Chapter 42
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
E sme, Phoebe, and I are all sat on a bench on the promenade watching tourists bob about on giant inflatables in the sea. After the judges left, I rescued Esme from the back of the café, and we came here. Phoebe has just joined us.
‘I’m sorry I nearly ruined your big day,’ says Esme. ‘The courage to go tell Joy hit me and before I knew it, I was marching over to the café.’
I take her hand and give it a gentle squeeze. ‘You didn’t ruin it. Everything worked out in the end.’
Esme nudges Phoebe. ‘How’s Liam?’
‘Gorgeous,’ giggles Phoebe. ‘When I saw him waiting outside the café holding his scented envelopes, it felt like I had won the lottery.’ She lets out a comedy sigh. ‘He can play his music as loud as he wants.’
We all erupt into giggles. ‘What I don’t understand,’ she says, ‘is that if I never sent Liam those letters and he never sent me letters – who has been playing matchmaker?’
Esme and I both casually shrug and look away.
Phoebe takes Esme’s other hand. ‘Any news on the buyer of the gift shop?’
Esme shakes her head. ‘No, I guess this part of my life is coming to an end.’
I turn to Esme. ‘What made you tell Joy today? Did something trigger you?’
Esme nods. ‘Joy was lecturing me on what I was going to be expected to do in the new business.’
‘I take it she wants you to do everything?’ Phoebe asked, before rolling her eyes.
Esme grins and turns to Phoebe. ‘How did you guess?’
We all smile and go back to watching the people in the sea.
‘I decided after she left that I’d had enough,’ explained Esme.
Phoebe nudges Esme. We all turn to see Joy and Eric walking towards our bench.
‘Oh, no,’ groans Esme. ‘I’m going to have to be brave again.’
I squeeze Esme’s hand. ‘Your future happiness depends on it. You can do this.’
Joy’s face is shadowy and taut. ‘Esme, I’d like a word please, in private.’
Esme casts me and Phoebe a worried look. As she rises from the bench I grab her hand. ‘Stay strong.’ I watch her walk behind Joy who is stomping towards the gift shop. Without hesitation or thought, I am on my feet and chasing after Esme. She turns to see me behind her. ‘Esme, you need a friend.’ I look at Joy who is stood by the door of gift shop and glaring at me. ‘Joy – you can say whatever it is you need to say to Esme to me as well.’
‘Alice, this is a private family matter,’ hisses Joy.
Esme shakes her head. ‘I want Alice to hear what you’re going to say.’ She laces her fingers through mine, and I give them an encouraging rub.
‘And me too,’ says Phoebe coming to stand by Esme’s other side. ‘We’d all like to listen to how you are going to try and manipulate Esme into going to North Devon with you and running your new business while you do posh lunches with Eric.’
Joy looks at us one by one. ‘Esme, please stop this. We’re family…’
Esme shakes her head. ‘Alice and Phoebe are my new family now, thanks, Joy. As I said in the café, I am not coming with you to North Devon.’
‘You can’t do this to me,’ cries Joy. ‘I need you. Esme, you’re my twin sister.’
Esme stands a little taller and looks directly at Joy. ‘I am your twin sister but that doesn’t mean we have to live the same lives, wear our hair the same, live in the same town and run a business together. I am finally becoming the person I have always wanted to be. Last night I applied to foster cats for a local charity, and it made me feel so happy. I have a male friend who takes me out on day trips and makes me laugh. I also live in my hometown, Blue Cove Bay, and I am happy about that.’
I am blinking away tears of pride for my friend Esme. To hear her say all this is lighting me up inside.
‘You’ll regret this,’ snaps Joy. ‘When I get in Eric’s car tomorrow with all my stuff you will come rushing out and beg me to take you with me.’
‘I don’t think she will,’ says Phoebe. ‘I think Esme will be happier than ever once you leave Blue Cove Bay.’
Joy mutters something under her breath.
‘Is that all, Joy?’ Esme asks.
‘I’ll come over tonight to say goodbye,’ sneers Joy, ‘when you are on your own and I can talk some sense into you.’
Esme gasps and before she can say anything I look at Joy. ‘Esme is staying with me tonight, Joy, so why don’t you say your goodbyes now.’ Esme rests her head on my shoulder.
Joy lets out a heavy sigh and goes into the gift shop, slamming the door behind her.
‘Did you mean that about tonight?’ Esme asks.
‘Definitely,’ I say, pulling her into a group hug with me and Phoebe. ‘You might have to sit through a Batman film, though.’
‘Don’t you want to spend the evening with Noah?’
I smile at The Little Love Café. ‘Noah and I have the rest of our lives to spend an evening together.’