Chapter 13
The tail end of the storm brought more heavy wind and rain. For the next couple of days, it hammered down, flooding the cobbles, splattering the windows. The incessant drumming sound was getting on Sasha’s nerves, making her grumpy and irritable.
Everything seemed to be going wrong. She’d spilled a packet of her best vintage Pu-erh leaves over the floor and then dropped a box of matcha cookies.
She overcharged a group of mums by mistake and two of them had already left her bad reviews.
She’d snapped at Annie when she’d shown her the reviews online, and now she felt bad about that too. Were Sasha’s people skills failing?
She couldn’t forget how Ben had walked out of the matchmaking interview before she’d even finished. It had left her shaken and insecure. Her confidence was rocked.
The quiet café gave her too much time to think. Few customers were braving the rain, apart from Klara. She’d bustled in around eleven for her usual matcha latte, but she was also in a foul mood. A few parcels had gone missing and she was annoyed with Leo, who she was convinced might have lost them.
‘I have readers waiting for the latest in this serial-killer series. If they order from instead, I will be the one turning into a killer! I phoned the publishers and they said they were despatched last week and should have arrived by now. The despatch link is saying delivered. There must have been a mix-up. They could be at the depot. Or Leo has delivered them to the wrong shop or house. They could be anywhere!’
Sasha tried to sympathize with Klara’s woes. ‘What does it say on the Royal Mail link?’
‘“Delivered to safe place”. Where the hell is that? I don’t have a safe place.
If I’m not in, they should take them back to the depot.
Did he put them under a bush or something?
Do you think someone’s stolen them? They could be getting drenched and ruined in this rain.
’ Klara was literally wringing her hands.
But Sasha found it hard to listen to Klara’s problems when all she could worry about was Ben walking out of her consultation. Was she losing her touch?
‘I’m going to ring the people at Royal Mail,’ Klara declared. ‘They need to find them immediately!’
‘Have you called poor Leo?’
‘What do you mean “poor”? He should have done his job properly. I already spoke to him. He insists he’s searched his van but I don’t understand how a whole delivery of books could have vanished into thin air. He was pretty short with me when I asked him to check again.’
‘Maybe it’s this weather.’ Sasha made a face at the rain bucketing down. ‘Everyone’s in a bad mood. We need some sunshine to cheer people up – don’t you notice how people smile more when it’s sunny?’
‘Tell me about it! Why – what’s happened with you?’ Klara finally took a breath and stopped ranting.
Sasha told Klara about Ben walking out on the matchmaking consultation.
‘We didn’t even get to the matcha reading. It was weird.’
‘So – he left the matchmaking session just like that? Walked out of the café?’ Klara narrowed her green eyes. ‘What exactly did you ask him?’
‘Only some preliminary questions, to get to know who he really is. The usual questions I ask everyone. I was asking him about his social media when he scarpered. I like to have a scan of people’s socials, see what people are projecting to the world. I guess he took offence.’
Nathan had come in to drop off a box of pastries. He caught the last of Sasha’s words and interrupted. ‘Ooo – so maybe he’s hiding drunk pics on his Facebook?’ he suggested. ‘Or dodgy opinions on Twitter? Does our dashing hero have a deep, dark secret?’
‘It could just be that he’s really private?’ suggested Klara. ‘Some of us wear our heart on our sleeve – mea culpa – but seeing a matchmaker is almost like seeing a therapist; maybe he’s not ready for a new relationship.’
‘Did you strong-arm him into a matcha reading, Sasha? I mean, I would!’ Nathan made an obscene gesture with his arms.
‘No!’ Sasha protested, cheeks burning. ‘Why would I do that? Blame Mollie: she keeps going on about how happy she is with Paloma, how Ben should consult me if he’s single .
. . She was practically setting me up with him – no, not like that, for a reading.
Maybe he was too embarrassed to say no. But Klara’s right – a matchmaking session is personal – like therapy – and my therapy skills need some work. I need to read up about relationships.’
‘You’ve matched some amazing couples. But it sounds like he’s rather closed off compared to your other clients,’ said Klara. ‘We all know and love you, Sasha, so we have no trouble opening up. It might be difficult for him.’
‘Could something have happened to make him more guarded? What do you reckon?’ asked Sasha.
‘Perhaps he was hurt in his last relationship. He could find trusting anyone – even someone trying to help him – hard.’
‘Is it me?’ Sasha asked. ‘My intuition doesn’t seem to work with Ben.’
‘Perhaps just get to know him a bit better,’ Nathan suggested. ‘Chat to him out of the café premises. You could go for a walk or something. Well, if it ever stops raining.’
Klara shook her head, her red curls bouncing over her shoulders. ‘It couldn’t possibly be Sasha’s fault. You’ve never had a problem seeing visions. I’m still waiting to book my holiday since you saw my hunk at sunset on a beach.’ She sighed wistfully.
‘Ooo – yes – I could do with a hunk too!’ said Nathan. ‘You’ll have to give me a matcha reading soon. You’ve helped plenty of people. Look at Mr Davis and his new friend. And Mollie and Paloma are about to celebrate their first anniversary.’
‘And what about that other couple you matched? The travel photographer, Rowena?’ Klara waved at the photographs on the wall. ‘She’s been dating Mark and seems pretty loved up already. They were in The Bookery last weekend, browsing for picture books for Maisie and Theo, Mark’s kids.’
‘If it’s not me, it’s Ben.’
Klara put her hands on her hips. ‘Now, Sasha – if he doesn’t want you to be his matchmaker you can’t force him.’
‘I can think of a reason why he might not want you to find him a match . . .’ Nathan exchanged a look with Klara.
‘What?’ Sasha frowned, gazing at each of her friends in turn.
‘Why do you think? You’re pretty gorgeous as well as whisking up a good matcha!’ Klara put an arm around Sasha and gently pinched her waist.
‘Ow!’ Sasha squealed, suddenly understanding her friends’ implications. ‘No way. I told you: Ben’s a client. I’m sure there’s rules about that sort of thing.’
Klara rolled her eyes. ‘Hmm. If you say so.’
Nathan laughed. ‘Well . . . deep, dark secret it is, then! You’ll just have to wheedle it out of him.’
Later that day, while Sasha was unloading the dishwasher, she heard the bell chime. She looked up and saw Ben. She felt her cheeks burn, thinking of what Klara and Nathan had implied.
No. They’re wrong. Ben can’t have any interest in me.
He walked straight up to the counter and stood there hovering while Sasha stacked plates. When the dishwasher was empty, she couldn’t avoid him any longer. She placed the final plate on the shelf and stepped to the counter.
‘Hi! Sorry – we were running out of plates. What can I get you?’ she said, brightly. Somehow her voice felt too loud. Her smile felt awkward and stretched.
He glanced around the empty café to check no one was listening. There was no Mollie or Mr Davis to hear what he had to say. He looked nervous. ‘I came to apologize for walking out on you yesterday,’ he murmured. ‘It was rude of me.’
Sasha found she couldn’t quite meet his eyes. ‘Oh!’ she mumbled. ‘It’s fine. You don’t need to apologize.’ She wiped the counter hard with a cloth.
‘How can I make it up to you? I know you’re just trying to help.’
She nodded, still feeling awkward. ‘Please. Nothing to make up! You’re clearly not ready for a matchmaking session. That’s why I hold a preliminary interview.’
There was a pause, filled by the growl of the hot-water urn coming to the boil.
‘Did you want a pot of tea? A pastry?’
‘An Oolong, please.’
‘Sure – sit down. I’ll bring it over.’ Sasha couldn’t help her abrupt tone. Klara and Nathan’s teasing had made her self-conscious. Her smile at Ben felt fake.
She warmed a teapot and scooped in a few Oolong tea leaves and added hot water. It wasn’t like her to feel so awkward. She was good at putting people at their ease. Apart from with Ben. They often seemed to rub each other up the wrong way. Maybe her finding a match for him wasn’t a good idea.
She took his tea over to his table and scuttled away.
The door opened and Mollie popped in. ‘Ah, Sasha, I’m in court all week so not stopping. But just wanted to book our anniversary party. Could it be in the evening? With live music, nibbles and matcha champagne cocktails with that pink foam again?’
‘Sounds amazing!’ Sasha was glad of the distraction and she and Mollie looked at the calendar.
‘Friday next week will be perfect,’ said Mollie, ‘and I’ll talk to Nathan about one of his splendiferous cakes. For the mouth orgasms, as our dear Klara calls them.’ She giggled.
Sasha felt her face burn. She was aware of Ben, sitting there reading. Mollie’s voice carried and he was bound to have heard them. ‘You’re obsessed with your romantasy! I’ll let Nathan know you’ll be calling to order a cake.’
‘Did you say you were thinking of having a jazz trio for evening events?’
‘Yeah – I need to boost the café’s revenue. Live-music evenings, someone suggested. Actually, Eleanor mentioned that Casey is in a jazz trio.’
‘Urgh – that woman – I feel sorry for Casey having her as a stepmother, but in this case, that information is very useful.’
‘I’ll ask Casey. Maybe get a link for his music.’
‘I’ll be happy to cover costs. You know, I’ve managed to avoid the coffee bar so far.’ Mollie turned to Ben. ‘What about you, Ben? Have you tried out Coffee Bean yet?’
‘Er – coffee’s not really my beverage. I had to give up caffeine for health reasons,’ he told her.
‘Ah, so that’s what’s made you a tea man.’ Mollie nodded. ‘Much better for you. Have you thought about consulting Sasha’s matchmaking service, by the way?’ She perched on the chair at the table next to Ben.
He gripped his book harder, fingernails turning white from the pressure.
‘I think this is Ben’s private business, Mollie,’ Sasha said, widening her eyes. Mind your own was her silent message, but Mollie didn’t seem to read silent messages so Sasha drew her away. ‘Let me give you Nathan’s card.’
Mollie followed her to the counter but carried on talking to Ben across the room.
‘Just hope you find the happiness Paloma and I have. Everything tastes better when you’re in love.
Your Oolong tea will have the smooth flavour that comes with joy.
I’ll send you an invite to our anniversary party.
I’d love the café regulars to join our celebration.
Fabulous, my dears – well, I’ll love you and leave you. ’
Mollie swept out and soon a group of school-run mums and dads came in, keeping Sasha busy. She sensed Ben glancing over at her every now and then but avoided his gaze. She knew she was being silly. My professional side is miffed.
She was soon occupied serving a woman with a toddler who couldn’t decide which cookie he wanted.
‘Matcha and cocoa nibs or matcha and Smarties, Archie?’ sang out his mum.
It was proving a tough decision and Archie nodded at both choices.
‘You can’t have two cookies – choose one!’ His mum rolled her eyes with impatience.
‘How about half of each cookie?’ Sasha suggested, making a silly face to entertain the toddler.
After the mother and Archie were settled with their order, she glanced over at Ben’s table; he was gone. He’d left ten pounds for the tea under his saucer. As she cleared it away, she found a note.
She unfolded it and read. Still hoping you’ll take me on as a client. B. No doodle or heart this time.
A flicker of joy leaped in her chest. It wasn’t her fault he’d walked out so abruptly. She’d been foolish to feel hurt by his reaction. Some people just weren’t ready to open up to a matchmaking session right away. Her questions had maybe felt too much. Too intrusive.
But at least he’d come back to the café. And he was willing to continue with another session. She folded the note. She was sure she could smell a trace of woodsmoke and sandalwood. Automatically, she put it in her apron pocket.
Would Ben open up to her? Would she be able to help him?
Suddenly she felt childish for her coldness towards him earlier. She wasn’t proud of herself. If Ben truly wished to try a matcha reading, she wouldn’t turn him away.