Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
‘H ow’s Lucas this morning?’ Noah asks as I unlock the doors and open up the café.
A smile pulls up the corners of my mouth. ‘He had to have another bath before he went to school. That child looked like a walking art project by the time we got home.’
Noah laughs. ‘His hair made me smile. There was more paint in there than there was on his brush.’
After depositing my bag behind the counter, I set to work on making sure the tables are neat, tidy and all have a good supply of heart-shaped menus. As I wipe one table, I notice Noah is looking at me. This morning I decided to make an effort with my hair by curling it and I added a little eye shadow and mascara.
‘I enjoyed last night,’ Noah says, from behind the counter. ‘You were always doing volunteering stuff like that when we were younger.’
‘Me too. I used to enjoy everyone mucking in on a project when we were kids. Although you and Frankie always moaned when I made you do Sunday Beach Litter Cleaning.’
I can hear Noah chuckle. ‘No teenager wants to get up early to pick up crisp packets and plastic bottles.’
‘Oh, Pam came back and confirmed she will be able to cover the extra cupcakes for the wedding reception.’
He places his hand on my shoulder. ‘Good work, Alice.’
The sound of footsteps entering the café make us both look up. It’s the girl from last night and with her is the boy with the white earbuds. Her blonde hair is elegantly braided, and the boy’s messy brown hair looks like it needs a good brush. Both are wearing T-shirts, denim shorts, trainers, and have rucksacks slung over their shoulders. My eyes are drawn to how close they are standing. They both smile as I walk over to them.
‘Hello again. This place is cool,’ gushes the girl, fiddling with one of her braids. ‘I’ve never been in here.’
‘Why’s that?’ I ask, keen to know more.
She grins. ‘It looks like the kind of place my dad would take my mum when he’s trying to get her to agree to him going to watch the footie with his mates.’
Her male friend smirks.
She surveys the café. ‘It’s the kind of place I’d bring my nana though. I love treating my little nana.’
‘Your nana?’ I cast her a puzzled look. ‘Our friend who owns this place has tasked Noah and me with finding new business opportunities. He thought it would appeal to younger customers like yourselves. So, I’m curious about why you said your nana?’
She nods and looks across at the little pink tables and chairs. ‘I’m not sure teenagers like us would come here on dates. It’s too bright and sugary pink for us. However, I would bring my nana here.’
The boy surveys the empty café. ‘Yeah. I would bring my nana here. She’d love it.’
I cast them both a look of surprise. With a grin, the girl flicks one of her braids. ‘Teenagers get a lot of bad press. I can see why, I mean we stay out late, we don’t do our homework, our bedrooms are a mess, we are grumpy, we play our music too loud, and we shout at our parents. However, everyone forgets how much we love our grandparents. We love our nanas and grandpas. We love taking them out and treating them. You could run a Treat Your Grandparent type promo. I know a few people at college who would love that.’
I turn to Noah. ‘What do you think?’
He nods. ‘I like the idea a lot and it might help with attracting senior customers.’
The girl giggles and taps the boy on her arm. ‘I’ll get Georgia to bring her grandpa if you bring your nana.’ She turns to me. ‘We think Will’s great nana and my best mate Georgia’s great grandpa fancy each other.’
I smile. ‘Well, I love your idea. What’s your name?’
She outstretches her hand. ‘I’m Ava. He’s called Will. I’m also looking for some holiday work. I’m seventeen, I am a hard worker and I have been a waitress before.’
I like Ava. She’s bright and could help on a Saturday when we get busy, but she could also help with the wedding reception next week. ‘How about a trial on Saturday?’
Her face lights up. ‘You won’t regret it.’
‘You can help sort out our grandparent day promotion and we have a wedding reception in here next Friday? When do the Easter holidays start?’
She grins. ‘Next Friday and we have a teacher training day. I’ll be happy to help at the reception.’
When they leave, our first customers of the day arrive so Noah and I get to work. At the counter he leans over and says, ‘You’re like a different person.’
‘Really?’
He pauses and holds my gaze. ‘It’s like the old Alice I once knew is coming back.’
‘What was she like?’ I whisper, finding myself getting lost in his summer blue sky eyes.
‘She had all these big ideas, she loved organising everyone and she believed in herself.’
A ball of warm tingles shoots up my spine.
During my break, I go into the gift shop on the seafront to see how Esme is doing. Luckily Joy isn’t working so it’s just me and Esme.
She lifts her head from arranging a new collection of Blue Cove Bay mugs and smiles. ‘Hi, Alice, how are you after quitting your job?’
I smile and browse her extensive candle collection. ‘I went back. Noah and I have agreed to not discuss the past and I am trying my hardest to control my emotions. How are you?’
Esme shrugs. ‘Still the same. Joy is still intent on selling this place.’
After smelling a few of her candles, I move on to her range of vanilla and cotton cloud scented diffuser sticks. ‘What about you and your secret friend?’
Her face brightens. ‘He’s great.’ She takes out her phone. ‘His texts are making me laugh.’
‘Are you going to tell me who it is?’
Her dark eyes shine and for the first time in all the years I have known her, she casts me the biggest happy smile. ‘It’s Keith. He works for Phoebe.’
Seeing Esme happy gives me a rush of excitement. ‘Oh wow, Keith is lovely, Esme.’
She nods. ‘He makes me laugh, Alice. He takes me for walks on the beach, buys me ice cream, gives me book gifts and he listens to me. And my cats adore him.’
I rush over and hug her. ‘Esme, I wish Frankie was here. He would be so happy for you.’
She takes out her phone. ‘Every day Keith sends me funny stories about life in the bookshop. This week his stories have been about the guy called Liam who has moved into the shop next door.’
‘Ah, the record shop guy.’
‘That’s him. Well, every day Keith tells me about Phoebe and Liam’s arguments.’
I cast her a worried look. ‘Arguments? This doesn’t sound good.’
Esme grins. ‘Keith says he’s never seen Phoebe so fired up. She’s winning, though, as this Liam guy has turned down his music.’
‘Good for Phoebe.’
She looks up and spots Steve walking his dog along the promenade. I follow her gaze to where Steve is getting dragged along by his rebellious Labrador. Steve’s struggle to hold on to his dog is pleasurable to watch.
‘Why does Joy want you to get back with him?’
‘He plays golf with Eric, who runs the guesthouse. Joy and Eric have started dating.’
‘Oh, I see.’ I recall Frankie saying something about Joy and Eric.
‘Eric is selling the guesthouse. He’s moving as he’s bought a new guesthouse somewhere in North Devon. I think that’s where we will be moving to once Joy sells this place.’
I turn to Esme. ‘This all feels very convenient for Joy – doesn’t it? What about you, Esme, and your life?’
She bows her head. ‘My life is with Joy.’
‘Is it?’
She shakes her head. ‘I don’t have the strength to fight her, Alice.’
‘I didn’t think I had the strength to leave Pete but I found it. If Joy wasn’t an issue – what would your perfect life look like?’
Esme’s large brown eyes widen. For a few moments she doesn’t say anything, and I wonder whether I have pushed her too far. To my surprise she gushes. ‘Well, I’d stay here in Blue Cove Bay, I’d get into cat fostering as I have always wanted to do that; I’d find a job somewhere. Keith and I would go on day trip dates. And I would cut my hair.’
I smile. ‘Cut your hair?’
She nods. ‘Joy thinks short hair wouldn’t suit me.’
‘It’s your hair, not Joy’s.’ It’s then I remember Celia Black’s book, The Approval List. The book I’d read about the young woman who had lost herself after years of people pleasing her friends and family. She’d even created an approval list for any decision she made in life. Things had come to a head when the guy she fell in love didn’t perform well on her Approval List. He had tattoos which her mother hated, he had an earring which made her father complain bitterly, he was friends with the people her sister didn’t like, and he played football for the team her brother despised . The young woman decides to stop seeking approval and starts living her own life.
‘Esme, have you read, The Approval List by Celia Black?’
Esme shakes her head. ‘No.’
‘That book was transformational for me. It helped me so much when I was trying to please Dad and Pete. Let me dig it out for you. I will drop it in.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Esme, I’m positive. Just be ready for some life changes.’