‘I don’t understand. If she has no money, how did she get the nappies and milk for you?’
‘She stole them from somewhere else. She was on a cycle of sadness and despair. I can’t let her get caught. She’s a grown-up so is responsible for her own actions and their consequences, but what would happen to the baby? It’s too awful to contemplate.’
‘How old is he – or she?’
‘It’s another little boy, Zaki. He’s the same age as my boy.’
‘Aw. So what’s happening with her now then?’
‘I gave her twenty quid to go to the café with Zaki and get something hot to eat and drink. I’ve arranged to meet her there in an hour or so. After I’ve been to see Mum, I’m going to get Lucas to call his brother and see if it is OK if Amira gets her stuff from the boat and goes to stay in the big house with Tina, Danny, and Alfie until she sorts herself out. It’s huge up there and I know that they don’t even use the attic room and bathroom up the top. She should be safe there, and with luck that bloke she was with will never find out where she and his son are.’
‘You’re so sweet.’
‘Sweet and me? I’m not sure about that combination.’
‘What about the boat?’
‘I will also get Lucas to speak to one of the fishermen in the Ship to see if they can sail it round to Stanley’s Point Harbour and leave it one night maybe. The last thing we want is some crazed woman-beater turning up in the Bay.’ Rosa sighed. ‘God.’
‘What is it, mate?’
‘So much going on. Mum summoned me to Seaspray this morning. I reckon it’s about her news from the doctor. I kind of don’t want to know in case it is serious.’
‘Oh, Rose.’ Titch hugged her with her bump in the way. ‘Well, I’m always here for you, you know that.’
‘I know – thanks, mate.’ Rosa clutched her head. ‘Oh, shit – and I forgot to tell you about Carol-oke!’
‘Carol who?’
Rosa laughed out loud. ‘That’s what I’ve decided to do for the charities. “The Cockleberry Bay Christmas Carol-oke Concert, in aid of Ned’s Gift and the new roof fund for St Michael and All Angels Church in Polhampton”.’
‘Oh my God, that’s a mouthful but sounds hilarious. So how does it work?’
‘Basically, teams from each of the charities get sponsored to compete and there is a prize at the end for the best group. I want to make it a real community Christmassy event for all ages. People will pay to come to watch and pay to vote for their favourite on the night.’
‘So they are choirs then, really?’
‘Yes, but they won’t all be the best singers. Hence the “oke” bit. They have to choose a carol or Christmas song to sing.’
‘I love it. It will be so festive.’
‘Yes, there will also be a prize for the best Christmas jumper in the audience, a big Christmas raffle, and I need to speak to Nate about providing pasties, mince pies and mulled wine maybe. All profits from the food and drink will be going to the charities too. It’s just a bit of fun for the community and I think will make a tidy sum for all the charities.’
‘Not like you to go religious though,’ Titch said, wrinkling her tiny nose. ‘What’s all that with the church roof?’
‘Celia Carlisle – you know, the lady who died on the job with the handsome gardener, whom I’ve since met – that’s what she was working towards. I kind of stole her idea and I did promise her son I would take on her project.’
‘When are you doing it?’
‘It’s got to be Christmas Eve, I reckon. If the church hall is free.’
‘Count us in to give you a raffle prize.’
‘Thanks, mate.’
‘So, is the Bay going to have a team then?’
‘Of course. Under the umbrella of Ned’s Gift, we have to, really. I am going to see who wants to join. Rehearsals to start in the church hall on Sunday evening.’
‘I’ve got our song already.’ Titch laughed to herself then started to sing badly: ‘It’s reindeer men, Hallelujah, it’s reindeer men.’
‘Mum? Mary?’ Rosa shouted up the stairs. Perish the thought she was up there again with Christopher.
‘I’m here, duck.’ Mary appeared through the front door, a pint of milk in hand. ‘I’d run out of semi-skimmed and you always moan about me only having the full-fat version.’
They sat opposite each other at the kitchen table.
‘Are you all right, Rosa? Something’s happened. You needed the black tourmaline, didn’t you? I saw.’
Merlin squeezed himself through the back cat-flap and sauntered past them, giving Rosa a dark look from his orb-like eyes; he’d never forgiven her for bringing Hot into ‘his’ house. He then started to crunch hungrily on his dry cat food.
‘Yes, you were right to give it to me,’ Rosa said over the noise. ‘I will explain, but more importantly, how are you?’
‘It’s the bloody menopause. Well, bloody isn’t really an appropriate word in this case, is it?’
‘Thank God.’ A waterfall of relief rushed through Rosa’s body. ‘I thought you were losing your marbles.’
‘No. Just my womanhood. It seems I have months of a dry fanny and sweaty bedsheets to look forward to.’ Mary made Rosa laugh. She went on, ‘The forgetfulness, the hot flushes obviously, the mood swings – they are all part of the process of my womb giving up the ghost. Strange, I didn’t suspect it for one moment. My periods were never regular, but it’s a joy they’ve stopped completely now.’
Rosa shied away from thinking too hard about why this should be such a joy. ‘Have you got a natural remedy that could help?’
‘Of course I have,’ her mother nodded. She beamed. ‘In fact, I feel younger and better already.’
‘Maybe that’s down to a certain someone, perhaps?’
Mary’s cheeks reddened. ‘I actually have something else to tell you.’
‘Blimey, you’re not moving in together already, are you?’
‘Not quite. But we are getting on very well.’
‘That’s great news. Kit – well, he seems so decent.’
‘He is, and guess what?’ Mary looked excited. ‘He’s only asked me if I can help him out at Webb & Son as an assistant. Not full-time, but as and when he needs me until business picks up.’
‘That’s your ideal job, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, it is.’ Mary’s beautiful eyes twinkled. ‘Dead easy too, some might say.’
They both laughed.
‘So, have you got time for a cuppa?’
‘Of course I have – and Mum?’ Their matching green eyes met across the table. ‘I’m so happy you’re well and so happy you’re happy.’
Mary leaned over and gripped her daughter’s hand. ‘Thank you for letting me in, Rosa, when many would have left me out in the cold.’
Feeling her eyes welling with tears, Rosa coughed and stood up. ‘Please tell me you’ve made some fresh cookies to go with this tea, although I mustn’t stay long.’