CHAPTER 3
Rosa was feeding Hot in her room at the Ship when Josh phoned.
‘Just checking you made it down to Devon all right.’
‘Yes, we got here safe and sound. The shop is in disrepair by the look of it though. I learned that it’s been empty for five years and I hate to say it, but I think a few of the locals are going to be a little perturbed by a young upstart from the Smoke taking it on.’
‘So, you’ve been to see it already, have you?’
‘Nope, just drove past it on the way here. It is really quaint with the most beautiful bay windows.’
‘So, reckon you’re up for the challenge then?’
‘Well, I don’t have much choice, do I? I can’t let my mystery benefactor down. Although I’m scared, Josh. I know nothing about running a business.’
‘Don’t worry. Go in and take a proper look tomorrow and see what you think. I can drive down with my mate Carlton, if you like. He’s renovated loads of shops. It may just need a good clean and touch-up.’
‘OK, thank you. My room’s cosy here at the pub though and I’m glad I’ve booked it for a few nights. I’m overlooking the bay. Oh Josh, I’ve only seen it in the dark but it really is quite beautiful with the twinkly Christmas lights reflecting onto the sea. I cannot wait until morning so Hot and I can go and explore. But listen, the main thing is – guess what? There’s a flat above the shop.’
‘Oh Rosa, what a bonus! How amazing is that.’
‘Well, let’s see what state it’s in, shall we? It belonged to an old man in his nineties and he lived in it for years.’
‘Do you think it was him who left it to you then?’
‘I don’t even want to think about that. I am here now and need to see what’s going on.’ At that moment, the dachshund stood up on the bed and started slapping her face with his tongue. ‘Eeek,’ Rosa said, trying not to laugh. ‘Hot says hi, by the way.’
‘Hi, back.’ Josh paused, then added: ‘It’s bloody lonely without you two.’
‘You’ll be relishing the freedom soon - and like you say, you can pop down anytime you like. I don’t know how big the flat is yet. I will give you a call tomorrow night.’
‘OK. Sleep well and just be positive when you go in there tomorrow. I think this is good for you - a fresh new start.’
‘I love London though, Josh.’
‘I know you do, Rosa, but remember - how many times have you said you wanted to be your own boss?’
‘Be careful what you wish for and all that, eh?’ Rosa laughed. ‘Hot and I will be just fine. I’m trying to make sure he doesn’t bark the pub down tonight, but bless him, he seems as knackered as I am. Right - bath and bed. Night, night.’
‘Goodnight, madam.’
CHAPTER 4
Rosa was awoken from a deep sleep by a knock on the door.
‘Morning, dear. Just checking if you would like breakfast? We finish serving in twenty.’
‘Oh yes, please.’ Rosa realised that in all the excitement of her arrival at the pub last night, she had not had any dinner and was starving. ‘Is it OK for my dog to come down to the dining area with me?’
‘Of course. I cannot wait to see the little fella, to be honest. I’ve got some pigs’ ears on the bar with his name on.’
Rosa smiled. Everyone did seem super-friendly down here. She would make the most of it before they realised she was now the new owner of their beloved Corner Shop.
Sheila Hannafore had what Rosa could only describe as bright white hair, in a sort of old-fashioned brushed-out perm style. She must have been in her mid-sixties but looked really good for her age. Her ruddy cheeks suited her pleasant face and she had the most perfect teeth Rosa thought she had ever seen.
‘Sheila, isn’t it? Sorry, I’m terrible with names.’
‘Yes, that’s me. Owner and manager of the Ship Inn for the past thirty years. Live and breathe it, my love, I do.’
‘You run it on your own, do you?’
‘Sadly, yes. Brian, my late husband, passed just last year.’
‘I’m so sorry.’
‘Don’t be, he was a miserable old bugger and I had a face-lift and my teeth done with one of his insurances, which helped numb the pain slightly.’
‘I almost commented on your teeth, they are amazingly bright.’
‘Yes, the sailors say we don’t need a lighthouse any more when I start flashing me gnashers.’
‘That’s funny.’
‘Right - full English, is it, girl? Or are you one of those funny Southerners who’s frightened of a bit of wheat or meat?’
‘As it comes, please.’
‘Good, good. I’ll bring some water - and help yourself to an ear for your dog. Although in this place it’s more hair of the dog that’s required. I’ve only gone and forgotten his name now.’
‘Hot.’
‘No, not today, love. It’s minus one out there.’
‘No, that’s my dog’s name - Hot.’
‘Well, I never. You’ve thrown me a little over the edge with that one.’
Rosa laughed. She liked the Devon accent. On first impression, she liked Sheila Hannafore.
‘I’ll just take him out for a quick walk whilst you’re cooking,’ she said.
‘You do what you need to do, my lovely. I’ll be back out in a jiffy.’
With Hot walked and happy and now under the table chewing on his pig’s ear, Rosa felt her tummy rumble loudly. Just in time, Sheila appeared from behind the bar with a huge plate of food.
‘Now that’s what I call a feast.’ Rosa picked up her knife and fork. ‘Thank you so much.’
‘Enjoy, my love - and can I ask what brings you to these parts?’
‘Er . . . just visiting family.’ Rosa dipped a sausage into the bright yellow yolk of one of her eggs.
‘Who be that then? I’ve never seen you down these parts before.’
‘Sheila - it’s OK if I call you Sheila, is it?’
‘Of course, dear.’
‘I just needed time out from London. It gets mad there and I heard how lovely Devon was, and well . . . I’m here now.’
‘So you’re not spending Christmas with your folks then?’
‘No. We’re not very close.’
‘Aw, that’s a shame. My boys never fail to visit. The youngest, he’ll drive down later. Shame his excuse for a girlfriend will follow, but you can’t tell ’em what to do at your age, can you? My oldest is coming with Martha, that’s his wife, and of course all the grandkids, Christmas morning. They just live around the corner, see. Three of the little darlings I’ve got, and I love ’em to the horizon and back.’
‘That’s nice.’
‘Well, I hope so. They’ll have to muck in a bit, it’s the hub of activity in here over Christmas. I’ve got turkeys stuffed out back, ready for the deluge.’
‘So, you open Christmas Day, do you?’
‘Oh, it’s three hundred and sixty-six days a year here, love. I always add on a day for the number of lock-ins we have.’
‘Sounds like my kind of place,’ Rosa told her.
‘Well, you’re booked in until Christmas Eve - why don’t you stay a couple of days longer? It’s one big happy family here.’
‘I may well just do that. I’ll let you know later, if that’s OK?’
‘Course it is. I always keep one room spare for waifs and strays. You’ll be sharing the bathroom with my lot, but they are all completely house-trained. Right, I’d better get on. I’ve got cakes to ice. Enjoy your time here, my love.’
Rosa let out a huge burp as she walked up the steep stairs back to her room.
‘Better out than in, I always say.’
‘Pardon me.’ Rosa put her hand to her mouth. ‘Sorry, I didn’t know anyone else was up here.’
The girl at the top of the landing carried on, ‘I’m Titch Whittaker. Five foot nothing with tits to die for, according to Seb Watkins.’
‘Ah, right.’ Rosa grinned.
‘Just been cleaning your room, whilst you scoffed. Nice bomber jacket you have hanging up there.’
‘Er . . . thanks.’ Titch must be in her early twenties, Rosa thought.
‘Well, enjoy your day – Rose, isn’t it?’
‘Rosa, and thanks, I will do.’
‘Isn’t Rosa a gypsy’s name?’
‘Um, I’m not sure.’
‘And that raven hair of yours – it’s really lovely. You’re like a wild animal, Rosa.’ With furniture polish in hand, Titch disappeared back down the stairs.
Rosa opened her case and double-checked how much money she had left. Bless Josh for not taking the £500 rent she owed. He really was quite a special person. With the £100 train fare taken out and if she now paid for five nights here at £60 per night, that made £400: she still had around £1,600 left. A fortune to her, in cold hard cash. It wouldn’t hurt to go and look around the shops and have a little spend-up later, she thought, but her first visit must be to the Corner Shop.
She dug out the set of keys on the starfish keyring that had been in the battered case, put Hot on his lead, carried him downstairs and headed out.
Despite it being cold, the air was fresh, and Rosa sighed happily as she took in the beautiful scenery all around her. The pub was situated on the sea front, so she just had to walk down a few steps and was right on the beach. Once off the lead, Hot barked and ran around crazily. He had never felt sand on his paws before and had only ever dipped them in water in a fountain at Battersea Park. Rosa had also never seen a beach quite like it, with rock pools and cliffs to each side, leading up to fields with a well-trodden cliff path that seemed to go on forever.
The sea was still and sending up little wafts of steam in places where it hit the cold air. She threw a piece of driftwood to Hot, then walked down to the edge of the water, wondering at the lacy, rippling effect as it touched the shoreline. Holidays had never really been on the agenda at the children’s home; they did go out on day trips now and then, and when they did go on what they called a holiday, they were just shipped down to an equivalent home in Wiltshire, where it was more fields and flowers than sea and sand.
Rosa imagined how glorious it would be here in the summer, but also how busy – which would be good if you were running a business here. Today though, she quite liked the fact that it was just her and one other dog walker braving the winter chill.
She looked back at the Ship Inn. It was an old, white-painted building, weathered by the elements and with an old-fashioned sailing boat depicted on the sign, and she wondered what stories it could tell. The other dog walker - a tall, skinny figure - was striding towards her and as he got closer she could make out the beard and ponytail of Seb Watkins.
‘All right, Rosa? How’s it going?’
Rosa had a chance to see his face properly in the daylight. She had trouble guessing his age, as despite having a youthful-looking face, the wrinkles around his eyes were quite evident. Early thirties maybe, she thought. She wondered what he’d look like without a beard. She didn’t mind gingers one little bit, but hated beards. They reminded her of a male carer at the children’s home, whose greedy eyes for the teenage girls, including herself, had made her feel sick.
‘Fine, thanks. You didn’t mention you had a dog.’ The black Labrador was now sniffing around Hot before they started playing together.
‘I don’t mention a lot of things,’ Seb told her, and smiled.
‘What’s his name?’
‘Jet. Anyway, bet you’re stuffed to the gills with a Ship’s breakfast?’
‘Bloody lovely it was too.’
‘Yes, Sheila certainly knows how to keep everyone’s stomach happy, at least. So, what are you up to today?’
‘Oh, this and that. Going to explore a bit more, I think. Look round the shops, you know.’ Fingering the keys in her pocket, she thought she might have to come clean about the shop far sooner than she wanted to. It certainly wasn’t like London down here; it would be nigh-on impossible to keep herself to herself.
Hot came running up to her with an old plastic bottle that had been washed up on the shore and dropped it at her feet.
Seb shook his head. ‘Ruddy plastic bottles.’ He leant down to pick it up. ‘We have one planet - people need to realise that.’
‘You not working today, Seb?’
‘Yep, but not till a bit later. There aren’t that many passengers on the earlier trains this time of year, so it’s not worth my while.’
Hot barked his annoyance at Seb for confiscating his new toy. Rosa hastily clicked on his lead.
‘Well, have a good day,’ she said.
‘You too. I’ll see you around.’
It was a steep walk back up to the shops from the beach and Rosa felt quite puffed when she reached the top. The nearest she did to exercise back in London was just walking to work or to the many bars she used to frequent. And, of course, walking Hot, but with his little legs he was easily pleased with a quick tramp around the block.
It was lovely to smell coffee and baking coming from the various eateries. In fact, it was lovely to feel free. No boring job to have to go to. No rush-hour Underground to negotiate. In fact, she was beginning to realise just how good it felt, simply to have some time. Time to herself. Time to be free.
She looked back down to the bay. Seagulls were now swooping around the front. She would certainly have to get used to the noise of their cries, which were nearly as annoying as Hot in one of his barking episodes.
In trepidation, she arrived at the front of the shop. Luckily it was opposite a bank, which hadn’t opened yet, so there were no immediate voyeurs. Turning the key in the old lock, Rosa felt a rush of excitement. Whatever lay waiting for her behind the blue door, the old Corner Shop was, as Josh had said, her very own bricks and mortar. Her very first home. A gift. It was unbelievable really, and she was still unsure if it wasn’t all a big mistake. She had never been given anything before - and why her, anyway?
She jumped as a cobweb fell from the doorframe. Brushing it from her face, she quickly shut the door behind her, Hot close on her heels. She remembered watching on TV an episode of Location, Location, Location where a blind lady had said that her guide dog would know if a house was right for her, so she was going to make sure she watched how Hot reacted.
She pressed the light switch - nothing. But then of course there wouldn’t be; the shop had been empty for five years. She shivered with cold. There was a radiator in the corner, so at least when everything was up and running, she would have heat. The plentiful, once-white shelves were thick with dust. Smiling to herself, she lifted a dirty blue teddy bear and an old copper kettle, which sat next to a damp pink scarf and an alarm clock; remnants of the eclectic stock that old Mr Myers had apparently been so successful at selling.
Gingerly lifting a faded green blanket, she revealed an archaic cash register - an exact replica of one she used to love playing with as a child in the Home; when you pressed the keys, the amount pinged up in a glass section.
The whole place smelt damp and musty, but she was relieved that the ceilings and walls appeared to be intact, and short of giving the place a massive scrub and repaint it wasn’t in that bad shape at all. Behind the counter was an archway which led to a small kitchen area and toilet, and a flight of stairs up to the flat above. Further on from that, a small storeroom opened onto a cute little courtyard containing an ornate round metal table and two chairs. A tattered parasol leant against a set of metal spiral stairs, presumably going up to the flat above.
Hot seemed very content in his sniffing mission and hadn’t barked once, so that was a good sign. Shivering, Rosa lifted him into her arms. ‘Come on, boy, let’s check our new home out.’ They went back inside, and she closed and locked the back door with the key on the starfish keyring.
As she climbed the stairs, she realised why, as an old man, Mr Myers had had to
admit defeat. They were the steepest and narrowest steps Rosa had ever been faced with.
‘I might have to install a doggy lift for you on these,’ she puffed into the dachshund’s ears and for a second inhaled his comforting doggie smell.
At the top of the stairs was a small landing, to the left of which was a tiny, but functioning kitchen. An old whistling kettle sat on the hob of a small white oven and amongst the grubby white tiles were several with images of starfishes. The units had seen better days, but nothing that a good clean wouldn’t sort out.
Rosa opened the fridge and baulked slightly at the mould that greeted her. She left the door open, vowing to give the interior a going-over with some bleach. There was space for a washing machine, but that was no big deal anyway, as she had spotted a launderette in one of the narrow streets when she was in the taxi the other night. Further along to her right was the bathroom.
‘Avocado – nice,’ she said aloud and giggled, picturing house-proud Josh’s face when he saw the dated suite. A worn-looking plastic shower hose was still in situ on the double taps. The same starfish tiles were dotted around, and Rosa loved the old showbiz dressing-room-style mirror that had bulbs all around the outside.
There was one decent-sized bedroom that housed an old iron-framed bedstead without a mattress and a large mahogany wardrobe that needed a good polish. Net curtains and musty-smelling thick navy curtains hung against original sash windows. She checked the view: the window looked over the street, which was now starting to fill with early-morning shoppers.
Further along, another small room contained a beautiful green leather-topped desk. The walls were a horrible mustard yellow, the curtains dark brown.
Hot started to whine as he sniffed around the desk.
‘Let me just check the lounge, little one, and I’ll take you down for a wee.’
But she didn’t need to take him downstairs for that. Open-mouthed and clutching both sides of her face with joy, Rosa couldn’t believe what was now before her eyes. Yes, the long sitting room’s cream paint was tired and there were cobwebs hanging from the ceiling, but the double doors at the end of it, now letting in streams of winter sunshine, opened onto a small roof-terrace area that offered beautiful views towards the bay and surrounding countryside. What’s more, the spiral staircase she had noticed in the rear patio led up to this balcony.
‘Wow, just wow.’ Rosa rarely cried, but right now she could feel tears pricking the back of her eyes. She had wondered what the odd-shaped key on the keyring was for – and here was the answer.
Hot barked loudly as he scampered out to cock a tiny ankle against an old terracotta pot. Rosa stepped out to take in all that was around her. Lifting her head to the sky, she breathed: ‘Thank you. Whoever you are, thank you so much.’
A white feather drifted down in front of her . . .
The magical moment was broken when Hot spotted a seagull on the edge of the metal railing that surrounded the terrace and started to bark again.
‘Get in, Hot. Stop it now.’
The last thing Rosa wanted to do was to attract attention. Shooing him back inside and closing the French doors behind her, she phoned Josh and left him a message.
‘Oh my God, Josh, you have to see it. The lounge has a roof terrace that looks over the sea. And the shop’s got one of those old press cash-tills. There’s lots of work to do, but I think it’s probably just cosmetic, painting and so on - so it’s all manageable. There is no electricity though and I haven’t tried the water yet. Maybe you can call me later as I’m not sure what I have to do about all that.’
Coming back to reality, Rosa shivered again. Shame it was bloody winter. She’d have to get the heating organised before she started cleaning everything as it would be too cold to spend long in here without getting hypothermia. She went to get the keys out of the balcony door. Funny, she was sure she had left them in the lock. Suddenly Hot appeared with the starfish key ring in his mouth.
‘Ah, there they are, I must have dropped them in all the excitement. Right, come on, Mamma needs a coffee and then we can try to sort out getting some light and heat on the matter.’
Coffee, Tea or Sea was a quaint little coffee shop. It had free internet too, which was always a bonus. There were shelves all around adorned with seaside-themed knick-knacks, plus all kinds of books headed with a sign that said Read me, Replace me, Replenish Me.
Rosa loved the fact that dogs seemed welcome everywhere down here. Restrictions had always annoyed her- and what were a few pet hairs between friends anyway?
She secured Hot’s lead under the table leg in the corner and went up to the counter where there was a lit-up reindeer sporting a Christmas hat and a ceramic burlesque dancer money box, holding a sign that said Nice Tips.
‘Oh hi, Rosa.’
‘Blimey, you get about.’
Titch smiled. Her blonde cropped haircut suited her pixie features, and noticing her oversized boobs squeezed into a tight jumper, Rosa could understand Seb’s un-PC comment about her now.
‘That’s what they all say,’ she winked. ‘You have to take what work you can get around here, and I’m not shy of it. Now, what can I get you?’
‘Just a normal coffee, please.’
‘A normal coffee? That’s lucky because we don’t do all that fancy London shite in here. I mean, a flat white - why don’t people just ask for a white coffee? And as for a skinny lah-di-dah, what’s all that about? Full-fat milk all the way, I say. It’s much better for you anyway. Want some water for Hot?’
‘I hear you - and yes, please, that would be lovely.’
‘You’re staying down over Christmas now, aren’t you?’
‘Er . . . yes, probably. Sheila says there’s room.’
‘Do it, live a little - and Christmas Day with the Hannafores will be a hoot. Her youngest son’s a bit of all right too. He’s got a girlfriend now though, which is a shame. Here you go.’ She handed Rosa her coffee. ‘That’ll be two pounds, please, and I’ll bring the dog bowl over.’
Two pounds for a coffee wasn’t bad, compared to London prices. Living here was becoming more appealing by the minute.
As Rosa was taking her jacket off, Josh called.
‘Sorry I missed you,’ he said. ‘I was in a meeting.’
Rosa was comforted by Josh’s familiar tone. ‘How dull.’
‘I know, but we can’t all be beneficiaries of estates by the sea, now can we? So go on - tell me. You were gabbling away so excitedly in your message that I didn’t get the chance to take it all in.’
Making sure she spoke quietly enough so that Titch couldn’t hear, Rosa had great delight in relaying what she had discovered.
‘It has made me realise though, that I haven’t got a bloody clue when it comes to normal domesticity. The only bill I’ve ever had to pay in my life is my phone bill. I’ve always lived in rented accommodation before, so I’ve handed over the rent and never had to think further than that.’
‘OK, let me help you. So, there’s no electric, gas or water?’
‘Hmm. I didn’t actually check the water.’
‘In the circumstances, I doubt if it’s on. Did the toilet flush?’
‘I haven’t used it yet.’
‘OK. Now - remember the first envelope you opened?’
‘The boring one with all the paperwork in?’
Josh smiled to himself in his office in the City. ‘Yes, that’s the one,’ he said. ‘Well, there were bills in there. For example, the ones for gas may say British Gas. The ones for electricity will also be obvious. What you need to do is contact all the suppliers - there will be telephone numbers on the letters - and let them know you've moved in, so they can set an account up in your name. You may need to prove that it is a new ownership, but let’s worry about that when we come to it. The electricity may just be turned off at the meter so it’s worth checking that first. The water is probably just turned off at the stopcock, so check there. The system may also have been drained down, so it will need refilling.’
‘Stopcock? Ha ha. I’ve used that expression before but nothing to do with water. How will I know where that is?’
‘OK, you will need a plumber for that. I’d do it today if I were you though, as it’s so near to Christmas when everything closes down for two weeks. The plumber can probably advise you on the electricity meter too.’
‘OK, thanks for that. It doesn’t sound so hard, after all, and once I’ve got all that up and running, I can start cleaning and then move in.’ She sighed with pleasure.
‘Maybe stay at the pub in some comfort and you can get cracking between Christmas and New Year then. I was going to say I can pop down from my parents’ house for a couple of days too - if you want me to, that is?’
‘That would be amazing, Josh, if you’re sure?’
‘Course I’m sure. It will be good to see Hot - and you, of course.’
‘Ha ha, you’re so funny.’
Josh laughed. ‘I just need to be back for the New Year’s Eve bash at the rugby club. Right, I’d better get on.’
‘OK, see you – and thanks again, Josh, you’re a star.’