CHAPTER 33
Josh phoned as Rosa was running out of the door.
‘Rosalar?’
‘Aw, Mr Smith. Where have you been? I’ve missed you.’
‘Of course you haven’t,’ Josh laughed. ‘I’m dashing into a meeting so can’t chat, just checking you’ve booked a room for me and Carlton at the pub?’
‘Shit, shit. No, not yet, sorry. I’m off to meet Joe from the Gazette now, I’ll pop in on my way. Two nights you wanted, wasn’t it?’
‘Yes, please.’
‘Cool. You OK?’
‘Fine, fine, gotta dash, let’s catch up properly later in the week.’
Joe smiled widely as Rosa pushed the door open to the café. She took off her coat to reveal a green mini-pinafore and pink roll-neck jumper, with green and pink stripy tights. Her brown curls were all over the place. He loved her quirkiness.
She sat down next to him and clapped her hands together really fast.
‘Bloody freezing today.’
Joe stood up. ‘Let me get you a coffee.’
‘Actually, can I have a mug of tea instead, please, and one of the lemon muffins they do? Here, I’ll get the cakes.’ She went to hand him a five-pound note, but he pushed it back to her.
‘My treat. Anything to get some good news into the paper, especially in January when there’s not much going on down here.’
As Joe was at the counter, Rosa took in his well-fitted jeans and trendy hoody. She liked the fact he was a bit geeky too.
‘Your mate Titch not working today, I see.’
‘No, she’s off job hunting in Polhampton, I think.’
‘Oh. My neck of the woods. Not working at the Ship any more, is she?’
‘God, you’re nosy.’ Rosa grinned at him and started to pull off the top of her muffin. Her favourite way of eating them.
‘It’s my job to be nosy. Talking of that, there has been a development in the hit-and-run case. Part of the bumper had fallen off whatever vehicle it was and there was a trace of white paint on it.’
‘That narrows it down – not,’ Rosa joked. ‘What are the police going to do, check every bumper of every white car in the neighbourhood to see if a bit has fallen off? If it was me I’d have got it repaired sharpish.’
‘So, tell me, where are you at with the opening?’
‘Basically, just waiting on one more box of stock I ordered today and then I can start dressing the front window and shelves. I’m going to keep a black-out blind down to maintain the intrigue, but I’ve got a big poster up in the front window announcing it.’
‘Good, good. Did you put discount flyers in the pubs, cafes and shops yet?’
‘No. I just got them made on one of those quick internet sites and they are due today, hopefully. The plan is for me and Hot to deliver tomorrow.’
‘Great teamwork. Don’t forget South Cliffs Cottages too; they can put one in every rental, as half-term week is usually quite busy down here. It’ll be somewhere for the mums and dads to bring the kids, especially as you’ve got a face painter. Louise is great too, really gets everyone involved.’
‘Good. The music is sorted, I shall just run it from my phone to the new speaker - and are you still OK to run me to the cash and carry to get a few bottles of fizz and snacks, sometime this week?’
‘Will do. Also, how about some jugs of squash and paper cups for the kids - and did you order the doggie-treat hearts?’
‘Yep all done, and there’s also a couple of heart-shaped balloons with photos of Hot on them.’
‘Brilliant! I love that.’
‘Yes, fame at last. I thought I could put one either side of the door. It’s going to be rather cramped inside, but let’s hope it’s not too cold and we can spill out slightly into the street.’
Joe cleared his throat. ‘I’ve also managed to seal another amazing PR gig, but I’m not sure how you’ll feel about it.’
‘Oh God, go on.’
‘A morning slot on the South Cliffs Today radio show, the day before the opening.’
‘Me? Little old me on the radio?’ She put down her piece of cake.
‘Rosa, I know you can do it. What’s the worst that can happen, other than you swearing, that is? You’ll come across great, I know you will.’
‘You reckon?’
Joe nodded. ‘I will write a script, so you can take chunks from that; you will have plenty to say.’
Rosa put both her hands to her face and jiggled her feet on the floor, making a funny noise as she did so. ‘This is all so surreal, but all so exciting. Thanks, Joe.’
‘All is I can say is, phew, as I’d already confirmed the interview. I just know it will be so good for you. I’ll come and pick you up, take you there and will wait with you until it’s over. You’ll be fine.’
‘That’s so kind of you.’
‘I am writing some editorial for it this week too, but what I do need is a name for your business. Oh, and a photo of you and Hot, if that’s all right?’
‘We will be mini-celebrities! But Joe, can’t I just call it the Corner Shop for now? I can’t afford to get the sign repainted anyway. I can also then change my mind on what I sell if it doesn’t work out.’
‘But if you’re selling pet stuff, surely you need some sort of pet name?’
‘Like Doggie Style or Cat’s Cradles.’ She laughed. ‘Actually, I quite like Doggie Style.’
‘Do you now?’ Joe raised his eyebrows meaningfully.
Rosa blushed. ‘I can’t believe I just said that.’
Joe couldn’t stop laughing. ‘Doggie Style! That is brilliant.’
‘Or maybe just plain and simple “Rosa’s”. I’d be proud of myself if we called it that.’
‘Great to hear the positive thinking. I watched a programme last night about recruiting for the SAS and you saying that made me think back to it.’
‘Joe, I’m opening a village shop, not saving a nation.’
‘Hear me out. You’ve got no parents, right?’
Rosa liked his northern twang. But she was startled at what he’d said. ‘How do you know that?’ she asked. She might have mentioned it to Jacob when she was drunk one night, but she never made a big thing about it.
Joe brushed her question aside, saying, ‘Anyway, this was the quote from the show and it brought me to tears. Some of the guys doing the training have such sad life-stories but despite it, have so much spirit. I actually wrote it down.’ Joe flicked through his notebook. ‘“When you succeed, there’s no one to be proud of you, when you fail or do something wrong, there’s no one to be disappointed in you. It’s down to you to put that pressure on yourself, to make yourself proud - and that’s when you find out who you truly are.”’
Joe put his hand on Rosa’s which caused the alien feeling of tears pricking her eyes.
‘You’re going soft on me, Joe Fox,’ she said, and blinked the tears away.
‘It must be hard, growing up without knowing where to turn.’
‘You know nothing about me.’
‘Well, maybe I’d like to know more.’
Rendering Rosa mute with this comment, Joe picked up his mug and raised it. ‘Cheers to the Grand Opening of the Corner Shop.’