‘I guess grieving could become quite draining, but you know you can tell me anything, right? Is it the will?’
Rita’s throat tightened. She knew she could trust Kelly with even the messiest parts of her life.
‘No. I haven’t even thought about that for a while, to be honest. Haven’t got time to. I need money now and it’s quite obvious all he’s left me is debt anyway.’
‘Shit, I didn’t mean to make you think about it again, Reet.’
‘It’s fine.’ Rita took a deliberate slurp of wine. It had nothing to do with the will. It had everything to do with Jago Jenken. His kiss had knocked something loose in her, stirred up feelings she’d thought were long buried beneath grief and practicality. Everything felt tangled up with guilt and confusion. And she wasn’t quite ready for the questions. Or the answers. Or the weight of what it might all mean if something were to happen between them.
‘Fine or fine? Whatever it is, I’ve got your back, mate.’ Kelly squeezed Rita’s shoulder.
‘I know.’ Rita sighed as Kelly repeated the mantra they had used throughout their many years of friendship.
‘I’m always here with an ear.’
A couple of hours later, Kelly’s magic had been worked. She held up a mirror with a flourish. ‘Now. Prepare to fall back in love… with yourself.’
Rita gasped. Her hair, now a shiny and soft chestnut brown all over, sat in waves around her face, her skin glowed and her eyes looked brighter. More awake somehow.
‘I look like… well, I look like me. The pre-Archie-going me.’
‘You look like you’re about to host the most fabulous retreat this county has ever seen.’ Kelly beamed.
With Kelly now relaxing in a hot bath, Rita rang the annexe doorbell with her nose, whilst balancing a plate with two slices of pizza. The scent of pepperoni and roasted vegetables wafted up as she waited.
Hilda opened it in her leopard print dressing gown, eyebrows already raised. ‘I don’t recall asking for meals on wheels. And definitely not at this unearthly hour.’
‘Don’t get excited, it’s just shop-bought pizza. Kelly is staying, we had some left over and I know how much you love it.’
Rita could hear the faint sound of grime music coming from Teo’s room above. Hilda took the plate, eyeing Rita over the rim of her glasses. ‘You’ve done something to your hair.’
Rita hesitated. ‘Yes. I’ve had the full Kelly effect.’
‘Oh.’ Hilda’s gaze didn’t soften. ‘It looks nice. Bit of rouge always did make a difference to you. One wonders who you might be doing this for?’
Rita tutted. ‘The retreat is open tomorrow, so Kel, well, and I, thought I should look the part.’
But Hilda had already turned toward the little kitchenette, setting the plate down with a clink. ‘Don’t think I don’t see whathe’sdoing. All that helping out, turning up conveniently withthings you didn’t ask for. Wrapping you round his little finger, one favour at a time.’
Rita crossed her arms. ‘You’re being ridiculous; he’s… he’s just being kind.’ Praying that her hawk-eyed mother-in-law hadn’t seenthe kiss, a stab of fear stung her.
‘You know who I’m talking about, then?’ Hilda turned slowly. ‘And am I being ridiculous? First it’s the yurts, then a marquee, then… who knows? He’ll have you signing something before you know it. You wait. Next thing, you’ll be handing over the farm and all that my Ralphy and your Archie worked for will be for nothing.’
Rita’s jaw dropped. ‘No!’ She could feel her anger rising. ‘I would never…’
Hilda’s expression didn’t change; however, her voice softened. ‘Just keep your wits about you, that’s all I’m saying. You’ve been through a lot. And sometimes we mistake kindness for something else. I just don’t want this to be a lesson to you for the bad.’
Rita stared at her, the words still stinging. ‘You think I’m that stupid?’
Hilda gave a small shrug and picked up her plate. ‘I think you’re still grieving. And thathe’sfar from stupid.’
Rita felt deflated. ‘Maybe if you explained to me exactly what happened between both families then I would be able to understand your fury.’
Hilda pursed her lips. ‘Not now, Rita. There’s a bottle of something fizzy on the top shelf of the fridge. Take it to celebrate tomorrow; you deserve it. Though technically, I paid for it… so raise a glass to me while you’re at it.’
Realising that was all she was going to get, Rita replied tightly, ‘Thank you, Hilda.’
‘And I shall look forward to meeting your guests.’ The old woman’s lips twitched. ‘I promise not to embarrass you. Much.’
