‘Oh, I took pity on him. He didn’t seem to have much of a clue when it came to dating so I gave him the benefit of my advice.’ Dilly’s glorious laughter rang out around the room. ‘As you know, I’m a complete expert on men. And who knows, perhaps he’ll come back next time as a paying customer. I gave him one of my business cards.’
It was one of the things Tess had come to love about Dilly since she’d grown to know her better this year. She had a big and open heart, and would do anything for anyone.
‘So, did you learn anything new about Michael?’ she asked now, her eyes lighting up playfully. ‘He is really rather dishy. I get a bit flustered and tongue-tied in his company.’
Now it was Tess’s turn to laugh.
‘Only that he seems very decent and genuine. I’ve got his friends coming to stay at the annexe over Christmas and he’s interested in getting Rob to do a painting of his new home. I think he’s keen to get involved in village life and to play an active part in the community so I’m sure you’ll be running into him. Oh, and he is very much single, you’ll be pleased to hear.’
‘Ahh, I thought that was probably the case, although I’ve realised men like Michael don’t give a second glance to women like me.’
‘Dilly, don’t say that!’
‘It’s true! Michael is educated, intelligent and cultured. He’s not going to be interested in someone like me, an indiscreet hairdresser who gossips too much and laughs too loudly. In my job, you develop a good instinct about people. Michael is very charming and friendly, but I know his ideal woman would be someone classy and sophisticated, someone he would enjoy going on long hikes with and having intellectual conversations with. Someone like you, Tess.’
‘What! No. Michael is not my type at all. Besides, you know my heart is already taken,’ she said airily.
‘Yes, but you’re the sort of woman that men gravitate towards. And I’m the sort of woman that has men running for the hills.’ There was that familiar self-deprecating laugh again, but there was definitely hurt and vulnerability beneath the bravado.
‘Don’t be daft. You shouldn’t put yourself down, Dilly. You’re a gorgeous, funny woman, who is kind and terrific company. Any man would be lucky to have you in his life. And I’m lucky that I have you in my life as a friend.’
‘Well, I don’t know about sharing my life with a man. It’s been a long time and I’ve got used to being on my own. Sometimes, I think it would be nice to have someone to depend on, to snuggle up with on the sofa. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to missing the physical companionship, but I think, for me, that ship has probably sailed. Oh stop it,’ Dilly said, seeing Tess’s sympathetic expression. ‘I’m happy the way I am. Especially when I hear you say how much you value our friendship. I don’t think you realise how much that means to me.’
‘It’s only the truth.’
Dilly slipped off her shoes and tucked up her legs beside her on the wicker sofa, making herself comfortable. Barney took that as an invitation to join her and leapt up onto the sofa, snuggling up beside her in the nook of her legs.
‘I’m not like you, Tess. I don’t make friendships easily.’ As she spoke, she ran her hand over Barney’s back as he lapped up the attention. ‘Obviously, through my job, I’ve got lots of lovely clients and I know plenty of people, but that’s not the same as having someone who genuinely appreciates having you in their life. I’ve always felt like an outsider, not really fitting in anywhere, not finding my tribe. For many years, it really bothered me and I often wondered what was wrong with me, why I couldn’t make friends in the same way as other people, but I’m much more forgiving of myself these days. I’ve spent too long trying to force the issue, joining clubs where I didn’t belong, putting myself into situations that only ended up making me feel miserable. It’s taken me this long to accept the person I am; to realise that I actually enjoy my own company and can keep myself busy and entertained.’
‘I didn’t know you felt that way,’ said Tess, feeling even worse about all those times she’d ignored or excluded Dilly, not thinking how her own behaviour might have made her neighbour feel. ‘You always seem so confident and outgoing.’
‘Oh, it’s all a front,’ she said, chuckling. ‘That’s why it has meant so much to me getting closer to you; it’s nice to have someone to confide in, and when you invited me into your friendship group with Gina and Suzy, well, it’s the first time I’ve ever experienced anything like that before.’
‘Well, we’ve loved having you in the group. You’ve brought a new dimension and energy that we all bounce off.’
‘What you mean is, I make you stay up too late and drink far too much wine.’
‘Well, yes, definitely, but it’s more than that. We enjoy your company. You don’t need to mould yourself to fit into our group; we appreciate you just as you are. You make us laugh, so you’re stuck with us now whether you like it or not.’
‘Oh, but I do like it,’ said Dilly, waving a hand in front of her face to ward off a swell of emotion. ‘Really, I won’t be going anywhere. I just hope you don’t all get fed up with me! It wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened,’ she said lightly.
‘Never,’ said Tess emphatically.
She knew how much Dilly appreciated their new friendship, but she suspected that Dilly had no idea just how important it was to Tess too.
15
‘Should we have a nightcap in The Royal Oak?’
‘Yes, I think we should,’ said Tess gleefully, not wanting the evening to come to an end. ‘Let’s drop the car back at the cottage and then we can walk down to the Oak. It means you’ll have the chance to have a proper drink.’
‘Are you trying to lead me astray?’ Rob asked, turning to glance at her, his eyes lighting up flirtatiously.
‘Well, only if you want me to,’ she said, laughing.
They had visited The Swan, the pub in the neighbouring village of Shepherd’s End, only a short drive away, where they’d both been eager to try the renowned pies. Rob had opted for the steak and ale one, while Tess had gone for the chicken, leek and mushroom version. Their food had arrived on large plates; the pies with their golden, puffy toppings billowing impossibly high were served with chunky fries and tenderstem broccoli, their mouths watering at the sight. They’d tucked in eagerly, making appreciative noises as the delicious flavours hit their taste buds with the pies being every bit as delicious as their reputation and the reviews had promised them to be. Sitting in the oak conservatory at the back of the pub, which offered views of the pretty beer garden, they hadn’t stop talking all night long. That’s what Tess loved about Rob: there were no awkward silences that she felt compelled to fill; instead, the conversation flowed naturally, and any pauses were organic, comfortable ones.
Hand in hand, they walked into The Royal Oak, which was totally different in style to the pub they’d visited earlier, but equally as charming. Where The Swan had recently been modernised, giving it a bright and airy atmosphere, and prided itself on being a gastro pub, The Royal Oak retained a quaint, old-fashioned feel. It was a village pub that didn’t serve food but still catered for the locals with a wide array of drinks and bar snacks. Inside, it was like stepping back in time, with its dark wood fittings and the L-shaped bar that straddled two rooms. Tess could count on one hand the number of times she’d visited the place in all the years she’d lived in Lower Leaping, even though it had been a regular watering hole of Charles, usually on his way home from work.
