The Gift of Cockleberry Bay

by Nicola May

  ‘Nice to see a new – and may I say handsome – face down in the Bay,’ she said in her posh voice. ‘I’m internet dating, you see, and there are very few handsome men to be found in this area, as you can imagine.’ She picked up a thick church candle from the shelf and held it at the base with both hands.

  Danny blinked and cleared his throat. ‘Er, well, I’ve been swiping right in London for a while and it’s not that easy there either. I think my scar puts women off. They reckon I’m a gangster.’ He smiled somewhat awkwardly.

  ‘A gangster? How divine,’ she drawled, her posh accent standing out against Danny’s not so posh one. She put the candle down and came to stand within a foot of Danny’s bedazzled and now somewhat hungry eyes. ‘Lock.’ She placed her finger gently on his nose. ‘Stock.’ Then on to his lips. And then stroked her hand over the shocked man’s now firming trouser area. ‘And two smoking barrels.’ She ran her tongue around her lips.

  ‘Er, I need to…erm…’ Danny straightened himself up and took a deep breath. Even in prison he hadn’t encountered such a direct approach.

  Bergamot made her way to the front of the shop, turned the hanging sign to Back in 20 minutes and locked the door. She then led Danny into the back kitchen, roughly pushed him against the cooker and after huskily saying, ‘I know exactly what you need,’ she planted her red lips onto his and began to unzip his trousers.

  CHAPTER 35

  Mary managed a smile as Rosa approached her hospital bed in a little side ward off the main ward. She was just about to lean down and kiss her mother’s pale cheek when her mobile rang quietly.

  ‘Sorry, Mum – it’s Josh, thank God. At last! Josh, where the hell have you been?’ she hissed, aware of the two other patients in the small ward.

  Hearing that it was Josh, alive and well and speaking on the phone, Mary’s eyes had opened wide with relief; any wider and they would have popped out of her head. She held the oxygen mask to her mouth and inhaled deeply several times.

  Rosa gave her the thumbs-up and carried on speaking to her husband. ‘I love you too …yes, yes, honestly, I’m fine… Yes, Mum is coming along just fine too. Josh, stay there as planned for now, OK?’

  ‘I told him not to come back before the fireworks,’ Mary said agitatedly, pulling her mask back down.

  Rosa gently laid her hand on her mother’s and helped to replace the mask, saying, ‘I won’t be a minute, Mum.’ She went out into the corridor to finish her conversation in private. On her return, she was glad to see that a nurse had helped Mary to sit up in bed, where she was now drinking some orange juice.

  Mary handed her daughter the beaker to put down. ‘I’ve had enough, thanks. Now, what’s going on, duck?’

  ‘It’s the weather. It’s so bad in New York that they’ve grounded all planes. Josh said he’d messaged and emailed but nothing has come through yet, and for some reason he was unable to call out. It could be something to do with phone signals in the storm, I don’t know.’

  ‘I thought his plane had crashed,’ Mary said in a weak voice. ‘It sent me into a right old state. I saw the bad weather; I saw it all.’

  ‘Hmm. Sometimes that crystal ball of yours needs a good clean, eh? There were no planes even flying out of New York, let alone crashing.’

  A tear ran down Mary’s cheek. ‘I was thinking all sorts, lying here, like your little mite wouldn’t have a daddy, just like you didn’t.’ She swallowed a sob. ‘Are you all right anyway?’

  ‘I’m fine, just sick of sick, that’s all. Of feeling it and being it.’

  ‘Well, I bet it’s a girl then, as that’s exactly how I was with you.’ Mary reached for a tissue and blew her nose.

  Rosa sighed heavily and sat on the chair next to her mother’s bed. ‘For once I am glad that we couldn’t talk earlier. I don’t know what I would have done if you’d told me that my husband was potentially in a plane crash and then I’d not been able to get hold of him. So much has been going on that I’ve been oblivious to the world outside.’

  ‘And what about the police station?’

  ‘I called and PC Poirot was fine. He had already heard about you, as an ambulance call-out is big news in the Bay.’ Rosa sighed. ‘I shall need to go and see him tomorrow.’

  Mary pushed her hair away from her face. ‘So, Titch is OK minding the shop and Hot, is she?’

  Rosa clapped a hand to her forehead. ‘That’s something else – I’d better let Danny know what time I’ll be back.’

  ‘Danny?’

  ‘Theo had a bad tummy again, so Titch and Ritchie went off to Ulchester General and Danny Green, who is Tina’s son – you know, Tina, whose grandson I managed to save? Well, he showed up and said he’d look after the shop.’

  ‘I think I understand.’ Mary nodded. ‘That’s very trusting of you. And that poor girl and baby – not again.’

  ‘I know, and I didn’t have a choice about Danny helping so please don’t tell me off. If the Christmas delivery hadn’t been imminent, I would have just shut up shop, but it was a lot of pallets and I wanted to get to you fast. Somehow, I don’t think robbing somebody who has saved your son’s life would be on the agenda, do you?’

  ‘Unless he runs a kennels, of course. Then he’d be sorted for free dog food and diamanté leads for years to come,’ Mary joked feebly. She looked utterly exhausted.

  Giving her mum a kiss on the cheek, Rosa smiled and said, ‘Save your energy for getting better, although they do say laughter is the best medicine, don’t they? Whoever “they” are.’

  Mary took a large, rattling breath. ‘OK, I hear you. Now, you get off, love. I’m staying here for tonight and then that handsome Dr Reginald will be back in the morning to see if I’m fit to come home tomorrow. And don’t you be worrying about driving me back, I can get hospital transport home.’

  ‘If you’re sure, then I will head off. And ring me once you’ve seen the doctor. I’m sure Jacob will drive up and get you if I ask nicely.’

  ‘I’m sorry to have worried you, duck. I forgot for a second that you’re growing a bairn in that little tummy of yours – my grandchild.’ Mary beamed.

  ‘I’m fine, honestly, and your ginger potion really helps. Unfortunately, I forgot it today in all the kerfuffle. This little one is a survivor – like me, I reckon. Baby Smith is hanging in there for the duration.’

  Mary couldn’t suppress a yawn. ‘I can’t wait to meet the little bundle. And, yes, you get on home. I know how much you love those fireworks, although I doubt if Titch will be with you now. Text me later, won’t you? Let me know you’re home safe and I want to know how the little ’un is. Oh, and can you feed Merlin, please?’

  Rosa stood up, making sure that her mother could reach the water jug and then tidied her bed covers. ‘Of course, and before I forget – here, your favourite.’ She pulled a large bar of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk from her bag.

  ‘Oh, Rosa,’ Mary tutted. ‘You know how dairy makes me cough.’

  Rosa smiled at her mother’s occasional lack of graciousness. ‘Right, I’d better get home and see what’s going on. I wonder what your old mate Kahlil Gibran would have to say about my having to deal with so many things at once.’

  Mary looked up to the ceiling and shut her eyes. ‘He would probably say, “Most people who ask for advice from others have already resolved to act as it pleases them”.’ She then opened her eyes and reached for Rosa’s hand. ‘And please remember what I said at Halloween, Rosa. I may not get everything spot on, but what I do know for sure is that the Jacks of this world come in many guises.’ She then shut her eyes again and promptly started snoring.

  CHAPTER 36

  Ritchie and Titch sat in the consulting room at Ulchester General, awaiting the results of Theo’s X-ray. Ritchie’s hand was turning white from the force with which his wife-to-be was gripping on to him. He, of course, said nothing.

  Ben Burton, Theo’s dad and son of Alec Burton, was at the end of his phone waiting for the news. They were all praying that it wasn�
��t the same Volvulus from which the little lad had suffered previously and which had caused his bowel to twist and give him so much pain.

  ‘It will be all right, won’t it, Ritch? He’s going to be fine, isn’t he?’ Titch gently stroked Theo’s black curls. He had thankfully cried himself to sleep and was now lying peacefully in the carry cot next to them, making little snuffling noises as he breathed.

  Ritchie kissed the young girl’s forehead. ‘Yes, of course it will, darling. They know him now and they sorted him before, didn’t they? And Ben’s on standby if they did need any more blood, which they won’t as they already told us they have a good supply of it, despite it being such a rare group. They are all prepared.’ He carefully moved his hand from her vice-like grip and placed it on her knee. ‘And look at him. He’s not in pain now, is he?’

  Titch jumped as the door flew open. The harassed and tired-looking young doctor held out his hand to her. ‘Fielding, Dr Fielding. Mrs Whittaker?’

  ‘Er, no, it’s Miss, but I’m soon to be Mrs Rogers actually.’

  ‘Mr Whittaker, good afternoon to you.’ Ritchie felt no need to correct the blustering doctor again as he continued, ‘When did he last have a bowel movement? Theo, I mean, not you.’ He looked at Ritchie without so much as a smile.

  Titch had to giggle. ‘Erm, yesterday afternoon,’ she told the doctor, ‘so I was wondering–’

  Dr Fielding held up a hand and stopped her in her tracks. ‘Did you notice anything missing when you tidied up his toys last night?’ Ritchie started to laugh as the doctor held up the X-ray to show them. ‘If I’m not mistaken, that looks distinctly like a plastic car. A very tiny one, for sure, but most definitely a car. I can’t believe he didn’t choke on it.’

  ‘Oh my God, I told you to watch him.’ Titch began, then added: ‘Sorry, Ritchie, I was only saying the other day that you have to have eyes in the back of your bottom when you’ve got a little toddler.’

  ‘So, it’s not Volvulus then?’ Ritchie asked.

  ‘It looks more like a Mini than a Volvo to me.’ The doctor said dryly. ‘I’ve got a young daughter, so don’t beat yourself up about it, but at this age you have to watch them like a hawk as they do tend to put everything into their mouths.’

  ‘So, what do we need to do now?’ Ritchie wanted to know.

  ‘You don’t need to do anything, but keep an eye on his nappy. It shouldn’t pain him to pass the toy now that it’s moved down. A big poo and he’ll be as right as rain.’ The doc smiled. ‘What a shame that isn’t the answer to all our problems.’

  With that Theo let out a long grumbly fart.

  ‘Looks like the garage doors might be opening sooner than we thought,’ Ritchie stated, much to everyone’s amusement and Titch’s immense relief.

  CHAPTER 37

  Rosa propped the phone on the bedside table as she talked to Josh on Facetime, at the same time pulling on knee-high winter socks. They chatted animatedly.

  ‘You look so cute in those long socks,’ Josh said.

  ‘I don’t feel cute, just bloody cold. The temperature has really dropped, and the heating’s been off up here all day. And they’re not quite so sexy over thick tights.’ She made a face at him on the screen.

  ‘Well, turn the heating up then, you mustn’t be cold. Mind you, it’s a good job you’re not here. Brr! It’s minus five today.’ Josh shoved a piece of cake into his mouth. ‘I can’t believe your mother had me for dead, by the way,’ he said, chomping with his mouth full.

  ‘Josh, that’s gross!’ Rosa blinked at the sight. ‘I know, sometimes these premonitions of hers aren’t a good thing. This time, it nearly did for her.’

  ‘To be fair, she did get the weather bit right, and several planes were skidding along the runway before they decided to close the airport. I’m so sorry if I worried you. And don’t be so snooty about the cake, wifey. I’ve been up since four, so I need some sustenance.’

  ‘It wasn’t your fault. The messages you sent all came through together, just as I got back earlier.’

  ‘How did you get to the hospital anyway? Exeter’s quite a drive.’

  ‘Don’t be cross, but Lucas took me. I was running out of the shop and–’

  ‘Rosa, slow down.’

  She felt tears hitting her eyes. ‘I’d never hurt you again, I promise.’

  ‘Don’t you think I know that – or there wouldn’t be a little bubba growing in that beautiful tummy of yours. How is Mr Bump anyway?’

  ‘It could be a Miss Bump. I was thinking about that the other day: shall we find out the sex?’

  ‘That’s not until the second scan though, is it?’

  ‘Look at you knowing all these things.’ Rose lifted her jumper and flashed her midriff at him. ‘No sign of anything yet. But I’ve been so terribly sick. Every single day and not just in the morning.’

  ‘Oh darling.’

  ‘It’s fine, I’m excited now, and hopefully the sickness will go soon.’

  ‘Well, I’ve been reading that it might not,’ Josh said knowledgeably.

  ‘Hmm, thanks for that – not, Dr Smith. Let’s maybe leave the textbooks alone until we meet him or her, shall we? As I think we’ll need the guidance far more then.’

  ‘Talking of babies, how’s Theo?’

  Rosa started to laugh. ‘Basically, he just needed to have a big poo. He’d eaten a tiny plastic car and it got a bit stuck on the way down.’

  Josh’s shoulders shook. ‘That’s hilarious, but bloody hell, he was lucky he didn’t choke.’

  ‘I know. Titch and Ritch are on super-high alert now. He really is into everything.’

  ‘All the more reason we need to get a house and not have the worry of those steep stairs for when our little one comes along.’

  ‘Yes. I’m excited about moving now. In fact, I’m excited about a lot of things.’ Rosa got up from the bed and began hunting for her green wool roll-neck dress. ‘Talking of moving, I got another envelope this morning – a blue one labelled Quality Street.’

  ‘Another genius name, funny. How many is that now?’

  ‘Only four. I honestly thought they’d be flooding in. That doesn’t seem many, considering what’s on offer.’

  ‘You said yourself that it’s a massive decision, even more of a risk if you don’t know the area or clientele. I also think putting a ten-year block on selling it will deter some people, but it gets rid of those wanting to make a fast buck. Hopefully it will be somebody from around here who takes it on. Ned surely would have preferred that. And that way, you’re far more likely to get somebody who genuinely wants to make a go of it. It’s all good, Rosa. I’m so proud of you.’

  ‘Aw, I agree about Ned and I’m quite proud of myself too, thank you very much.’

  Josh was thrilled at just how far his wife had come from her previous issues with low self-esteem and jealousy. ‘So, you’re not getting on the mulled wine with Titch at the fireworks do tonight then?’

  ‘No, of course not. I’m pregnant with our child, remember. Or I might have,’ Rosa said slightly defiantly.

  ‘Just checking,’ Josh teased. ‘Well, have the best time.’

  ‘I will. I need to pay Danny and thank him for looking after the shop. Tina and their little Alfie are down here too, so it’ll be good to see them in much happier circumstances.’

  ‘It was so good of Danny to step up.’

  ‘Yes, it really was.’ Rosa let out a breath. ‘He saved my bacon at a very fraught time.’

  ‘And, Rosa…you’re sure that DC Clarke has calmed down and he’s saying it’s just a formality now, your interview?’

  ‘Whatever it is, it’s all under control, so please don’t worry. I’m not guilty of anything other than caring.’

  ‘You are so sweet.’ Josh blew a kiss to her. ‘OK, I’d better go. I’m bloody knackered, what with all the airport goings-on and then worrying about you and Mary. She is going to get through this, isn’t she?’

  ‘Bless you – I bet you are knackered.
As for Mary, I believe she’s on the mend and I hope she can take things easy for a while.’

  ‘That’s good to hear – and Rosa?’

  ‘Yes? What have I done now?’

  ‘Nothing. Just wondered if I’d told you lately that I love you to where the sky touches the sea.’

  ‘You hadn’t actually,’ Rosa said nonchalantly, her whole being smiling inside and out.

  ‘Well, I do.’

  ‘Oh, bugger off and finish your cake.’ Rosa laughed and blew a kiss to her now smirking husband down the screen.

  CHAPTER 38

  With Alec busy in a counselling session, Sara took the opportunity of walking Brown down to the beach before the bangs and whistles of the fireworks commenced. She was disappointed with Nate. She and Rosa had been nothing but good to him – and not only had he let them down this morning, but she hadn’t been able to get hold of him to give them a hand with opening up for the fireworks this evening. Instead it was Alec, her rock, who had helped her set everything up for the hot chocolates to be served outside, and despite her insistence that Rosa have a night off after her terrible day, her young partner was having none of it.

  Leaning down to make sure that Brown’s collar was securely fastened, Sara’s torchlight picked up the willowy figure of Bergamot coming out of Rosa’s back-yard gate. The vegan one’s mop of red hair was looking messier than usual and her faux-fur coat flapped open. Not wanting to make small talk, Sara just smiled and said, ‘hi,’ as a flushed Bergamot put her head down and hurried past her, heading up the hill.

  ‘Here she is.’ Sara gave Rosa a friendly kiss on the cheek. Alec was busy sprinkling chocolate on the top of the steaming milk he had just heated up inside.