by Nicola May
‘Ah, OK. Right, I must go before he tears the plate out of my hand.’
‘She does readings if you’re interested. Crystals, Tarot, whatever you want really.’ Rosa felt that Mary was a bit of a loner and that the company of just Queenie
probably wasn’t enough for her, especially today.
‘Er . . .OK. I shall bear that in mind. Well, thanks again, Mary, and enjoy the rest of your Christmas.’
But still Mary hesitated. She was staring at Rosa’s cheek. ‘Your scar,’ she whispered. Rosa put her hand to it, suddenly feeling self-conscious as Mary added hastily: ‘It really suits you.’
‘Well, thanks.’ Nobody had ever said that about her little lightning-flash defect.
‘Goodbye, Rosa. And pop by with the plate anytime, you’d be very welcome.’
‘I’ll do that. Bye.’ But Mary had disappeared into the evening.
Rosa exhaled deeply as she managed to shut the door at last. So kind, but so intense at the same time.
Black cat, crystals, fortune-telling. She certainly hadn’t come across much of that in the Whitechapel Road, and although sceptical about it, she couldn’t help but like Mary. She was another one of life’s misfits, a person of layers - and Rosa could relate to that.
CHAPTER 11
Rosa woke on Boxing Day feeling a lot calmer than she had done twenty-four hours earlier. The meal from the Cockleberry Coven had been delicious and Hot was more than happy to get his share of turkey and chipolatas. She had fallen into a restful sleep whilst listening to Adele on her phone, Hot snuggled at her side, and even her back didn’t seem to hurt that much from the saggy sofa.
After her feast from last night, she wasn’t very hungry, so sniffing to check the out-of-date quiche was still OK, she had a small slice of that. Hot had plenty of food and was getting far too used to eating off a normal dinner plate. She had forgotten to pack his bowls and since forgotten to remind Josh to bring them.
Her plan today was to get downstairs in the shop and give it another good clean. She
was also going to do some research as to what she should sell to tourists and locals alike.
She was down in the back kitchen running hot water into a bucket she had found out in the back courtyard, when there was a knock at the door. She tutted as she really wasn’t in the mood for any interruption.
As she got to the door there was the sound of a fake bugle being played and then the familiar voice of her former landlord could be heard loud and clear. ‘The Cavalry has arrived. Let me in, Rosalar.’
Still in rubber gloves, Rosa hugged him tightly, while Hot raced in and jumped madly up at his legs.
‘Joshua Smith, I have to admit I don’t think I’ve ever been so pleased to see you,’ Rosa said, and she meant it.
Josh reached down and stroked the quivering dachshund. ‘Hello, boy,’ he said fondly.
‘But what are you doing here today?’ Rosa wanted to know. ‘We thought you were coming tomorrow.’
‘I was, you’re right. The truth is, I had to sleep on a metre-wide camp bed - and two nights on it were more than enough.’
‘It wasn’t that you thought I needed rescuing then?’ Rosa smirked. ‘How did your mum take that?’
‘Mum was fine actually. I just had to promise that I went in and saw Great-Auntie Deirdre on the way home.’
‘Let’s hope she doesn’t snuff it before you get back then.’
‘You’re so wrong.’
‘You love it. Now, where did you park? I meant to tell you I saw a car park up on what they call The Level.’
‘I found it, but please don’t tell me this is the only entrance?’
‘I think so.’
‘It can’t be. How would they have got everything in here?’ Josh shrugged. ‘Anyway, show me round. I can’t wait to see this place.’
Rosa gave him a whistle-stop tour with Hot accompanying them. When they came back down to the courtyard, Josh walked over to the back fence, prodded about and then pushed open a gate that was hidden within the greenery.
‘It just needs a handle, that’s all,’ he pointed out. ‘Your bins are out here too, look. And you have your own parking space, by the look of it. Although . . . I wonder whose van this is?’
A Transit van, sporting a big green weather cover, was parked up at a funny angle - almost touching her fence.
‘Hmm. Maybe as parking is so limited here, and the place has been empty for so long, somebody’s just been using it as their own. Anyway, this is excellent. I can bring my stuff in this way. I’ll just go and get it. Right, put your knickers on and make us a cup of tea, love. It’s been a long drive.’
Rosa grinned as she put teabags into mugs. She felt so safe with him.
‘Rosa, Rosa!’ he called loudly from the back door. ‘Get your ass down here a sec.’
She went to the back courtyard - to be greeted by the sight of a mattress and Josh’s big hands poking over the top of it.
‘Oh, Josh. You really are a bloody angel.’
‘Ssh, and give me a hand, will you, woman.’
After wrestling the mattress up the stairs, they went back down again, Hot yapping at their heels.
‘A sofa too! Josh, I actually think I love you.’
‘Oh, and there’s more.’ He disappeared through the gate and came back with a microwave and box of second-hand saucepans. ‘Luckily whoever owned that van left just enough space down the side of it for me to get through.’
With mug of tea in hand and now sitting on the new blue-and-white striped sofa, which definitely did not sag in any way, they could relax and take a breather.
‘I can’t believe you’ve done this for me.’ Rosa brushed Josh’s knee with her hand.
‘None of it is new. You were lucky - Mum was having a clear-out, was about to take the saucepans and microwave to the charity shop. What’s more, she’d bought a new bed for the Christmas guests and was going to tip the mattress. There’s not a mark on it either. They’ve got too much money for their own good, my parents.’
‘What about the sofa?’
‘I went to drop some other stuff off at the charity shop for her and the sofa had just been delivered. I borrowed Carlton’s van as he’s not working over Christmas and - well, here I am.’ Josh looked at her a little anxiously. ‘It’ll do for now, won’t it?’
‘Do for now? I love it!’ She gave him a smacking kiss on the cheek.
‘Blimey, wish I’d brought some more stuff now, I’d be guaranteed of a blow job by lunchtime.’
‘Hey! You know you only got one of those when I didn’t have any rent.’
‘Have you considered prostitution for this place too? Sneaky back entrance for punters to come in and out. A sea view for seagull fetishists?’ Josh’s expression remained deadpan.
Rosa laughed. ‘Can you imagine the gossip then? They’d internally combust with excitement.’
Josh stood up and put his mug in the kitchen.
‘Hope you don’t mind but I didn’t bother finding anywhere to stay. Now you’ve got a mattress and a decent sofa I figured I could kip here. I brought my own sleeping bag.’
‘Of course I don’t bloody mind.’ She put the milk back in the fridge. ‘Do you think there might be anywhere open that sells paint around here?’
Josh made a round shape with his hands. ‘Let me look into my crystal ball.’
‘Talking of that, there’s a right weird couple who live up the hill - a gran and granddaughter. They have crystals on their windowsill and everything - and a black cat called Merlin. Bless the granddaughter though, she brought me a Christmas dinner last night.’
‘Blimey, that was nice.’
Rosa then stopped in her tracks. ‘Shit, I’ve just remembered something else from the other night. You know when I was drunk?’
‘That could be many a day.’
‘Christmas Eve, silly. Well, I was struggling to open the door and an old woman
appeared and helped me. She said something really strange about this place being a gift or something and then just wandered off. Didn’t one of the notes in the case say that too?'
‘Oh, Rosa. You’re thinking too much into it - this place is a gift. You told Liar Luke that
too. Anyway, I’d better go and move the van, I’m blocking the road.’
Josh walked out of the back gate and greeted a short dark-haired man who was
lurking by the white van with an ‘All right, mate?’
‘Is this your van in the road?’ the man asked.
‘Yeah, sorry - just moving it.’
‘No, it’s fine. I just need to get something out of mine.’
‘Is this the parking space for the Corner Shop, do you know?’ Josh enquired.
‘Who’s asking?’
‘I am - for Rosa, actually.’
Instead of answering, the man turned his back and took off the plastic green cover. Josh clocked the writing on the side of the van: L. Hannafore, Plumbing and Heating Specialist, and decided to take a chance.
‘Ah, so you must be Luke - Luke the plumber?’
‘Look, I’m in a bit of a hurry. Do you need to get in this space or not?’
‘Actually, yes I do now.’
Lucas sighed. ‘OK give me a minute.’ He reversed out and shouted back to Josh out of his window, ‘She’s all right, is she? Rosa, I mean?’
‘Why wouldn’t she be?’
‘Tell her I need to speak to her.’
Mouthing the word ‘bastard’ Josh restarted his engine and watched the white van speed up the hill.
CHAPTER 12
Rosa was in the shop when Josh reappeared.
‘Did I just hear you talking to someone out there?’ she asked curiously.
‘No. You must be hearing things. The van had gone so I managed to park out the back.’
‘Oh, OK, that’s good. What do you think about me taking these blinds down now that the world and his wife know I’m here, anyway.’
‘I’d leave them up for a bit, if I were you. You don’t want everyone gawping in whilst you’re painting, do you?’
‘No, you’re right. Talking of paint, let’s see if there is anywhere open. Ulchester is the biggest town from here.’
‘Well, why don’t we take a drive up there? We could have lunch too - there’s bound to be somewhere open. And I’m sure this little fella could do with a walk.’
Hot starting barking at the four-letter magic word.
‘Oh, Josh. You know not to say that word until we are ready to go.’
‘What – “walk”?’
Hot was now beside himself.
Josh laughed. ‘Come on then, let’s go. There’s no rush to paint today. I can stay for at least three nights - if you’ll have me, that is?’
‘Darling, I’ll always have you, you know that.’
Josh smirked, and mock-swiped at her mop of curls.
They were just getting in the van when Titch wiggled around the corner, wearing a short skirt and high boots.
‘Hiya, Rose – and hello to you too.’ She ran her eyes up and down all six feet two of Josh.
‘Titch, Josh, Josh, Titch.’
‘You dark horse, you kept him quiet,’ the other girl said.
‘I am here, you know,’ Josh joked. He climbed in and reached over to open the door for Rosa.
‘I must be due for an award of some kind then,’ Rosa said to Titch.
Titch screwed her face up and cocked her head to the side. ‘Award? I don’t get you.’
‘‘To be able to keep something quiet in this place. Have a good day, Titch.’ And the van set off down the hill.
‘Who’s she?’ Josh asked with interest. ‘Great pair of pins on her. Chest not bad either.’
‘Josh!’
‘Just saying.’
‘Titch is her name. Well, nickname anyway, I think. She cleans up at the Ship Inn and works in one of the coffee shops. She’s all right, a bit zany. She was there the other night. She’s also a bit obsessed with men, I think.’
‘Says the Virgin bloody Mary! I was half-expecting you to tell me you’d already had a
Christmas fumble.’
Rosa cringed as she remembered Seb’s bony fingers trying to enter her.
‘Does your silence mean you did?’ Josh enquired, frowning a little.
‘God, no. I did fancy Luke, it’s true - until I realised his middle name was Judas.’
‘No such thing as an ugly face, just ugly people, Rosa.’
‘Whatever. Now come on, let’s paint this shop red.’
‘Red?’
‘Josh, just drive.’
CHAPTER 13
Days flew past, mainly spent in a whirlwind of cleaning, painting and generally getting the shop as shipshape as possible. Rosa and Josh had also managed to walk Hot on a few different beautiful beaches and then, completely knackered, their nights had consisted of staying in with beers, wine, easy food and general chit-chat before going to their separate sleeping quarters and snoring until the seagulls broke their deep slumber.
Josh made sure that Rosa didn’t go anywhere near the Ship and remarkably, they hadn’t bumped into anyone all week to upset their peace.
Josh had measured the old damp blinds and they managed to find some ready-made ones in a big store in Ulchester that were a perfect fit. Rosa had chosen a duck-egg blue for the front door. Josh advised that she should wait until the weather was better before she considered any outside painting.
By New Year’s Eve Rosa felt that she was ready to start putting stock on the shelves, but the big question was – what?
On the morning of that day, a bleary-eyed Josh walked into the kitchen to find her making scrambled eggs.
‘Want some?’
‘Yes, lovely. I’ll have breakfast and better get going, I suppose.’ But he didn’t sound enthusiastic at the prospect.
Rosa looked down-hearted.
‘It’s the rugby club New Year bash, you know I can’t miss that. Plus, I did promise to pop in and see my Great-Auntie Deirdre.’
‘I know you have to go. But it’s been so lovely having you here and I really appreciate just how much you’ve helped me.’ Rosa stirred the eggs to hide her sadness.
‘So, you’re sorted with all the paperwork I went through with you now?’
‘Yes.’ Rosa turned and made a face.
‘Don’t be like that. Insurance is important and for goodness sake get down the bank today and open a new account. You can set up direct debits for gas, et cetera.’
‘I will.’
‘You’re like a petulant child sometimes, you know that?’ Josh said sternly.
‘And?’
‘Same old Rosa, but I wouldn’t change you for the world.’ He gently smacked her bum. Then: ‘So, that Luke was just down here for Christmas, was he?’
‘Er . . . yes. Although if his girlfriend’s still in hospital, he might stay down here, I suppose. The Gazette is out today – I’m sure it will tell us everything we need to know. Why do you ask?’
‘Oh, just wondered.’
‘Look Josh, it’s fine. I will be fine. Maybe I was being over-sensitive. The more people who know the shop is open, the better really. I need as much custom as I can get.’
They took their breakfast through to the lounge and sat with it on their laps.
‘Bugger. We should have got you a TV,’ Josh said. ‘We didn’t notice, did we, as we were too tired to care in the evenings.’
‘Doesn’t bother me,’ Rosa said. ‘Not having one will make me concentrate on this place, and when I’m ready I can look at the ads in the newsagent’s window; someone might be selling one. Seems that’s the most direct place of barter around here, anyway.’
Hot came running in from the balcony, shivering from the intense cold.
‘Poor little sausage, come here.’ Josh put his plate down and swept the dog
into his arms. ‘Now make sure you look after your mummy, you are man of the house now. Aw, I shall miss him.’
‘And me too obviously.’
‘That goes without saying, you crazy cat.’
Rosa suddenly stood up. ‘That’s it! I know what I can start with.’
‘Go on.’ Josh continued to play with Hot.
‘Pets! What have I seen the most of since I’ve been here? Dogs! The Cockleberry Coven have a cat. There were two pub cats. It’s genius.’
‘Oh Rosa, you can’t sell animals,’ Josh tutted. ‘You probably have to have a special licence.’
‘Not the animals, silly, but everything connected with them. Coats for when it’s cold, discounted food, toys, flea spray. The list is endless. Don’t they say that sex, food and animals sell?’
‘Er . . . I think it’s just sex and food.’
‘Well, it’s going to be pets too now.’ Rosa mused, ‘When I was in the Co-op, I noticed how limited the dog-food range was - and how expensive. The buses are not very frequent to Ulchester, where the big supermarkets with the cheap prices are, and so I think there could be a market for more choice locally and at a better price. Plus, when tourists come down with dogs, I can maybe do some doggy knick-knacks too. And nice bowls - yes, every dog lover loves a nice bowl. And how about designer doggy stuff too?’ Her eyes had gone all sparkly with inspiration.
‘OK, it could be a start. I saw a cash and carry in Ulchester - do you want to pick up some food before I go?’
‘No, no. I can do this. Let me work out how much spare money I have, then I can get it delivered.’
‘Do you need some extra cash, Rosa?’
‘No. I must do this myself, using the money that was left to me. I can start small and build on it. Now, come on – think. What else would be a cheap outlay to get me started?’
‘Postcards and greetings cards maybe?’ Josh suggested.
‘Not postcards, too many shops are selling them down this street. But maybe gifts? I love trinket-like things and they will be great for the kids.’
‘Good idea.’ Josh grinned. ‘Whilst Mummy and Daddy look at stuff for their fur babies, their own babies are kept quiet.’
