Chapter 33
The end of May and the festival weekend approached.
The streets thronged with visitors. Chloé’s marketing had successfully got the word out.
The B Sasha guessed they were her followers.
‘Hi, can I help you?’ she asked as they came up to the counter.
‘Yes. We’re interested in your Matcha Maker Specials,’ a smiley blonde woman said. ‘We’re here for the festival. We saw Chloé’s posts and the gorgeous guy she’s seeing.’
‘If you can set us up with more hot men like him, that’ll do!’ giggled one of the others.
‘It doesn’t quite work like that,’ Sasha said, trying to control the bitter taste flaring through her.
Chloé had certainly lost no time with Ben, even though Sasha had never confirmed he was her match.
He was front and centre of most of her posts lately.
Sasha had made herself look at every single one. She really did self-flagellation well.
‘The intention is not to “set you up” with anyone,’ she explained. ‘I will do a psychic reading. What I see should guide you to find your perfect match yourself.’
She would be too busy over the weekend, she told them, and in the end only one of the women made a booking for the following week.
The more Sasha tried to ignore her crush on Ben, the more it pushed itself into her mind.
Through the window of the café, she kept catching glimpses of him.
All week he’d been helping set up stalls and gazebos along the high street and on the green.
The committee had decided that the gazebos would be useful for shade if it was sunny, and would provide shelter in case it rained.
On Friday afternoon, Sasha made some jugs of matcha-infused lemonade and took them outside with paper cups.
Under the gazebo in front of The Bookery, Klara was setting up a table full of second-hand books.
There was a wheelbarrow of books for a free book swap and a table with colouring sheets and pens for children.
Sasha waved at Klara, swallowing hard with nerves. Things were still awkward between them. She’d wished a hundred times that she hadn’t blurted out those things to her.
Klara smiled back politely, but she didn’t rush over to hug Sasha as she would have done normally. It was going to be up to Sasha to make the effort to mend bridges. She crossed over to Klara with the jugs. ‘I – brought you some lemonade,’ she said. ‘It’s hot, you must be thirsty.’
‘Thanks,’ said Klara gruffly. ‘You can put it there on the table.’ She turned to instruct Leo on where to place some boxes of art materials.
‘You helping with the children, Leo?’ Sasha asked him as he arranged some colouring pens in pots.
‘Yeah – I’m starting a new job in September – training to be a teacher at Bramleigh Green Primary – Klara says I need some practice with the kids.’
‘Yes – you might as well start learning to talk to little ones,’ said Klara. ‘You shouldn’t have any problem, since you act like a big kid half the time. Rowena is doing a shift on the colouring table as well. And she’s doing some face painting.’
Sasha poured lemonade into a paper cup and offered it to Klara, like a peace offering.
‘I’ve hardly seen you lately.’
‘I’ve been meaning to come in.’
They both spoke at the same time and then laughed awkwardly. Klara took the cup. ‘Sorry, I haven’t been into the café lately. It always seems so busy.’
‘Yes. Chloé’s marketing’s been working. I hope . . . are we – OK?’ She swallowed, her eyes brimming with sudden tears.
Klara immediately threw her arms around her. ‘Of course we’re fine!’ She squeezed her tightly in a hug. ‘I’ve missed you. I’m so sorry.’
‘I’m sorry too. I should never have said those things.’
‘Sssh – you were upset. I shouldn’t have pushed you.’ Klara pulled back and sniffed dramatically.
‘I’m sure we’re due for a girls’ night.’ Sasha smiled, dabbing at her face and handing Klara a tissue to wipe hers. Something eased in her heart.
‘Too right – next weekend all right?’
Sasha nodded. She didn’t mention that this would probably be her last weekend in Bramleigh Green. Her last day in the café – and her flat – would be next Friday.
She was just relieved she had made up with Klara before she left. They’d fallen out a few times in the past, but they’d always found their way back to each other. She’d feared that once she moved away, it would have been a lot harder to make up.
‘Any lemonade left?’ Sasha heard a low voice say. She hadn’t heard that voice in a while. It was her own fault she felt such a pang in her heart.
She turned round slowly. Already she could smell sandalwood and a trace of woodsmoke.
Ben dumped a box on the ground and straightened.
Her eyes drank him in. She’d not seen him up close lately.
The dark shadows were gone. Hanging out with Chloé was obviously beneficial.
He was looking good, in a faded T-shirt, black jeans and a denim apron tied round his waist. His hair ruffled in the breeze, making him look younger and more relaxed.
His shirtsleeves were rolled up, revealing his muscled forearms.
‘Oh, hi, Ben – of course!’ She handed him a cup.
‘Cheers.’ He took the cup and drained it in one go, tipping back his head. Sasha watched the line of his throat as he drank and felt her mouth water. If he kissed her, he would taste of lemonade. Stop it!
He put the cup down and swiped his mouth with his arm. ‘Thanks – I needed that. Been carting materials all afternoon. I’ve missed your Oolong tea. The green tea at Coffee Bean isn’t quite the same.’
‘You should come back to the café – to Matcha Moments,’ she said quickly, before she changed her mind. ‘I’m ready to try again.’
‘Really?’ His eyes lit up and his lips curved in a smile, the dimples making an appearance.
She added, ‘I mean, I’m ready to try another reading. I owe you one – I promised to find your perfect match.’
‘Oh – OK.’ His face fell and she felt the thump of his disappointment, matching hers. ‘Er – should – I make an appointment?’
‘I won’t have time today – the café’s full-on – but I should be finished by seven-ish? Come over, say, 7.30?’
‘Should I go to your flat?’ His eyes searched hers. ‘I could – bring something for dinner?’
‘Yes, sounds great!’ She grinned, not quite meeting his gaze. ‘I’ll get everything ready. See you around half-seven.’ She waved and backed away, sensing Klara nearby, listening to every word.
She took the empty jugs back to the café, her heart thudding hard. Should she have agreed to him coming up to her flat? Her personal space? Was that dangerous, given the way she still felt about him?
Don’t be silly! It’s just a reading. He’s still your client.
She couldn’t help feeling a thrill. A warm excitement building in her belly. They’d been friends, after all. She was looking forward to seeing him. Even if it was only to find his perfect match. She hadn’t seen Ben properly for so long. This time she really hoped the matcha reading would work.