"Hiya Chelle it's me!"

I have been in Devon a whole week, and do you think I've heard from her. That's right, not a single word! So I decided to call. She sounds a little taken by surprise as she answers.

"So, I am still alive down here, even if I am staying with 'Norman Bates'" I joke with her.

Obviously, day of arrival I text her and advised her of the situation I found myself in, to which she L-O-L'd me! After that she must have assumed I wouldn't survive the night so didn't bother to get in touch. I quip with her about that, only getting the odd hmmm and mmm back as if she is distracted.

"So Chelle, how is he?" I ask, sombre in my delivery.

She pretends she doesn't know who I am talking about. Either that or she wasn't listening to me. I perch on the end of the bed and bow my head.

"Nick, Chelle, how is he?"

She tells me she hasn't really seen him since, other than seeing him across the street or hearing from the local gossips that he has been out and about. She goes on to tell me the latest in regards to all the horror with the body under Gail's annex and things after the crash. That also dampens my mood, because of course that was all my fault!

"So irresponsible Carla!" I silently scold myself as I listen to her.

Of course Gail has been going on about me breaking her son's heart. Her poor Nicky. Yes, that does not come as any surprise or shock to me. Sighing I continue to listen to Michelle updating me on all the street drama.

"Right, and Roy?" I ask, keen to get off of the subject of Gail Platt and her annex issues.

Hope she is enjoying my flat by the way, you know never mind that I am letting them use it rent free and all that for the time being. You're very welcome Gail!

Michelle tells me that Roy has gotten engaged to Cathy and that puts the smile back on my face. Hayley will be so proud of him, moving on and being happy, and I am glad he is not alone and surrounded by people who care about him as much as I do. So I will be waiting for my wedding invite!

Then the thought of a wedding makes me shudder. Of course all of mine have been a disaster. Either the groom was a problem, we never got there because he was a monster or he managed to ruin what should have been the happiest day of my life! Yes Peter, it is you who fits in the frame for that one.

So I side tracked my thoughts and Michelle has naturally fallen silent.

"So Chelle, listen I have a meeting in the town, bit of stuff to do with the cottage, so I will call you soon, yeah?"

"Love ya Chelle" I mumble to her as I say goodbye and hang up.

Oh I miss her.

It is lonely here. Well I mean I am not alone, because I have spent most of my time this week with Tim, but I am lonely, as in I miss what was home and familiar, certain people, my family etc. I am about to head out to the estate agent and finalise some more of the paperwork for the cottage. It will be a headache I can tell, because I have to explain that I am going to have sole occupancy and ownership now, so you watch there will be further delays as it will more than likely need reprocessing. Grabbing my bag and a jacket, I head out of my room, and hold my phone so as to look busy as I leave.

So whilst I am walking, let me tell you about my first week in more detail because yes, I still haven't sorted out a car!

It started well as you know. Accommodation is good, suitable for my needs, and was a reasonable deal. Again I haven't yet done much exploring. On my first morning I woke up a little heavy headed, as I might have overdone it the night before with the bubbly and drinks with Tim. I headed out and down onto the beach where I walked along, away from town and the crowds of 'old people' who had come out for the day, and I found a nice spot not too far down to sit for a while and contemplate life. After that I headed back and I settled in for the night.

Tim has cooked all week, well not literally but he has been testing out for a chef, and kitchen staff, so I have been trialling all of their wonderful creations with him, accompanied by a lovely red, white or rose wine and it has been a pleasant enough experience. We have had everything from basic, homely dishes, to high end, five star gourmet ones. Sea food obviously is a natural favourite of them all. I have thoroughly enjoyed it actually, being fed like that and not having to pay a penny.

He's not bad either, been very accommodating and made me feel as at home as is humanly possible given the circumstances. He is a bit of a time hog, wanting a lot of my attention for things, but he seems to have the measure of when to give me my space, i.e. why I get my phone out even for no reason. He thinks I am busy typing and texting, doing businessy stuff, when in reality I am just trying to get passed level 10 on candy crush! So that has pretty much been my week, eating fancy food, drinking fancy wines, walking along beaches and helping out with a little bit of interior design of the more public areas of this hotel Tim has.

I mean I could hardly say no to helping him with more than just the food tasting. He is letting me stay after all.

Now, before you all get too carried away thinking I have found myself a new romance. Ok I know I have form, but not this time. Tim and I, its strictly business, so don't be going getting your hopes up. Right now you just wait here, I will be as quick as I can, and then I will update you after this meeting. Wish me luck!

Great! Just fantastic! Guess what, I need a whole new contract and that will delay me moving in by another two weeks. Two weeks! Can you believe estate agents, anything to make life difficult. So I guess I will need to sweet talk Tim a little into letting me stay now whilst he wishes to open. I am sure he will let me, but if he doesn't I have a problem.

I fancy a glass of wine, so I go off in search of somewhere that isn't a little country pub.

Well I didn't find wine, but I have found a nice little café and I have ordered a coffee. As I take a seat and glance round I can't help but notice how much it reminds me of Roy's. The owner here is a train enthusiast too would you believe it. Must be something they like about trains and cafes. I smile to myself as I drink in all the different mix match bits dotted around on shelves and hung on the walls. Roy would really like this, its nice. I make a mental note to bring him and Cathy here, that is if they ever want to come and see me, which after what I did I really wouldn't blame them if they didn't.

I sip away at my coffee, alone at my table, looking out of the little window upon the street. It's quiet, and not a lot of people are walking around today, but then again its not that nice down south, its all grey skies and rain. The little lady who smiled at me as I came in leaves her table and offers me a goodbye as she leaves. The older gentleman who was serving seems to have disappeared out back as well, so I finish my drink and get up to take it back over to the counter for him. As I approach the glass cabinet, again just like Roy's, filled with cakes in the same way I can feel my emotions bubbling just under the surface.

"It's time to go Carla!" I tell myself as I turn to go and then hear a voice speak from behind me.

"I hope it was to your liking. See you again young lady"

I glance back to see the older man getting my mug from the counter and smiling at me. I offer him a smile and thank him for his hospitality, but I cannot hang around. I will be back though. The café is very homely. As I step out into the street I feel a chill in the air and look up to see grey overhead. Looks like rain, so definitely time to head back to the warm. As I look back down I take note of the café sign, just so as to remember it and be able to ask for directions if I get lost trying to find it again.

'Carl's Station Stop' is its name, but no sign of a train or station nearby. It makes me smile. With that smile on my face I make my way back to the hotel, to settle down and wonder what will be on our menu tonight.