They agreed on a date in a couple of Saturdays’ time. Since Jason was a regular player at the pub, and Bella wasn’t hugely optimistic that anyone would turn up to see her after all these years, there didn’t seem much point in setting something up too far ahead. They’d be lucky to sell fifty tickets, she reckoned, and most of those would be for Jason’s side of the collaboration. For the rest of the evening, when it went quiet, Bella hashed out the details with Paddy, who, having been briefed earlier, was more than happy to help. After the initial adrenaline rush of confessing to Jason, as the emotions died down, Bella started to feel tired again, and, realising she was dead on her feet, Paddy let her go after last orders. Gratefully, Bella grabbed her sweater from behind the bar and walked wearily home. The moon was full tonight, and the air was warm, even at gone quarter past eleven. There wasn’t even a breeze to wake her up as she walked.
As Bella wandered up the garden path, she smiled when she saw Monty was sitting on the front step, waiting for her. He’d been there most nights this week, since he’d been granted his freedom again, and Bella couldn’t help smiling. She’d grown accustomed to sharing her living space with him over the past couple of weeks, and it felt nice to have another living soul in the cottage. Then, as she put the key in the lock, she remembered there’d be someone else there tonight, too. She’d been too tired to notice Noah’s Tesla, parked on the other side of the road.
‘Is he in bed, Monty?’ Bella whispered as she bent down to stroke the cat before opening the front door. Monty stared blankly at her. She was turning into one of those people who talked constantly to their pets. The advantage with Monty was that he often responded with a yowl, or a polite nod of disdain that made her smile and think how bonkers she must sound to him.
Just in case Noah was asleep, she crept into the house as quietly as she could, but she needn’t have worried. There, sitting at the kitchen table, nursing a cuppa, was Noah.
‘Hi,’ she said as she drew closer. She tried to ignore the pitter patter that her heart made when she’d caught sight of him. ‘How was the drive?’
‘Long,’ Noah replied. If Bella thought she was tired, then looking at Noah was like looking in the mirror. There were dark circles under his eyes, and he looked as though he hadn’t slept for more than the one night she herself could lay claim to. ‘I left too late – had an evening viewing I couldn’t pass up, and then the M25 was at a standstill.’ He gave a rueful laugh. ‘I should have known better than to chance travelling on a Friday night!’
‘Well, you’ve made it now,’ Bella smiled at him. She willed her heart to calm down a little and fought the urge to put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
‘There’s tea in the pot if you want some.’ Noah gestured to the kitchen counter.
Bella gave a giggle when she saw the round, cheerful red teapot with white spots. ‘I never had you for the “proper” tea-making type!’
Despite how tired he seemed, Noah laughed too. ‘I found it in the shed, of all places. Grandpa must have liked to make tea out there when he was gardening. I spent a bit of time scrubbing it out when I got here and thought I’d try it.’
‘And what’s the verdict?’
‘A lot of bother for something a little bit more tasty than a bag in a cup, but the ritual of it is strangely relaxing!’
‘Well, it’d be rude of me to refuse a cuppa, since you’ve gone to that much effort.’ Bella kept smiling as she reached for a mug and the tea strainer. ‘Top up?’
Once she’d filled both mugs, she brought them back to the table. It was funny how they both seemed to feel more comfortable chatting in the kitchen than in the living room. Perhaps it was because Jack’s presence seemed so prevalent in the living room, with the armchairs and the books, whereas the kitchen didn’t feel quite so personal. Here, it was as though they were creating their own little space.
Bella sipped her tea and before she could stop it, she yawned.
‘Tough shift?’ Noah asked.
‘Not really, but I didn’t sleep too well last night.’ Briefly, she explained Mollie’s predicament. ‘It seems so unfair. Poor Mollie works herself to the bone to provide for the strays and rescues, and now it seems that the main source of income is going to be taken away from her.’
‘That’s rough,’ Noah agreed. ‘Times are tough for all businesses right now, and it’s unfortunately hitting the charity sector, too. Although I deal mainly in residential sales and lets, I do get the odd commercial property from time to time, and more and more landlords are wanting to sell up. Even with the tax breaks and business rates perks, mortgages keep rising. It’s a difficult position to be in.’
‘I’ve, er, offered to do a gig at the pub with Jason, the regular singer, but to be honest I’m not sure how much money that’ll raise. I doubt anyone’ll remember me.’
Noah gave a grin that temporarily made him look less tired. ‘That’s awesome! But I thought you’d sworn off a music career?’
‘It’s a one-night-only offer, and knowing my luck, three people and a dog’ll turn up, but I really want to help Mollie.’
‘Well, I’ll come along – I can’t wait to see you onstage.’
‘Thanks.’ Bella felt her cheeks burning. ‘At least that’s one ticket sold.’ She paused, then added, ‘That aside, do you have any bright ideas about what Mollie can do?’ Noah, with his knowledge of the property market, might have some insight, she hoped.
‘Not a lot, unfortunately,’ Noah replied. ‘Although, what the charity shop has in its favour is that Lower Brambleton is hardly a buzzing metropolis. I doubt the landlord would get another tenant in who’d stick around very long. The village is off the beaten track, and down a bridleway and then an overgrown footpath, in commercial terms!’
Despite herself, Bella grinned. ‘Well, it’s notthatremote, but I take your meaning.’
‘Of course, if he just wants to sell the building for redevelopment, then Mollie’s had it. So many shops are being turned into houses or flats these days – it might be an easier option for her landlord.’
‘I get that,’ Bella said sadly. ‘But it doesn’t make it any easier for poor Mollie and her waifs and strays.’
‘Mollie needs to sit down with the landlord and work out what it is he really wants,’ Noah added. Then, more quietly, he continued, ‘I’d be happy to talk her through it, if she needs some advice.’
Bella’s heart lifted. ‘That’s sweet of you, Noah, thanks.’ She was surprised by his offer – especially since he was planning on selling the cottage soon. Perhaps he felt he owed Mollie for the months she’d looked after Monty.
As if he knew she was thinking about him, Monty strolled through the kitchen door and looked at them both quizzically.
