Just Rose

17

Morning light woke her ungratefully, still curled on top of her bed sheets, her face sore from dry tears and her feet ice cold from sleeping without covering. She felt like she had the worst hangover from hell and groaned when she saw the time. She had promised to help at the coffee morning today. The little old ladies had talked her into it, asking her to bring Muffin for some granny love and she hadn't been able to refuse. As if by coincidence the rap on her door by an over happy Abby just added to her groans, she sunk face down back onto the bed, allowing herself to slide off to her feet. The effort of moving almost unbearable. She was fatigued.

'I'm coming!' She half yelled, half mumbled as she dragged herself to let her in.

'Oh my god, Rose, it's after nine for goodness sakes. We need to get there for half past! Dressed. Now!' Abby was bounding around, overly energetic for her liking and pushing her back into the cottage.

Rose caught sight of her dishevelled appearance in the mirror, catching the bed hair, pale face and over red tear stains and tried to wipe them away about the same time Abby caught her tired eyes in the mirror.

'You okay? Look if your sick I can just tell...'

'No! no. no. It's okay. I'm okay. Bad night. Stomach upset or something like that. Honest I'm all good.' She lied and tried the happy face she had been wearing lately but could not muster the energy. 'I just need to freshen up.'

'Look, go have a bath, I'll call Nancy and tell her were running late; you need more than a freshen up.' Abby blinked at her rather dubiously and fished her mobile out of her bag.

Rose gave her an appreciative smile and headed to the bathroom turning on the taps, glad to be able to lock herself in; she sat on the toilet lid as her bubbles grew and filled the bath and steam started to cloud the air. She just needed to scrape herself together.

She was over the worst, right? She had hit all time low and had the night from hell. It could only get better than this. She had seen him now. That first encounter over, and it could only get easier now...Should, get easier.

* * *

The sun, as usual, was splitting the trees as they drove to town. Rose felt more human after her bath and she had even dragged out her baby pink sundress and shoes in a bid to feel more like her old self. Willing herself to get back on that horse by wearing her favourite outfit. She was stronger than this.

Abby had forced her to eat some toast before they left, resulting in being almost an hour late. It had been an effort, her appetite nonexistent but she had felt better for it.

The church was mobbed by the time the girls walked through the door, always the highlight of the week for all the old timers. The noise in the high-ceilinged hall, echoing loudly and drowning out the radio playing tunes in the corner. The smell of air freshener, baked goods and mustiness, something she had found in every church she had ever been too. Tinted with strong coffee and old lady perfume.

Every little round table was crowded with elderly folks, with varying shades of lilac perms and balding heads and the sight of Muffin trotting in among the tables sent off a lot of crooning and kissing as they scooped him up and passed him about, plying him with cake crumbs and milk. He was in his element, his little pink tongue flapping at faces and hands excitedly. Muffin was somewhat of a celebrity in this village, everyone knew him by sight and everyone knew his name and weakness for cake.