CHAPTER 45
Rosa stood at the front of the pretty little Cockleberry Bay church with her arm linked through Mary’s. The stained-glass windows and decorative woodwork were jaw-droppingly magnificent, and it was comforting to hear the sound of gulls and the rhythm of the waves through the open door.
Queenie’s wishes had been to be cremated, followed by a short blessing in the local church. Never having attended a funeral of any kind before, Rosa was relieved that the whole thing was nearly over.
Considering how old Queenie was, and with no family to mention other than Mary, the church was still half-full. Jacob and Sheila as local publicans had come to pay their respects, as had Titch, Seb Watkins and the owner of Coffee, Tea or Sea. Rosa also recognised a few people who had been at her shop opening the other day; these folks had smiled and greeted her quietly as they filed into the church.
It was time for the blessing. The goofy-teethed, balding vicar cleared his throat and began: ‘We are here to celebrate the life of Teresa Rose Cobb, affectionately known as Queenie.’
As her mother’s full name was read out, Mary, with her tear-filled eyes facing front, took Rosa’s hand and held it tightly. Sunshine poured through the windows, throwing rainbows over all present, and as Rosa clung to Mary, she felt her own battered heart fill with something that was almost like joy.
CHAPTER 46
A few weeks passed in a flurry of stock buying, stock flying off shelves, and stock taking. Rosa was really starting to enjoy her life as a shop owner. She loved meeting all the dogs too, and made sure it was always a completely dog-friendly environment, with dog treats aplenty and a big bowl of fresh water outside the door. To avoid Hot getting out of the shop door again, he was kept upstairs in the sitting room. A brisk early-morning walk meant he was happy to snooze until lunchtime, when Rosa closed the shop to have a snack and take him for another little trot.
Combining the pets’ area with a play corner where the kids could amuse themselves too, and choose little gifts to buy with their pocket money, made it easy for their parents to take their time in selecting what they needed.
She was seeing Joe a couple of times a week now, usually on a week night as her Saturdays were the busiest shop days and he always seemed to be working towards a deadline on a Sunday. When they met, they either went for long walks on the many beaches in the area or drove to somewhere remote in one of the picturesque villages of Devon for lunch. More often than not though, they ended up in her bed at her place.
The hit-and-run trail had gone quiet, which was actually quite a relief. Even Sheila Hannafore appeared to be staying down her end of town, without incident.
Mary was doing OK on her own, but Rosa had told her she was only a text away if she needed her to help with anything.
The T word remained an elephant in the room, and not surprisingly so. Rosa hadn’t taken long to put two and two together about Teresa Cobb being ‘Darling T’. Out of respect, she hadn’t pushed Mary for more information - yet. Now that they were building more of a relationship of their own, the time would come, she was sure. What a complete fox Queenie must have been. Rosa would be lying though, if she said she didn’t want to find out what happened to Dotty and how/whether T had brought up her child in a staunch 1950s environment. With Mary’s mum dying so young too, that had made it even more tragic. So many lives had been affected by Ned and Queenie’s indiscretion.
On the sunny morning of 1 April, Titch arrived to do what was now her regular Monday shift at the shop.
‘Rabbits, rabbits, rabbits,’ she sang, breezing in and throwing her bag down on the counter.
‘Do people really say that any more?’ Rosa asked, and carried on filling the till with change.
‘Well, my mum still says it. I’ve no idea what it means. In fact, I shall ask Mr Google, whilst I’m sitting here today.’
Rosa looked at Titch’s stomach. ‘Still no sign of Titchy Titch then?’
‘Thank goodness. I’m only thirteen weeks, even now, although it seems like an age I’ve been pregnant. Most women don’t even tell people until this stage.’
‘How’s the sickness?’
‘Still as bad. I have to just keep pretending I have a hangover if I shoot off to the loo at work. I’ve got my first scan on Friday.’ She beamed at Rosa. ‘I’m quite excited.’
‘Are you going to find out the sex of the baby?’
‘I’ve decided not to ask, hoping the element of surprise will take my mind off the birth, which I am already dreading, by the way.’
At that moment the door opened, causing the now familiar bell to ring.
‘Seb.’
‘Titch.’
Titch got up off the stool at the counter and walked swiftly into the back kitchen. Jet, Seb’s black Labrador, meanwhile started sniffing up at the treats.
‘Hey, Seb, how’s it going?’
‘Yeah, all right. Have you got any of that dog food I got last time, please? Jet loves it. It’s cheaper than the Co-op too, so a win-win all round.’
‘Glad I can be of service.’ Rosa gave Seb his change and put the food in a bag.
‘What’s up with her?’ He pointed to the back kitchen.
‘Oh, she’s fine, fine.’
‘Living back with her mum, I hear.’
‘Um. I think so.’
‘Right, I’d better go. Say I asked after her.’
‘I will, Seb.’
The lanky, ginger-bearded figure headed off. On the sound of the door closing, Titch appeared from the kitchen.
‘Are you intending to tell me what’s going on between you two?’
‘Nothing - precisely nothing is going on. Now I’m going to be a mother, I am keeping my distance from dirty pervs, that’s all.’
‘Fair enough.’ Rosa grinned and Titch grinned back. ‘Right, are you good with everything? There are no orders coming today but Ruth Hollis is due to pick up some sensitive cat sachets I’ve ordered for her, plus an engraved birthday bowl for Saatchi, her cat.’
‘Cool.’ Titch laid out a nail file and varnish on the counter.
‘Talking of birthdays,’ Rosa went on, ‘it’s mine on the thirteenth.’ She started rearranging things in the shop window and adding new items. ‘If I were to go away for a couple of days, would you mind holding the fort?’
‘Why not – be glad to. Just let me know when you’re certain of dates and I can work all my other jobs around it. Where are you thinking of going anyway?’
‘Not sure yet.’ Rosa was keeping her relationship with Joe a secret from everyone at the moment. His divorce was to be finalised soon and then he had told her that they could be out and proud. She’d alluded to a date with him to Mary way back, but the only person who knew what was going on, was Josh.
Now, leaving Titch in charge, Rosa dashed upstairs to get Hot and went to meet Joe and Suggs on Cockleberry Beach. The sun on her face put roses in her cheeks; life felt good.
Joe smiled as she approached. ‘Cat got the cream?’ he asked.
‘I’m just in a really good mood today. And this little fella and I are ready for a long walk.’ Hearing the magic word, Hot starting running around her feet and barking loudly.
‘I’d actually love to go up to the West Cliffs,’ Rosa said above the racket. ‘I’ve not been up there before.’
‘It’s quite a trek.’
‘You’re not in a rush, are you?’
‘No, not really.’
‘Perfect!’ Rosa took Hot off his lead. Then she remembered. ‘I know what I meant to ask you: do you know if there was ever a phone box in the town?’
‘Thinking on it, there was someone on the local radio a few months ago who mentioned it. Said it used to be the hub of the village after the war when not many people had their own telephones. Apparently, it was near where the first ice-cream booth is - down that end of the beach.’ Joe pointed. ‘Why do you ask?’
‘Oh, it was just something Queenie Cobb mentioned. Right, how do we find the trail to the West Cliffs?’
The walk up to the top of the cliffs was blissful in the sunshine. Joe took Rosa’s hand to help her over stiles and on any rocky bits, with Hot in her arms and Suggs bounding over easily - but generally the path was clear and the view down to the ocean simply breath-taking. Spring flowers were in bloom everywhere and birds of all kinds were flying around gracefully; their tuneful sonnets reflecting their joy of being alive in this idyllic environment.
It wasn’t until they reached the top flat area of the cliffs that Rosa realised what the true beauty of nature was. She had been to some great beaches with Joe and he had walked her along babbling rivers and amidst some wonderful countryside, but this view was like nothing she had ever seen in her life before.
She stared out to sea for miles and couldn’t help the tears that filled her eyes. She imagined Ned and Queenie arranging their secret trysts up here. In fact, not unlike she was doing with Joe right now.
Noticing her emotion, Joe took her hand.
‘It’s almost as beautiful as you,’ he said quietly, then kissed her gently on the lips.
‘This is where the sky touches the sea, isn’t it?’ Rosa whispered.
‘I guess you could say that about every horizon.’ Joe smiled fondly. Rosa was worldly about so many things, but innocent on so many others.
Knowing that not every horizon was as special as this one, and leaving the dogs peacefully snoozing beside Joe, she walked as close to the edge as she dared and looked down. The rocks were craggy and the sea spray evident where the waves rushed against the stony edge.
She couldn’t imagine what Queenie had looked like as a young woman. She should ask Mary for some photos. Nor could she imagine the pain that both Ned and Queenie had felt. To experience a love so great must have been all-consuming. And to compromise the happiness of not only a wife, but a best friend too, was almost incomprehensible. She hoped that one day, she too would feel the power of a love on this scale, or perhaps not, as the thought of losing control of herself did frighten her a little.
She was deep in thought, and still dangerously near the edge of the cliff, when Joe ran up behind her, then swiftly grabbed her in his arms and swung her around.
‘Time for a siesta, I reckon.’
‘Is that all you ever think about?’
‘When I’m with you, yes. Is that a problem?’