5. Chapter 5
Chuckling to herself, Ruby stashed her rucksack into the cubby hole beneath the counter. Then, she shook her hair back and tied it up into a quick ponytail before pulling on an apron and washing her hands.
‘Time warp!’ she whispered to herself, as the years fell away and she was suddenly a teenager again, turning up for her weekend shift with nothing to worry about other than A-levels, essays and boys.
Grabbing two sets of cutlery and a condiment rack, Ruby made her way over to table four - vaguely dreading being recognised by one of the customers. There was no fear of that when she reached the table, though. The faces that glanced briefly up at her were strangers, and they barely even took her in before continuing what was clearly a mother-daughter argument about what colour bridesmaid’s dresses would best compliment the mother of the bride’s outfit. It sounded like mum was definitely winning.
Ruby quickly set everything on the table and then scuttled back to the counter. She was desperate for that coffee!
‘Hello old girl,’ she murmured to the ancient machine as she loaded up a puck with grounds. ‘Remember me?’
As soon as the aromatic, dark brown stream had finished trickling from the silver spouts, Ruby set to frothing her jug of milk. Her mouth was now watering for the first, much-needed sip.
Visiting the café had been the perfect way to calm down and get her feet back underneath her. She’d belonged behind this counter for so many years, and now - for the first time since the book tour had kicked off - she actually felt like herself.
Quickly cleaning the milk spout, Ruby tapped the jug neatly on the countertop before pouring herself the perfect latte. She even managed to execute her signature dove in the froth.
‘Not lost your touch after all!’ she murmured, admiring her handiwork.
The tinkling bell above the door made her turn with a warm smile, ready to greet the newcomer. The smile promptly froze on her lips. Red-faced and slightly sweaty, her past was staring at her from the doorway.
Ruby blinked.
So… she hadn’t been mistaken. Oliver Evans was in Crumbleton… and he was walking straight towards her.
‘You’re new!’ he said, raising an eyebrow.
Ruby blinked again, her mouth dropping open - but no sound came out.
‘I could do with a coffee?’ he said. ‘Like… I’m desperate!’
Ruby gaped at him, feeling like a stranded goldfish. Did he really not recognise her?
‘I can talk you through the machine if you’re still learning?’ he said, giving her a small smile.
‘I… I…’ stuttered Ruby.
How was this even happening? She’d wasted hours and hours of her life obsessing about what she’d say if she ever bumped into Oli again. Now here he was - standing right in front of her - and he didn’t even recognise her?!
‘I…?’ she stuttered again.
‘Oh… never mind!’ he said, glancing down at her freshly made latte. ‘I’ll just grab this one. I’m sure Mabel won’t mind.’
Ruby watched in frozen horror as Oli picked up her coffee, took a sip and then cocked his head.
‘You know, that’s not bad - for an early attempt,’ he said, shooting her a wink. Then he turned on his heel with the cup clutched in his hand and disappeared back outside, leaving the saucer on the counter.
‘It’s - it’s not a takeaway!’ she squeaked as the door banged closed behind him.
Ruby shook her head. Had that really just happened? She’d spoken to Oli for the first time in six years - and he hadn’t even recognised her?! She couldn’t work out if she was angry or if she just needed a damn good cry.
Blinking hard, Ruby turned away from the door. She quickly emptied and then refilled the coffee puck, before shoving it back into the machine. Then she stepped back and just stared blindly at it.
How could he have forgotten her?
‘Forgotten how to use the machine?!’ chuckled Mabel, as she reappeared from the kitchen.
Ruby turned to her but didn’t say anything.
‘Blimey my girl, you look like you’ve seen a ghost!’ said Mabel, frowning in concern.
A stiff smile forced its way onto Ruby’s face. That was the second time she’d heard those in the last hour… and she had a feeling it wasn’t going to be the last.
‘Here, take this over to table four for me,’ she said, plonking a tray bearing a plate of toasted tea cakes drowning in melted butter onto the counter. ‘I’ll make that drink for you. I don’t trust you around hot steam – not when you look like you’re about to fall over!’
‘Thanks Mabel!’ muttered Ruby, picking up the tray. ‘Erm… could you make it a takeaway? I need to head up to the bookshop.’
‘Of course, love!’ said Mabel. ‘Can’t expect a celebrity to wait on tables all afternoon, can I?’
‘Trust me, I think I’d prefer to stay here and help you,’ said Ruby as she edged around the counter.
Ruby quickly delivered the tasty treat to the mother and daughter at table four, who were still so busy debating the merits of peach over lilac that they didn’t spare her a second glance.
‘Here,’ said Mable, placing the large paper cup down on the counter as Ruby returned and started to reluctantly shrug out of her apron.
‘Sure you’ll be alright on your own?’ she said.
‘Trust me, girl,’ laughed Mabel, ‘it’s not the first time I’ve manned this place on my lonesome, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. But - you’re always welcome. I’ve missed you - you always were my favourite!’
Ruby gave Mabel a smile that was worryingly wobbly and felt around in her pockets for her wallet.
‘Don’t you dare!’ scolded Mabel.
‘You sure?’ said Ruby, hesitating, even though she knew full well that when Mabel said “no”, she meant it!
‘Shoo!’ said Mabel. ‘I’ll see you at your signing if not before.’
The minute Ruby stepped out of the café, she paused and peered cautiously up and down the street. Now she knew for sure that Oli was in town, she was going to have to keep her wits about her. He might not have recognised her, but the last thing she needed was to keep bumping into him left, right and centre.
Maybe - if she was really lucky - he was just back for the day… but then, if that was the case surely he wouldn’t have just wandered off with one of Mabel’s china coffee cups!
Ruby shrugged and did her best to pull herself together. She was sure she’d be able to winkle the information out of Reuben – or even her parents if push came to shove. They’d both adored Oli – though they’d only ever known him as the lad who’d needed their daughter’s help with his English Literature assignments. As far as they were concerned, she’d been his tutor and nothing more… and if she was honest, that was the way she’d like to keep it.
At least there was no sign of him on the high street. Right now, she figured her best bet was to stick to her plan. Ruby retraced her steps back towards the bookshop, crossing her fingers that Reuben would have returned from his little break.
The minute she reached the door, she let out a sigh of relief. The card had disappeared, and the old wooden sign had been flipped back to “open”.
Letting herself in, Ruby found herself bathed in the golden light of one of her favourite places on earth. She’d found her love of words between these floor-to-ceiling shelves. Reuben had always favoured an old-fashioned look for his beautiful shop - complete with rolling, wooden ladders. Ruby had spent many a happy moment pretending to be Belle in the Beast’s library… not that Reuben was a beast. He was a lovely old grandfather figure with a penchant for waistcoats and cord trousers.
Right now, though, her favourite bookish pseudo-grandparent was nowhere to be seen. In fact, there didn’t seem to be a soul in the place. Ruby shrugged. Spending a few extra minutes perusing the books definitely wasn’t any kind of hardship!
Shifting her heavy bag off of her shoulder, Ruby placed it down on the floor next to a familiar patchwork armchair. It still sat in its little alcove near the window boasting the hideous cut-out of her own face. She wrinkled her nose at it for a moment, and then decided the best thing to do was pretend it didn’t exist. Sometimes denial was the only way to go!
Making her way past a large, circular table that was piled high with glossy copies of her own book, Ruby headed towards the small section of antique books at the back of the shop. She’d always loved them - especially the ornate, cloth-bound editions. Of course, she’d never had the cash as a teenager to be able to afford these collectables, but she’d always loved to look. One of her most precious possessions was the gorgeous 1894 peacock edition of Pride and Prejudice Reuben had given her for her eighteenth birthday.
Running a finger along the spines of a whole shelf full of classic cream and orange paperbacks, Ruby stopped in front of the little glass cabinet where Reuben housed his most valuable finds.
‘Ooh, you beauty!’ she breathed, her breath fogging the glass as she peered at a stunning, gold-embossed edition of Persuasion. She really was a sucker for anything Austen, but Persuasion had always held a special place in her heart. After all, it was one of the set books she’d helped Oli study.
Ruby eyeballed the copy for several long seconds… she had a feeling she might be heading back to London with a heavier bag – and a lighter wallet! Her fingers itched to open the case for a better look – but she knew from long experience that it would be locked. She’d just have to wait for Reuben to appear and produce the key… unless he still kept it in the ornate ashtray on his desk, of course!
Grinning with excitement, Ruby dashed back through the shop. She knew for a fact that Reuben wouldn’t mind if she helped herself to a proper look inside the case. Coming to a halt in front of the desk, she instantly spotted the ashtray – exactly where it had always been.
‘Bingo!’ she breathed, grabbing the little key. She was about to head straight back to the case when something made her pause.
Ruby frowned. The key might have been in the right place… and the old desk was definitely the same one… but instead of Reuben’s ancient ledger, there was a sleek-looking laptop. That wasn’t the only change, either. Instead of the usual pile of Reuben’s favourite murder-mystery paperbacks, there was a…
‘No way!’ she gasped.
It was an e-reader.
Ruby had nothing against them - she had two herself - one full to bursting and the other rapidly heading the same way. But the idea of Reuben owning one was… was… like a pharaoh using wifi. As for that computer instead of the stained book of numbers and fancy fountain pen…
Ruby frowned, her eyes flitting over the rest of the desk, searching for more clues as to what was going on.
‘Nooo!’ she gasped as they came to rest on a half-drunk cup of coffee.
Reuben drank tea, not coffee… and this particular cup was missing a saucer. What’s more, it had the Crumbleton Café logo on the side.
Ruby stared at the cup as if it was a dangerous animal, ready to attack. She could just make out the remains of a wonky dove in the froth.
‘Oli!’ she gasped.
‘That’s me!’ came a low voice from just behind her.
Turning slowly, Ruby came face to still-slightly-red face with the man who’d stalked her nightmares and her dreams for more than half a decade.
‘You!’ she gasped.
‘Me!’ said Oli, looking amused.
‘What the hell are you doing here?’ she spat, her confusion forcing her to go on the defensive.
‘Erm… well…’ Oli frowned, his face mirroring her own confusion as he ruffled his hair, making it stand up in dark, glossy spikes, ‘I kind of own the place?’