I’m thinking about Rowena. I glance behind and she’s still standing there, staring after us. I wave but she mustn’t be able to see me because she doesn’t respond.
‘Rowena seemed sad when we talked about family,’ I murmur.
‘Yes, I think she lived in Brighton until she moved here to take over the ice-cream parlour a few years ago. Perhaps her family is back in Brighton.’
I frown. ‘But I’m sure she said she didn’t have any family, full stop. Which is sad.’
Paloma nods. ‘Family is certainly an emotional topic. Speaking of which, have you heard from your parents lately?’
‘Just last night, actually. Dad’s got a surprise for me, apparently. Mum said she’s sent it in the post.’
‘Aw, bless him. He’s so lovely, your dad. He really doesn’t deserve …’ She trails off.
A lump fills my throat. ‘You don’t deserve the hand fate dealt you, either. You must miss Linda so much.’ Her adoptive mum was such a lovely, kind-hearted woman and so full of fun. I can’t imagine the chasm she must have left in Paloma’s life. ‘I so hope you find your birth mum.’
Paloma pastes on a smile. ‘Well, if I do, she couldn’t possibly be as lovely as Mum. Linda, I mean.’
I nod sadly. ‘You’re probably right.’
*****
We’ve just finished unloading the third and final batch of furniture when a familiar car drives up and parks on the forecourt.
‘Oh, great,’ I murmur, agitation rising up inside me. ‘My all-time favourite person.’
I only hope Lucy has come to bring me the curtains. The café is going to look pretty bare without some form of window dressing. Although I’m still not sure I trust her, despite her kind offer to donate the curtain material free of charge.
She emerges with a bag and I can see she has the curtains inside.
‘I just need to check the length against the windows,’ she says, brushing straight past me and making for the café entrance, her high heels tapping on the concrete. She’s wearing a couture trouser suit in navy with cream braiding.
‘Feel free.’ I roll my eyes and we follow her inside. Paloma shakes her head in amused disbelief at Lucy’s rudeness.
‘She’s a little charmer all right,’ I mutter, and Lucy swings round suspiciously.
‘With ears the size of dinner plates, apparently,’ murmurs Paloma, without moving her lips.
‘Who’s a little charmer?’ Lucy demands.
Paloma shakes her head and says, with a charming smile, ‘No, no, Twi was just saying she’s feeling a little calmer now you’ve brought along those gorgeous curtains. She’s been so stressed out about the café opening. Haven’t you, Twi?’
I nod solemnly. ‘Very stressed. So thank you, Lucy, for lightening my load.’
‘It’s no problem,’ she says, narrowing her eyes at us in suspicion ‘Come here and hold this end, would you?’
We do as we’re told, and I wonder for the millionth time how Jason can go to bed with someone so glacial every night.
I suppose she isn’t cold with him, though.
Immediately, I brush the thought away.
I really don’t want to think about that …
Once Lucy has established the length is correct, she bundles the curtains back in the bag and clack-clacks her way over to the door, clearly not intending to give me any idea of when they will be back and in position.
‘Erm, when will you be bringing them back?’ I ask nervously, not wanting to rock the boat. I’m hoping she’ll say tomorrow morning, then we can get them up in good time. I’m still half-expecting her to snatch the curtains out of the bag and drop them in a muddy puddle out of spite.
She doesn’t even bother to reply until she’s back in the car. Rolling the window down, she shoots me a frosty look. ‘I’ll put them up for you tomorrow night.’
‘But we open the following morning,’ I say, dismayed, thinking of all the other things to be done the next day.
‘Yes, I know that.’ She sounds impatient.
‘Well, it’s just that we’re cutting it a little fine, that’s all. And I’ll be so busy.’
‘I don’t need you there,’ she snaps. ‘I can do it myself.’
I nod, still not sure. But she’s doing me a big favour, so I can hardly say it’s not convenient for me.
‘I hope you’re not suggesting I’ll muck it up,’ she says, frowning.
‘No, of course I’m not.’
‘You’re just nervous about Saturday, aren’t you, Twi?’ puts in Paloma, and I nod gratefully.
Lucy gives me another look that would instantly freeze the water in a hot tub, and drives off furiously, scattering gravel everywhere.
‘Bloody hell,’ breathes Paloma. ‘She’s a bit stressed. Perhaps life chez Lucy-and-Jason isn’t the bed of roses she’d like us to think it is.’
‘Maybe.’ I turn away to start setting up the tables and chairs. The state of Jason’s relationship with Lucy is not a road I want to venture down …
Chapter 14
Friday rolls around – the morning before Saturday’s big café opening – and I bound out of bed. Standing in the shower, I tick jobs off on a mental list.
The cakes and scones need to be perfectly fresh, so I’ll be baking and icing all the cakes today, then getting up very early tomorrow morning to bake the three different flavours of scone.
Adrenalin is already pouring through my system, making me feel nervous, excited, apprehensive and ecstatic all at the same time. I can’t believe my dream of owning my own café is finally coming true! I suppose I always thought of it as just a lovely fantasy, but now circumstances have conspired to turn that dream into a reality.
I think of my parents and the excitement subsides. If only those circumstances didn’t involve my lovely dad’s fight for survival. A lump fills my throat. I need to phone Mum when I’ve got a minute, so they can feel involved in tomorrow’s big opening. I know Mum really wishes they could be here, but it just wouldn’t be wise for Dad to make the tiring and uncomfortable journey to Hart’s End. In any
