She ducked out into the rain and headed back towards the pub, banging the wonky gate behind her in her haste. I picked up the cracked flower pot, carried it inside and set it down on the hearthstone before checking the fire. I could hear the radiators were gurgling into life and didn’t think it would be long before I was able to run myself a bath.

Once I was happy with the fire I sat on the sofa, reached for my bag and automatically pulled out my phone.

‘Don’t even go there,’ I sternly told myself as I toyed with the idea of turning it back on.

It really would be better if I didn’t see Dad’s reaction to my defection. My text had been brief, but clear enough.

Hi Dad. In view of the fact that I haven’t been feeling all that well recently, and that Chris has proved himself more than capable of handling things in the office, I’ve decided to take a break. As you may recall, it’s been quite some time since I took a holiday so I’m sure you’ll understand. I’ll keep you posted as to when I plan to come back. Please, don’t worry about me. See you soon. Tess x

I was pretty certain he would be raging like a bear with a sore head by now. I had added the ‘don’t worry’ to remind him to look beyond his temper and try to think of me as his daughter for once instead of his employee. I was rather proud that I hadn’t said sorry for taking off. I had recently found myself all too often apologizing for things I had no reason to be sorry for.

Before I gave in to temptation, I took the phone and my charger and deposited it into one of the drawers under the old pine table which stood in the window.

‘Out of sight,’ I muttered to myself, ‘out of mind.’

Or at least that was what I hoped.

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I went to bed early that night completely blissed out after my delicious dinner (courtesy of Sophie’s clever culinary skills), and the longest soak in the tub. I could have stayed in the bath all night, had it not been for fear of turning into a prune. The bed was extremely comfortable and as the storm headed off, I cracked the window open a little so I could fall asleep listening to the sound of the waves as they rolled in and broke on the shore.