  Arms enclosed her from behind, sure and firm. She could smell faint bergamot and sandlewood from Daniel’s seductive cologne. He kissed the nape of her neck while moving in time to the music, his soft lips sending a frisson of tingles down her spine. She yielded to his touch, sinking back against his taut body.

  ‘You’re a delicious temptation, Tess Fenton,’ he whispered. ‘How could I watch you dance without holding you?’

  Tess swayed to the music, leaning her head back against his chest. She felt his lips move up from her shoulder towards her chin. Her head tilted backwards. Slowly. Powerlessly. All the more sensual because he was still behind her, still out of sight in the shadows. They swayed in unison, his arms draped around her waist, running a finger along the pattern of her lace underwear beneath her silk dress. Tess was breathless. Dizzy. Trembling.

  All too soon the track came to an end.