The Wishing Well

by Jilly Bowling

  It was another bright sunny day and the car boot was crowded, both with buyers and sellers, so she decided to do a quick zoom round to see what was on offer. Once she’d got her business up and running, she’d pay the extra to come in early, which is what the dealers did.

  To her delight she found a very large rug, that the stall holder was using to display clothes and children’s toys on. She estimated that it was about three metres square with a cream background and a pink and green pattern. It was very dirty but once she’d persuaded the owner to move the clothes and toys she could see that it wasn’t worn at all, and the dirt was just surface dirt, no bad stains or marks. She offered him ten pounds for it, which he accepted immediately, obviously thinking that she was crazy, and helped her carry it back to the van. She bought him a can of coke for his trouble and carried on looking around.

  By the end of two hours she’d got herself an electric sander which the stallholder assured her was in working order, along with a pack of the sandpaper for it, and found the carcases of two kitchen cupboards with broken doors and shelves. Finally she came across a narrow shaker style sideboard that the lady who was selling it wanted fifty pounds for. Bella could imagine it standing against the empty wall in the kitchen, with shelves above it, where she could display Lucy’s lovely old china, so she offered twenty five pounds for it. It was declined so she turned away. Just as she thought the lady wasn’t going to deal, she called after her “Give me thirty five and it’s yours.”

  As she drove home she was delighted with her purchases and sang as she drove ‘Always look on the bright side of life, da dum de dum de dum.`

  She had spent the vast sum of fifty two pounds, one pound of that for a large marrow bone for Misty, and was designing, in her head, what she was going to do with her purchases.

  With some trepidation she let herself into the house. Hearing Misty barking loudly as she drove up wasn’t reassuring but when she entered the kitchen she was delighted to discover that the pup hadn’t misbehaved at all, the rug was scratched up into a pile but that was all. She took the dog outside and praised her loudly as she relieved herself, then she let her back into the kitchen and gave her the bone, which the pup took gently retiring to the rug to savour it.

  She was just about to put the kettle on when there was a knock on the front door and Misty jumped up barking loudly.

  “Quiet. There’s a good girl,” Bella said firmly and holding her collar answered the door.

  “Hi” Roman said, “just passing and wondered how you were getting on with the pup?”

  Bella felt a thrill run up her spine at the sight of him. He was looking good today, with his clean black hair curling to his collar, steel grey eyes, and wearing a tight black tee shirt that showed a body to make a girl drool.

  His eyes met hers and she blushed like a schoolgirl as he grinned and went on, “I’m lying. I really wanted to see you.”

  Dry mouthed Bella gulped and stammered “Oh, she’s fine, actually we’re fine. I’ve just got in and she’s behaved impeccably.”

  Misty had returned to her bone when she’d seen that it was Roman, and as Bella stepped back he followed her closing the door behind him. Turning back to her he placed a hand at the back of her neck and one at her waist as he leaned over and gently grazed her mouth with his. Sensing the tremor that ran through her he moved closer, holding her to his hard chest as he kissed her, his tongue caressing her lips then parting them, and when she didn’t pull away. deepened the kiss until his tongue was ravishing her mouth. Bella’s body responded and she gave free rein to her natural sensuality, causing Roman to growl before pulling her against the hard length of him, delighting in what she was giving freely. Finally they both lightened the kiss and pulled away slightly. It was then that Bella’s brain took over from her body and she unwrapped her arms from around him, and stepped back.

  She looked like a startled rabbit caught in the headlights of a car, unable to move.

  “I’ve been wanting to do that ever since the moment I first saw you.” Roman said.

  Bella frowned “But you don’t really know me.”

  “I know enough to see that you are beautiful, kind, honest and hard working, and that I want you.”

  Bella swallowed, as her brain advised her not to wear her heart on her sleeve as she’d done with Gervaise.

  “You’ve been very kind, but I’m just not ready for any complications. I have to sort my life out before I can think of getting involved with anybody. I’m just not prepared to make another mistake.”

  Seeing the pain and trepidation in her eyes Roman wisely didn’t press her. Taking her hands in his he said lightly “We could be friends with benefits.” Then he grinned as he saw the relief in her eyes.

  “I like you Roman and would love to be friends. When I have my life back on course I may even consider the benefits part, but not yet.”

  Roman sighed “Then I’ll settle for a cup of tea and a chat, and we’ll take it from there.”

  “You are more than welcome to the tea,” Bella said with relief as she went into the kitchen to switch the kettle back on.

  He leaned against the empty wall in the kitchen as she made the tea and commented, “I hadn’t realised that things had got so run down in here.”

  “Aunt Lucy was a dear but set in her ways and too proud to ask for help.”

  “Yes, she was a remarkable old lady,” Roman laughed.

  “You knew her quite well then?”

  “I don’t think I could say I knew her, but I used to do odd jobs for her. I brought her the wood for the fire and occasionally took her to the village shop.”

  “That was kind of you. Is that what you do for a living, odd jobs for people?”

  Roman’s lips quirked “Yes, I do a bit of this and that. Got to make ends meet. Anyhow what plans do you have for in here. I’m sure you must have some, after what you’ve done to the other rooms.”

  As they carried their mugs of tea through to the living room Bella said “Yes, I’ve got some ideas, especially after what I picked up today.”

  “You got some bargains did you?”

  “Brilliant bargains,” she said excitedly. “As well as a rug that’ll almost fill the bedroom, I got a sander, some kitchen cupboard carcases, and a lovely shaker sideboard. I’m going to use the cupboards and the pallets I got to make a shaker style kitchen. The sideboard will stand against the bare wall with shelves above it for Lucy’s lovely old china.”

  Smiling at her simple pleasure and wanting her even more he asked “Have you got a saw, hammer, screwdriver etc?”

  “Yes, there are some old tools in the lean to and of course I’ve got my heavy duty staple gun. I’ll just take my time sawing the pallets up. You know what they say, measure twice and cut once.”

  Roman nodded “Tell you what, I’ve got an old power saw somewhere. I’ll search it out and bring it up for you.”

  “That’s kind, I’ve never used a power saw before but I’ll give it a go.”

  Shaking his head he said “I shouldn’t think there’s much that you wouldn’t give a go.” `Except giving me a chance to show you that all men aren’t like that Gervaise.`

  They finished their mugs of tea and he helped her lift her finds out of the van. They put the large rug over two of the metal gates in the open barn, stacking the old cupboards alongside. As they carried the sideboard into the kitchen Bell explained how she was going to up cycle it and what colours everything would be. She painted such a good picture with words that Roman could easily visualise how it was going to look. Comparing her to the girls and women he’d known he realised why he was so attracted to her. She was a complete person who didn’t need frills and furbelows to make her sexy, she just was.

  His eyes had become smokey as desire for her rose within him, so to hide his naked feelings he turned away from her and rubbed
his hand over the marked top of the sideboard. “The grain in this is lovely, it only needs rubbing down.”

  “Yes, I’m going to sand the top and hopefully the grain will emerge from the grime.”

  His feelings under control he turned back to her “Have you eaten today?” he asked.

  Bella grinned “I had a ninety nine at the car boot.”

  “Hmph. that won’t keep you going. I haven’t eaten either and I was wondering if you’d join me at the pub for something. My treat for taking the pup off my hands, we can take her with us if you like.”

  “I couldn’t let you pay for me, but I am hungry and it would be a nice way to end a good day.” Bella frowned, worrying about the price of a pub meal.

  “No, I won’t take you if you don’t let me pay. You can feed me some other time, if that makes you feel better.”

  Bella considered “OK. I’ll cook for you in the week.”

  “Boy, you can cook too?” Roman laughed as she swatted his arm.

  “I’m cordon bleu if you must know,” she said, thinking of the courses she’d gone on when Gervaise complained about her `old fashioned` cooking.

  “Leave me out then,” he grinned, “meat and two veg man, I am.”

  “I can do that too. Hang on and I’ll have a quick wash and put something clean on.”

  Knowing better than to argue with a woman intent on dressing to impress, Roman followed her back into the living room.

  “I’ll take Misty for a run while you change,” he said, calling the dog to him and slipping on her lead.

  Bella dashed into her bedroom, washed quickly, cleaned her teeth, brushed her hair and changed into clean jeans and a loose blouse. Looking into the mirror on the dressing table she did a double take, loose blouse? The last time she had worn it, it had been gaping across her breasts and straining at the side seams. Pulling it off she examined herself in the mirror. Yes, she’d definitely lost weight, her breasts weren’t sagging and her belly was flat. She laughed at the thought that if she had a decent bra her breasts would be spectacular, now that the rest of her was so sylph like. Putting the blouse back on she examined her face, the bags under her eyes, which were sparkling, were now gone, and her skin had a peachy bloom to it. Being hard up, plenty of fresh air and no alcohol certainly seemed to agree with her.

  Fastening some large hoop earrings, which Gervaise had said made her look common, into her ears, she squirted a little perfume behind them and down her cleavage, and searched for her lipstick. A flick of powder and she was ready. Instead of her trainers she put on a pair of pretty flat shoes, which she hadn’t worn for years, and she was ready.

  Roman had fed Misty after he’d walked her and she was lying on her rug licking her bone. “She seems pretty settled here,” he said, “if you want to leave her. The pub might be a bit much for her on a Sunday.”

  “Yes, I need to take her to different places when they’re quiet, so we’ll leave her for today. Don’t expect we’ll be that long anyway,” Bella said stroking her silky ears.

  She stood back up to find Roman gazing at her “What!” she asked.

  “I haven’t seen you with your hair loose, it’s beautiful, as are you.”

  Bella blushed, no one had ever called her beautiful. In her surprise at the surge of pleasure it gave her she brushed the remark off lightly. “Thanks, I’m starving, shall we go?”

  Seeing that she was embarrassed Roman wondered at the man who’d caused her to think so little of herself. He must have been an idiot to not appreciate what he had.

  After making sure that the kitchen door was firmly closed they went out to Roman’s land rover, and as they drove to the pub he pointed out places of interest in the area, in particular The Dun stone from which the hamlet took its name.

  “In the olden days people came to pay their Tythes there,” he explained, “ and if there was a pestilence the hollow was filled with vinegar, so it wasn’t spread by the money. It was moved at some point but has recently been brought back.”

  “That’s what’s so lovely about country places, there are so many myths and stories to discover.”

  “Dartmoor is laden with them,” Roman said, “there’s one about your cottage.”

  “Oh? “What’s that?”

  “The tale is that a couple of ner do wells, robbed the bailiff who was collecting the Tythes and when they were fleeing from his guards, they threw the bags of money into a well.”

  “Where? At Wishing Well cottage?”

  “Perhaps, but the money was never recovered, although the robbers were hung. No one for centuries has found the well they described when they were `questioned`.”

  Bella laughed “Perhaps I will find it and it will solve all of my problems.”

  When they arrived Roman took her hand so naturally, to lead her into the inn, that she didn’t give it a thought. The scattering of locals standing at the bar turned and seeing Roman greeted him in various ways.

  “So, what you been up to you sly fox.” “Heard you got a new one,” and other similar remarks, until they spotted Bella as he held the heavy door open for her. The men at the bar and a few women stared at her with varying degrees of speculation until Roman said “Watch yourselves! This is Bella, she’s just moved into Lucy’s old place.”

  There were murmured greetings and looks passed between a few of the women, then as Roman held the door to the restaurant open and ushered her through, whispers broke out.

  As Roman greeted the barman Bella said “I have a feeling I’m not welcome.”

  “No, of course not. People around here take a bit of getting to know if you weren’t born here, but once they know you, you couldn’t find better neighbours.”

  “I thought country folk were friendlier than townies but it doesn’t seem so.”

  “They are, much friendlier, you’ll see. Look we’ll eat and then if you’re up for it, join them in the bar, so they can get to know you.”

  After enjoying aged Red Devon beef, perfectly cooked veg and yorkshire pudding with meat juice gravy, he persuaded her to try the strawberry pavlova and devon clotted cream for dessert and laughed at her when she said she was fit to burst.

  “Do you want coffee? We could have it in the bar, or would you prefer another glass of wine?” he asked.

  “A coffee would be great, and yes I’d like to be introduced to your friends. You have another drink if you want.”

  “No” he said, “one small glass of wine with a large meal is all I have if I’m driving. Coffee will be fine.” He ordered the coffees and asked for them to be served in the bar, held the door for her and found her a stool among the drinkers at the bar.

  When the coffee arrived Roman was talking to one of the men about a fence that needed mending, and Bella, assuming that he was being offered a job, sat quietly sipping her coffee.

  “Known him long, ‘ave you?” a voice said in her ear.

  Startled Bella turned around quickly to find a tousle haired, wrinkled woman, of indeterminate age, breathing alcohol fumes at her.

  “Oh gosh! You gave me a surprise,” she laughed. “Do you mean Roman? If so I’ve only known him for a few weeks. He’s been very kind helping me settle in.”

  “I’m sure he has!”

  Roman suddenly noticed the woman and moved to Bella’s side saying, “Well Jane, what can I do for you?”

  “Not what you’m doing for this ‘un,” she cackled and coughed, “but you can get me another gin.”

  He turned to the barman “Another double for Jane.”

  Once she’d got her drink Jaane tapped the side of her nose with a grimy finger, and nodded. “You watch ‘e gal.” then she scuttled back to her seat.

  A younger woman left her seat, walked over to Bella with her hand out and said “Take no notice of our local eccentric, she’s not quite a
ll there. I’m Joy, welcome to the moor. Are you managing alright? If there’s anything I can do, let me know, I’m just up at High farm.”

  “Pleased to meet you,” Bella said, relieved that Jane had gone. “I’ve settled in ok, thanks to Roman, and I’ve spent the last couple of weeks sorting out the cottage.”

  “Bit grim was it? Lucy was a dear but wouldn’t take any help from anyone.”

  “It wasn’t grim, just dusty and old fashioned. Nothing a good clean and lick of paint couldn’t sort out.”

  “Who did it for you?” Joy asked her eyes settling on Roman.

  “I did it myself. That’s my, well, I suppose you could call it my trade, up cycling and making things.”

  “How wonderful, a practical young woman.”

  “Not really, I took art and design for my degree and just love doing up old things.”

  “And Roman’s been helping?”

  “He’s been great and gave me a lovely puppy.”

  “Mmm,” Joy murmured as Roman came back to join them. “Hello, I hear you’ve been helping our new neighbour, given her that pup you took off Jakeman.”

  Roman frowned “He’s lucky I didn’t report him.”

  “Mrs. J told me you gave him a final warning.” Joy nodded “I’d watch him if I were you, nasty piece of work. However Mrs.J’s not walked into anything this week.”

  “No, she’d better not, ever again.”

  Bella remembered Roman’s bruised knuckles when he had given her the pup and said “So Misty belonged to Mr. Jakeman, it’s obvious he mistreated her, but surely, you can’t just take someone’s dog? What if he comes and demands her back?”

  “Don’t worry, he won’t,” Roman said shortly, “he signed her over to me before I took her.”

  “Oh, you persuaded him did you? How many times did you hit him before he `signed` her over?”

  “Only the once!”

  Joy was looking from one to the other and tried to pour oil on troubled waters. “He’s a nasty piece of work, Bella. It’s not just dogs he mistreats, the rest of his animals get treated roughly, as well as his wife.”