Chapter 28
The rest of the week dragged.
Sasha couldn’t help a thump of disappointment every time the door opened and it wasn’t Ben. The more she tried not to think about him, the more memories crowded her mind.
Warm fingers holding her wrist steady. His palms rubbing her arms. The brush of his lips. Even the slice of strawberry chocolate cake she ate on her break reminded her of how he’d tasted. Strawberries. Chocolate. Champagne.
When another customer sat at the window corner table, she would serve them quickly, hurrying them along, as if she was protecting his favourite space. That table was Ben’s table.
She knew she was being ridiculous. He was only staying away because she’d advised him to.
He’s right not to come. We need to keep our distance.
Klara was quick to pick up on her mood when she came for her daily matcha. ‘Hey, lovely, why so sad?’
Leo had trailed into the café behind her with a registered letter for Sasha. ‘Not everyone’s always happy to see you,’ he commented.
‘Who asked you? Lost anything lately?’ Klara retorted rudely.
‘Yeah – reminds me, if I see any boxes of monster masks, I’ll be sure to lose those.’
Klara rolled her eyes. ‘My collagen masks are the reason for my dewy skin.’
Leo snorted a laugh. ‘Like you need them.’ He handed Sasha a brown envelope. ‘Sign here please.’
Klara huffed, eyes snapping at him. ‘I feel there’s a compliment there if I dig hard enough.’
‘Definitely a compliment!’ Sasha said and winked at Leo. She smiled to herself, seeing the backs of his ears turned red as he headed for the door. ‘You seem to be getting on better with Leo. Did seeing him in a tux help?’
Klara tossed her curls over her shoulder.
‘If your definition of “getting on” is throwing insults at each other, you are correct.’ She smoothed her skirt.
‘I admit, I was rather mean to him over the missing books. Turns out there was a new delivery driver who kept getting lost and he was dumping parcels all over the place before he got found out. They’ve swapped him to the packing department.
He’s lucky, he didn’t get sacked because they’re so short-staffed.
Leo said he ticked the wrong job on the application form. ’
‘Some people find it hard to choose wisely, I guess.’ Sasha dragged her eyes away from the door.
Stop that. He’s not coming.
‘It’s not always easy to make the right choice, but it’s never too late to change your mind if you’re wrong,’ Klara declared. ‘Are you OK, Sasha?’
Sasha was frowning at the contents of the letter, her face pale. ‘Just a reminder from Eleanor.’ She groaned like a ton of bricks had just flattened her chest.
As if she’d conjured her up, Eleanor strode through the door. ‘Ah, Sasha. I just came to check if you got my letter. About the lease?’
‘I just received it in today’s post.’
‘Well?’ Her hands were on her hips. ‘Have you made a decision?’
‘Eleanor – I’m pretty busy right now. Let’s talk another time.’
‘It’s getting rather urgent. I could do with your answer soon.’
‘What? I thought I have until the end of April?’ Sasha’s heart thudded hard as she realized that was the following week.
Eleanor’s beady eyes swept round the empty café. The only customer was Klara, perched at the counter, looking daggers. ‘The deadline is days away. Surely you must have calculated your finances by now, and know whether you can afford to stay or go.’
Sasha glanced to double check no one else could be listening. ‘I’m still working on increasing our revenue. We’re planning on holding more events. And, of course, there’s my matchmaking service, which I’m hoping to expand.’
Eleanor nodded. ‘Yes, well, there’s another thing. Casey really enjoyed his stint here at Mollie and Paloma’s party, but if you are thinking of hosting any other evenings with music, please remember you have to apply for a licence from the council to register as a music venue.’
‘What? Even for a private party?’ Sasha’s stomach tightened. One more thing she hadn’t accounted for.
‘I’m sure the council will excuse it this time as it was a private function.’
‘You were the one to suggest Casey could play at evening events.’
Eleanor stretched her lips in a smile. ‘Yes, for a private party. If you wish to hold events for the general public, you’ll have to apply through the right channels.’
‘All right – thanks.’ Sasha folded her arms. ‘I haven’t quite looked into it yet. And I need to work out my figures. There’s a huge increase in the price of the lease.’
‘That is the market rate. Your previous landlord undercharged you. You know, the deadline is drawing near and other businesses are already making me offers. It’s a prime unit in Bramleigh.
Not many of these period high street units come up that often.
And being right on the green makes it very attractive for a high-end business. ’
Klara couldn’t keep quiet any longer. ‘The high street needs this café!’ she protested. ‘Matcha Moments has been a hub of the community since it opened. We don’t need whatever high-end business you’re thinking of replacing it with.’
Eleanor laughed scornfully. ‘This is not your concern, Klara. Tick-tock, Sasha. The deadline is drawing near. I must say, I’ve seen a few of your customers in the coffee bar. There might not be such a need for you with Coffee Bean open.’
‘What are you talking about?’ Klara exclaimed. ‘A coffee bar isn’t the same as this gorgeous place. Our Bramleigh Green people are very loyal.’
‘Coffee Bean is so different from our café – there’s a place for everyone in the town,’ added Sasha.
‘Is there really room for two cafés on our tiny high street? I’ve noticed some of your customers, like the finance guy – Ben, is it? He comes into Coffee Bean for business meetings. We’ve seen a lot of him lately.’
Klara stood up, hands on hips. ‘And does he know you’re keeping such a close eye on his whereabouts? Maybe when he realizes the coffee bar is not the most private or discreet of places he might search for another meeting venue!’
‘Please, Klara, it’s fine,’ Sasha said, putting her hand on her arm.
‘What? It feels like Eleanor here is deliberately poaching your customers.’
‘Nothing of the kind,’ retorted Eleanor. ‘It’s a free market.’
‘I think you’d better leave, Eleanor.’ Sasha came out from behind the counter and led Eleanor to the door. ‘I’ll send you my reply at the end of April. That was the original agreement and you have no right to rush me.’
‘Well, young Nathan has just signed a contract with us so we can provide the locals with his wonderful cakes and pastries. Talented young man. Come, Sasha. Work out your figures and let me know. I have several businesses waiting to hear. A kitchen designer wants to set up an exclusive showroom. I’m sure your fellow retailers will agree it’ll bring a high calibre of customer, which can only benefit the high street.
A decision by next week would be wonderful. ’
‘The lease doesn’t run out until the end of May.’ Sasha blinked hard to stop the tears that started to gather. ‘You can’t drive me out until then.’ How could Eleanor be so callous?
‘I’ll still need a new contract – signed and paid for – by the end of this month if you want to carry on. Chop-chop!’ She turned and marched out.
‘Urgh! I can’t stand that woman,’ said Klara, putting an arm round Sasha.
‘Pretending she’s looking out for our high-street businesses while she’s squeezing you for more money.
She has no idea what this community needs.
Doesn’t she realize those supposed high-calibre customers would love a gorgeous café like this with amazing patisserie? ’
Sasha clocked Mollie outside the door, about to come in. ‘Just ignore her, Klara. I’ll think of something.’ She couldn’t bear for everyone to know her business.
But Mollie had sharp instincts and guessed something was up. ‘Sasha . . . are you OK? Is Eleanor giving you trouble? I hope you don’t mind me asking. Paloma’s had some trouble with her, negotiating new terms for the pharmacy.’
‘So she’s haranguing Paloma too?’ Klara was enraged. ‘Bramleigh needs our local businesses. How can she keep increasing rents for everyone?’
Sasha tried to ignore her friend. She slipped behind the counter and smiled. ‘Mollie – what can I get you?’
‘I’d love a matcha latte but . . . is Eleanor doubling your lease price? Is there anything I can do to help?’
Sasha sighed. Mollie obviously wasn’t going to let it go. ‘It’s not double, it’s fifty per cent more. But I still can’t make it work. You’re a lawyer, Mollie – do you deal with contracts?’
‘Yes, all the time.’
‘Maybe you could help me negotiate a cheaper rate? She says the fifty per cent raise is the market rate, and my previous landlord had charged too little. Apparently, there are other businesses waiting to take over the space if I can’t afford it. A designer wants to set up a kitchen showroom.’
‘Like we need another posh kitchen showroom here!’ raged Klara. ‘How are we meant to see our friends? There’s no way we can do that, drinking fake tea and eating plastic food in a bloody kitchen showroom!’
‘Aren’t we all meeting on Thursday night for the festival planning?’ Mollie said. ‘Join us, Sasha. We can all put our heads together.’
‘It’s kind of you, Mollie. I need to put on more events and bring in more cash. Mother’s Day would have worked – if it wasn’t for the weather.’
‘You were unlucky. But we had a great afternoon. I assume you bore the losses for the cakes?’
‘Of course – not Nathan’s fault half the bookings were cancelled. It wasn’t too bad – we managed to serve most of the cakes the following week.’
‘Hospitality is a precarious trade these days,’ said Mollie. ‘Lucas Brownlow is struggling with the pub too. But what would we do with no cafés or community spaces where we can catch up over tea and cake or wine?’
Klara slipped behind the counter and threw her arms around her. ‘We’re here for you, Sasha.’
Sasha smiled, feeling the prick of tears. Her friends were amazing. But she couldn’t see how she was going to make it work.