A Year at The Cosy Cottage Café: A heart-warming feel-good read about life, love, loss, friendship and second chances

by Rachel Griffiths

  Fenella shook her head. “Well, there’ll be no need of that now I’m here. Nanna Beaumont will take care of everything, don’t you worry.”

  But as her mother-in-law took Laura and James into the kitchen, Dawn was unable to comply. Of course she was worried. Fenella was overpowering, bossy and hard work at the best of times. Dawn needed to be at full-strength to deal with Fenella and right now she wasn’t.

  So she had a feeling that the duration of Fenella’s stay would be challenging indeed.

  The bedroom was grey with early morning light when Dawn woke. She blinked hard. It was too early to be awake yet something had disturbed her.

  She held her breath and listened carefully, wondering if it was one of the children. But neither of them was calling her.

  Rick was on his side next to her, his breathing deep and regular.

  So what was that banging?

  She slid out of bed and shrugged into her dressing gown then crept across the landing and checked on Laura and James. They were both sleeping, Laura on her back with her hands on her chest like a fairy-tale princess, and James across his bed with his head hanging off the edge. She gently repositioned him so his head was on the pillow then tucked the duvet back around him.

  As she pulled James’s door closed behind her, she noticed that the door to the guest bedroom was open. She stuck her head around it and the bed was made, the curtains open and Fenella was nowhere to be seen. For a moment, she wondered if she’d imagined her mother-in-law’s arrival, or if the older woman had decided to leave under cover of darkness like some blood-sucking vampire – only in Fenella’s case it was soul-destroying she practised rather than drinking blood – but no, the dressing table was groaning under Fenella’s paraphernalia. Bottles, jars, tubes, curlers, brushes, lipsticks and a small jewellery box had been arranged in order of size and colour.

  Dawn shivered. From the look of that lot, Fenella was in for the long haul.

  There was a book on the bedside table and Dawn peered at it, wondering what Fenella liked to read.

  Walk With Poldark

  She recalled Rick saying something about his mother’s obsession with the TV show but apparently his father didn’t feel the same. Married couples didn’t have to like everything their partner liked, although she believed that they needed to have some common interests. Dawn and Rick did; they still laughed at the same things, still enjoyed spending time together. She just wished she could shake the final nagging worries about their relationship from her mind.

  Downstairs, she steeled herself before entering the kitchen. The sounds coming from in there made her wonder what on earth was going on. There was the clattering of baking trays, the rustling of plastic and the grunting of a woman labouring. And not in childbirth. As she crept in, she almost screamed.

  “Fenella… What have you done?”

  “Sweet peas and piglets, Dawn! You frightened me half to death.”

  “I… I’m sorry but what…” Dawn stared at the kitchen she had loved the moment she’d seen it, with its clean cream-shaker cupboard doors and its black-granite worktops. She’d had everything where she wanted it; from the freestanding range cooker to the coffee machine and the digital radio Rick had bought her last Christmas that resembled an old jukebox.

  But now…

  Everything had been moved and the surfaces that she made an effort to keep scratch-free, were covered in things that Fenella had pulled from her cupboards, the things Dawn kept even though she knew she’d never use them. She fought the urge to check under the cast-iron bake stone that had been moved from the top of the range – where she kept it for making pancakes and Welsh cakes – and dumped onto the worktop next to the sink. It was very heavy and could easily scratch the granite if not handled carefully. She wondered if her mother-in-law had considered this.

  “I’ve been giving everything a good clean and sort for you.”

  “But I didn’t ask you to.”

  Fenella held up a hand. “I know you didn’t, dear, but let’s be honest, it needed it. And had done for quite some time. Once I’ve finished cleaning out the cupboards, you can help me to decide what’s going out.”

  “Going out?”

  “Yes of course. There’s a lot of junk here.”

  “But…” Dawn bit her lip. There was no point keeping on with the buts. Fenella was obviously trying to help and she didn’t mean any harm. “Okay.”

  “Why don’t you have a cup of tea first though?”

  “Yes. I think I will. Do you want one?”

  “Not for me. I’d rather keep going.”

  Dawn made tea for her and Rick, trying not to stare at Fenella as she continued her mission. Because that’s clearly what it was. She intended to sort out the kitchen and would not be stopped.

  “I’m going to take this up to Rick.” Dawn held up two mugs.

  “You do that. I’ll call you in about an hour, shall I?”

  Dawn glanced at the clock on the wall.

  “It’s only five-thirty.”

  “Early bird catches the germ.”

  “Worm.”

  Fenella threw back her head and laughed. “In this case, it’s the germ, dear. The germs in this kitchen must have been having the party of a lifetime.”

  “Right,” Dawn forced out the word through gritted teeth. “No need to call me. I’ll be up soon enough.”

  She left the kitchen quickly before Fenella could deliver any further insults, then climbed the stairs, taking care not to spill the tea. After all, she didn’t want to give the older woman something else to comment on.

  “I’m sure she didn’t mean it like that. She was just joking, Dawnie.”

  Rick smiled at her. As she took in his sleep-rumpled hair and his broad shoulders, currently bare due to the fact that he only ever wore a t-shirt in bed when it was freezing out, she tried not to be distracted. She knew how yummy his warm skin would smell if she snuggled into him and how good it would be to have his strong arms wrapped around her.

  “I don’t think she was, Rick. She basically told me that I’m a slob.”

  “You’re not a slob.”

  “Your mother thinks I am.”

  He shook his head.

  “Anyway, how long’s she staying?”

  “I told you last night, as long as you need her.”

  But I don’t need her.

  Dawn took a swig of tea to prevent the response escaping. The last thing she wanted to do was appear ungrateful and upset her husband. He was just trying to help and she knew he’d feel terrible going back to work if he thought she’d be struggling and risking her health and the baby.

  “Rick, I need some sort of idea how long because I like some space. You know… when I’m at home.”

  “Dawnie,” he took her hand and kissed it, “I need to know you’ll be okay when I’m not here. I’ll worry anyway but at least if Mum is with you, you’ll have to take it easy.”

  “But she’ll change the whole house around.”

  Rick kissed the tip of each of her fingers and Dawn’s mind grew fuzzy.

  “No she won’t. I’ll have a gentle word with her.”

  He ran soft kisses along her wrist and Dawn struggled to focus on her point.

  “And… ask her not to throw anything out without checking first?”

  Rick let go of her hand then kissed her cheek before picking up his tea.

  “Of course.”

  Dawn sank back onto the pillows.

  “Now how about we grab another hour of snuggling before the children wake up? You know I love any excuse to feel your curvy body against mine.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

  “I thought you said we shouldn’t—”

  “Well yes… but I can still show you how much I love you, can’t I?”

  He opened his arms and Dawn moved into them, the warmth of his body and his delicious male scent making her love him even more.

  Then Rick’s mouth met hers and she floated away, caught on a cloud of love and desire, unti
l their bedroom door swung open and heavy footsteps entered the room.

  “Rick, dear?”

  He poked his head above the covers.

  “Mum?”

  “I need your help moving something downstairs.”

  He rubbed his eyes as Dawn peered out from beneath the quilt too.

  “Can’t it wait, Fenella?”

  “I’m afraid not, Dawn.”

  “All right, Mum, I’ll be down in a minute.”

  “Don’t be long!”

  Fenella left with a humph and Rick slumped against the pillows.

  “She can’t go bursting in like that, Rick.”

  He met her eyes and she saw uncertainty wavering in his. “No, I know. I guess she’s just finding her feet around here.”

  “Finding her feet?”

  “I’ll have a word.”

  “Please do. And quickly. Because I can’t deal with this if we’re not going to have any privacy, Rick.”

  He nodded.

  “I’ll get dressed and go and see what she wants.”

  Dawn turned onto her side and closed her eyes. She kept them closed until she heard him leave the bedroom, because she didn’t want him to see her tears. The last thing she wanted was for Rick to feel torn between his wife and mother; that wouldn’t be fair at all. But she hoped he really would ask Fenella to tone it down a bit, or having her around would cause more damage than it would if Dawn was left alone to manage. And with her marriage already being a bit unsteady – at least in her own head – Dawn didn’t think she had the energy to deal with an interfering mother-in-law too.

  9

  “This chocolate cake is delicious, Allie,” Camilla said before she took another bite.

  “It really is.” Honey smacked her lips. “You’re going to make us fat.”

  “Some of us already are.” Dawn rubbed her belly.

  “That’s not fat, you’re just keeping my niece or nephew warm.” Camilla smiled at Dawn across the table.

  “Thanks, Camilla.”

  “What are big sisters for?”

  “How are things going with the mother-in-law, Dawn?” Allie asked.

  “Monster-in-law more like,” Camilla blurted.

  “Camilla!” Dawn frowned at her sister.

  The women had gathered for a Tuesday evening get-together at The Cosy Cottage Café. It had become their routine and only didn’t happen if someone was ill, away, or if there was, in Dawn’s case, a childcare issue. Dawn hadn’t been able to make the previous Tuesday because of her condition but this week, as she was feeling stronger, she’d wanted to come. To get out of the house for a bit while she could.

  “I’ll be honest with you… my house has never been so clean.”

  “Well that’s fabulous. Wish someone would come and clean mine,” Allie joked. “But that’s not a good thing for you because…”

  “I don’t want to seem ungrateful.”

  “You can tell us anything,” Camilla said.

  “I’m not so sure about that. I mean, you just called her my monster-in-law and I only ever said that once when I was drunk. And I didn’t mean it. Fenella tries hard, it’s just that she’s also—”

  “Very trying?” Honey finished her sentence, her brown eyes warm and understanding.

  “Yes.” Dawn put her fork down. “She’s cleaned everything from cupboards to shoes to behind the downstairs toilet, but it’s strange having another woman doing that. It’s like my space has been invaded.”

  “A space-invader monster-in-law!” Camilla snorted. “Well Rick should have been doing his fair share too, Dawnie.” She took a swig of her wine.

  “I’ve told you before that he does what he can but with his job and the hours he works, it’s very difficult. That’s why we have had more traditional roles, I guess.”

  “It was like that with Roger and me,” Allie said.

  “Was it?”

  “He was…”

  “Difficult. A chauvinist.” Camilla took Allie’s hand. “You don’t have to be kind about him in front of us, you know.”

  “I know. I just don’t like calling him over. It seems like I’m betraying the kids.”

  Dawn and the other women knew how tough life had been for Allie in the past. She’d revealed some of the details of her marriage to them that summer, after Chris Monroe had arrived in town, and they’d been shocked that she’d kept them to herself for so long. But Dawn knew that people did keep secrets, even from their friends and relatives. She’d been glad that Allie had unburdened herself and it was wonderful to see her so happy with Chris now.

  “Rick isn’t a chauvinist though, Camilla.”

  “I know that. He just needs a bit of a kick up the bum sometimes to get him into gear.”

  “He’d do more if he had more time.”

  Camilla nodded. “All right, all right. I know how much you love him.”

  “And as for Fenella, as much as she might be… treading on my toes, she’s the one looking after Laura and James this evening.”

  “It’ll be good for her to spend some time with them.” Allie smiled. “It’s nice for children to have extended family.”

  “James isn’t so sure. He was delighted at first but now he knows that she’s going to make him eat his greens and tidy up the toy room when he’s finished playing, he’s not so sure. And she’s making Laura practise her times tables every night, which my daughter does not find amusing.”

  Dawn thought of the rhythmic chanting that took place after the children had eaten dinner. Still, it was how she’d learned her tables and every child should know them.

  “I can understand how it must be challenging but try to take whatever time you can to rest, Dawn. You need it. I doubt she’ll stay permanently?” Allie ended on a question.

  “God I hope not. Can you imagine?”

  “She’d be getting you to express so she could test the quality of your milk.” Camilla giggled. “Sorry! I think I’ve had too much wine. Just let her know if she’s bugging you.”

  Dawn nodded but inside she was wilting. Fenella had been with them for just five days and her domineering presence had left Dawn drained. Keeping her mouth shut when her mother-in-law made sniping remarks was taking all the strength she had. But she didn’t want to snap and hurt the older woman and she also didn’t want to seem ungrateful.

  “I’m sure she’ll leave in a week or so.”

  “Doesn’t her husband want her at home then?” Honey asked, twirling a strand of her rainbow-dyed hair around her fingers. “You’d think he’d have come too.”

  “He’s probably enjoying all the extra time he can spend on his boat, playing chess, golfing and whatever else it is that he does now.”

  Dawn thought of her father-in-law and how he liked his time outdoors, often spending weekends at the docks or out on the water. When he wasn’t sailing the boat, he was polishing it or conducting repairs. At least that’s what he told Fenella and she seemed to have bought into it. Was that what happened to marriages long-term then, if they went the distance? Did people accept their partner’s excuses because it was easier to nod along, or because they just liked having time apart?

  Something struck her then.

  What if Fenella was actually lonely?

  After all, Rick’s younger brother, Kyle, had moved away straight after university, just like Rick had. Kyle had a family of his own now and he lived on the Isle of Wight with his wife and three-year-old twin girls. So it was possible that Fenella didn’t see much of him, although she never let on.

  Dawn was overwhelmed by a wave of compassion for Rick’s mother. It couldn’t be easy when your children left, especially if they moved far away.

  She resolved to try to be extra kind to Fenella when she went home later, and to try to make her mother-in-law feel appreciated. Because everyone deserved that, didn’t they?

  “Hello?”

  Dawn locked the front door behind her.

  “Fenella?”

  “SHHH!” Came from the to
p of the stairs followed by the appearance of her mother-in-law in a long white nightgown with a frilly collar, that made Dawn think of those she’d seen in faded Victorian photographs.

  “Hi Fenella. Where are the children?”

  “In bed, of course.” Fenella replied as she descended the stairs, shrugging into a purple cord dressing gown. “I’ve read them both a story and they’re fast asleep.”

  Dawn checked the clock on the wall. “But it’s only eight. Are you sure they’re sleeping?”

  “I did have children of my own you know.” Fenella scowled at her.

  “Oh, I know that. It’s just that even when James drops off, Laura often takes a while. She tends to spend time thinking and processing her day before she goes to sleep. A few times I’ve even found her still awake when I’ve popped up to check on her and it’s after nine.”

  “After nine?” Fenella tutted. “No wonder that little girl has trouble concentrating.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Dawn removed her coat and hung it over the bannister. Fenella eyed it then gave a small shake of her head.

  “She told me she’s having trouble with maths.”

  “When?”

  “Yesterday. I didn’t want to worry you.”

  “Well you should have told me. When I saw her teacher recently, she didn’t say there was a problem.”

  “Hmmmm. Well if she got more sleep there wouldn’t be.”

  “Fenella…” Dawn took a deep breath.

  “Yes.”

  “Oh… nothing. I’ll just pop up to give them a kiss then make us a cup of tea. Rick’s not back yet then?”

  “No. He’s rather late too, isn’t he?”

  “He’s been later. It depends what time he gets out of work. I’ll text him to find out when he’ll be back.”

  Fenella nodded then went into the kitchen and Dawn climbed the stairs. She’d had a lovely evening at the café and coming home to Fenella’s disapproval was difficult, especially as she just wanted to put her pyjamas on and lie on the sofa watching some mindless TV. And she’d been intending on being kind to her mother-in-law.

  Upstairs, she pushed James’s door open and found him sleeping across the bed, so she gently wriggled him around, then kissed his forehead. He smelt of honey and lemon and a scent that was all his own, one that she’d know in a room full of children even if she was blindfolded. He was her little boy and her heart brimmed over with love for him.