Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
PETE
‘W hy do you look even grumpier than usual?’
Pete turned in surprise to find Libby staring at him from behind the café’s wooden counter. She was wearing one of The Limpet’s navy blue and cream aprons, and that annoying little-sister-smirk she’d perfected around the age of eight.
‘I’m not grumpy,’ he muttered, ‘just stiff. You would be too if you’d slept in a freezing cold van all night.’
‘Are you still going on about that?’ chuckled Libby.
Pete shrugged, his eyes returning to the café door, where they’d been glued for almost an hour now.
‘You know… I don’t buy it,’ said Libby, loading one of the cake stands on the counter with fresh pastries. ‘A bad night’s sleep doesn’t explain your obsession with the door – you’ve been staring at it since you came in. I swear you barely tasted that bacon sandwich I made you. And anyway, haven’t you been surfing this morning? That usually puts you in a good mood.’
Pete shrugged again. He wasn’t really sure what to say… because, as usual, Libby was annoyingly right. He had come straight from his morning surf session… but for some reason, it hadn’t managed to work its usual magic. The waves had been decent enough, but he’d spent quite a bit of time just paddling around, staring up at the sky.
He’d never admit it to Libby, but his head was full of the beautiful woman staying in his hut, and the fact that he’d probably made himself look like a total plonker with that stupid trail of pebbles he’d left for her.
Pete had got up and dressed at the crack of dawn. It definitely wasn’t natural behaviour for him, but he’d woken up feeling a bit like a good fairy had been at work on him overnight. He had no idea why, but he wanted to make sure Scarlett had a good day. For some reason, he wanted this random stranger to fall in love with Crumbleton Sands. So, he’d spent ages collecting stones, writing notes, and dotting them between the shepherd’s hut and the café.
Now, he was doubting himself. What had he been thinking? Scarlett would probably think he was a complete idiot.
Why? Why had he turned into a cheeseball all of a sudden?!
Pete let out a sigh, his eyes still trained on the door. He wasn’t sure why he was feeling so nervous. Hell, he didn’t even know the woman, and it wasn’t like this was a date or anything. All he’d done was leave a bunch of notes to help out a guest. It was simple hospitality—the kind of thing his parents had been trying to drill into him since he was old enough to carry trays at the café.
So why did his heart keep doing this irritating, skipping thing?
‘Now you look like you’ve got wind,’ said Libby, sounding amused. ‘Are you feeling okay?’
‘I’m fine!’ growled Pete. ‘Just… pay attention before you forget something important, like turning the coffee machine on!’
‘It’s already on, grumpy bear,’ she laughed. ‘This isn’t my first rodeo, you know.’
‘It’s your first time opening up,’ Pete reminded her with a frown. ‘But, if you feel like everything’s under control, maybe I should just leave you to it?’
‘No!’ said Libby. ‘Don’t go… please. I could do with the moral support.’
Pete grinned at her and nodded. ‘Okay. As you asked so nicely!’
Libby blew out a relieved breath.
Little did she know, Pete had no intention of going anywhere until he’d made sure Scarlett was treated to a breakfast fit for a queen.
That’s if she showed up.
‘Are you sure you’re alright?’ said Libby, her voice suddenly more gentle. ‘I mean… if you’re not feeling well, I can manage.’
‘Thanks, little sis,’ said Pete. ‘I’m fine. Nothing a good coffee won’t cure.’
‘Excellent, you can be my guinea pig!’ said Libby. ‘What do you fancy?’
‘Why don’t you line up one of everything? You probably need the practice while there’s no one else around.’
‘Good idea,’ said Libby, turning to the vast, gleaming machine. ‘Coming right up!’
Pete breathed a sigh of relief. At least that would keep her occupied and off his case for ten minutes.
He settled back in his chair, fixing his eyes on the door again. Much to his surprise, two seconds later, it swung open and Scarlett stepped inside.
The sight of her took Pete’s breath away, and it was as much as he could do to remember to smile. He hoped it looked casual and welcoming, but he had a feeling he probably looked more like a toddler on a sugar high.
Scarlett paused momentarily in the doorway, staring around and blinking as her eyes adjusted from the bright sunshine outside. Her curly hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail, and her shorts and tee-shirt, with that oversized man’s cardigan over the top, made her look nothing short of adorable.
‘Hi!’ said Pete, raising his hand to wave, and promptly feeling like a total dork.
‘Hey!’ said Scarlett, a hesitant smile playing on her lips as she made her way towards him, weaving between the empty tables.
‘Hi,’ said Pete again, struggling for words now that she was actually there. ‘I mean… erm… morning!’
Scarlett grinned at him, coming to a halt next to the table. ‘Thank you for the trail of breadcrumbs. I loved it.’
The gnawing sensation that had been plaguing Pete all morning promptly disappeared. ‘Thought I’d better use pebbles instead of crumbs… the seagulls would have scoffed them otherwise.’
Gah! Was he destined to keep making a complete prat out of himself in front of this woman?
Scarlett was laughing, though. A warm, genuine sound that made Pete’s heart feel like it had a helium balloon attached to it.
‘Frankly, I wouldn’t have blamed the seagulls,’ said Scarlett. ‘I get being hungry when there’s no breakfast around!’
‘Erm… yeah, sorry about that,’ said Pete, with a sudden twinge of guilt. ‘I was meant to make sure you had bread, fruit and milk… but unfortunately for you, I was too busy sulking about being kicked out, and I forgot.’
‘Wait… kicked out?!’ said Scarlett.
Pete wanted to face-palm. Again. His mum was going to have his guts for garters for letting that slip!
Before he could figure out a way to backtrack and put things right, there was a crash from behind the counter. Pete and Scarlett both whipped around.
‘Nothing to see here!’ called Libby, bending to retrieve the tray she’d just sent flying. ‘Everything’s under control!’
‘That’s Libby,’ said Pete, turning back to Scarlett. ‘My little sister. She doesn’t usually work behind the counter. She’s more used to running around, waiting on the tables. You okay Libs?’
Libby looked up and gave him the thumbs up, though her smile was somewhat strained. ‘Hi!’ she added, clearly spotting Scarlett for the first time. ‘Be right with you!’
‘Erm… have a seat,’ said Pete, suddenly realising that he’d left his guest of honour hovering awkwardly next to the table.
Scarlett sank down opposite him with a smile that made him grin goofily back at her. It was official—he had zero cool around this woman!
‘Here we go,’ said Libby, beetling towards them with a tray now laden with coffee cups. She quickly lined them up along the edge of the table. ‘Espresso, flat white, cappuccino and a latte. I’m Libby, by the way. Nice to meet you.’
‘Scarlett,’ said Scarlett, looking bewildered as she glanced along the line of coffees and then at Pete. ‘Expecting company?’
‘Nope,’ said Libby, answering for him. ‘I need to practice… so, I guess they’re your coffees now.’
Pete nodded. ‘Help yourself to whatever you fancy. You can help me taste-test them… unless you’d prefer a cup of tea?’
‘This is perfect, thanks,’ said Scarlett, reaching for the flat white and taking a cautious sip. ‘Not bad,’ she said with a little nod. ‘A bit heavy on the foam, but definitely drinkable.’
‘I’ll take that!’ said Libby, looking thrilled as she hurried back towards the counter.
‘High praise indeed,’ said Pete, with a little laugh. ‘The food’s pretty good too. I recommend the bacon bap, but have whatever you fancy—it’s on me.’
‘Seems like I should be the one buying you breakfast, if I’ve kicked you out of your home,’ said Scarlett, looking concerned. ‘Did I catch that right—is the hut yours?’
‘He wishes!’ Libby called from behind the counter, where she was now struggling to slot a fresh coffee puck into the machine at an awkward angle. She yanked at it, muttering under her breath as it refused to come free.
Pete rolled his eyes at his sister’s interruption. ‘Technically, the hut belongs to my parents, but I’ve been living in it for nearly a year now, ever since I came back from Australia.’
‘Australia?’ said Scarlett, looking interested. ‘What were you doing there?’
‘Surfing, mostly,’ said Pete. ‘And a bit of bar work to pay the bills. It was meant to be a short trip, but… erm… I was there for quite a while.’
He pulled himself up short, not wanting to relay his whole sorry sob story. Scarlett didn’t need to know about the great-white-shark incident.
‘And now you’re back in Crumbleton Sands?’
‘For the time being,’ he said, with a nonchalant shrug that didn’t quite match the twist of uncertainty he felt whenever he thought about his future. ‘Just until I figure out what’s next.’
From across the room, Libby let out a small cry of triumph as she finally freed the stubborn coffee puck.
Pete grinned at Scarlett. ‘Like I said, she doesn’t normally work behind the counter. Maisie wanted the day off for The Big Dip, so little sis is covering for her.’
‘I’m getting the hang of it!’ Libby insisted, the desperation in her voice belying her words as she fumbled with a milk jug.
Scarlett glanced between Pete and the struggling Libby, then carefully set her coffee down. ‘You know, I don’t think I’m in the mood for bacon. Is it okay if I grab myself a pastry?’ she said, getting to her feet. ‘Save your sister from having to cook anything,’ she added in a low voice.
Pete nodded, but before he could offer to help, Scarlett crossed to the counter. He watched as she selected a couple of pastries from the display, popped them on a plate and added a napkin.
‘Where is everyone, by the way?’ she said, wandering back towards the table with a plate loaded with a chocolate croissant and a pain aux raisin. ‘I thought it would be busier with the swim today.’
Pete cocked his head, listening intently, and then checked his watch. ‘Hold that thought for about five more seconds…’
‘Huh?’ murmured Scarlett through a mouthful of pastry.
As if on cue, the café doors swung open, and what seemed like a tidal wave of people started to pour in.
Most of them were already dressed in swimming costumes, barely disguised by hastily pulled-on tracksuit bottoms or loose t-shirts. The empty café went from peaceful to packed in a matter of seconds.
Pete glanced over at Libby. She was frozen behind the counter, her eyes wide with alarm as she took in the sudden influx of customers. She looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights.
‘Oh, blimey,’ Pete muttered. He turned to Scarlett with an apologetic smile. ‘Enjoy your breakfast—I’d better go help my sister before she has a meltdown.’
He reluctantly tore himself away from his cosy corner table with Scarlett and hurried over to the counter. Grabbing an apron, he yanked it over his head and swiftly tied the strings around his waist.
Libby shot him a look of relief.
‘You take the orders,’ he said. ‘I’ll handle the coffee machine.’
‘What about the food?’ said Libby, a slight tremble in her voice.
‘We’ll figure that out as we go. With any luck, most of them will want to wait until after their swim!’
Even with the pair of them working flat out, it didn’t take long for things to start spiralling out of control. The queue stretched right across the café, and customers kept piling in through the door. The room was full of chatter and laughter as people shouted greetings and caught up while they waited to be served.
Pete did his best to keep up, but the old coffee machine was temperamental at the best of times, and he was far from an expert. He fumbled with the frother, cursing under his breath as it sprayed hot milk across the counter and down the front of his apron.
‘Need a hand?’
He looked up to find Scarlett watching him with a mixture of amusement and sympathy. Pete hesitated, not wanting to drag her into the chaos, but another glance at the ever-growing queue made the decision for him.
‘Do you know how to use one of these?’ he muttered, gesturing at the machine. To his surprise, Scarlett nodded.
‘I worked as a barista all the way through university,’ she said, taking off her cardigan and stashing it under the counter like she’d worked there for years. ‘Do you have a spare apron?’
Pete quickly grabbed her one and did his best not to stare at the smooth expanse of toned stomach that made a brief appearance as she slipped it over her head.
‘You sure about this?’ he said, running his fingers through his hair.
‘Of course,’ said Scarlett. ‘Shift over.’
‘You’re a lifesaver,’ he said, getting out of the way.
‘Hold that thought until we see if I can remember how to do this!’ she laughed. ‘Okay, for starters, you’ve got it set too hot,’ she said, adjusting a dial.
Within a few minutes, Scarlett had taken full command of the machine. Her movements were sure and practised as she ground beans, tamped them down, frothed milk and churned out coffee variations with the confidence of a seasoned professional. Pete found himself oddly mesmerised by her efficiency, and for several minutes he just stood there staring.
‘Maybe you should take over from Libby and take the orders?’ said Scarlett, turning to smile at him before nodding over at his sister, who was now bright red in the face. ‘I’ll handle the coffees, and maybe Libby can sort out cakes and food, and wait on the tables. We’ll get through the queue faster that way.’
‘Good plan,’ said Pete, blinking stupidly as he surfaced from his trance. He quickly headed over to the till, earning himself a grateful hug from an overwhelmed Libby.
As the three of them worked together, they fell into a surprisingly effective rhythm, even though Pete kept stealing glances at Scarlett whenever he passed her an order. There was something decidedly odd going on. She looked so natural behind the coffee machine, bantering with his little sister as she collected coffee after coffee, that it felt like he’d known her forever.
‘She’s good,’ said Libby, bouncing up for another trayful of coffees to deliver. ‘Where did you find her?’
‘I didn’t find her,’ said Pete. ‘She’s the swimmer staying in my hut for the weekend.’
‘And now she’s running our café?’ Libby raised an eyebrow. ‘You know, you’ve been back in Crumbleton Sands for nearly a year, and this is the first time I’ve seen you look at anyone like that.’
‘Like what?’ Pete demanded, feeling his neck grow warm.
‘Like you look at a new batch of triple chocolate cookies,’ said Libby with a smirk. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t tell Mum and Dad. Yet.’