‘That’s what I’m striving for. I’ve always looked at you and Gina and been in awe of how you both seem to have found the perfect balance in your lives.’
‘Really?’ said Tess doubtfully.
‘Yes, I admire how you seem to have it all worked out. You have a great family life, even without Charles, a new love interest in Rob, your voluntary work at the library, your passion for cooking and gardening, and now a new venture with your garden annexe. Oh, and Barney as well, of course,’ she added with a chuckle.
‘I’m not sure you should hold me up as a beacon of having it all. Although…’ She tilted her head to one side, contemplating her own situation, and how it might be viewed though her friend’s eyes. Her gaze drifted around her and out through the wooden windows onto the gardens, appreciating the sanctuary of her beautiful cottage and its surrounds, something she would never take for granted, especially when she had wondered if she might lose the house when she first split with Charles. Thankfully, a financial agreement had been agreed in principle with Charles which meant she would get to keep the home that she had always loved in the divorce settlement which hopefully would be finalised sometime next year. Staying at Hollyhocks meant that everything else was manageable as far as she was concerned. ‘I must admit, I’ve got to this point in my life and realise I’m probably as happy now as I’ve ever been.’ Saying the words aloud felt empowering. ‘Despite everything that’s gone on this year, I’ve found a new kind of contentment and that’s come from accepting the person I am – not Charles’s wife, or Hannah’s mother, or Marjorie’s daughter, but my own person. It will be the same for you, Suzy.’
‘Do you think?’
‘Yes, I know it will. You’ve been entirely focused on bringing up the boys and giving your all to your job. Understandably. Now it’s time to concentrate on yourself. To discover what it is that you want to do, to satisfy the person you are beneath the surface. Don’t look on it as a scary proposition but instead, feel excited about what’s to come.’
‘You know if the B & B doesn’t work out, then you would have a great future as a life coach,’ Suzy said with a kindly smile.
Tess laughed. ‘Well, advice to my friends will always come free and from the heart, even when you don’t necessarily want to hear it.’
Just then, the doorbell rang and Suzy gave a questioning glance.
‘Are you expecting someone? I can make a move, if you are?’
‘No, and even if I was, I’d want you to stay. You’ve only just got here and there’s still so much to catch up on. It’s probably a delivery for Hannah. Honestly, sometimes, I feel as though I could get a job in Goods Inwards somewhere, the amount of packages I sign for every week.’
Laughing, Tess went off to answer the front door.
‘Oh, hello!’ Suzy would have heard the surprise in Tess’s voice from the kitchen.
‘Hey, I hope this is not a bad time, but I thought I’d better return this to Dilly.’ Michael was holding a cake tin aloft. ‘I wasn’t sure which one was her property, so thought I’d come and have look at the accommodation while I’m here, if that’s okay with you, and then you can point me in the right direction.’
‘Of course, let me take that from you. I’ll just grab the keys.’ Mouthing to Suzy that she wouldn’t be long, she led the way out to the annexe. Thank goodness she’d had a thorough clean-up after Hannah’s impromptu party the other evening. Opening up the doors to the charming wooden structure nestled in the garden, Tess felt a surge of pride. With the light flooding in through the windows, it was welcoming and homely.
‘It’s fully equipped with everything I hope people might need for a short break. There’s a kettle and a microwave, but I can provide cooked breakfasts, packed lunches and afternoon teas, if that is something required. I’m very flexible so I will encourage visitors to ask for anything that isn’t immediately available.’ Tess clasped her hands in front of her, hoping she was striking the right note, not wanting to sound desperate, but keen to show off the annexe in its best possible light.
‘This is ideal,’ said Michael with a warm smile, his gaze running around the room. ‘You’ve done a great job. It’s very inviting and relaxing and would be entirely suitable for my friends if I could get them booked in for a couple of days after Christmas.’
‘Absolutely! I’d be delighted to host them. Come over to the house and I’ll jot down the details, then I can get the confirmation sent over to you.’
On the way out, Michael hesitated, his attention taken by the painting of Hollyhocks on the wall.
‘Did you paint this?’ he asked, turning towards her.
‘No. A friend of mine, Rob, painted it. He stayed here for a few weeks over the summer and this was his parting gift. Isn’t he talented?’
Michael nodded his agreement.
‘Does he take commissions, do you know? I’m thinking it might be nice to get something similar done for The Old Post Office. To mark the beginning of this new chapter in my life.’
‘I can certainly ask him. I know he’s keen to do more painting, mostly for his own amusement, but I’m pretty sure he’d be delighted to help, if he can.’
Tess had already suggested to Rob that he could sell his artwork, he was that talented, and he hadn’t been totally opposed to the idea.
Back in the cottage, Tess introduced Michael to Suzy, before going off in search of her special book. Hannah had suggested she managed the bookings online, but Tess was an old-fashioned girl and had been adamant that she wanted to keep them in one central place and had bought a large floral-covered book especially for the purpose. She purchased a matching guest book too in hope that her visitors would leave some positive reviews after their stays at The Garden Retreat and after spending weeks stopping to stroke their embossed, tactile covers as she passed by, she was looking forward to actually using them. With a huge sense of satisfaction that she did her best to hide from Michael and Suzy, she opened the diary to the relevant week and firmly pressed down on the centre seam, flattening the pages. With her pencil, she wrote down the names of the guests and Michael’s contact details, underlining them with a flourish.
‘All sorted,’ she said with a smile. ‘If anything changes then just let me know.’
‘Great, well I’m very pleased about that. I’ll leave you two in peace. Thanks for your time, it’s?—’
‘Look, Suzy and I were just going to have another coffee. You’re welcome to stay if you don’t have to rush off.’
‘I wouldn’t want to intrude,’ he said, faltering, his gaze fluttering over to Suzy.
