‘Well, I’m really proud of you, Grandma,’ Hannah was saying when Tess returned to the room with her heated dinner on a tray. ‘I could never do something like that.’
‘Ooh, thank you,’ said Marjorie, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the food, eager to tuck in. ‘Now, don’t go saying that. It just goes to show you that if I can do something like this at my age, then you two have no excuses for achieving your own dreams, whatever they might be.’
Tess smiled, understanding that sentiment entirely, knowing that at her age, her life was opening up in so many directions that she hadn’t even thought possible.
‘So, Grandma, tell me, what sort of book is it?’ Hannah asked trepidatiously.
‘Well, it’s romance, dark romance, set in New York with an undercover cop infiltrating the mafia.’
‘Blimey.’
‘It’s the sort of book I’ve been reading and enjoying lately. I’ve had to do a fair bit of research, but I’ve learned a lot in the process.’
‘And dare I ask, does it have any sex in it?’
‘Absolutely loads, darling!’ Marjorie threw back her head and laughed. ‘Would you like to read it?’
Hannah grimaced. ‘Oh God, Grandma, sorry, but I’m not really sure that I do!’
28
Tess peered out of the windows of the orangery, captivated by the wild, stormy weather currently battering the garden. The wind howled against the cottage, and the heavy rain running through the gutters and splattering onto the ground was loud and insistent. It wasn’t a total surprise, the local news had warned of the impending storm, named Harold, and she was only pleased that she didn’t have to go anywhere, relieved that she could curl up on the sofa with a blanket over her legs. Hannah had gone to stay with Billy in London for the night, so Tess had the place to herself with only Barney to worry about. She’d already taken him out in the garden and now he was curled up in a tight ball on the chair, studiously ignoring the mayhem outside. At the same time, she had taken the precaution of moving any empty flowerpots and tools to inside the shed, as Rob had told her to do.
‘I’m just heading off to my parents’ place. Mum’s invited me round for dinner,’ he’d told her. ‘I think she wants me to make sure everything in their garden is secured. Are you sure you’ll be okay? Just put away anything that might be swept up by the storm. Do you want me to come and give you a hand before I go?’
‘No, really, I’ll be absolutely fine. There’s not a lot to tidy anyway.’
‘Well give me a call if there are any problems. And I’ll come and see you tomorrow. Missing you!’
Now Tess pulled the blinds closed, attempting to shut out the howling of the wind, not that it made a great deal of difference. Still, it didn’t matter. She would make herself a mug of indulgent hot chocolate and then retreat to the snug, where she would immerse herself in a new two-hour crime drama on television. It was that kind of night and with whatever was going on outside, the low lighting from the side lamps and a couple of strategically placed candles created a warm and cosy atmosphere inside.
Just then, there was a heavy rapping on the front door which caused Barney to look up and give a warning bark. Who would be out on a night like this? she wondered, only the slightest sliver of alarm running down her spine. She peered out the front window and spotted an unfamiliar car in the drive. There was that knocking on the door again. Whoever they were, they were clearly impatient.
With her hand poised on the handle of the door, ready to open it, she paused a moment.
‘Who is it?’
‘Oh hello, thank goodness.’ A woman’s voice. ‘I wonder if you can help me?’
Tess pulled open the door to find a lady of a similar age to Tess being buffeted against the wind, holding her hat down with one hand to prevent it from blowing away. In the other hand, she held up one of Tess’s business cards.
‘I’ve just been into the pub and they said that you might be able to help me out with some accommodation. Do you have a spare room by any chance? I’ve tried a couple of hotels on the way, but they’ve all been completely full.’
‘Oh, okay. Come in out of the rain for a moment,’ said Tess, quickly ushering the woman inside. ‘It looks absolutely wild out there.’
The unexpected visitor had thrown her somewhat, but wasn’t this exactly what she had signed up to do? There was a moment’s panic when she tried to remember what condition she’d left the annexe in, but with it being out of bounds to Hannah and Barney, she knew it would be exactly as she had left it. Calm, cosy and welcoming. Perfect for this stranger looking for a bed for the night.
‘I’m sure we can help you out.’
‘Thank you so much.’ The woman’s relief was palpable. ‘I’m Anita, by the way. I was meant to be driving home to Lincolnshire but I’ve already come across a couple of fallen trees and I’m not a great night-time driver as it is.’ Tess understood entirely; she felt the same way, especially along an unfamiliar route. ‘I don’t want to chance it on the roads; I’d find it far too stressful. Better to wait until the morning, when I can at least see where I’m going.’
‘Don’t worry, you can stay in the garden retreat. I’m Tess. Come with me, and I’ll show you the accommodation.’
Picking the keys up from the box in the kitchen, and shutting Barney into the orangery, she led the way to the back door and as soon as she opened it, they were assaulted by the tempestuous weather, the wind and rain not letting up at all. The outside lights flooded on, much to Tess’s relief.
‘Don’t worry, it’s not very far,’ she called over her shoulder, although even in that short distance, they managed to get soaked through, especially when Tess struggled with the key in the door. She wiped her forearm across her face, mopping up the rain. ‘Ah, here we are. Let me put the heating on. It soon warms up. Come on through.’
The lights flickered on in the lodge and Anita gave a gasp of approval.
