‘Well, I hope not those,’ said Tess with a chuckle.
They fell quiet as they walked up the hill, Tess’s mood thoughtful as she contemplated the events of the evening. Such a life-affirming, positive night, spent with friends, that had filled her with joy and yet there was still something niggling at the back of her mind.
‘Are you sure you’re okay? I can always tell when something is troubling you.’
‘Ah, that’s what I appreciate about you,’ she said, turning to look at him and squeezing his hand. ‘You have such a caring and sensitive side. I don’t think it would have ever occurred to Charles to wonder how I was feeling.’ She released a huge sigh. ‘Look, I know I shouldn’t let these things get to me, but I had another unsettling conversation with Keith tonight.’
‘On no, what rubbish is he coming out with now then?’
‘He told me he wanted to apologise for what he’d said earlier, which would have been great if he’d stopped there, but in doing so, he seemed to implicate Gina as well.’
‘What?’ Rob actually stopped in his tracks and turned to face her. ‘You’re kidding, right?’
‘No! He seemed to be suggesting that there might have been something going on between her and Charles.’
‘I don’t understand. When?’
‘Oh, he was talking about years ago, they were both members of the tennis club at one time.’
‘Well, you don’t really believe it, do you?’
‘I don’t know what to believe. It might explain why the pair of them have always hated each other.’
‘I think Keith’s brain is probably addled from years of alcohol abuse and he probably doesn’t know what day of the week it is, let alone what happened several years ago. Do you know what you should do?’
‘What?’
‘You should let it go. Don’t give it another moment’s thought.’ He took her face in his hands. ‘It’s not worth your time or energy. Nothing positive can come from brooding over it.’
‘Yes, you’re probably right.’ She exhaled a sigh and they started walking again. ‘When did you get to be so sensible?’
‘When I realised I’d spent far too long worrying about things that didn’t matter. You have to concentrate on the important things and while you can’t change the past, you can focus on the present and by doing that, creating the future you want. Think how far you’ve come and what you’ve already achieved. Really, Tess, this is only the beginning. Don’t even glance over your shoulder; just keep looking out towards the horizon.’
23
Despite knowing that what she was about to do was a stupid thing, Tess couldn’t stop herself. Even at the age of fifty-five with a lifetime of sensible decisions behind her and the knowledge that nothing good could come of it, she couldn’t let it go. She was probably about to open a can of worms that she might never be able to put the lid back on.
Rise above it.
Let it go.
Will it change anything?
Those and several other clichés, along with Rob’s sage advice, all counselled her to put the niggle to one side, but she didn’t want to have that same nagging thought in her head in three months’ or three years’ time. Tess needed answers. Best to clear the air. Honesty, as she’d come to appreciate recently, really was the best policy.
Leaving Barney at home, much to his disappointment, she took a determined walk down Vicarage Lane into the centre of the village, passing the old quaint stone cottages that were so familiar and always pleasing to the eye at any time of year. It was a view that could and actually did adorn several postcards that were available to buy from the village shop. Admittedly, most of those scenes were taken on beautiful, sunny days, showing off the village to its best, although there were others taken when the village was covered in a thick dusting of snow which looked equally picturesque. Now, the air was cold and damp, the dark night of late October sending shivers down her body. The festivities for Halloween at least offered some autumnal cheer by way of decorations in the cottage windows. Carved pumpkins and friendly ghosts glowed as she went on her way, admiring the abundant wreaths hanging on the doors. She pulled the collar up on her coat, dug her hands deeper in her pockets and strode on until she reached her destination.
Gina lived in a renovated barn conversion that was once an old farm building. It was set within a small development of three similar properties and her house, The Dairy, had wonderful views over the local landscape. Where Tess’s cottage was full of old country charm, Gina’s property was all modern lines and sleek fittings.
Tess walked over the gravel driveway and along the path that led to Gina’s place and knocked on the door. She saw the hallway light flicker on and the shadow of her approach in the hallway.
‘Hello! What are you doing here?’ Gina peered around Tess to see if she could see her car parked out the front. ‘Did you walk down here? You mad woman! Come on in out of the cold. This is a lovely surprise, but I’m afraid Hannah’s already left if you were hoping to see her. Billy picked her up a little while ago.’
Tess knew. He was taking her for a meal in Bramlingham, followed by a trip to the cinema. Tess had planned it that way.
‘No, it’s you I’ve come to see.’
‘Ah, great.’ Tess could tell Gina was taken aback by the unexpected visit, but she was always going to welcome her friend with open arms, whatever time of day. She glanced at her watch. ‘I was almost finished with work anyway. Should we open a bottle of wine?’
