Chapter 17
A few days later, Ada left again for snow-covered plains and cute, cuddly foxes.
Milly hugged her as they said goodbye but was delighted to get back to work on the café.
Theo had understood Milly’s need to make the most of the time with her best friend, but it hadn’t stopped them sneaking kisses whenever they could.
Kisses that had left her wanting more and more and more.
Theo was, as usual, up and out early and often back late as he tried new recipes at the café, so the days with Ada had been spent shopping, exploring the cute homeware stores Copenhagen seemed to specialise in, and snuggling in for pamper evenings because Arctic conditions couldn’t be that conducive to plump, moisturised skin.
Milly felt like she was beginning to get a handle on the city’s vibe. Where London was busy, Paris romantic, Amsterdam trendy, and Venice mystical, Copenhagen was calm but stylish. There was a quietness to it that she enjoyed, the feeling of balance the Danish were famous for.
As she approached the café, happy to see a decent number of customers sitting outside, even on this cloudy day, she heard a frustrated mumbling coming from inside and it took a moment for her to realise it was Theo. She stepped in and found him crossly murmuring in Danish while kneading dough.
‘Is everything all right?’
‘No, it’s not,’ he said over his shoulder as he folded the dough into a neat square, pulling one edge over another. He turned and washed his hands, drying them on a tea towel slung over his shoulder. ‘Have you seen the comments on Instagram?’
‘I haven’t looked yet today.’
‘You might want to look now.’
She took out her phone and swiped to find a comment on their latest post. There was only one and as she read it, she burst out laughing.
‘You think it’s funny?’
‘I think it’s hilarious!’ She put on a deep, silly voice. ‘“I was going to come in but then I heard the worst rendition of Taylor Swift I’ve ever heard in my life, so headed next door.” Well, okay then, BentheMan16072. That’s fine by me.’
‘This is a disaster.’
‘It’s really not,’ she replied, unable to stop the giggle forcing its way out. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll reply now.’
‘Don’t!’ Theo tried to swipe the phone from her hand. ‘Isn’t that the worst thing you can do?’
‘Sometimes, but not always. I’ll just say I was trapped in the cupboard, and my bestie was serenading me until I could get out.’
‘Oh.’ He paused. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Definitely.’
‘It won’t have cost us customers?’
The concern on his face made her heart pulse. ‘Only poor old Ben the Man. I’m sure most other people will find it funny. Poor Ada really can’t sing.’
‘No she can’t,’ he said with a grin, leaning forwards and placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.
‘I like that,’ she replied, smiling at him before returning to the phone as he went back to his work.
‘There’ll always be the odd horrible comment on socials – trust me, I’ve had way worse than that before.
You’re going to have to just ignore some of them and put it down to a them problem and not a you problem. So what are you working on today?’
‘I’m trying some recipes for the spicy pastries.
I’m making a version of spandauer – the most traditional Danish pastry.
It’s filled with custard and I’m trying to decide what spicy kick to give it.
I want something that complements the sweet creaminess of the custard but warms the mouth in an unexpected way. ’
She loved hearing him speak about food. There was something truly sexy about a man who could not only cook, but who also loved to do it. As she didn’t have to hold back anymore, she moved towards him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He did the same, and she kissed him gently.
‘What was that for?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know really. I just wanted to do it.’
‘Maybe we should do it one more time,’ he replied with a cheeky grin.
She nodded her agreement. A second later, Theo suddenly pulled away, but whereas before he’d been worried and regretful, this time he was smiling.
‘I’ve got it. I can add the gentlest dusting of crushed pink peppercorns, which are the mildest, and maybe some ginger. ’
‘That sounds … well it sounds a bit mad, but I trust you. You know what you’re doing.’
‘I wouldn’t be so sure about that, but we’ll give it a try and you can test them and tell me what you think.’
As Theo went back to work, Milly set up the tripod and got some more footage for use on their socials.
With her regular posting, they were growing by a couple of followers every few days, but it wasn’t the scale she wanted.
She’d been lucky enough to have a few videos go viral, which had massively boosted her profile, plus, people had engaged with her, commenting and sharing their stories, but she knew that didn’t happen for most people.
For most others it was about consistency and finding what worked for the audience.
She was still figuring that out when it came to the café.
Which made her think that topic would actually be a great video for her own community.
‘I’m just nipping outside to film something,’ she said, and Theo nodded as he pummelled pink peppercorns in a pestle and mortar.
Outside, she moved away from the busy street and found a spot where she had the beauty of the canal behind her. Holding her phone up, she recorded the video, giving the advice she’d just thought of and after a quick edit, posted it. Now, back to work.
‘I need to decide,’ Theo said as she walked back in. ‘Whether to sprinkle the spices on top or flavour the custard. What do you think?’
She took a bite of a plain one he’d made, trying to decide. ‘I really don’t know. I’m guessing if you flavour the custard it’ll be a bit gentler?’
He nodded. ‘I’ll try that way first and then I can always sprinkle some more on top if it needs it. I’ll make some more.’
‘While you do that, I might call my mum. I haven’t spoken to her for a bit and she’ll be worrying.’
‘Go ahead. I need to nail this recipe as the centrepiece for our spicy breakfast event.’
She moved to the other end of the café. As it was only small, he’d be able to hear what she was saying, but she didn’t mind.
She’d move outside if any customers came in.
They wouldn’t want to hear what a difficult phone call it would inevitably be.
She hadn’t yet told her she was thinking of staying a bit longer.
She’d already emailed her company about extending her sabbatical and they were willing to give her another month, but that was it and it would be unpaid this time.
She hadn’t told Theo yet, but she would soon.
She’d been looking forward to some time with just him and hadn’t wanted to dampen the mood when they were only just getting some time alone.
She hadn’t told Ada either for fear she’d be locked in a cupboard again.
One thing she had been thinking about though was working with more businesses, just as she was doing with the café and that other business she’d been chatting to online.
It still seemed like a dream, but for some reason, now seemed like the best time to try it.
‘Hey, Mum. How are you?’
‘Oh, fine. You know me, always fine. So when are you coming home? It can’t be long now.’
Milly’s jaw tightened. ‘That’s what I was calling to talk to you about. I’m actually staying a bit longer.’
‘How much longer?’ The joy left her tone and turned immediately to worry.
Milly couldn’t risk Theo hearing and instead walked outside into the cool, cloudy day. ‘Just another month.’
‘And your company are all right with this?’
‘They are.’ She didn’t add about it being unpaid; that wouldn’t help anyone.
‘Are you sure this is a good idea?’ her mum said. ‘You can’t put your career on hold forever. What if something changes at work or your company decide they don’t want you back because whoever’s replaced you is better than you?’
‘Thanks for that, Mum,’ she said with a sardonic chuckle.
‘You know what I mean. I’m not saying you’re not good at your job, but these sorts of things happen all the time. What are they supposed to do if people suddenly decide they want an extra-long holiday?’
Milly gritted her teeth. She wasn’t just having a holiday, but it wouldn’t help to say anything. ‘Anyway, I just wanted you to know I’d be away a bit longer.’
‘Okay,’ she replied, her disappointment clear. ‘And how’s it going at that café?’ She said it as if the words tasted horrible and Milly could imagine her pulling that face she did when she didn’t like something.
‘Good!’ Milly brightened and told her about the cooking festival.
‘So you’ll be coming home after that then?’
She found herself copying Theo and pinching the bridge of her nose before adjusting her glasses. ‘A bit after that, yes.’
‘I suppose there’ll be clearing up and things to do afterwards.’
It was a begrudging sort of acceptance, and the best Milly was going to get. ‘You know, Mum, I really do like it here.’
‘It’s good to have a favourite holiday spot.
I haven’t been away for years, but when your dad and I were together we loved Tenerife or Grand Canaria, but that was before you were born.
And there’s nothing quite like coming home.
’ The mention of her dad sent a heaviness through Milly.
Her mum rarely talked about him; neither of them did anymore, and she wished the subject hadn’t gone there.
Without pausing, her mum continued. ‘And have you heard from Tom?’
‘No, Mum. I’ve blocked him.’
‘Oh, yes. Are you sure you’re done with him though? Could it have just been a mistake? I know it’s your life, darling, but I just want to make sure you’ve thought this through. There’s nothing wrong with having a nice comfortable life,’ Jane added.
‘I know you’re just checking, Mum, but I’d rather have a happy life than a comfortable one,’ Milly countered, and something dropped into position in her mind, another piece of this hygge puzzle slotting into place.
‘Yes, I suppose you’re right.’
Before her mum could say any more, Milly added, ‘Look, I have to go, Mum. Love you. I’ll call again soon. Bye.’
She hung up and went back inside, taking her notebook out of her bag and writing down what she’d just realised. Was that the real meaning of hygge? To live a happy life rather than an unfulfilled one?
‘Writing again?’ Theo asked, finishing his second batch of spandauer. ‘I’m starting to worry about what you’re plotting in there.’
She smiled, finally relaxing after her mum’s phone call. ‘It’s nothing for you to be concerned with. It’s for me. Like a diary I suppose, of things I’ve learned here.’
‘Is your mum okay? I saw you go outside.’
‘She’s fine,’ Milly replied, feeling how her body had grown stiffer. ‘Just her usual self.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘Nothing, honestly. She just worries.’ She checked her phone to give her something else to look at and gasped.
‘What is it?’ His voice rang with concern, but his expression softened when he saw her face.
‘I’ve hit half a million followers! I can’t believe it.’ She pressed her hand to her chest where her heart was racing. ‘It’s amazing.’
‘It definitely is.’ He came out from behind the counter and swept her into his arms, kissing her. ‘We should celebrate.’
‘Oh yes?’ He kissed her again and she could think of only one way she wanted to do that.
He grinned at her mischievously. ‘Let’s go out for dinner. You’ve barely seen Copenhagen at night and there’s somewhere very special I want to take you. You haven’t been to Tivoli Gardens yet have you?’
‘Nope. Ada mentioned it but we didn’t get time before she had to leave again.’
‘Good. I’ve been wanting to show you it since you arrived.’
‘You have?’
He smiled shyly.
‘Well, I can’t wait.’ She kissed him one more time and forced herself to let go. ‘Now go and get some work done. We need to work on the menu for the American-inspired sm?rrebr?d as well as the Middle Eastern flavours.’
‘Those I have ideas for already. I just need to do a few test batches. The pastries are far more delicate.’
‘Okay, but we need everything sorted as soon as possible so we can start advertising. Go and get baking and I’ll get some content for the next week sorted out. I’m going to concentrate on just the pastries this week to teach the algorithm that this is your thing. Next week we can do sandwiches.’
‘I’m very impressed, you know,’ he said over his shoulder as he moved back to the counter.
The compliment made her glow inside and out.
Yet the shadow of her conversation with her mum still clouded her mind.
Yes, she’d extended her stay but only by a month.
Her heart wanted her to remain here permanently.
To build a life here with Theo. There was no doubt she was falling in love with him.
Harder and faster than she had with Tom.
Harder and faster than she had with anyone.
Was she really going to let that go in such a short amount of time?
Maybe it was time to embrace what actually made her happy and make some changes to her life permanently.