Chapter 41
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
I t’s here, the day the judges visit. For the past three days Noah and I have been working hard to make sure the café looks its best and we have been trawling social media to find positive love stories from our customers to share.
Noah has been repainting some of the pinks walls where there are noticeable marks. They now look great. Dad has been a legend and stepped in to help Pam. They’ve agreed he will help on a temporary basis until her ex-husband can return to work.
I haven’t seen Esme or Phoebe although we have kept in touch on WhatsApp. Phoebe has updated us on her mystery letter sender and apparently, she must meet them today at a secret location which will be revealed later. She and Keith have been spending their time in the bookshop searching through their book customer database to try and work out the identity of Mr Lavender. Phoebe thinks her mystery love letter sender is an older man who recently bought a book titled – The Joy of Growing Lavender . This has caused some debate in the bookshop as Keith believes the man is married and has just celebrated his wedding anniversary.
Esme has been a little quiet which has been worrying. Once the judges have visited, I am going to go see her.
We are an hour away from the visit. Richard is playing his harp and table four have just ordered two Flirty Flat Whites and two of Dad’s special chocolate brownies which have become quite a hit.
A couple enter the café and the man says, ‘Oh, Belinda, I think I love you.’
The name ‘Belinda’ makes me look at Richard. He’s scowling at the couple kissing each other while waiting for a free table. That’s his ex-girlfriend, the one who cheated on him. I walk over to Richard. My heart thuds. This could cause us a problem. ‘Everything okay?’
He grimaces and nods. ‘Belinda is here with her love interest.’
‘I know but I need you to stay strong as it is a big day for us.’
With a heavy sigh he nods. ‘I’ll try my best.’
‘I won’t sit them near you.’
I show them to a table at the opposite end to Richard.
On my way back to the counter with their order I look up to see Jason and Michelle before me. I knew they would come back to The Little Love Café, but I didn’t realise it would be today. We stare at each other for a few awkward seconds. I take a deep breath as it’s time to put things right. I outstretch my hand. ‘Please accept my sincere apologies, both.’
Jason shakes my hand and then Michelle does the same.
‘All drinks are on the house plus you can have two free brownies,’ I say, guiding them to a table.
‘That’s very kind of you,’ says Michelle.
‘Have a look and I will pop back to get your order.’
Noah smiles at me. ‘Is that the couple who were annoyed when you stopped filming their proposal?’
I nod. ‘I feel good for apologising and their drinks and cakes are free.’
Noah points towards Richard and his harp. ‘Is he crying whilst playing his harp?’
I gasp and look across at an emotional Richard. ‘Oh God, visible heartbreak is the last thing we need.’
I hurry over to Richard. ‘Let’s go get some fresh air.’
He looks up and nods.
After guiding him outside I listen to him tell me about how Belinda hurt him and how painful it is to see her with her new love interest. ‘Richard, I know how you feel. A few weeks ago, I was like you. Do you know what I learnt?’
He shrugs.
‘Heartbreak does hurt us, but it also can redirect us in life. Maybe heartbreak is telling you Belinda wasn’t right for you.’
‘She didn’t like my harp music.’
‘That’s a huge part of you, Richard. Don’t you want to be with someone who likes every part of you?’
He nods and a faint smile appears on his face.
‘Richard, I need you today. This café needs you.’
We walk back into the café. Noah looks up and gestures to me that new customers have entered. I turn around to see Joy and Eric. She beams at me. ‘We’re here to celebrate our two-month anniversary.’
I smile and show them to a spare table. Joy looks up at me once they are both seated. ‘This is also a farewell celebration as we’re leaving Blue Cove Bay.’ She grins at Eric. ‘Me and Eric are running away to start a new life together.’
Eric nods. ‘With your sister too.’
Joy frowns. ‘Yes, and Esme.’ The way she says it is like Esme is an afterthought. Anger at Joy bubbles inside me. The urge to spill a drink over Joy is strong. I find myself willing her to have a milkshake so I can tip it over her. They order two cappuccinos and as I walk back cursing her, I hear Frankie’s words in my head. ‘Control your emotions, Alice.’ He’s right. Getting angry at Joy today will not help my award submission.
We are half an hour away from the judge’s visit. I am nervous and Noah is too. A few couples from yesterday have shared happy selfies and I have added them to our social media stories.
I’m loading up a tray when I hear a familiar laugh behind me. I turn around to see Phoebe and Liam. She grins. ‘Guess who turned up at my secret location – outside The Little Love Café.’ She points to Liam. ‘He was also receiving lavender-scented love letters.’
‘So, Phoebe, this is Mr Lavender? Nice to meet you Liam.’
‘I guess so,’ he says, with a smile. ‘I’ve been hoping, well praying, Phoebe was my secret admirer.’
Phoebe turns to him with a look of surprise. ‘Really?’
Liam nods. ‘Yep, although we were going to have to talk about your love of scented letters.’
They both giggle. I notice how he’s giving her an adoring gaze. They will make a beautiful couple. I like the way her curly fringe is gently tousled and parted in the middle of her forehead and her curls are bouncing off her shoulders. She is stunning, and he is tall and striking.
‘Let’s get you both to a table.’
Phoebe is surveying the café. ‘It’s quite nice in here. I love the harp.’
I give Richard, who looks happier, a wave. ‘Yes, he was a great find. Have a seat, both of you, and I will be back to take your order.’
As I am clearing away table two’s cups and plates, someone hurries past my shoulder. I look up and I spot Esme marching over to Joy’s table. An uncomfortable feeling takes hold of me as I spot Esme’s stern expression. ‘Joy, I have something to say,’ Esme announces in a loud voice. Joy turns around to smile at her sister.
‘Oh God,’ I mutter. The judges will be here any minute. I hurry over to Joy’s table.
‘I’m not coming to Devon with you.’
Joy’s smile evaporates and conversation in the café quietens. All eyes are on Joy and Esme.
Joy replies, ‘I’m sorry, Esme, what did you say?’
Esme clears her throat. ‘I’m staying in Blue Cove Bay. You can go to Devon on your own. This is my life and I am going to live it the way I want to live it.’
A look of thunder passes over Joy’s face as Noah comes up behind me. ‘The judges are outside.’
I need to defuse the situation. Taking Esme’s elbow, I lead her away. ‘Come with me. This is not the time or the place.’
‘But…’ she says, as Joy rises from her seat.
I guide Esme past the counter and to the back of the café where the paint tins are. ‘Stay here,’ I bark.
I meet Joy head on as she marches towards me. ‘Where’s my sister?’
‘Not now, Joy. Please sit down.’
She tries to barge past me, and I block her with my foot. Leaning in close to her, I hiss, ‘Leave your sister alone. You’ve done enough damage to her over the years. Go sit back down with Eric.’
Joy stops and stares at me.
I give her my hardest stare. ‘Joy, I said go sit back down.’
To my amazement she turns and makes her way back to her seat.
Noah and I greet the man and the woman judge on the steps. ‘Hi and welcome to The Little Love Café.’
We lead them into the café as Richard plays his best piece of harp music. I guide them to a special table in the corner and offer them both a heart-shaped menu.
Noah and I nervously survey the café while they look at their menus. I spot the couple at table six in the far corner casting each other cold stares. Nudging Noah, I point them out. ‘Offer them free brownies,’ I whisper. To my relief Dad’s brownies seem to stall their agitation with each other.
The judges enjoy their drinks, and they love Dad’s brownies. Once they’ve finished, they ask me a series of questions about the café and Frankie. After the last question has been answered they thank me for my time and tell me they will be in touch. The woman turns to me as I lead the way out. ‘Have you seen your social media today?’
I gulp. Has something happened that I don’t know about? Has someone complained? My heart beats like a drum. Has Heartbreak Café been trending again?
Noah appears behind me. ‘Yes, we have and we’re over the moon.’
I turn to Noah, and he gives my shoulder a reassuring rub.
Once the judges have left, Noah takes out his phone and shows me Rocco Reid’s Instagram post. It’s a photo of him with his arm around a young woman with a little girl on her hip. The caption reads:
A few weeks ago I got into difficulty. I was rescued by Alice Hiddleston from The Little Love Café. Not only this but she made me realise that a celebrity life is not for me and that I should be with this one @FreyaHicks – the only girl I have ever loved. Freya has agreed to be my girlfriend. My next film – Always You – will be my last as I want to be with Freya. I know you will all support me and give Alice and all her team at The Little Love Café some love. Rocco x
‘Our little café is trending for all the right reasons,’ says Noah, as he pulls me into his arms. ‘I love you, Alice Hiddleston.’