7. Chapter Seven #2
I breathe deeply and patiently stand behind a young girl decked out in her grey-green school uniform whose head reaches my chin.
I admire her sandy-coloured hair with the French braid for a second before I glance at the long line and patiently roam the bakery, settling in to wait until it’s my turn.
Roísin is behind the counter, along with a teenage boy with gangly arms and legs, and a pimpled chin and cheeks.
He’s focused on preparing a coffee from the steel industry-looking machine behind her.
I admire his dedication. They’re both chatting easily with their customers, never letting on that they’re stressed or busy.
I observe them for a little bit and shuffle forward a step as the line moves, looking up at the chalkboard hanging behind them and reading the offers of the week.
Even though I have a soft spot for the cinnamon buns, I’ve also tried their sandwiches and have my mind set on one of those as well.
The girl in front of me is up next.
“Hiya, Roísin.”
Roísin beams at her.
“Hello, Katie. How are you?”
“Good.”
“Aren’t you off to school today?”
Katie nods. “I am, but Dad asked me to get him a coffee and a chicken sandwich before he takes me.”
“Okay, I’ll just grab that for you, and then you can get on your way.” Roísin reaches for a pair of tongs and slides the glass pane to take out the sandwich, then shuts it again. With an ease I admire, she wraps the sandwich and then moves to the coffee machine.
Roísin raises her eyebrows. “Does he want his usual, pet?”
Katie pushes up on the soles of her shoes, then back down. “Yes, please.”
She huffs, deep frown in place. “Can’t you persuade him to try something less boring than plain black coffee?”
I chuckle low, not the least bit surprised Roísin asked her that. She seems unable to let go of her tendency to change the minds of her customers, because she does the same to me each time I come in. She’s hell-bent on convincing all her customers to switch up their coffee routines regularly.
“You know Dad.”
She sighs, the resigned timbre in her voice unmissable and cheerful at the same time. “I do, indeed.”
Roísin grins at me, then at Katie. The girl glances over her shoulder and smiles at me. It’s so catchy that my smile widens, sharing the good mood she’s put me in.
“My dad likes his coffee simple,” she tells me.
“I gathered.”
“Here you go.” Roísin places a lid on the large to-go cup and puts the sandwich in a bag. “Tell your dad that I’ll put it on his monthly invoice, okay?”
“Okay, I will.” Katie pauses, then turns back to me before leaving. “You’re the new detective, aren’t you? Maeve?”
I blink, surprised she knows my name already. “Yes, I am.”
She holds her hand out for me to shake. Her grip is firm for such a young child. There’s something about the shape of her nose and straight chin that’s familiar to me, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
“I’m Katie.”
“Nice to meet you, Katie.” I tilt my head in question. “Does everyone know my name now?” I joke, but nerves dance in my belly.
She shakes her head. “I don’t think so, but my dad says he knows you. Aidan Lynch?”
Oh, gosh. Aidan’s daughter.
“We’ve met. Once or twice.”
Katie smiles at me again and releases my hand. “Dad told me that you’re friends now. I hope you like Cloonmara.”
“I do.”
It’s not a lie even though I haven’t fully made up my mind if I like it enough to stay.
“Good.” She takes the bag and coffee with a soft wave. “If you want, you can come by the farm some time, and I’ll show you all our animals.”
“Oh, um…”
“I’ve got to go,” Katie interrupts, “or I’ll be late for school. Bye!”
Roísin lifts her chin and then shakes her head. I swivel mine towards her, the movement so quick that I almost get whiplash.
“What just happened?”
Roísin’s lips widen into a tooth-eating smile. “I’d say you’ve just gained a new friend.”
I gulp. “Isn’t it too soon to tell?”
She leans closer, and I mimic her pose. “That’s part of our village charm, Maeve. We’re friendly, and we make friends out of strangers easily.” She winks at me. “Especially the ones who need it the most.”
I lean away from her and push a lock of hair behind my ear. “I’m not used to it,” I admit, my voice soft. “But…thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Then she pushes off the counter again.
“Now, what can I get you? Please try something new for once. None of my other customers will let me browbeat them to live on the edge today, and I bore easily.” She pushes her fists into her sides, widening her stance as if she doesn’t care if the line behind me is growing. “Come on. Give me your best shot.”
My lips twitch, and I grin. “Surprise me with my new favourite coffee, please. And a cream cheese-salmon sandwich.”
Roísin beams at me. “You’re officially my new best friend. I’ll get right on that.” She grabs the tongs from earlier, but then glances back at me. “When’s your next day off? I’m dying for a girls’ night out in Cork.”
My phone pings with a text, but I ignore it.
“Um, I think I’m free this weekend, but can we make it a brunch and shopping kind of day?”
Roísin shrugs. “Sure, we can do that instead.” She points with the tongs to the leaflets lying on the counter next to me. “My number’s on the brochure right there. Text me with yours later?”
I pick one of them up and nod. “Will do.”
“Brilliant.”
The nerves have settled down, and relief at finally relaxing long enough to make a new friend sends warmth through me.
Well, maybe two new friends, but it’s possible Katie only talked with me to be nice. I’m not sure if there’s a protocol I should follow, but I do know that I should text Aidan and let him know his daughter invited me home, especially since she looked to be about twelve years old.
Or should I just ignore her invitation?
Wait, is it weird that a child wants to be my friend? Will people think it’s odd?
I mentally shake my head at my thoughts.
Roísin hands me my order and rattles off the cost. I swipe my card to pay and offer her a smile as I turn to leave.
I’m already getting tired of myself and my erratic thinking. I open the door, pulling it hard. Roísin’s words from moments before return to me, and relief surges through me. If she doesn’t think it’s odd, then I’m not going to, either.
Suddenly remembering the text I haven’t read yet, I pull my phone from my jacket and swipe the screen to read it.
FARMER: Katie told me she met you and invited you to the farm. Texting to tell you that I don’t mind. ?? Stop by when it suits your schedule.
I groan. It’s like he can read my mind even though he doesn’t know me. How the heck does he always have the right answer?
ME: You just saved me from my brain.
FARMER: What do you mean?
ME: I was off to start overthinking whether it would be okay for me to be Katie’s friend.
FARMER: Why wouldn’t it be? Katie’s friends with everyone in Cloonmara.
ME: Like I said, my brain being silly. Thank you for putting my mind at ease.
FARMER: Just being a good friend.
“Right,” I mutter. No need to worry about what he means. Aidan’s doing what he promised: he’s being my friend. Someone reliable who will be there if I need his help. But that’s all there is to our relationship.