Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
A s I leave the school gates after dropping Lucas off, I hear a shout and see Phoebe hurrying after me. Her face is pink and the curls at the front of her face are stuck to her forehead. ‘He’s invited me and kids to his house for tea and a playdate.’
‘Who are we talking about?’
Her eyes are shining. I know who she is referring to.
‘Liam. Didn’t you see him stood by me in the playground?’
I shake my head. ‘Lucas was having a meltdown because I wouldn’t let him look inside my purse. That’s great though. You’ve gone from hating him to going on playdates.’
She casts me an anxious look. ‘Liam’s little boy is an angel compared to Flynn. I’m already worried about Flynn’s obsession with opening drawers and cupboards in other people’s houses. He loves a good rummage through someone’s sock drawer. Do you think I should forewarn Liam?’
I shrug. ‘I always forewarn people about Lucas’s penchant for purses and wallets. If left unsupervised Lucas will come home with a wad of cash and a collection of cards.’
Phoebe and I both start to giggle. She links her arm through mine. ‘Some parents are raising future geniuses, sporting prodigies and celebrities whilst we’re raising future…’
‘Criminals?’ I say, and we both erupt into laughter.
I stare at the email from the Innovative Café Award co-ordinator and my heart skips a beat. My submission has secured us a judge’s visit to the café in two weeks. ‘Jake,’ I call out, ‘come here, quick.’
‘Congratulations,’ he says, returning from taking table four’s order. He comes to read the email over my shoulder. ‘Your submission must have been really good.’
‘It was a team effort, I just pulled everything together.’
He makes up an order for table four. ‘So, we have two weeks to make The Little Love Café great.’
‘Yes, hopefully we can put all our issues in the past and shake off the Heartbreak Café reputation.’
Once he’s made two Flirty Flat Whites, I deliver the order. The couple on table four are celebrating their recent engagement. ‘Here’s your coffee,’ I say with a smile, placing pink cups in front of them.
The woman has black hair which hugs her shoulders, piecing green eyes and enviable dewy skin. ‘This is not what I was expecting.’
‘In a good way?’ I ask, surveying the other tables to make sure no other customers are waiting to be served or need drinks.
‘Rachel, leave it,’ hisses her fiancé, casting me an awkward look.
The woman ignores her fiancé. ‘I must do this. My friend had an awful time in here a few weeks ago. She was really upset. I reckon you must have got rid of the miserable woman who ruined my friend’s engagement.’
My heart grinds to a halt. Was I that miserable woman?
The woman continues. ‘It was bad. Her fiancé did a live proposal, and this woman was supposed to record it. Anyway, she didn’t because she had issues and my friend’s been so upset.’
She’s talking about Michelle and Jason. That was me. In a few seconds I am wrapped in a cloak of guilt and shame. I was the one who ruined Michelle and Jason’s proposal.
The woman smiles and surveys the café. ‘I’ll tell my friend the miserable woman has gone.’ She turns to me. ‘Do you know what happened to her?’
I want the ground to open and swallow me whole. My stomach performs a nauseating spin cycle. Half of me wants to lie and say we got rid of the miserable woman. It would be easy – however what happens if Michelle comes back to the café and sees me? The other half of me wants me to be brave and take responsibility for my behaviour.
‘It was me,’ I say, as the woman’s mouth falls open in surprise. ‘You’re right. I did ruin your friend’s proposal and I feel bad about it.’
An awkward silence descends upon me, the woman, and her fiancé.
‘What are you going to do to put it right?’ The woman asks, as her fiancé hisses, ‘Rachel, stop this.’
‘Put it right?’ My voice crackles. ‘Well, would Jason and Michelle like to come in here for free coffees?’
To my horror the woman takes out her phone and taps out a message. Her fiancé is mouthing the word sorry at me and shaking his head.
‘Michelle says she would like to accept your offer of free drinks. She and Jason will come in soon. I think it’s right that you get a chance to apologise to them.’
‘Yes of course,’ I say, forcing out a smile, before hurrying back to the counter.
‘Are you okay?’ Jake asks, glancing at me.
I gesture towards table four and explain what happened with Michelle and Jason and what the woman said to me. Jake casts me an uncomfortable look. ‘You’re brave, Alice. I would have lied and gone for the easier option.’
On my break I head for the gift shop to see how Esme is doing. When I arrive, Joy is leaving the shop, arm in arm with Eric from the guesthouse. Joy casts me a huge smile. ‘Alice, how lovely to see you. Have you heard the news? We have sold the gift shop business.’
‘What? You’ve sold it?’
Joy nods. ‘Esme and I are leaving Blue Cove Bay to start a whole new life in North Devon.’ She playfully tugs on Eric’s arm. ‘I can’t wait. Can you, Eric?’
He laughs and shakes his head. Then they saunter off down the promenade. Esme is tear-stained and emotional behind the gift shop counter. She looks up as I rush over to her. ‘My nightmare has come true, Alice.’
‘Have you not told Joy you don’t want to go?’
Esme shakes her head. ‘I tried to last night, but I wasn’t strong enough. Joy started shouting about what Mum would say if she was still alive, how as twins we are meant to stay together in life and how she needs me for our new business.’ She wipes her wet cheek with the back of her hand.
‘Oh, Esme, I’m so sorry,’ I say, pulling her into a hug.
‘I don’t want to go,’ Esme sobs. ‘I’m a grown woman who can’t say no to her twin sister. It’s pathetic.’
‘Okay, what’s the worst Joy can do if you refuse to go?’
Esme looks at me. ‘What do you mean?’
‘What’s the worst that will happen? Joy goes off to North Devon with Eric and you stay here. Is that so bad?’
‘Joy will never speak to me again and I will feel guilty for the rest of my life.’
I rub Esme’s shoulder. ‘Joy has been horrible to you for thirty-seven years. She’s controlled every aspect of your life, and she’s also made you run this place by yourself. We both know you manage this place whilst she gallivants around Blue Cove Bay.’
‘Yes. True.’
‘I don’t understand how Joy not speaking to you and leaving you here is any worse than what you are going through now.’
Esme stares at me. ‘You have a point.’
‘Who is this buyer? This has all happened quickly.’
‘Joy put it up for sale last week without telling me. An anonymous buyer has made her an offer.’
I place my hand over Esme’s. ‘Be brave. Come on, Phoebe and I will be here for you.’