Just Rose

15

Her newest commission work was coming on leaps and bounds, despite the shift in her relationship and the effects it was having on her mental state, already the first new illustrations had been passed off to her new contract and she only had five more to do for this book.

The book's author was ecstatic with the work so far and her agent had yet another contract already in the works! In the last few years, Rose had become a highly sought-after artist in the field of children's illustration. There was talk with her agent to move into prints for general sale of some of her most popular images in the coming year, and contract offers fast piling up for future work. Financially, Rose had a bright future and the move here was showing in her work. Her art was far easier flowing and natural since coming here. More vibrant with a lot more character and charm. Her agent had seen the change too and admired it with enthusiasm.

It was not just falling in love with Rob, it was the place, the people, Abby, her cottage! All of it just seemed to effortlessly fit like a glove and she could not imagine ever going anywhere else again. The turmoil of her love life was not distracting the need to paint and get lost in magical worlds of make believe.

She could now see why her aunt had spent her adult life here until she had married. The locals were all so welcoming and friendly. They popped by to bring her baked goods, casseroles or invites in passing, they greeted her at the coffee morning meet ups and jumble sales like an old friend or just around town.

Muffin had become somewhat of a celebrity and most of the food shops gave him a free treat on sight. The butcher kept his bones every Friday afternoon for their weekly shopping trip and everyone they met knew him by name, calling him over for a frantic clap. He even had a camaraderie with Rob, snuggling up to him whenever he was here and trying to sleep between them in bed on the rare occasions that he stayed nights.

She had never ventured near the museum again and something inside her sang with relief when she saw the banners coming down for the art exhibit when she was passing. She guessed that meant Matt had returned to the states and there would no longer always be a chance of bumping into him; free from any more awkward encounters.

The cottage was complete, in that every corner, every wall, every room was exactly how she wanted it. Her own stamp finally in place. Even the gardens under the care of her gardener Malcolm were looking full and stunning. He had surprised her with a handmade dog kennel for Muffin only days ago, painted bright white with a shiny red roof. She had been so moved by the gift she had welled up and the red of the little house had pushed her to pay him to redo her front door. It was now a shining glossy pillar box red with gleaming brass handle and letter box. The cottage was everything from her memories and more. It was complete. It was her home finally.

If only her relationship with Rob could be as effortless and uncomplicated as life here was. Maybe then she could finally shift the ever-looming grey cloud from her life and be truly happy.

It was all this clicking into place, and things coming together that made Rose even more frustrated. The one thing she wanted more than anything, was to be able to walk hand in hand with Rob into town or stand holding his arm at the next dance or charity night. To smile when people saw them together and have everyone know she was his. The mere thought of it got to her more than she ever let on to him, for fear another huge row like the one that night would overcome them.