Chapter 32
Ivy
“Seven hours to go until closing,” Toni groaned, as she looked along what seemed to be a never-ending queue.
“Then you’re off for three days, together, after almost a full week off, because I’m too good a boss to you.” Ivy laughed as she arrived with another stack of coffee cups.
The day had been busier than normal due to a seasonal market setting up in the area which had driven foot traffic through the roof all morning.
Ivy had sent a message to Lucas about it earlier, and he had transferred extra supplies from the shop furthest from the market which wouldn’t be as busy as theirs now would be. It arrived within the hour.
“At least they’re mostly takeaway orders, I don’t think we could cope if many more were to sit in.
Ty would kick me out the kitchen if I took any more dishes through to him just now.
” Ivy laughed, but Toni knew she was only part kidding.
“Hopefully it’ll calm down soon during lunch time when the food stalls finally open.
Not that I’m turning away business, but I didn’t think we’d be this busy given we’re a few streets away,” she added.
“Hi there, what Cuppa Comfort can I make for you this morning?” Toni asked the next customer in line. The reply included six stupidly over-complicated drinks. Ivy heard how hard Toni tried to resist the urge to let out a groan. She couldn’t help but snigger at her.
She turned to the next customer and welcomed them with the same phrase. “Two medium lattes please,” the woman in front of her said.
“Absolutely,” Ivy replied and smiled. Toni rolled her eyes at the easy order she had received.
Two hours later, and the food stalls at the market had been open an hour, and trade was finally starting to calm down in the shop.
“You can let Ty know the worst seems to be over now, it’ll maybe get him in a better mood,” Ivy said to Nina as she cleared the last of the dirty cups from the tables.
“Nah, I’ll let him stew a while longer before I brave talking to him just yet,” Nina replied with a chuckle. “He may be a teddy bear, but the claws are out just now.”
Nina wheeled the cart of cups and cleaning supplies through to the kitchen, and Ivy surveyed the shop from between some of the tables while Toni served the only customer left in the line, for now.
The door opened and Ivy felt every muscle in her body relax, noting that she didn’t know she had been tensing until just then. Cleo and Sophie walked in and stood at the counter. Toni looked over at Ivy and nodded her head to Cleo, who quickly turned around to find Ivy.
Ivy felt the warmth from Cleo’s smile land on her like it was coming straight from the sun. She wore white sneakers, light jeans, a marl grey hoody and an open long camel colored coat. Ivy’s belly fluttered at the sight of her.
“Hey you,” Cleo said, her smile growing.
“Hey back,” Ivy replied as she walked over to her. She tipped her head towards Sophie, “is it?” she asked Cleo, not sure whether it was ok to kiss her in front of her niece.
“Ivy,” Cleo reached out to take her hand, “always”.
Ivy leaned in and gave Cleo a gentle kiss. When she pulled away, Cleo held on to her hand, lacing their fingers together.
“How are you today, Sophie?” Ivy asked the young girl.
“I’m great! We’re getting hot chocolates and then going to the park and then back to Auntie Cleo’s house for movies and pizza. It’s almost a perfect day,” Sophie replied.
“Almost?” Ivy asked with a gentle head tilt, curious about Sophie’s reply.
Sophie’s shoulders slumped. “Yeah, Auntie Cleo said because we’re having a hot chocolate now, and pizza later, that I can’t get ice cream too.”
“Oh?” Ivy said, looking up with a mischievous glint in her eye at Cleo.
“I know, I’m the worst,” Cleo deadpanned, as she slightly shrugged her shoulder and shook her head. A smirk dancing at the corner of her mouth.
“If I got a hot chocolate and pizza on the same day, I’d be the happiest person in the whole world!” Toni chimed in from behind the counter.
“Yeah, I guess,” Sophie said, defeatedly.
“How about you grab a table while you can, and I’ll bring your drinks over to you?” Ivy offered.
“Thanks, beautiful,” Cleo replied with a smile, and Ivy reluctantly let go of her hand to let her follow Sophie to her chosen table.
Only ten minutes later, the door swung open, and in walked trouble. Sullivan arrived with Willow, and Ivy could feel the heat blazing off Toni before she even turned to look at her. Ivy had already noticed Willow wearing a backpack, and Sullivan shuffling her over to an empty table.
“You can’t keep doing this,” Toni said in angry hushed tones trying hard not to make a scene, once she’d walked over to the table to be beside her daughter.
Ivy reached over to the button beside the coffee machine that let Nina know in the kitchen that they needed an extra hand on the counter. While it wasn’t busy now, Ivy knew she’d need to back Toni up with Sullivan if needed, and she needed someone behind the counter while this played out.
“I got a new job, I start Monday, so I have to pack up and head off tonight,” Sullivan told her.
“Wait, what?!” Toni practically spit the words at him.
“Yeah, it’s over on the far coast, so you know, I’ll need to head as soon as to get there before starting at 9 a.m. on Monday,” he replied.
“Sullivan, you can’t do this! We have an agreement!” She dropped her voice. “What about Willow?” Toni’s voice cracked at the mention of their daughter, who sat at the table beside them. Their seven-year old’s eyes looking up at them both, confused about what was happening.
“Look, I’m sorry, but it’s good money, and I’ll send you what I can once I get paid and pay all my bills and stuff, ok? I’ve already told her about it. I’ve got to go.” With that, he turned and left the shop before Toni seemed to have a chance to catch up with what had just happened.
“Is everything ok?” Ivy heard Cleo ask softly. “Can I help?”
Ivy sighed as she turned to Cleo but kept glancing over at Toni, now crouched down talking to Willow.
“That was Toni’s ex, Sullivan. And that’s their daughter, Willow, she’s seven and a great kid who doesn’t deserve having him as her dad.
He’s as useless as they come. He’s supposed to take Willow on the weekends to let Toni work but regularly cancels or just doesn’t show.
Apparently, he just got a new job and is leaving for the far coast tonight.
So, he just dumped Willow here while Toni works.
By far not the only time he’s done it either. ”
Cleo took a breath. “OK,” she said resolutely, and walked over to Toni.
“Toni, if you’re ok with it, I can take Willow with me for the day with Sophie?
Ivy has my number if you need to get in touch, and I’ll text her my address so she can bring you by to collect Willow after work?
It’s entirely up to you, but I know another five hours watching her as well as trying to work is going to be tough.
” Cleo reached out and gently placed a hand on Toni’s arm, “I think your day’s been tough enough already, don’t you? ”
“I couldn’t ask that of you, not after the amount of flack I’ve given Ivy about you... even if you weren’t here in person to know about all of it,” she said with a coy smile.
“You didn’t ask, I offered. Plus, I’m willing to turn a blind eye to the flack, for now,” Cleo smiled.
“What do you say? I’ll stay here with them for a little while longer, make sure you think she’s settled enough with me, then we’ll head over to the park before swinging by the market, and heading to mine for movies and pizza, as promised. ”
Ivy’s heart just about melted right there on the spot. How was this incredible woman in her life?!
Toni hesitated for a minute, then she bent down, “Wills, would you like to sit with over there with Sophie? It’s better than sitting on your own.
” The young girl looked around Cleo and spotted Sophie sitting at their table, whipped cream on her nose, chocolate moustache round her mouth, and marshmallow in hand.
“This is my friend Cleo. She’s Sophie’s Auntie,” Toni explained to her daughter.
“Hi Cleo,” the young girl said with a small wave.
“Hey Willow,” Cleo replied with a smile.
Willow looked between her mom, Cleo, and over at Sophie, then which a small shrug she said, “OK.” She hopped down off her seat and made her way over to the table where Sophie sat.
The three women stood watching carefully.
“Hey, I’m Willow, that’s my mom over there, and her friend Ivy.
She says the other lady is your auntie?”
Sophie looked up at the women and pieced together what the girl was saying.
“Hey Willow, I’m Sophie. Your mom’s nice, she always gives me extra marshmallows with my hot chocolate, do you want one?
" Sophie picked up one from her plate and offered it to Willow, who took the treat as Sophie continued talking. “That’s my Auntie Cleo, and her girlfriend, Ivy.” Willow sat down and the girls started talking between themselves.
Ivy’s heart had never pounded so hard in her chest. By the look on Cleo’s face, hers was doing similar.
Cleo cleared her throat, “She, I, we, didn’t, you don’t, we can.”
Cleo blinked in panic. Toni sniggered. Ivy swooned.
“We can, Cleo,” Ivy laced her fingers through Cleo’s and continued. “As slow as you need, but we can.” Ivy gave Cleo’s hand a gentle squeeze, trying desperately to reassure her that Sophie’s word choice wasn’t freaking her out. Not in the slightest.
“You mean,” Cleo paused, “you’d be ok with, me calling you that?” she asked, cautiously.
Ivy grinned, “Gorgeous girl, did the kiss the other night give you any reason that you even need to ask?”