Rosa looked on as Davina started picking up and scrutinising the masks one by one. Seeing them reminded Rosa of the legendary Halloween parties at the Ship Inn. It had been a pub then, not a hotel. On one of those nights, she remembered Lucas apprehending her on the beach and trying to kiss her, one of the many push-pull scrapes that she had experienced during her complicated ‘relationship’ with the young plumber. A relationship that had initially been based purely on lust and sex, and if it hadn’t been for her getting together with Josh could have grown to be so much more.
Rosa couldn’t deny she still found him attractive, with his brooding hazel eyes, long lashes, full lips and taut, stocky body. But she loved the equally handsome Josh with all her heart, and now that a baby had cemented their love, straying couldn’t be further from her mind. Lucas was a friend and would stay a friend. However, if she was honest with herself, when the sexy plumber had told her about Davina, she had felt a bit strange. It could only be a good thing for Lucas to direct his feelings to someone else and she wanted him to be happy, of course. But despite her feelings of love for Josh, there was still a minute amount of jealousy around anyone getting close to Lucas – and if anyone hurt him, she wasn’t sure what she would do.
With Davina concentrating on choosing masks, Rosa had a chance to look her up and down. Her well-coiffured hair was everything that Rosa’s wasn’t. Long, straight, blonde and in perfect condition. Her long slim legs fitted nicely in her tight blue Levi’s. Rosa was sure that she had had lip-fillers, and her breasts looked too round and perfect to be real. The rest of her rather pointy features made her attractive rather than pretty. And despite her being a police officer, there was something about her that Rosa could not trust.
‘I’ll take these, please.’ Davina Hunt plonked five different masks onto the counter. ‘Oh, and one of those Halloween goodie bags too. Lucas said he wanted something to give to the demon child.’
‘Alfie, you mean?’ Rosa questioned. ‘He may not have had the best start in life but I think he’s a good kid really.’
Davina harrumphed. ‘You don’t have to spend time with him like I do.’
‘You haven’t discussed having children with Lucas then?’ Rosa cringed at her involuntary question.
Davina turned her nose up. ‘God, no. Why would anyone want to sacrifice their freedom in that way?’
Knowing how much Lucas would love a family of his own, Rosa didn’t dare respond, instead commented, ‘I didn’t know you were having a party at the Ship tonight?’
‘We’re not, but we are having a themed dinner for guests who want it, which will no doubt lead to drinks at the bar, and Lucas thought we should make some kind of effort. Actually, while I’m here…as you know him quite well, Lucas, that is, I just wondered if you’d know what he’d fancy for Christmas. It was early days into our relationship last year and his present was…’ She paused. ‘I’ll just say we were too busy to feel the need to give each other anything of a material kind. He just got a blow job for his birthday too. His favourite.’ She ran her tongue around her teeth. ‘But I guess you know that already?’
Davina then laughed out loud, causing Rosa’s initial dislike of the coarse woman to accelerate up to a firm hatred. Taking a deep breath, she went in for the kill. ‘You mean to say that you’ve known him for eleven months and you’ve not an inkling of what he’d like?’ Power regained! ‘And er, no – I’ve never bought him a present.’
‘That surprises me.’ The blonde woman sighed. ‘I’m not stupid, Rosa. I see how he looks at you still. I also know what happened that night in the house next to yours on the front. You’re lucky your husband forgave you.’
Rosa replied calmly, ‘You, stupid? Of course not.’ She lowered her voice. ‘But I would think twice about believing everything you hear in this small town. I don’t feel I should have to explain, but for the record, WPC Hunt, I love my husband very much and my relationship with Luke…’ as if by saying the nickname she had always used for him, tightened their bond ‘…is purely platonic.’ Rosa scanned the woman’s purchases hastily through the till. ‘That will be twelve pounds fifty, please – unless you were wanting anything else?
‘Bitch,’ Rosa said aloud once the shop bell had confirmed Davina’s departure. Her face was flushed with anger; her throat tight from holding back what she really wanted to say. To this day, she didn’t remember exactly what had happened with Luke that night, apart from kissing him, but that was ancient history and it felt strange to be even thinking about it.
Rosa checked her watch. She called out for Titch, but there was no reply. A little concerned, she put the Back in 10 minutes sign on the back of the shop door, locked it and made her way up the steep stairs to the flat above. Since Titch and Ritchie had taken over the shop that she had gifted to them a year ago, they had done a sterling job to keep it running the way she and her great-grandparents before them had done so competently. Rosa had found out from experience that it was no mean feat to take on a new business and make it a success, and for this she was extremely proud of the couple and grateful to them.
‘Titch?’ Rosa called softly, walking through the beloved upstairs flat where she had spent her first years in Cockleberry Bay. She checked the lounge, then the kitchen, and when she got to the bedroom and there was still no sign of life, she began to panic slightly. Then, on pushing open the bathroom door, there was her mate, pants down on the toilet with her head resting awkwardly on her baby bump, away with the fairies.
Rosa gently touched her shoulder and whispered, ‘Titch, wake up, mate.’
‘What the fuck!’ Titch’s head shot up. ‘Oh my God, I must have fallen asleep. What’s the time? Was the shop door open? Where’s Theo?’
‘It’s all right, you’ve only been up here a very short while. Theo’s safely at nursery and the shop has had either Ritchie or me in it. Are you feeling OK?’
‘Yes, yes. I’m fine. I’ve been up since five with Thomas the Tank Engine and his lordship, that’s all.’
‘Bless you, and don’t worry, I crossed Ritchie on the steps, so, like I said, you’ve not missed anyone. I just served Lucas’s dear darling girlfriend and that was it. Look, you’re obviously knackered, so why don’t you get into bed for an hour? The kids are at Little Devils, so I can put the order away and pick up Theo for you when it’s time, if you like?’
‘Oh Rose. Only if you’re sure.’ Titch yawned hugely.
‘I’m more than sure.’
‘But what about your charity stuff?’
‘I’m my own boss, it’s fine. That can wait.’ Rosa put her hand on her friend’s arm. ‘Maybe you are overdoing it a bit? Do you want me to have a word with Luke and see if Danny’s got some time to spare to help you out when you need it?’
‘Hmm, I may not be able to bear that.’ Titch gave a wry smile.
‘Why not?’
‘I won’t get anything done, will I? I’ll just be perving at him; he’s so hot.’
‘Titch Whittaker – I mean Rogers – what are you like? And anyway, he’ll be working when you’re not. That’s the whole point – to give you a break.’