Carol laid a hand on Tess’s arm and grimaced.
‘You’re so lovely and kind. Some of the acts were better than others, weren’t they, but please don’t leave now. The second half is always much better, although I think that might have something to do with people being a bit merrier then.’
‘Oh, we’re not thinking of going anywhere. We’re having too much fun.’
‘I’m pleased to hear it. Have you got those business cards for your accommodation that you told me about? We do have a lot of visitors in asking about places to stay so I would be more than happy to point them in your direction.’
‘Yes!’ Tess had popped a handful in her bag earlier with the intention of giving them to Carol and had totally forgotten until now. ‘Here you go,’ she said, finding them and handing them over. ‘That’s really kind of you, and likewise, any visitors I have I will be sure to tell them about The Royal Oak. I’ve got a folder of local attractions so I’ll put something in there too.’
‘Excellent! Right, I suppose I should go and collect some empties.’
Tess was very pleased about her reciprocal arrangement with Carol, but she’d found that everyone she’d spoken to about the new business had been equally willing to help so she’d left business cards where she could: on the main desk at the community library and in the general store in the village.
Returning to the table, she was stopped by a hand on her arm, and she turned to see Keith perched on a bar stool.
‘Come here, darling,’ he said, pulling her closer. ‘I’ve got to say sorry for last time you came in. I hope you weren’t upset by my ramblings. Honestly, my memory’s not what it was. I could have sworn that your husband and that Georgina were fooling around, but then I can’t keep up with all the shenanigans that have gone on here over the years. There’s been a lot of them. Carol gave me a right telling off about that, said that I’d got it all wrong, so I thought I should make a point of apologising.’
‘Georgina? You mean Gina, sitting over there.’ Tess turned to look over her shoulder where Gina was sitting, still chatting animatedly with Dilly.
‘Yes, Gina! I know her of old; she used to come in here a lot back in the day.’
Tess’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Keith hadn’t mentioned Gina last time they spoke. He’d only talked about Charles and even then, after being initially taken aback, she’d quickly forgotten all about the off-the-cuff comment, on Rob’s advice. What was the point in stirring up the past? Now, Keith’s apology had created more questions than answers.
‘We haven’t seen her in her for a while. She was always very bubbly, popular with the fellas.’ He gave a knowing wink, and Tess recognised his description entirely. That was definitely the Gina she knew, but could there really have been something going on between her husband and one of her best friends? ‘Anyway,’ he said, taking a large swig of his beer, ‘I’m glad we’ve got all that sorted now. Enjoy the rest of the evening, darling!’
Tess wandered back to the table, a bit shell-shocked from what Keith had told her, but then again, what exactly had he told her? Nothing and everything.
‘Are you all right, Tess?’ asked Gina. ‘Come and sit down with us. You spend far too much time as it is with Rob these days. We’re feeling neglected, aren’t we, Dilly? Anyway, tell me, how is Charles doing now? Hannah mentioned that he was out of hospital.’
‘Yes.’ Tess suppressed a sigh, trying to put the conversation out of her mind. ‘He seems to be on the mend, although I think he’s probably got a long recovery ahead of him.’
‘I think everyone was shocked when they heard about Charles,’ said Dilly. ‘He’s such a strong, forceful personality that you can’t imagine him being laid so low. It must be a relief for you and Hannah that he’s out of the woods now.’
‘It’s been a strange time. Obviously, Hannah’s been very worried about her dad, and I’ve been worried about her, but it’s been hard trying to make sense of my own feelings. I suppose I’ve felt a bit detached from the whole process, but yes, I am relieved he’s home. I suppose I feel a bit sorry for Melody having to deal with it all.’ Tess stopped to consider what she’d just said and rethought her stance. ‘Only a bit sorry for her, though.’
‘You shouldn’t feel sorry for her at all,’ said Gina, placing her hand over Tess’s and tapping it in a gesture of support. ‘Melody should have known what she was signing up for when she got involved with a married man. In sickness and in health, and all that. She can’t take all the positive things and not accept the downsides too.’ Gina gave a careless shrug. ‘Really, though, I’m glad Charles is getting better. You know, he and I have always had a tricky relationship.’ She gave an apologetic wince. ‘But I would never want anything bad to happen to him.’
That was so true. There was no love lost between the pair of them. Charles had always disapproved of Gina, calling her frivolous and flighty, and Gina hadn’t spoke highly of Charles either, labelling him pompous and controlling. Their mutual dislike hadn’t really bothered Tess, she’d found it mildly amusing, but now she had to wonder if there was more to their antagonism than she had previously realised.
‘Anyway, Dilly and I were just chatting and we thought it was about time we got away for a short break, the four of us. Somewhere by the sea. A couple of nights of wine, good food and conversation, and some daytime bracing walks by the coast. What do you think?’
Tess’s attention was momentarily distracted by the busy comings and goings of the bar. It looked as though the second half of the evening’s entertainment was about to get underway.
‘Please say yes,’ said Dilly in her imploring manner, clasping her hands together hopefully. ‘I’ve not had the chance to get away in ages, and I’ve always been so envious when you’ve spoken about your trip to Annecy. It sounded like so much fun.’
‘It really was!’
Tess, Gina and Suzy had spent a rejuvenating few days in the French alpine town, earlier in the year, bonding over their love of the great outdoors and enjoying all the good food and wine on offer. It was the first time in years that they’d been able to sit down and properly share their thoughts and hopes for the future as they each navigated a new path in their lives. Then, they’d pledged to get away more often, to make quality time for their friendship, which was becoming more important to them all as they grew older. With Dilly welcomed into the fold now, and the autumnal season well and truly upon them, it was probably time for them to take their next trip.
‘Sounds good to me,’ she agreed, before she was shushed by Rob with a finger to his lip, as the next act took to the stage.
* * *
Carol had been right; the acts in the second half were much more accomplished and had more stage presence than those who had gone before, but whether the increasingly convivial atmosphere around the bar and the ever-flowing drinks contributed to the positive response to the performances, Tess couldn’t be sure. All she knew was that everyone around their table seemed to be having a great time, rocking along to the music, especially when a band took to the stage and started playing a melody of popular tunes that everyone knew and could sing along to.
‘Are you having fun?’ Rob whispered in her ear, the sensation of his breath on her skin sending all sorts of sensations along the length of her body.
‘Yes, this is great.’ Tess had pushed Keith’s rogue comments to one side. What would be the point of dwelling on them, especially when the older man seemed not to be the most reliable of witnesses? She wouldn’t allow him to spoil her fun, even if inadvertently. Besides, there was such an electric buzz about the air tonight that she wanted to be an active part of it. She turned to look at Rob’s handsome profile, a light in his eye as his shoulders moved in sync with the music. ‘This was such a good idea. We’ll have to come along again.’
