Chapter 15
Sasha skipped out of Coffee Bean and headed for The Bookery.
She often wished she had more time to read.
But running a café was all-consuming and she was often too exhausted at the end of the day to do anything but collapse mindlessly in front of the TV.
She needed a beach holiday, where she could flop and read as many novels as she wanted to.
Klara’s window display was full of spring colours and Easter chicks, with popular new titles nestled in tissue paper grass and flowers.
One title caught her eye: Learn to Love, Love to Live.
If she was going to help Ben find love, some research on relationships would help.
If her psychic senses weren’t working with him, she could do with some tips and techniques on how to get him to open up.
‘What’s up, Sash? Has my box of serial-killer books turned up at yours?’ Klara rushed to the door.
‘No, sorry – no sign of it. I need to read up on dating, so I can help Ben. I hope I can get him to talk about himself without freaking out. He’s coming back for a consultation. Any recs? Is that Learn to Love book any good?’
Klara slumped with disappointment, but she plucked out a copy of the book. ‘Here you go. I haven’t read it yet – it’s next on my list. There’s more on relationships and self-improvement at the back of the shop, on the right.’
Sasha threaded her way down the narrow aisle and found a bookcase stuffed with titles. Everything from Finding the One, to The Art of Flirting, to Finding Love with the Rules, to Loving without Rules, to Dealing with Divorce.
Klara followed her over. ‘I admit I was a self-help junkie for a while. I’m very into manifestation and positive thinking.
How about this classic book to help the gender divide?
Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus.
’ She made a face. ‘Some customers love these but, to be honest, they are rather dated with stereotypical views.’
‘I should get something more generalized, I guess? Are these meant to give you consensus views of how men think?’
‘Yeah, that kind of thing – or you could talk to Nathan, Mr Davis and Ben and see what they actually think. Here you go.’ She handed Sasha some titles. ‘Empower Yourself – that’s a good one.’
Sasha picked out a few more that caught her eye and paid for her stack of books. ‘I think that’s enough to be getting on with. I’d better get back before the teatime rush.’
Klara laughed. ‘You’ll be the relationship queen by the time you get through all these.’
‘It can only help my clients. Especially those less open to new ideas.’
‘So, I take it you’ve seen Ben?’
‘Yes! Just saw him in Coffee Bean. I nipped in to book Casey’s jazz duo for Mollie and Paloma’s anniversary party next Friday – hope you’re free?’
‘Of course! They have friends from all over the world . . . could be a chance to meet my hunk. You might meet someone too – you never know . . .’
Sasha shook her head. ‘I’ve far too much going on right now, even if I wanted to meet someone. Which I don’t.’
Back in the café, Sasha couldn’t wait to start her research. Soon she was absorbed in reading about the different attitudes men and women had to dating. It was all so fascinating.
‘Sasha – I said, can I have my latte with oat milk today?’ Gloria was saying.
‘Sure.’ Sasha was sneaking reads from the book propped on the counter.
‘Sasha – did you hear me? I said, can I have oat milk instead of almond? I think I’m developing an allergy.’
‘Oh, gosh – so sorry, Gloria!’ Sasha put the book to one side. ‘I was just reading how men are from Mars and like to retire to their cave when stressed.’
‘Oh, my late husband, Billy, was exactly that way. He never liked to talk about his problems – saw it as a failure. I prefer to share how I’m feeling.’
‘That’s a lot of books you have there!’ Mr Davis whistled at the pile in front of her. ‘There are so many different opinions! Is it really necessary for you to do all that research? Consider how you helped us find each other so easily. You relied on your wonderful intuition and the matcha bubbles.’
‘Yes, of course, I know.’ Sasha didn’t dare to admit to them that her intuition wasn’t working so well with Ben. She felt rather insecure about it.
‘You can’t believe everything you read in a self-help book,’ said Gloria.
‘That book is old-fashioned and gendered,’ Paloma added as she came to the counter to pay. ‘Take it all with a giant pinch of salt. A whole shovelful, in fact.’
Gloria picked up a book. ‘Ooo – The Art of Flirting – how to make yourself irresistible to your man. I should read this, improve my skills.’ She peered at Mr Davis.
‘You’ve already perfected it, but maybe I could do with some help.
’ Mr Davis took the book from her, flicked to a page and started to read.
‘“Glance at your object of desire. When they notice you looking, quickly glance away.”’ Mr Davis gazed at Gloria.
When she turned to him with wide eyes, he quickly turned his head away.
‘Is this working? Are you finding me irresistible? I must admit I’m getting rather a crick in my neck. ’
‘Ooo – I can hardly control myself!’ Gloria curled her fingers in a claw shape and growled. The two of them giggled like naughty conspirators.
‘Gosh, you guys, get a room!’ Klara sashayed towards the counter, beaming. ‘Hiya! Mmm – that lemon matcha meringue pie has my name on it, a slice will go nicely with my latte.’
‘This is the effect you’re having on Bramleigh Green, Sasha,’ said Mollie, hugging Paloma and planting a huge kiss on her partner’s lips. ‘Your psychic matchmaking brought us together. You don’t need these books. You have nothing to worry about.’
‘Well, now I need to help Ben,’ said Sasha.
‘Aha! Ben took my advice? He’s going for the matcha reading finally?’ asked Mollie.
‘Not quite yet,’ Sasha admitted, opening another book on relationships.
‘But he will soon. He’s new in Bramleigh Green, and we were chatting, and he admitted to feeling lonely.
As the town’s matchmaker my goal is to find him someone to fall in love with this spring.
And not just anyone – his perfect match. ’
‘Well, I guess that’s one way of putting it!’ said Klara, settling onto a bar stool. She looked meaningfully at the café regulars and raised her eyebrows suggestively.
Sasha flushed. ‘Please stop teasing, Klara,’ she said in a low voice. ‘It’s very frustrating. My usual intuition is all over the place when it comes to Ben.’
‘Aww, Sasha, I’m sorry, it’s just – he’s a cute guy and I thought .
. . but enough about men!’ said Klara. ‘How about a girls’ night in on Friday?
I could come over with some wine. We can do some beauty treatments and watch some movies.
It’s been a tough week for me too. I’ve been fielding phone calls from some angry serial-killer fans. ’
‘Oh, yes, have those turned up yet?’ asked Paloma. ‘I’m on your list of rabid fans.’ She drew back her lips in a mock-snarl.
‘What book’s that?’ asked Mollie.
‘I suggested it for the book club but Alice is too squeamish: apparently there’s lots of dismemberment. Body parts in freezers. That sort of thing.’
‘Urgh, no . . . you can keep that, Klara.’ Mollie shuddered. ‘I hear enough about crime in court. I don’t want to read about it too. I’d prefer a bodice-ripping romantasy this month.’
‘You’d be surprised how it’s always the loveliest of people that like reading about gruesome murders.’ Klara laughed. ‘I just hope the fans don’t turn to real murder if the books don’t turn up soon!’