Chapter 32 #2
‘Hey, how’s Will doing?’ Andreas asked as he stood beside Cath, drying the first dish. ‘He left saying he was sorry but he needed to get going.’
‘Yeah, he looked pretty knackered, to be honest,’ added Dan.
‘Man, he was wiped,’ agreed Lily.
‘Yeah, I noticed that, too,’ answered Cath.
‘He was determined to help today. Ahm, he has been doing pretty well in the scheme of things.’ She paused, she hadn’t told them anything about their falling out, hoping against hope that it’d just blow over.
Concern was nipping at her, however, not only about their personal issues, but another check was due soon with the consultant for any ongoing indication of cancer.
‘But God, I so hope the next PSA results come back clear.’ Her words felt like a little prayer.
Whatever was happening between them, the main thing was that Will got better.
‘We all do,’ Nikki said, giving her arm a reassuring squeeze.
‘Well, if we can do anything to help, please shout. Either of you, that is,’ said Andreas.
‘Yes, that goes for us, too,’ said Nikki, meaning her and her family.
Lily was nodding beside her. ‘And me.’
‘Thank you.’ Cath so appreciated their ongoing support.
All she really wanted was for Will to get the ‘undetectable’ news on the cancer, at the end of this stage of his treatment.
Fingers and everything crossed for that.
That was the best you could hope for at this point, with further tests ongoing.
And whatever happened next personally for them, a clear check would at least mark a fresh start for Will, after weeks of worry with his health.
The dishwasher had done its cycle with an earlier load, and the enormous stack of tea plates and cups that Dan had handwashed was finally coming to an end. Cath grabbed a cloth and her spray and did a full disinfect of the now-cleared kitchen surfaces.
‘Hall’s all done,’ Hamish announced, as he and his brothers trailed in to the kitchen.
‘We’re starving. Any of the scran left?’ asked Scott, with a cheeky grin.
‘There wasn’t much left over after the takeaways were handed out, and it’s all packed up now. There’s no way I’m getting this kitchen all messy again,’ warned Nikki.
‘Uh-hhh.’ The young lad’s shoulders sagged dramatically.
‘Hang on,’ interjected Cath. ‘There’s a box here with some cake in.’ They’d shared out the last of the goodies between them. This had been her portion to take home; three slices of cake exactly. Perfect for the three lads who’d worked so hard.
‘Aw, thanks, Cath.’ Angus grinned, as Scott gave Hamish a high five.
‘Take them outside!’ warned Nikki. ‘Not a crumb to be spilt in here. We’re nearly done.’
‘Okay, thanks, guys.’ Hamish looked delighted as he took the box, along with three napkins that Nikki handed them, and the youngsters scampered out.
With Veronica organised to come back and buff the parquet flooring tomorrow, all they had to do was give everything a final check over.
Cath looked into the hall. The trestle tables were all packed away, and the lads had done well with their sweeping.
The band had left the stage as it was. You’d never have known they’d been there, nor that there had been a tea and dancing, other than the memories still circling in Cath’s mind.
She felt happy-tired and gave a gentle sigh.
Wondering about Will, hoping he was all right after his hectic day.
And wondering too if they might ever be right as a couple.
She felt totally shattered, after her early start and extremely full-on day, but thinking about the smiles on the faces of their guests, it had all been so very worthwhile.
Heading back into the kitchen area, with the last of the crockery and cutlery put away, and her friends still there, Cath spotted two bottles of fizz left out on the side. ‘Oh, whose are these?’ she asked.
‘Ah, I won one on the tombola,’ said Lily.
‘And the other was a gift from your neighbours, Mary and John, as a thank you for all our hard work,’ explained Dan.
‘Aw, how sweet. Well, don’t forget to take them home,’ said Cath.
‘You keep it, Cath.’ Lily offered hers kindly.
‘Yeah, and hold on to this one, too,’ said Dan.
‘But that one was to share,’ she countered.
‘Hmm, then perhaps we can use them when we next get together?’ suggested Andreas. ‘Maybe another trip to the beach hut? I’d love to go back there, while we’ve still got some summer.’
‘Yeah, it’s such a cool place,’ added Lily.
‘And, fingers crossed for that clear result for Will. Hopefully we’ll be celebrating some good news by then,’ said Nikki.
‘Yes, absolutely.’ Cath knew that the test was due in a couple of weeks, another hurdle.
Not wanting to dwell on that, she moved the conversation on.
‘And hey, have you lot just invited yourselves over?’ Cath smiled, but felt mighty awkward.
It would be down to Will, if he wanted the group to visit the bungalow again.
But oh my, how would things be for the two of them?
‘Ahm well, yes, that sounds a lovely idea,’ she added feeling flustered, and hoping it didn’t show.
Why did everything have to be so damn complicated?
If this was it … and Will had made his mind up, that they were no longer to be a couple, it didn’t bear thinking about.
Dancing with him, being back in his arms, had made her miss him even more.
And if it was a bit of a mess between the two of them, how the hell did that leave them all as the supper club? Cath felt a wave of nausea.
The friends collected their bags, and any cooking utensils, food storage boxes and spare ingredients they’d brought with them. The last of the takeaway cartons were gathered up, too. It was time to head home.
‘Well done, team supper club. Thank you so much!’ Cath said, putting her personal worries aside for a moment.
‘We did it!’ said Nikki.
‘We did indeed. Tilldale à la Ritz.’ Andreas beamed.
‘Your school band were brilliant,’ added Dan.
‘And the Brownies, they were so cute,’ said Lily.
‘Oh, and Reggie and Co. dancing the jive.’ Cath grinned, remembering the moment fondly. ‘I thought his hips might go at one point.’
Five minutes later, as Cath stood on the hall’s steps, about to place the big old key into the lock of the oak door, she gave a sigh. It had been a wonderful, if tiring – and for her and Will, an emotionally confusing – day.
The rest of the gang were gathered outside, ready to drift off up the street on their respective walks home.
‘Well done, guys, great job. See you, Cath,’ called out Lily.
‘Thanks again for all your help, everyone. You’ve been brilliant as always,’ she responded warmly.
‘Thanks, chief. See you soon.’ Dan gave a mock salute.
‘Bye, my loves. Been a pleasure,’ added Andreas.
‘Awesome cake.’ Nikki’s Scott, who’d been waiting outside on the wall with his brothers, sponge crumbs tellingly smeared across his lips, grinned.
‘Don’t talk with your mouth full,’ Nikki scolded, shaking her head.
The young lad merely raised his eyebrows, while his brothers sniggered.
Kev reappeared then, adding, ‘Cake? What cake? Where’s mine?’
‘All gone, Dad.’ Hamish grinned, exaggeratedly licking his lips.
‘You didn’t save me any. Darn it!’
‘Just thinking of your waistline,’ chipped in Nikki with a grin. ‘Anyway, thanks all.’ She turned to her fellow team members adding, ‘We did it! Another successful event.’
‘Team supper club,’ said Lily. ‘Aw, I’m gonna miss you lot when I’m away at cooking school. Fingers crossed on my Food Diploma and A-level results coming soon.’ Her hopes were still pinned on Leiths.
‘Ah, you’ll do well, I’m sure. And then, you’ll be away having the best of times,’ responded Cath reassuringly.
‘And think of all the new recipes you can try out on us, when you’re back for the hols,’ Dan responded.
Lily’s smile lifted.
‘Love you all,’ said Cath, brimming with affection. Their farewells felt like a hug.
‘You too, gorgeous one.’ Dan gave a wave. And the four supper clubbers began their saunter home, with Nikki’s lads having jumped in the car with Kev.
Cath paused on the steps. After today’s frequent showers, the sun was coming back out, along with an arch of colourful rainbow brightening the sky, that made her stop in her tracks and smile.
Rainbows were a symbol of hope and of promise, of fresh starts. Cath mentally crossed her fingers. They also spread a little happiness. And that’s exactly what team supper club had done today.