Chapter 19
Nineteen
I awake to the sound of the coffee machine whirring.
I am bundled in a blanket on the tiled floor behind the counter.
I just want to stay here forever. In this bubble of us and not face the outside world and what that means for us.
I turn to see the space where Sam must have slept but is now missing.
I dreamt of the wolf. His eyes have me captivated as I stand in that clearing with the moon beaming down on both of us. I brush it off. My dreams must be telling me the past and not the future. Maybe they feel muddled from last night’s antics.
“There she is…” I hear his silky voice from behind me.
I rise and cover myself with the blanket and turn to see him standing there, making coffee with a beaming smile.
His face is so kind and gentle, but his eyes have that flicker of animalistic danger that makes me feel safe and not at the same time.
He is simply perfect. On paper and in person.
If only I had met him before. Years ago, before I met Greg.
I would give anything for that to be my story.
“Now, not to rush you but my nana will be here in about ten minutes to open, so you might want to find your, erm, clothes.” He still has that cheeky smile plastered on his face.
I look at the clock on the wall. It’s 5:40 am. Gloria opens at 6 am.
I rush to my legs. They are still shaken from last night, so I wobble like a fawn as I stand. I take a moment and wiggle my aching thighs. Sam lets out a laugh as he looks at me. I shoot a scowl at him, and he holds his hands up in submission.
I scramble around the mass of blankets trying to find my clothes that we tore off. I grab my leggings and bra and jumper and quickly put them on. I gather the blankets off the floor and fold them back into the blanket basket near the window.
Sam passes me a coffee, and I sit on one of the tables near the counter.
He leans on the counter on his elbows and takes a sip.
The silence between us whispers a thousand words. There’s so much to say but we both stay silent. I’m unsure what to say or what to do right now. So, I enjoy this last bit of quiet between us where the world doesn’t exist.
A key jangles in the door outside and opens, letting in the morning cold and dark sky that will soon be awakening with the rest of the sleeping village.
Gloria bundles in with a sleepy Lola in her coat and uniform. She stops and looks at Sam and then to me. Then back at Sam.
Lola runs to my table and throws her little arms around me.
Sam slides coffee to his nana who is hanging her coat up and looking at him with suspicion in her eyes.
I feel like I am about to be told off.
“Early morning walk, was it?” she questions Sam, taking a sip of her coffee and raising her suspicious eyebrow.
“Just doing my grandsonly duty of opening the cafe early for you. Save those precious hands from working too hard.” He gives her a side cuddle and kisses her head.
“Mmmm, I’m sure that is the reason, not free coffee and oh, I can see the chocolate cake has been eaten for breakfast? Or dinner?” She looks at me and back at Sam. My face is red hot and I am sure my cheeks will match. Sam just laughs and cuddles her closer.
“Harri was hungry, and as you have always taught me to, I was being hospitable,” he teases.
She smiles and taps her hand on his stomach. “I am sure it was Harri and not you. Honestly, Harri, this boy eats me out of house and home.”
Thank God, she is not dragging it out. That could have gone a lot worse.
“Right.” She claps her hand together. “Since you now owe me one chocolate cake, you can take Lola to Hannah and Lois’s and then come back and help with the cleaning before work. That OK?”
“Sure, Nana.” He kisses the top of her head again and turns to me and Lola sat at the table. “Come on, Stink, let’s go.”
Lola grabs my arm. “Will you come too?”
I look at Sam for approval. I don’t need it, but I also don’t want to intrude on his time with her.
He smiles and nods slightly letting me know it’s OK.
“I’d love to,” I chirp. “I need to head home to… Oh God… the shop! I need to open the shop! It’s Monday! I only have a few days left working for him and I have forgotten!” Panic sets over me. I was so wrapped up in me and Sam I forgot my commitment to Jim and the shop!
“Hey, hey,” Sam says soothingly. “I have already asked Pete to cover. Told a little lie that you were feeling a bit ill. He was happy to do it. Think he feels it is payback for the other night.”
“Why, what happened the other night?” Gloria chimes in for the juicy titbit of gossip.
“We caught him and my aunt,” I sheepishly answer.
“Doing?” She raises her suspicious eyebrow once again with a slight smirk on her face.
“Having a bit of a snog.” I smile.
“Well, finally!” Gloria exclaims throwing her hands in the air. “It has been a long time coming those two. Glad a bit of whiskey and Halloween spurred them on to finally give in to what we all knew was there.” She heads into the back to start prepping for the day.
“Well then, I guess I am free to walk you.” I smile at Lola. She grabs my hand and pulls me towards the door like an excited Labrador.
Sam, Lola and I walk hand in hand to Hannah and Lois’s, the sky now a gorgeous colour swirl of oranges and red.
Lola’s hand is held tightly in my own as she tells Sam and I all about what she hopes to do at school that day.
Nothing but innocence with no fear or worry in her voice.
My soul longs for that feeling. To cut off the what is to come.
We make it to Hannah and Lois’s and Lola eagerly knocks on the door. Hannah opens, still in her pink fluffy dressing gown and cow slippers.
“Hello, my gorgeous girl,” she purrs at Lola. “Go on through.”
Lola trots off inside before running back out and giving me a huge hug. She turns to Sam and hugs him also before running back behind Hannah and into the house.
“Well, well…” She smiles. “What are you two doing up so early? Together.”
“Why would we be doing anything?” Sam tips his head and kicks a stick with his foot. I try to hide the smile that has now filled my face, but I can’t. Hannah looks at me and teases a smile back.
“You can’t hide it from me. It’s written all over your faces.”
“No idea what you’re talking about.” Sam’s jaw clenches into a smirk.
Hannah rolls her eyes. “You might not tell me, but she will, especially if I tempt her with wine and homemade cookies.”
“So, I don’t get cookies?” Sam jokingly puts on an offended voice.
“Mum!” a little voice shouts from inside.
“Saved by the bell, but this isn’t over, missus!” She points at me. “I’ll be seeing you later.” She sticks out her tongue and shuts the door leaving us both outside. Alone. Again.
The silence again feels awkward with words we want to say but can’t.
“So, see you tomorrow?” He brushes his hand upon his neck.
“If you want to.”
“I do.”
“OK then.” Our eyes lock.
Our breathing is slightly heavier.
“OK then.”
He leans in slightly. I follow suit and lean in as well. A moment to allow the tension to build against our lips. He kisses me. Soft and gentle. Different from last night. This was nurturing. Caring. Loving.
I step back and open my eyes. I can see Hannah and Lois now peering under the net curtain in the living room. I cover my face, and Sam looks to see what I was looking at. He laughs and gives a rude gesture towards them.
Well. It’s not secret anymore. That makes it more complicated.
He walks me back to the cottage, the morning sun warming our backs in the frozen air. I can’t help but feel nothing but happiness. This feeling, I never want it to end.
We get through the door and head into the kitchen where the sound of chatter fills the air. We walk in and see Jim and Aradia sat with coffee. Jim turns to look at me.
Busted. I am a hundred percent not ill. And he has caught me out!
“Ah, Harri! Aradia told me you had gone out for some fresh air! Nothing better than fresh air when you are feeling green.”
Aradia sips her coffee and raises her eyebrow at me. She knows I am not sick. But great auntie points for covering for me.
“I was just telling Jim how Sam and I thought a walk might do you good. He is a good boy, is he not?” She smiles at Sam with a twinkle of mischief in her eye.
Jim nods. “Oh yes, indeed. Fi and I always sing his praises to Gloria.”
We stand there like two school children, But I suppose to them and their life experience we might as well still be in a school uniform.
“I’m sorry I let you down today, Jim,” I wearily croak with my best sick voice.
“Oh no, it’s fine. You have done more than enough. I have come to tell you that I don’t need your help anymore.”
I feel a little taken back. “Oh, have I done something wro—?”
He cuts me off quickly. “Oh no, my dear, no, no. Well, you have done something but not something wrong. Since having time off from the shop, well, Fi and I… it has been fantastic. I forget that I am no spring chicken and with my darling wife’s diagnosis, time is precious.
I’ve decided to give up the shop. We have enough saved to live out our days on a couple of cruises, a few coach trips and just enjoying the time in our tiny home.
You, Harri, your generosity, gave me the opportunity to realise that. So, thank you.”
I blush. I didn’t really do anything, just a few shifts in the shop which I loved.
“It was a pleasure. I love that little shop.” I almost feel a little emotional with the closing of this chapter.
I knew it was not forever. I knew this was until I had to return to Greg.
But it has come so soon. “What will happen to the shop?”
“Well, that is why I am here. I have asked Aradia to take it over, with Pete’s help, and, if you would like to, yours.
The customers just love you, Harri. You’ve really earned your place there.
I know it’s not the big bucks of London, but if you are staying here in Brindlewood, there is a place for you. ”