Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
@BabsTheScienceFictionFan: We met in the science fiction section of our local book shop years ago. His act of love is to buy me books I have been wanting to read for ages. Here’s today’s gift. Lovely coffee. #GiveLoveGetLove #LittleLoveCafé
@EmmaHappilyEverAfter: I was catching some rays on the beach, and he bought me an iced coffee. So happy and your flower wall is beautiful #LittleLoveCafé #GiveLoveGetLove
@DonnaThomas: Thanks to Alice at the #LittleLoveCafé we are getting married on Friday and she’s made a miracle happen. Money has always been tight for us and my cancer hasn’t helped. We thought getting married was going to cost more than what little money we have saved so we were on the verge of cancelling it - but Alice has saved the day. We can’t thank her enough and watch this space for our reception pics on Friday at the #LittleLoveCafé
N oah is sat by the door to the café as I walk in on Tuesday. To say I feel exhausted is an understatement. Lucas was ill all day yesterday. Dad was working so I had to sort Lucas out and battle my hangover. Today Lucas is brighter and at home with Dad. I, however, still feel rough.
‘Look, Alice, about the other day…’ His face is pale, and his summer blue eyes are pinkish and housed inside two purple rings. ‘I’m sorry about…’
My heart is beating so loud I am surprised he can’t feel the vibration. I don’t say anything and head towards the counter. He follows me. ‘We need to talk.’
‘You’re right, Noah, we do. You can’t kiss me like that and suddenly walk away.’
He opens his mouth, and our first customer of the day comes striding into the café. We both groan as the opportunity is lost.
On my break I head over to the gift shop to see how Esme is doing after our wine session on Sunday. As Lucas had been so poorly yesterday, I didn’t have time to go see if she was okay. I have a little niggle that she won’t stand up to Joy. Frankie and I spent years at school trying to make her do that, but it never worked.
As I cross over the promenade, I look up at the doorway of the gift shop and gasp. Esme is grinning at me and modelling a new sharp bob which grazes her jawline. It frames her face perfectly and accentuates her amazing cheekbones. ‘I did it,’ she cries out as I get closer. ‘I cut my hair.’
Throwing my arms around her I blink back tears of joy. ‘Esme, you look so beautiful.’
‘It’s made me feel different,’ she gushes. ‘Joy hates it.’ We both laugh and hug again.
‘I’m so proud of you, Esme.’
She ruffles her silky bobbed hair. ‘Keith loves it.’
‘Have you told Joy everything yet?’
Esme’s smile fades. ‘I haven’t told her I am not going with her yet. That’s going to take some doing.’
‘Small steps,’ I say, reassuringly.
She takes hold of my hand. ‘I want to thank you for what you said the other day about following my heart and lending me that amazing book.’
‘You don’t have to thank me.’
‘Well, I am going to keep following my heart and one day I will be the motorbike and not the sidecar. Wish me luck.’
‘Stay strong. I believe in you.’
I walk back to the café in shock over Esme’s hair transformation.
It’s not until late afternoon that things get quieter in the café. Noah waves me over to the counter. There are two couples sitting in, and they are both near the window so out of earshot. My heart thuds. He holds my gaze and then bows his head. ‘I got married five years ago.’
I gasp. ‘You got married?’ I can feel blood draining away from my face. Noah met someone who he loved enough to marry. My stomach nose dives towards the floor.
‘What’s the matter?’ He’s studying my face. ‘You look like you’ve heard someone has just died.’
I shake my head. ‘You got married – that’s a shock.’
‘Alice, you’re now a parent – that was a shock for me too.’ He flicks his eyes to his Timberland boots. We both go silent. I speak first. ‘So, you kissed me, and you’re married?’
He shakes his head. ‘Becky and I are separated.’
My mind is trying to work out what Becky looks like. I bet she’s tall, willowy, and blonde. Probably a model.
‘Did you and Becky have kids?’
Noah shakes his head. ‘No, I wanted them, but Becky didn’t.’ He takes a deep breath. He stops and lowers his head. ‘Becky looks like you. In the early days she had red hair like yours. She’s dyed it since then. When we first got together, I used to pretend she was you. It’s not been easy for Becky. We’ve not had the best marriage and…’ His words fade away. ‘She is also the daughter of my dad’s boss at work. Dad thought she was great.’
‘Oh,’ I say, ignoring the sinking feeling in my tummy. I used to pray that Dave Coombes would one day like me. It was hard having a boyfriend whose father didn’t want you anywhere near his house.
Noah fiddles with a heart-shaped menu. ‘Becky and I got married because…’ He stops and drops the stone. ‘Well, you know how persuasive fathers can be. Becky and I had some good times, but we argued a lot. We have spent half our married lives screaming at each other.’
‘That was just like it was with Pete. We could have represented our country in the Olympics for shouting matches.’
Noah doesn’t look up. ‘I was the one who told Becky I wanted to leave her. Dad’s taken it badly. We’re not speaking.’
‘Oh, Noah, I’m so sorry.’ I place a hand on his shoulder. ‘I know how close you were to your father.’
His eyes are studying my face. ‘I’ve always wanted to come back here and see you again. This sounds weird but you never left my mind. I know it’s been a long time and we’re both adults now, but I never stopped thinking about you. I knew I had to find some answers to the questions which have been in my head for years.’
‘What are those?’
His pink lips break into a smile. ‘I have spent what feels like a lifetime wondering what happened to you, Alice.’
‘Me too,’ I whisper.
He envelops my hand with his. ‘I wanted to tell you about Becky. I wasn’t sure how you’d react.’
I smile. ‘Thanks for being honest with me. How’s Becky doing?’
‘We’ve been living apart for a year. She’s okay and has been seeing a man from the next village, but I sense she’d like us to get back together.’ He rubs his forehead. ‘I know that’s what Dad wants.’
‘I’m sorry, that sounds stressful.’
His hand touches mine. ‘I need answers, Alice.’
‘Answers?’
His tanned fingers entangle themselves in mine and he gently squeezes my hand. In a flash I am back to being a teenager again. We’re holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes. Electricity is fizzing up and down my arm. ‘What happened to us all those years ago? We both have different versions of how we ended. I want to find out the truth and get to know you again, Alice.’