Today has been magical. I couldn’t have hoped for a better first day at the café. But despite this, I can’t shake the slightly hollow feeling inside that casts a shadow over the brilliance of the day. If only I hadn’t fallen for Theo …
The next morning, I’m feeling nervous all over again that we may not get the customers through the door. But if anything, we’re kept even busier than the day before, which is exhausting and makes Doreen’s bunions ache, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Several people mention that friends had recommended The Treehouse Café to them, which is all very exciting. If word of mouth continues, there may be no need for advertising.
Paloma rings me at six, knowing I’ll have closed up. ‘So how did it go today, Miss Businesswoman of the Year? Have you made your fortune yet?’ She sounds in high spirits.
‘Brilliant. We were even busier than yesterday.’
‘Wow, that’s fabulous,’ she squeaks. ‘I’m so proud of you!’
‘Fancy a drink at The Three Blackbirds?’ I ask, mentioning the pub at the end of the high street. I’m feeling in the mood to celebrate after the success of our first few days.
Paloma’s tone changes. ‘Oh, Twi, I’d love to, but I can’t. Maybe tomorrow night?’
‘Ooh, what are you up to, then?’
There’s a slight pause, and I start to wish I hadn’t asked.
Then she says, ‘Actually, I’m meeting someone. A client. Yes, he’s a potential new client and I’m hoping to hit him with a pint of real ale and my brilliance as a graphic designer.’
‘A powerful combination,’ I murmur, not convinced she’s telling me the truth. I keep thinking about her disappearing off the other night and returning minus lipstick. And Jake following soon after.
‘When’s your drink?’ I ask casually.
‘Eight.’
‘Right, well, have a great time! I mean, I hope it’s a productive meeting.’
‘Oh, it will be,’ she says happily, which makes me even more curious. Why won’t she admit she’s seeing Jake?
There’s nothing else for it.
I’m going to have to follow her tonight to the pub and witness their lovers’ tryst for myself …
Chapter 39
My plan is to finish off the baking then head down to The Three Blackbirds just before eight to catch Paloma and Jake in the act of going on a date.
I get all my baking equipment out, then I realise to my irritation that I’ve run out of plain flour for the scones the next day. Grabbing my purse, I dash out to catch the local mini supermarket before it closes.
It’s been another humid day and once outside, I immediately sense a change in the air, as if a storm is brewing. I glance anxiously overhead, and sure enough, clouds are gathering, obscuring the sun. They’re dark and threatening. I need to grab the flour and get straight home before the storm hits.
Coming out of the store, I’m focusing so hard on getting home fast that I practically mow down someone coming in.
Lucy.
‘Oh, hi,’ she says in her grating voice. ‘I gather your launch went well, despite the little problem with the Pavlovas?’
I smile frostily. ‘News travels fast. Yes, it was a huge success actually.’
‘Well, good for you. I suppose you’ve heard the news about me and Jason? We’re off to Paris next week to find a place to live.’
She looks so smug, I want to slap her. But I need to get home, away from the storm, and brawling with Lucy would hold me up.
So I smile sweetly. ‘I hope you’ll be very happy in Paris. With Jason. Must dash.’
Leaving her standing there, I glance up at the darkening sky and hurry for home.
What a piece of work Lucy is! Preening over getting back with Jason, when actually, it was probably her dad’s offer of a job for Jason that swung it for her! And how the hell did the nosy cow find out about the Pavlovas?
I walk on, thinking about this. How did she find out? Betty, Doreen and I agreed we wouldn’t tell anyone, so she must have spoken to someone from the Women’s Institute.
Unless …
No, surely not.
My mind starts working overtime, mulling over something that seems totally unbelievable …
Could Lucy have switched off the fridge?
Now I think about it, there was a certain superior smile on her face when she mentioned our Pavlova disaster. Almost a triumphant look.
She told me there was a van outside the house and I hurried off to see who it was, leaving the café door unlocked. But there was no van! Oh my God, Lucy could easily have doubled back and sneaked in to do her dirty work with the fridge. I told Jason about the delicate Pavlovas in the fridge – he must have mentioned this innocently to Lucy and then she concocted her plan!
If it was anyone else, I’d think I was going mad even entertaining this theory.
But this is Lucy, so it’s absolutely possible. Not only possible, but highly likely …
I stop in my tracks, my head whirling with sheer incredulity. She must really hate me to go to such extreme lengths. But what have I ever done to her to deserve it?
I recall Jason saying there were things I didn’t know about her. Things that, if I knew them, might make me understand her better.
But what things?
An urge to know suddenly grips me. I need to find out once and for all why she hates me so much!
A rumble of thunder in the distance turns my insides to water. But as I stand there, shocked to the core by Lucy’s latest antics (and thoroughly dismayed at myself for not suspecting anything), I’m torn in two.
I want to race home to relative safety, out of the way of the storm. But something has reached boiling point deep within.
Glancing back, I spot Lucy coming out of the shop and heading in the opposite direction. Watching her jaunty, self-satisfied walk, I want to run after
