Chapter 35
35
TUESDAY
Dee mentioned her idea about having a collection tin for the Artists’ Studios, and a wall display for their work to Andi when she arrived at the café the next morning.
‘I think that’s a great idea, I’ll run it by Moira when she phones me for a catch-up.’ Andi promised.
‘Thanks so much,’ Dee said. ‘I see we have our visitor again.’ She pointed over at Snowy, who had followed Dee and was now curled up in a chair in the bay window.
‘He’s made himself comfortable already!’ Andi remarked. ‘We might need to rename this place The Cat Café.’
Dee chuckled. ‘I think Moira might have something to say about that.’ She pulled on her apron, fastened it at the back, and set to work.
A few minutes later, Moira phoned and Andi went into the back to talk to her. ‘Moria’s agreed to the collection tin and the wall display of the artists’ work,’ she said when she returned.
‘That’s great. Thanks for asking. I’ll let the others know later. How is Moira? Is her daughter out of hospital yet?’ Dee asked.
‘She’s coming out of hospital tomorrow but she’s going to need help for a while. Moira is very worried about her. She said that it could be a few weeks before she can come back to the café.’ Andi unwrapped a loaf and started spreading butter on the sandwiches. ‘Are you all right to help out for that long or shall I get agency staff?’
Dee felt sorry for Moira and her daughter but working at the café was a much-needed solution for her current money worries. At least now she had a small income as well as a roof over her head for a few weeks. ‘More than happy to work here until Moira can return. It gives me chance to sort out my own situation.’
‘Brilliant.’ Andi took some ham and cheese out of the fridge, handing the ham to Dee. ‘We make a good team and I don’t fancy getting used to someone new.’
Dee smiled at her. She was surprised at how much she enjoyed working at the café, it had a real community feel. It made her feel useful and wanted, as if she had a part to play. And she was delighted that Moira had agreed to supporting the artists. She wanted to text Kenny and tell him straight away but the café was due to open in a few minutes and there was still a lot to do. She’d just have to wait until she had a break.
It was a busy morning. Snowy had become quite an attraction and many people came in to stroke him, ordering a drink and snack while they were there.
‘He’s good for business,’ Andi said with a smile as Snowy got down from his chair and went to join a young family, sitting very calmly while the little girl petted him. ‘I don’t know what we’ll do when Edna comes home.’
Dee didn’t know what she would do either, she’d really got attached to the little cat.
When the rush finally calmed, and they could sit down for a much needed break, Andi asked Dee how her evening had gone.
‘Really good. I’ve downloaded the app and got a meeting this evening with a couple who need someone to walk their dog. I’m so glad Kenny suggested it.’
‘It was very helpful of him. And to offer to download the app for you. Such a difficult thing to do,’ Andi teased.
Dee flushed. ‘He was just being kind,’ she said a little defensively. She didn’t want anyone thinking that she was hanging around with another man when she’d only recently broken up with Nigel.
Nigel didn’t even wait to break up with you before he jumped into bed with someone else.
The words flashed across her mind and she felt her cheeks flush. Heavens, what had prompted that thought, jumping into bed with Kenny wasn’t even on her mind.
‘Ooh, do I detect a blush?’ Andi cocked her head to one side. ‘Do you fancy our Kenny?’
Dee shook her head quickly. ‘I told you we’re old friends.’ She could hear the sharpness in her voice and saw the surprise register across Andi’s face. There had been no call for her to snap like that. ‘Sorry, it’s just that, well, Nigel and I were together a long time – and Margot was a very good friend of mine. Besides, I wouldn’t know what to do with anyone else. I barely dated before Nigel. I’m a novice as far as the dating game goes.’
‘Bless you, it’ll come naturally to you when you are ready to spread your wings again.’ She leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, ‘Besides, in my experience all men do the deed basically in the same way.’ She pushed her chair back and stood up. ‘Ah, here come the afternoon surge of customers.’
I hope I haven’t upset her, Dee thought as Andi walked off. She liked Andi, and she didn’t mean to make things awkward between them. She couldn’t help wondering though if everyone else was thinking the same thing about her and Kenny. Maybe she should keep her distance for a bit?
She was still mulling over Andi’s remarks when Kenny came in with Toffee. ‘How’s it going?’ he asked. ‘I don’t mean to nag, but I wondered if you’d managed to have a word with Andi about Moira allowing the artists to display their work?’
Dee clapped her hands to her forehead, she’d been so put out over Andi’s words that she’d forgotten to text Kenny about Moira’s decision. ‘Oh gosh, I’m sorry, we’ve been so hectic.’
He placed his hand gently on hers and she felt a flicker of… something. ‘It’s fine, I know you’re working. I didn’t mean to put any pressure on you. There’s no rush to ask her.’
‘No, no. Andi did ask her and she’s agreed.’ Dee filled him in as she served him his coffee and tea cake.
‘That’s amazing. I’ll let the others know. Thanks so much.’
She nodded, her eyes moving to the next customer in the queue. ‘Can I help you?’
She was aware of Kenny walking away and wished she had longer to speak to him. By the time she had a free moment, he had gone.
‘Excuse me, I wonder if you might like these?’ a young mum asked, handing her a pile of magazines. ‘I hate to throw them out and I thought maybe people would like to read them as they sat and drank their cuppas?’
‘Thank you. I’ll ask the manageress,’ Dee said, taking the magazines off her; most of them were women’s magazines but there were a couple of gardening and travel ones too. If Andi didn’t want them, she would take them home and read them herself, it would keep her busy in the evenings. Except this evening as she had to visit the Slaters.
‘Sure, let’s put them on the table with the condiments and cutlery, then people can help themselves. Anything that keeps the punters here longer.’ Andi grinned and Dee’s spirits lifted. She’d obviously forgiven her for snapping earlier.
* * *
After work she went to visit the Slaters. They were a lovely, friendly couple, and Betsy, their little dog, was a real sweetie, coming straight to Dee and allowing herself to be stroked. ‘She doesn’t do that to everyone, she knows a kind person when she sees one,’ Brenda said with a smile.
‘She’s gorgeous. How old is she?’ Dee asked as she fussed the little dog.
‘Almost eight, but she still has lots of energy.’ Brenda grabbed her walking stick to get out of the chair. ‘Let’s go for a walk now and see how she is with you?’
Dee was a bit taken aback. ‘Are you sure?’ she asked doubtfully as Brenda got to her feet, leaning on the stick.
‘I can walk, but I’m slower than I used to be. Betsy will need me with her, I can’t just send her off with you.’
She should have thought of that. Brenda hobbled into the kitchen and took a lead from a hook by the door. Immediately Betsy got to her feet, barking, tail wagging.
‘She always loves a walk. We’ll only go round the block.’ Brenda handed Dee the lead. Immediately Betsy ran over to her, yapping loudly.
‘Okay, girl.’ Dee stroked the little dog then slipped the lead onto her collar. ‘Let’s go for a walk.’
Brenda handed her some doggy bags and a couple of treats. ‘Whenever you call her and she comes to you, give her a treat,’ she said.
Dee slowed her pace to match Brenda’s and they walked around the block then over to the waste ground when she let Betsy off her lead. The little dog shot off happily, running around and barking. She stopped to do her business and Dee scooped it up into the bag, tied it up and put it in the bin provided.
‘See if she’ll come to you,’ Brenda said, so Dee called the little dog who came scooting over.
‘Good girl,’ she patted her and gave her a treat.
Brenda nodded her approval. ‘I think you’ll do nicely.’
They chatted as they headed back, Betsy walking obediently on the lead but stopping every now and again to sniff at something. Brenda told her how they had three children and five grandchildren, but they’d all moved away. ‘They can’t afford to live here any more,’ she said sadly. ‘There aren’t even any houses to rent, they’re all holiday homes.’
It was clear that she missed her children. ‘Do they visit you?’ Dee asked.
‘Now and again, but they’re all working and it’s a bit of a jaunt.’ Brenda sighed. ‘We’re okay, me and Stan, but we’re not getting any younger and things are getting a bit much for us. We could do with moving ourselves, truth be told, but it’s such an upheaval, we can’t face it. And it would take months to clear our house. We brought all our kids up there, the loft is full of their old toys and clothes.’
It was such a shame. No wonder Glenn and the others were so angry about the new development, Dee thought. It was affordable homes that were needed, not luxury apartments and shops. But the developers were probably looking to make an enormous profit, and that’s likely all they cared about.
Back at the Slaters’ house, Stan made them all a hot drink and she sat down to talk to them for a few minutes. She could see that they were quite isolated, only having each other for company.
‘How often would you like me to walk Betsy?’ she asked as she sipped her tea.
‘Maybe every other weekday and once at the weekend? Our garden is big enough for her to stretch her legs, but she does need a walk as well.’ Stan looked at her questioningly. ‘Would that be okay with you? If it’s too much, then whatever you can manage.’
‘That’s fine. I’ll come Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, if that suits you both? I’ll collect her when I finish work. And if I give you my number, you can let me know if you need anything from the shops, then I can bring it with me. I work in the café in the village so it’s no trouble to me.’
Both their faces lit up. ‘Oh, bless you, dear, that’s so kind of you. We do find it a little difficult to get out and about. Not that we want to complain, we have each other and our health even if we are a bit doddery,’ Brenda said.
‘It’s a pleasure,’ Dee told them. ‘I’ll see you on Thursday around six then.’
‘Perfect,’ Stan said, and Brenda clasped Dee’s hands. ‘You’re a godsend.’
Dee patted Betsy goodbye and set off home, her mind preoccupied. There must be plenty of other people in the village like the Slaters who need a smaller home, but didn’t want to leave the village. It was a shame this developer hadn’t chosen to build self-contained apartments for older folk, then the houses would be released for families to live in. Could they afford to buy them though? Could she, when the divorce finally went through and she received her settlement? Would she be able to stay in this village that she had – even in this short space of time – grown to love so much. Strange that she’d only been here ten days but she’d really fallen for the place, it had immediately felt like home. More than her house of thirty years did.