be hard, but oh-so worth it in the end. The happy, carefree Maria who she missed dearly could be just around the corner.
Stupid Mike. She’d never forgive him for what he’d done to her, what he’d done to their relationship. But it was time to let go and focus on herself, Maria promised, as she closed her eyes and relished the feel of the sun warming her cheeks through the glass.
Yes, by the time summer came to its end, she vowed to be happy once more.
It hadn’t taken Maria long to decide on visiting the café again the next morning. There was something about the place, perhaps even about Harriet, that Maria felt pulled towards, like a magnet. One thing was for sure, the food she’d eaten had been incredible; she could already feel the stirrings of hunger within her stomach at just the thought of eating it again. Also, fluttering about in her mind was the vacancy. She knew she shouldn’t have allowed the thought of Mike laughing at her to put her off, but it was difficult to ignore. Still, she wasn’t completely decided on it. It was just there, taunting her, refusing to let her concentrate.
Getting herself a part-time job just for the summer wasn’t such a bad idea though, was it? Besides sprucing up the cottage, she didn’t have anything else to do in the area, except perhaps take woodland walks and wander about in the sunshine. And, she had to admit, she did like the café and the owner. It would be a wonderful place to work. Was she up to it? Well, she couldn’t be sure of that, but she’d always been a believer in giving things a bloody good go and hoping for the best. She was friendly, approachable, and once she got to grips with something there was no stopping her. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea after all? She nibbled her lip as she thought some more about it. It deserved at least a bit of consideration.
First though, before any of that, she’d promised to give Ellen a call to update her on the cottage and how she was getting on. Still in her dressing gown and with a cup of coffee fresh from the shiny machine in the kitchen (which she’d finally managed to figure out), she took herself back into the conservatory which was quickly becoming a favourite room of hers. It must have been a recent addition to the cottage as it hadn’t yet been painted or carpeted, although it didn’t put her off in the slightest. Maria curled her legs up beneath her as she picked up her mobile phone, her feet cold from the floor, and called Ellen.
‘Hi, Mum. It’s only me. Just checking in.’ She twisted the belt of the dressing gown around her finger and became fixated by the lush garden visible through the windows, bordered with bright flowers springing up from the soil. ‘I thought I’d give you a call let you know how I’m getting on in Loland Green.’
‘Maria! It’s wonderful to hear from you. In fact, I was just thinking about you and how you were getting on. How’s the cottage? Is it lovely? Rob mentioned he drove up to see you yesterday. He said you seem to be doing okay, so that’s good, and Geraldine wanted me to pass on a message too. She said there’s extra toilet roll in the airing cupboard upstairs, as well as fresh bed sheets.’
Maria smiled to herself. ‘Okay, tell Geraldine I said thank you. I’ll make sure I remember in case of an emergency. The cottage is gorgeous, although in need of a bit of a spruce-up, like Geraldine mentioned. It’s a bit dull inside but nothing a good lick of paint won’t sort out. I’ve a few ideas in mind for the rooms.’
‘Oh, yes. Have you got started on that yet?’
‘Erm… Yeah. I’ve made a small start.’ She didn’t want Ellen to report back to Geraldine with a negative to that question. The truth was, she hadn’t yet found the motivation to get going. It was coming though, she could feel it. The longer she spent looking around the cottage, the more she wanted to add her own touch to the place. She made a mental note to get out and grab the bits and pieces she’d need. She had a feeling summer would pass by in the blink of an eye, so she really did need to make some sort of start on it, have the paint in the cottage at least. ‘I think you’d love it here,’ she said quickly, moving the topic of conversation along. ‘I was thinking to myself just yesterday about how I’m beginning to feel as if I am actually on holiday. I’m currently in the conservatory looking through the window and there are green fields for as far as the eye can see. There’s a posh coffee machine in the kitchen and I figured out how to work it this morning, so that’s a bonus. I can see myself becoming a little too attached.’ She wondered, briefly, why on earth Geraldine and her husband hadn’t moved here permanently. If it was Maria’s, she knew she certainly would have. She laughed, realising how alien it felt to do so. She wanted to laugh again, but thought it might seem odd so didn’t.
‘Oh, that’s fantastic news,’ enthused Ellen. ‘And are there things to do during the day? Shops? Cafes? That sort of thing? I can imagine you might get a bit bored with just the cottage to keep you busy.’
‘Well, seeing as you’ve mentioned it, there is a lovely little café me and Rob went to yesterday. Harriet’s Place, it’s called. Lots of shops too, so I have everything I need. In fact, once I’ve got off the phone to you, I’m going to get dressed and head back to the cafe. They serve the most delicious food, and you should see the cakes on offer too. Very yummy.’ She didn’t want to mention the job vacancy, mainly because she knew what Ellen was like. The tiniest whiff of something new and exciting for Maria to take part in would send her mother into overdrive and seeing as it wasn’t a definite yet, there was no point in bringing it up.
‘That sounds perfect. I’m so pleased you’re finding your way about, and you’ve the whole summer to look forward to, too. I have to admit, I’m slightly jealous. And how are you feeling?’ Ellen asked tentatively. ‘You know, about Mike? Has he tried to get in touch with you?’
It was inevitable that Mike would crop up at some point so Maria decided to roll with it. ‘Of course he hasn’t. Why would he? The divorce is done and dusted now, isn’t it? There’s no need for us to be in contact. In fact, speaking to him is the very last thing I want to do. I’d rather leave him to it. It’s much better that way. I don’t want to stay stuck in the past. I want to move on. It seems like a long way away right now, but I really do think being here will help. You know, away from it all.’ She took a breath. ‘You haven’t seen him, have you?’ she ventured curiously. She couldn’t be sure that if Ellen had seen Mike, she would have been able to control herself and not give him a piece of her mind. Despite her poised and elegant manner, when it came to her children, Ellen could be ferocious. Maria supposed that was motherhood, not that she had any experience of that herself.
‘Well,’ Ellen began, ‘I did bump into his mother in the shop on the corner the other day but she ignored me, can you believe it? No apology, no “how’s Maria doing?” She walked right past me with her nose stuck in the air as if she had something to be proud about. I was half-tempted to give her what for, but I knew it was best if I didn’t. There’s no point in causing trouble. I know you want the whole thing to be forgotten about so I went on my way, sticking my nose in the air too. I don’t know how on earth she can act like that. It was her son that decided to…’
‘Let’s stop right there,’ Maria cut in, imagining the scene unfolding in the corner shop. In her mind, she could see Ellen and Mike’s mother brawling on the shop floor, milk and eggs flying everywhere. She had to hold back the laughter that was rising at the image of them both. ‘I’m sure she’s just embarrassed about the whole situation. She probably had no idea of what to say to you. Would you, if it had been the other way around? Anyway, it’s best that you carried on. As far as I’m concerned, it’s over now. So, the next time you see her, just smile and carry on. That’s the best thing to do. Let her think that her son is God’s gift to women. She can’t be feeling too proud really, deep inside, not after what he did.’
Maria
