CHAPTER 50
‘So, what are you going to do?’ Titch was going through Rosa’s wardrobe looking for baggy tops that might suit her.
‘I actually don’t know.’
‘I’m surprised you didn’t just blurt everything out to his wife. But it’s not her fault she’s married to a dickhead, is it?’
‘No, poor cow. I can’t believe it either. I was drunk too . . . didn’t even phone or do anything, in fact.’
‘Has he contacted you today?’
‘Yep, a text like he sends every day, saying How’s my favourite shop owner this morning?’
‘God, Rosa. I don’t know how you haven’t gone mental at him.’
‘Me neither. Maybe I’m growing up or maybe it’s just I’m not used to getting cheated on. Things never usually get that far.’
‘We need to think of something. Something really good to get him back.’ Titch pulled a blue smock-like dress out of the wardrobe. ‘Ooh, this is nice.’
‘I don’t want him back,’ Rosa said flatly.
‘I don’t mean that, silly. I mean we have to get back at him. How dare he treat you like that, arsehole. But don’t you worry. He won’t get away with this. I shall make him pay for what he’s done.’
‘But how?’
‘I don’t know yet, Rose, but act normal for now. Say you are too busy to see him and that will give us time to hatch a plan. Now, can I borrow this dress, please? It’ll be perfect to hide the bump.’
Rosa flapped her hand dismissively. ‘Yes, yes, take it.’
‘Have you told your Josh?’
‘I need to ring him back, he left me a message this morning. I can’t believe I’m not more upset. It’s like I don’t want to believe it’s real, I suppose.’
‘Did Josh know you were seeing him?’
‘Er . . . yes, I did tell him. Sorry I didn’t tell you, Titch.’
‘It’s OK - I knew you were seeing him, anyway. I know that look of somebody who’s getting regular sex, I do.’
Rosa laughed. ‘We’ve changed roles. Look at you being all chaste now.’
‘The way my bladder is at the moment, it’s a case of having to be. If somebody got within an inch of my foofoo, I’d either be sick or wee on them.’
‘Nice.’ Rosa started to make her bed ‘Do you know what, even Lucas Hannafore told me that Joe was a bad ’un - and that’s coming from him? Takes one to know one.’
‘Taking of Lukey boy, have you heard from him?’
‘Not since Josh kicked his arse, thank goodness.’ Rosa sighed. ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately, I’ve always been so streetwise.’
‘Your heart, that’s what’s wrong with you.’
‘Yes, yes, you’re right. It’s this relationship stuff. I’m no good at it, obviously. I dropped my guard, and I won’t be doing that again.’
‘Good girl. My mum always says, “Follow your heart, but don’t forget to take your brain with you”. About men, she has another saying: “Keep their stomachs full and their balls empty,” but that’s not quite so poetic, is it?’
‘She’s so right.’
‘Yes, but I obviously didn’t take heed of any of her advice!’ They both laughed. ‘OK, Rose. I’ve got to get the next bus to Polhampton as I’m cleaning there today. You need me here tomorrow though, don’t you?’
‘Yes, please. And Titch?’
‘Yep?’
‘Don’t say anything to anyone about Joe, will you?’
Putting her hands on her hips, Titch faced Rosa head on. ‘When are you going to trust me, Rose? It hurts, that you don’t. I know I’m only young in years, but I’ve got your back, the same as you have mine.’
‘I find it hard to trust, you know that.’ Rosa looked up and away.
‘Hmm. No comment.’ Titch smiled.
‘OK, OK. Hands up. Sorry. I trusted the slippery fox. Now come on, I’ve got to open the shop.’ Leaving Hot upstairs, they made their way to the shop.
‘Just trust the right people, eh?’ Rosa nodded as Titch continued. ‘And keep thinking: we will get that bastard back, not sure how yet, but we will. See you tomorrow.’
‘See you.’
Rosa made her way out to the back kitchen to put the kettle on and promptly burst into tears.
Just as she was blowing her nose, Josh called.
‘Rosalar, how’s it hanging?’
Rosa sniffed loudly. ‘It’s hanging all right.’
‘Oh petal, what’s the matter? You’re not crying, are you?’
‘You know I only cry when I peel onions. I’ve got a bit of a cold, that’s all.’
‘Aw. Well, don’t work too hard. How are sales going anyway?’
‘Couldn’t be better. The funky dog collars are flying out of the door, and it’s proved such a good idea, having the kids’ trinkets. People are emailing me, putting in advanced dog food orders, so that side of things is amazing.’
‘How’s lover boy?’
‘Oh.’ Rosa paused, then said flatly, ‘He’s all right.’
‘Are you sure?’
Rosa felt agitation rising within her; she wasn’t ready for a Josh ‘I told you so’.
‘Yes, Josh, I’m sure. How’s Lovely Lucy?’
‘She’s all right too.’
‘Good.’ Rosa made an effort. ‘You’ll have to bring her down to the big bad bay so that I can meet her.’
‘Er . . . maybe. I’d rather come down on my own, to be honest. We can have a laugh, especially as it will soon be warm enough to go on the beach. How’s Hot, is he fully recovered?’
‘Yes, vocal as ever. He’s fine.’ At that moment the little sausage barked. ‘That’s him, saying hello.’
‘Aw. I do miss him - and no clever remarks, I miss you too. But now you’re all loved up and stuff, well, I guess Mr Gazette is your number one man and us City types need to take a back seat.’
‘No, Josh. My number one man has four legs and a tail.’
‘Jokes! Right, I’d better get back to work. What are you doing for your birthday, by the way?’
Rosa realised that her dirty weekend away would now not be happening. God, what yarn did Joe have to spin to his poor wife, to get an overnight pass? Again, how foolish was she not to pick up on the fact that in the six weeks she’d been with him, Joe had never once stayed over!
‘I’ve nothing planned as it happens, so why don’t you come down then? Easter weekend this year, I’ll have to work during some of it, but you can help me if you like? It’ll be fun. And . . . if you do want to bring Lucy, I’m sure that Jacob and Raff will put you up, or you are very welcome to stay here, although I guess she might not want to?’
‘Hmm, she has got five-star tastes, this one. Even the Lobster Pot might not be to her liking.’
The words ‘stuck up cow’ flew through Rosa’s mind. ‘Whatever, Josh, just let me know.’