It was only in the last couple of weeks that these thoughts had intruded into her mind. Why was she second-guessing everything all of a sudden?
‘Right, I think we’re about ready,’ Rob said, oblivious to Tess’s inner musings. He dolloped spoonfuls of the mouth-watering bake into bowls and took them through into the living room, placing them on the coffee table, before returning for the green salad and some focaccia bread. ‘One of these days, I will get round to buying a dining table, but in the meantime, I hope you’re okay perching on the sofa?’
‘I think food tastes better that way,’ she said, appreciating the relaxed nature of their meal.
‘Drinks! Let me fetch the wine. Don’t stand on ceremony; please get started.’
It was cosy and intimate, and felt like a proper treat. After all, in all the years they’d been married, Charles had never cooked a meal for her.
‘So tell me, what’s been happening? Is everything okay? You seem a bit distracted.’
Rob was clearly more perceptive than she’d given him credit for, but she was cross with herself for letting her guard slip.
‘No, it’s fine. I was just thinking about Hannah.’ It was a valid enough excuse. ‘She’s entertaining Billy at Hollyhocks tonight.’ This was accompanied by a slight grimace. ‘I wasn’t sure that she would even want to see him again after he turned up the other week, but she’s cooking up a storm for him this evening.’
‘Ah, and how are you feeling about that?’ Rob had been a good sounding board for Tess when Hannah had arrived home from Australia nursing a big secret and a broken heart. Rob had listened while Tess had talked through the situation, which had helped enormously to get her own thoughts in order.
‘Concerned, I guess. She reassures me that they’re just friends at this point, but she’s clearly very keen on him and I worry that she’s going to get hurt again, but then I have to remind myself that she’s old enough to be making her own decisions.’ Tess put down her fork and picked up her wine glass, taking a sip, pensive, but growing more relaxed with each passing moment.
‘Yes, but as a parent, you always worry, however old they might be. From what I know of Hannah, she’s independent and determined, so anything you say is probably not going to change her mind. What is important is that she knows that you’re there for her, in whatever decisions she makes. That’s all that matters.’
Tess nodded, grateful for Rob’s wise words. It was true. The dynamic in their relationship had changed, but that was only to be expected as Hannah stepped out towards a more independent life. Talking with Charles about their daughter only ended up in an argument. He still believed that she was the little girl who hung onto his every word and idolised her father. Tess suspected that he was finding the transition much harder than she was.
‘This is very good, by the way,’ said Tess, savouring each mouthful of the lasagne. It was every bit as delicious as it promised to be and the flavours of courgette, peppers, sweet potato and tomatoes, covered in an unctuous cheesy sauce, tingled on her taste buds.
‘Thanks. One of the kids’ favourites so I’m glad you like it too.’
‘How are they?’ asked Tess, helping herself to a chunk of bread from the basket.
‘Good! Thanks. I can’t believe Josh is in Year 13 now. It’s gone by so quickly. He’s got some uni visits upcoming, so that’s pretty exciting. And Issy’s not far behind him. She’ll be taking her GCSEs at the end of this year. Soon, they’ll be off doing their own thing.’
‘Well, if they’re anything like Hannah, they’ll go and then they’ll come back. Several times,’ she said with a smile. It seemed like the ideal opportunity to ask about Jennifer, but as the question hovered on her tongue, something stopped her. Surely, if he wanted her to know, then he would have volunteered the information. A kernel of irritation weaved its way through her body. She might have expected him to explain fully what had happened the other day, now that he had the opportunity, especially as it had brought an abrupt end to their own arrangements.
‘After everything we’ve been through, as a family, these last couple of years, I’m just relieved that they’re doing okay. As a parent, you want to do the right thing by your kids, for them to be happy.’
Did she detect a hint of regret from Rob? And what did he mean, exactly, by doing the right thing by his children?
‘Absolutely.’ She filled the momentary pause with the question burning on her lips. ‘So what’s happening with Jennifer? I hope she managed to sort out her problems with Jack.’ She kept her tone light, breezy, as though the answer to the question was inconsequential to her when in fact, the opposite was true.
Rob sighed and ran a hand through his close-cut, dark hair.
‘No, unfortunately. Looks like they’ve split for good.’ He shook his head and puffed out his cheeks. ‘She found out that Jack was more of a workaholic than I was, that he has a short temper and his moods are mercurial to say the least. I could have told her all those things, and I think I probably did, but would she listen to me? No, she had to find out the hard way, for herself.’
Unusually, she heard a note of bitterness in his voice and suspected the failure of his wife’s new relationship had affected him more than he was letting on, causing him to revisit old emotions that he’d tried so hard to overcome.
‘Oh…’ she said, so many questions forming in her head, but she was unable to voice any of them as Rob was determined to brush the subject aside.
‘Anyway, let’s not talk about that,’ he said, placing a hand on her knee. ‘It’s taken up too much of my headspace this week as it is.’ He shook his head as if to get rid of the thoughts, before turning to her with a warm smile. ‘How have you been? Are you ready for your first guests in The Garden Retreat?’
‘Yes, it’s all ready and waiting. I keep going out to check how it looks, trying to imagine it through a stranger’s eyes, and, fingers crossed, it’s as perfect as it’s going to be. I’ll give it a last-minute spruce-up just before they arrive, but otherwise, I think we’re good to go.’
‘Well, I’m actually quite envious of those people, seeing it for the first time. The annexe at Hollyhocks Cottage will always hold a special place in my heart.’ His deep blue eyes latched onto hers as he laid the flat of his palm onto his chest.
‘And word seems to be spreading already,’ she said, ignoring the wave of emotion his comment evoked. ‘We have a new guy in the village who’s just moved into The Old Post Office. Dilly mentioned that she’d met him, and you know Dilly, she was smitten from the start. His name’s Michael; he’s an architect and a bit of a silver fox.’
‘Ah, is that right? I remember a time when she was smitten with me. It’s obviously a case of out of sight, out of mind,’ he said with an exaggerated sigh.
‘Never. Dilly is still your biggest fan, and if I hadn’t snapped you up for myself when I did, then who knows where you might be now. Sitting here with Dilly instead.’
