Chapter 37
ALICE
‘Looks like the right place.’ I take out a piece of chewing gum, offering one to Spence as we stand outside the grocery shop. Cartons of fresh herbs, fruit and veg all spilling out of their containers.
‘Ready?’ he asks, taking one. My body is humming. It’s strange – I already feel like I know the woman I’m about to meet. The street is quiet, clouds hanging overhead, threatening rain.
‘As I’ll ever be.’ I step forward, pushing the door open.
A bell rings, and I’m immediately hit with the smell of warm fruit, the earthy base note of soil.
The walls are soft pink, like bubblegum just before it pops.
Along the walls are shelves with pictures and ornaments, and a rotary hanger filled with gift cards.
The back wall is made up of glass doors, fridges filled with cheese, milk, cold cuts.
Along the other side are an array of cupcakes.
It’s like walking into a warm hug, all the daily essentials that make this more than a grocery shop – this is a place where people come to meet.
At the back is a small alcove, where a handful of people are drinking coffee and tea, plates with pastries sitting in front of them.
I lean into Spence. ‘This is the right place. A Slice of Life, she said. It’s exactly as he described in his letter, the shop that was more than fruit and veg. ’
I cast my eyes towards the counter at the back, towards a man who looks to be in his early seventies, laughing loudly and folding over a brown paper bag.
Spence gives me a nod, and I move closer.
‘What can I do you for?’ he asks, with a broad smile that crinkles around his eyes behind thick lenses.
‘Hi!’ I clear my throat, looking down at a punnet of cherries. ‘I’ll have 500 grams of those please.’
‘Just in season, had some of these myself. Her indoors does a cracking cherry pie.’ Spence nudges me with his elbow as I stand there with a manic smile on my face. I look around, trying to glimpse a woman who might be Kate.
‘I’m… actually looking for someone,’ I say as he whips the top of the bag round. ‘Kate?’
‘No can do, I’m afraid. It’s her day off.’ My stomach sinks. I glance to his name badge: Bobby.
‘I… Would you be able to give her a message? I’m just in town for the day and I would love to speak to her. It’s about someone she used to know. Michael Jones?’ His hand pauses as he passes the bag towards me.
‘Not heard that name for a while.’ There is something in his tone, not quite defensive but more… curious. ‘Why would you be asking about him?’
‘I…’ The words clog at the back of my throat.
Spence jumps in. ‘We’ve found something that we think belonged to him.’
Bobby passes the card reader to me, and I fumble with my purse, tapping the card.
‘Can I leave my number? I’d really like to talk to Kate if she wouldn’t mind?’
He watches as I take out a pen and write down my number. My hand is shaking as I pass it across. Bobby takes it; there is a scar across his palm, and I fleetingly wonder how he got it. He glances down at my details over his glasses, then puts it inside the till.
‘Will do.’ He smiles again. ‘Anything else I can get you?’
‘No, that’s it for now. And thanks,’ I say over-enthusiastically. ‘They look delicious!’
Spence eyes the alcove at the back. ‘Coffee smells good.’
I take the hint.
‘All this talk of cherry pie is making me hungry!’ I add, ridiculously overstating the plan to stay in the shop.
Bobby nods and turns towards the next customer.
‘Subtle,’ Spence says from the corner of his mouth. ‘You’d make a terrible actress.’ I follow Spence towards the back; the radio is playing softly in the background. Behind the small counter is a girl in her late twenties. She steps back as a blast of steam comes from the coffee machine.
We order a couple of lattes. The barista is pretty; her nose stud catches the light. ‘Take a seat, I’ll bring them over.’ We sit at a small table in the corner.
My eyes linger on the walls. Generic pictures dominate, but something about the one behind Spence catches my eye. It’s a portrait. Before I know what I’m doing, I’m on my feet. The sounds of the cafe fall beneath the beat of my heart pounding in my ears.
‘Al?’
I lean towards the wall, finger touching the glass.
‘That’s Granny Kate,’ the girl says, placing the cups on the table.
Granny Kate.
‘She’s beautiful.’
‘Aye, she is.’ She smiles.
‘I…’ I turn to her. ‘I was actually looking for her. I have something… from a long time ago.’
‘Oh! Well, it’s her day off. But I can give her a bell if you like?’
I nod enthusiastically.
‘Who shall I say is looking for her?’ Her hands are already digging out her phone from her green apron pocket.
‘Alice.’ I wait a beat. ‘Tell her it’s Alice. And I’d like to talk to her about Michael.’