New Beginnings at Rose Cottage
Page 27
‘Luca?’ I whisper, recognising the guilty glint in her eye.
‘Mmm,’ confirms Emma, blushing again.
‘I told you, didn’t I?’ I blurt at Ruth. ‘I should have guessed. He’s walking around at work with a grin as wide as the harbour . . . and you, Emma, well every time I speak to you, you’re as happy as a sandboy!’
‘That’s nice,’ says Ruth. ‘And Martin, how’s he taken the news?’
Emma shrugs. ‘I don’t much care. It’s none of his business.’ She lifts her glass and gives a wink.
‘Touché!’ I say, clinking my glass against hers.
Emma
I knew they wouldn’t mind. True friends never do; they only ever want what’s best for you. So Luca and I stay until the washing-up is dried and stashed away – though it was tricky the three of us manoeuvring round the tiny kitchen. Ziggy and Luca busied themselves at the window, spotting the wildlife outside the harbour wall. I was tempted to join them, given that Ruth’s apartment does have a spectacular view across the harbour. But that would have seemed ungrateful after her efforts in cooking us a fabulous lunch.
‘So where to?’ asks Luca, stuffing his hands deep into his pockets as we leave the block. Instantly I sneak my gloved hand into the crook of his arm, snug and secure.
‘Your choice. I’m just content to be back in Brixham under much happier circumstances than those in which I left.’
Luca smiles, his laughter lines cutting deep into his olive skin.
‘First things first . . . you need to see how good the parlour’s refurbishment is looking and take a peek at Benni’s chocolate counter. After that, we can leave all thoughts of business behind and enjoy ourselves.’
‘Sounds like a plan.’
The air is brisk and biting, the pavement grey and wet, and yet we stride happily in unison. It’s effortless walking beside Luca, despite his lengthy stride and towering height. Maybe once you’ve found the right person, life’s path becomes smoother, enabling you to pace yourself and take your time.
Ruth
‘Well?’ I ask Benni, returning to the lounge cradling a fresh coffee.
‘Well what?’ She lifts her head from Ziggy’s shoulder to peer at me.
‘Emma and Luca.’
‘I had no idea. He doesn’t tell me anything at work.’
‘And neither does she by the looks of things,’ I add, settling on the empty couch.
‘Nice, though . . . they seem well suited. Better than Martin and—’
‘His wife?’ I quip.
‘Ruth, that’s naughty. Liz is OK once you get to know her.’
‘But seriously, if he cheats on her each summer with whoever he can, there’s no hope left for their relationship, is there? If you can’t trust the man in your life, what the hell have you got? Nothing!’
‘I thought you and Dean were getting on nicely the other night,’ says Benni, flashing me a knowing smile. ‘You looked happy enough dining along the quayside.’
‘I do believe that’s called a platonic friendship. He’s been a great help securing me a stall at the craft exhibition next week, so fingers crossed, I’ll sell a few paintings. He’s a good man, or a silly old goat as he once called himself.’
‘Oh Ruth, you’ve got the devil inside you today!’ says Benni, trying to control her giggles.
‘I have, so out with it, you two!’
‘Out with what?’ asks Ziggy innocently.
‘I’ve known Benni long enough to know that that smug grin is hiding something. What is it?’ I ask, though I already suspect the answer.
I watch them exchange a fleeting glance, a silent agreement to answer my nosy questions.
‘We’re moving in together,’ Benni says, her smile overflowing. ‘Martin’s agreed we can rent the apartment above the ice cream parlour, as long as we decorate it tastefully.’
‘Congratulations! That’s fabulous news.’
‘I’m glad you’re pleased, Ruth. My mum wasn’t too happy at the prospect, though Dan and Dad are delighted at the idea of additional weekends together now that Dan can sleep at ours.’
‘Your mum will come around given time. She’s accepted your relationship with your dad, hasn’t she?’ I add, knowing how relieved Benni was when that issue was put to bed.
‘She has. Her biggest quandary was admitting the lie she’d lived for so long. I think she coped with the situation by actually believing what she’d told us.’
‘Anyway, it’ll save Benni having to stay at the Queen’s Arms,’ says Ziggy, taking her hand in his. ‘Which means she can use some of her wages for other things in life.’
‘There might not be enough to buy a horse and pay livery fees, but you never know,’ adds Benni. ‘Though having our first home together feels like another new beginning, and none of us can predict where such an adventure will lead us.’
‘Maybe not, but we all know where the journey starts,’ I say, glancing towards the large watercolour above my mantelpiece depicting a beautiful cottage with lilac paintwork, a wrought-iron gate and a tumble of roses above the front window.
‘New beginnings at Rose Cottage,’ whispers Benni, and her eyes glisten with fond memories.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to my editor, Kate Byrne, and everyone at Headline Publishing Group for believing in new beginnings and giving me the opportunity to become part of your team.
To David Headley and the crew at DHH Literary Agency – thank you for your continued support. I couldn’t ask for a more experienced or dedicated team to champion my career.
Thank you to my fellow authors/friends within the Romantic Novelists’ Association – you continue to support and encourage me every step of the way. I promise to repay the generosity and kindness received in recent years.
A big squeeze of a thank you to Steve, Sue, Marla and Maddie Salloway for your kind invitation to holiday in Brixham – who would have thought that amongst the boiled eggs, the guitar-playing and a visit to Totnes a brand-new book would be born! Big hugs to Maddie for showing me how to muck out a horse correctly, and to Marla for seizing the moment: ‘Sometimes you just have to swim in the cove with the seal!’
Posthumous thanks to Dame Agatha Christie for delighting a shy teenager with an array of crime novels. Back then I’d spend hours consuming and second guessing each deadly deed, nowadays it feels more like a luxury as if visiting old friends!
Brixham – I’d never visited before, and you provided the most beautiful scenery, landmarks and clear blue skies under which my imagination was free to roam. I’ll never hear ‘Abide With Me’ without recalling happy memories of the town.
Mum, thank you for always being there and for spreading the word about my books.
Heartfelt thanks to my husband, Leo: you have the patience of a saint! You never complain about the weird hours I work, the strange questions I ask or my constant daydreaming!
And finally, thank you to my wonderful readers. You continue to thrill me each day with your fabulous reviews and supportive emails. I’m truly humbled that you invest precious time from your busy lives to read my books. Without you guys, my characters, stories and happy-ever-afters would simply be daydreams.
New Beginnings
at Rose Cottage
Bonus Material
If you found reading about Emma’s delicious ice cream and Benni’s temping chocolate truffles irresistible, why not try making them yourself with these easy recipes!
Emma’s fig and balsamic ice cream
Ingredients:
300 grams ripe figs
400 grams caster sugar
A pinch of salt
5 tbsp cold water
300 ml double cream
300 ml milk
2 vanilla pods (scraped and split to remove seeds)
6 egg yolks
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 200°C.
Halve the figs and place on a baking tray, sprinkle over 150 grams castor sugar, salt and 5 tbsp of water. Allow the figs to soften in the oven for 30 mins. Once cooled, dice into small pieces and keep any syrup from the baking tray.
Add the milk and cream together in a large saucepan, add the vanilla pods (without seeds). Heat until it starts to steam and remove the pan from the heat. Remove the vanilla pods. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
In a bowl, mix the beaten egg yolks with 250 grams caster sugar, and whisk for a few minutes.
Pour the milk/cream mixture into the bowl with the egg mix and whisk together. Place the mixture back into the pan, stirring with a wooden spoon on a low heat until thick (approx. 6 to 8 minutes). Add the cooled chopped figs, any collected syrup and balsamic vinegar – mix well. Pour the mixture into a clean bowl straight away to cool.
Leave the mixture to stand and cool, stirring occasionally, before placing in the fridge to chill thoroughly (may take several hours).
Once the mixture has cooled either place into an ice cream maker and churn or empty the mixture into a suitable shallow container and place into the freezer. If using the freezer-only method, you might wish to check on the mixture every hour or so ensuring that ice crystals are forming around the edge. Once the mixture is sufficiently frozen in the shallow tray transfer the ice cream into a suitable deep container for storage in the freezer.
Enjoy!
Benni’s chocolate truffles
Ingredients
(for approx. 40 truffles):
300 grams of good quality dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa solids – see product packaging)
300 ml double cream
50 grams unsalted butter
Optional flavourings: peppermint, chilli or even liqueurs (age permitting)
Toppings/coating: crushed nuts, desiccated coconut, coloured sprinkles or cocoa powder
Instructions:
Break the chocolate into pieces and gently melt over a pan of hot water. Place the cream and butter into a saucepan and heat gently until the butter has melted and the cream is simmering. Remove from the heat and pour the chocolate into the cream mixture – mix until smooth in texture and colour.
If required, add additional flavourings to the truffle mixture.
Allow the truffle mixture to cool sufficiently to be able to handle safely.
Using a teaspoon or a melon baller, dip the instrument into hot water and then scoop a measured amount of truffle mixture. Lightly coat your hands in sunflower oil and roll the measure of truffle mix into a ball or desired shape*. Drop each shaped truffle into a coating of your choice (best poured into a shallow dish) and coat each truffle well before placing the finished truffle on to a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper. Chill the truffles in a fridge for a few hours before consumption.
Present in a small decorated box or cellophane sleeve with a decorative bow.
* If preferred, a piping bag can be used rather than shaping by hand.
Catching Up With Erin Green
My dream holiday destination . . .
India – where my maternal grandmother was born and raised.
If I were to be stranded on a desert island, my one luxury item would be . . .
My dog, Teddy – he’s simply adorable and good company.
The first album I ever bought . . .
Paul Young’s Secret of Association album – 1985ish!
The book I’ve read the most times . . .
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – this is my go-to book when I need to swoon over Mr Darcy and be amongst fictional friends.
My guilty pleasure . . .
Spending the entire day reading and drinking tea.
The last time I went to the cinema . . .
Was to see Bohemian Rhapsody. I sobbed throughout the film, but so did everyone else.
The thing I could never give up . . .
Sweetener in my tea – no sugar/sweetener is simply urgggh!
My choice of superpower . . .
Invisibility – used in a good way to help others with unseen acts of kindness.
The book (by another author) that I wish I had written . . .
Me Before You by JoJo Moyes – simply beautiful, powerful and thought provoking.
The best play I’ve seen . . .
Educating Rita by Willy Russell – I was an Open University student so relate to her struggle to achieve and succeed.
The one piece of advice I would give my teenage self . . .
‘It’s OK being independent and liking your own company – that trait will be an asset when you’re an author.’
The comedian who makes me laugh the most . . .
Billy Connolly – I simply adore his comedic storytelling with dramatic actions.
My favourite city in the world . . .
Dublin, Ireland – the people, the place and a pint of Guinness.
If I could play the starring role in any film . . .
Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind – she has a sassy attitude, the biggest dresses and kisses Clark Gable.
If I could go back to any time in history . . .
The Victorian era – I’d probably be a scullery maid but still . . . a fascinating time of invention and technology.
Look out for the next warm, uplifting novel from Erin Green,
Buy it now
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