Chapter 31
Later that afternoon, Hannah looked around the coffee shop and decided that she was about set for the opening.
Alex had shown her the complicated coffee machine which she was hoping would become easier in time. The fridge had been stocked and all she needed to do was get up early to complete the baking of the items on the menu.
She looked around the café, pleased despite her nerves at how great it looked. Each table was set and laid with a small glass of wildflowers, which her mum had provided. The cutlery on the table sparkled and the turquoise chairs were the pop of colour that she had imagined.
But no décor could match the amazing view as the lake sparkled in the May sunshine outside.
‘So? Are you all set?’
She spun round to find Beth and Ella standing in the doorway.
‘What are you doing here?’ she asked, rushing over to give them a hug.
‘You’d think we’d miss the grand opening?’ asked Ella.
‘We wouldn’t miss it for the world,’ added Beth.
Hannah was tearily grateful that her friends had decided to come and stay that weekend as a surprise.
‘Besides, we have a surprise for you!’ announced Lily with a flourish as she joined them.
Hannah looked past her friend to where the door to the Boathouse Café was wide open.
‘A surprise?’ she asked. ‘An open door?’
Ella rolled her eyes. ‘Come outside and see. We’ve been working hard on your secret project all morning.’
‘You have?’ Hannah was amazed that they had kept a secret from her.
So she followed them outside and was taken aback to see an old bicycle leant up against the back wall of the boathouse.
‘Is this supposed to be part of the wellness stuff for the hotel because I’m not sure it’s particularly road worthy,’ she said, making a face.
The bike was full of rust, despite the pretty pale blue paint that appeared almost new. The basket on the front had been filled with flowers which did make it more attractive.
‘You’re not going to be riding it,’ Beth told her.
‘Then what?’ asked Hannah, confused.
‘Here it is,’ announced Lily, with a flourish, bringing out a large blackboard which had been hidden around the corner out of sight.
Beth brought out some twine and after a short while, the sign was fixed on the side of the bicycle.
Hannah moved around to view what it said. ‘The Boathouse Café. Come for the delicious cakes and tea, stay for the amazing views.’
She looked up at her friends. ‘Who did this?’ she asked, delighted.
‘I designed it,’ said Lily.
‘I chose the colour,’ added Beth.
‘And I wrote the sign because I’ve got the neatest handwriting,’ said Ella.
‘Yes, and let us do the painting,’ said Beth, holding up her fingers which were covered in blue paint.
‘I like to view myself as more management material rather than a labourer,’ said Ella with a grin.
‘So?’ asked Beth, turning to look at Hannah. ‘What do you think?’
‘I think it’s lovely,’ began Hannah. ‘Thank you.’
‘Why can I hear a “but” in that sentence?’ asked Ella, frowning.
Hannah shrugged. ‘It looks great. Honestly. I’m just a bit nervous, that’s all. What if someone doesn’t like one of my cakes?’
‘Then so what?’ asked Ella. ‘You can’t keep everyone happy 100 per cent of the time.
Say someone doesn’t like carrot cake. It doesn’t mean that it’s not a great carrot cake, just not for them.
That’s not a criticism. That’s just a personal preference.
Like the way that I don’t like wearing pink.
Just me. Nothing against Beth’s skirt which looks great on you, by the way. ’
‘Isn’t it fab?’ asked Beth, looking down at her fuchsia miniskirt. ‘Found it in a charity shop at the weekend.’
‘You’ll have to be careful when you sit down,’ said Ella, with a grin. ‘Unless of course you’re looking for your next Mr Right Now, that is.’
‘Oh, stop,’ said Beth, blushing. ‘I told you that Jeremy and I are made for each other.’
Beth had quickly moved on after her relationship with Brad had been as disastrous as all her other romances.
Lily grimaced. ‘That guy from your work? He’s a bit old for you, isn’t he?’
Beth shook her head. ‘Not at all,’ she said briskly. ‘Besides, he’s so much more mature than my other boyfriends.’
‘So mature he’ll be needing a bus pass,’ muttered Ella before holding up her hand. ‘OK. I surrender. Go in peace with your old fella.’
Beth rolled her eyes.
‘Anyway,’ said Lily, looking back at Hannah. ‘Back to the matter in hand. I know what it’s like when someone criticises your work. It happened all the time when I was designing someone’s interior. It doesn’t mean that you’re no good, just that they don’t share the same taste as you.’
‘Literally in this case,’ added Beth.
‘So you need to grow a rhinoceros skin,’ said Ella.
‘Not necessarily,’ said Lily. ‘Hannah can’t change completely who she is.’
‘I hate that you’ve got no confidence in yourself,’ said Beth, coming over to give her a hug. ‘Especially because you’re so amazing.’
Hannah shrugged off the praise almost immediately. ‘Yes, but…’ she began.
‘Listen, we all know that you can be overly sensitive at times,’ said Lily, interrupting her. ‘It makes you a great friend with empathy and compassion. You’re loving and loyal.’
‘But you take things too personally,’ added Ella. ‘Make some practical goals for yourself. Look at what you’ve achieved so far.’ She held up her hand. ‘And before you say that the business might fail, the summer season is only just beginning.’
‘Exactly,’ said Beth, nodding in agreement. ‘This could be your best summer ever.’
‘In the meantime, we’ve got your back and your front too,’ said Lily, as they all came forward as one unit.
Enveloped in a group hug, Hannah found herself grateful for the support of her best friends, whatever happened in the future. She just hoped that they were right and that the café would be the success that everyone was hoping for.