Summer at the Kindness Cafe

by Victoria Walters

  ‘It’s really pretty here. I don’t know why Nick didn’t talk about it more.’ To Eszter, it looked like a charming place to grow up, reminiscent of her parents’ community in rural Hungary. She had never really wanted Zoe to grow up in a city, but there were so few opportunities for them anywhere else back home.

  ‘What do you think your mother-in-law will be like?’

  ‘Honestly, I’m terrified. But then, she produced Nick, so surely she can’t be that bad?’

  ‘Their rift went on for so long, she will be shocked to see you, I’m sure. You’ll take care, won’t you?’

  Eszter assured her mother she would and promised to tell her as soon as she and Mrs Harris met. Her mum wished her good luck for her new job and then asked to speak to Zoe. The little girl came hurtling down the stairs to speak to her grandmother, chattering away as usual, telling her all about her new room. At least Zoe was bearing all the hallmarks of resilience. Eszter just hoped her excitement over their new house would last. It had been a tough few months; Zoe hadn’t understood when her mother had told her that her father wouldn’t get better. The hole Nick had left in their lives would be felt for a long time yet.

  After the phone call, Eszter suggested they walk to the local supermarket to find something for dinner. The landlord had directed them to the local shops before he had left and they weren’t far to walk to. ‘And tomorrow we can do whatever you want, okay?’

  Zoe’s eyes lit up. ‘Can we go to the park?’

  ‘If it doesn’t rain.’ Eszter had heard a lot about the British weather and it had already shown her rain and sunshine in just one day, so God only knew what it would do tomorrow. ‘Let’s go.’

  They pulled on light jackets and shoes and headed out towards the high street. Littlewood was so sleepy compared to where they lived. Just one car passed them, and a man walking a dog waved at them from across the road. The small high street atop the hill had a supermarket, Post Office, a butcher’s, a bakery, a small florist and a charity shop that Eszter resolved to have a good look in – Zoe was growing at an alarming rate and she always needed new clothes and shoes.

  ‘Hi, neighbours,’ a voice called from outside the bakery. Abbie waved at them. ‘What are you up to?’

  ‘Finding something to eat,’ Zoe replied as they came nearer.

  ‘I’m exploring our new town,’ Abbie said. ‘Thought I’d head over to Huntley Manor next. What are you going to have for your dinner, then?’

  ‘I like pizza,’ Zoe told her.

  She laughed. ‘Don’t we all. Are you settling into the cottage, okay?’

  ‘It’s lovely,’ Eszter said. ‘I can’t thank your sister enough for telling us about it.’

  ‘Louise is always making me feel bad for how helpful she is. I’ve promised her that I’ll do an act of kindness, and I have no idea where to start.’

  ‘You’ll know it when someone needs your help,’ Eszter said.

  ***

  Abbie watched Eszter and Zoe go into the supermarket, and carried on her walk through the town. She wasn’t sure who could need her help here. She didn’t think her skills would be much use in Littlewood at all, which was why she had to move on from here as quickly as she could.

  She walked down the length of the high street and then turned towards the Manor, passing Brew and making her way up to the large oak door. She’d always had a fondness for stately homes and hadn’t been able to indulge in looking around one for ages.

  Abbie walked into the lobby and saw a small, abandoned reception desk, so she carried on into the lounge area. There was an impressive fireplace with a painting of Littlewood hanging above it, but the room was dark, the curtains faded, the carpet looked a bit threadbare and the furnishings were clearly in need of a clean. It was elegant, but it looked as if it needed some TLC. She couldn’t help but cast her critical eye over it after spending many a meeting inside London’s top hotels and a few nights in them with Jack.

  She shook her head as thoughts of him invaded. He had bowled her over when she joined his company. It had felt illicit to start seeing one of the bosses and the fact that he was a partner there at the age of thirty-eight had impressed her. She felt like she could learn a lot from him; plus his good looks and smooth talking had charmed her on the first day they had met. Abbie wasn’t sure what had gone wrong, but quite suddenly he lost interest and stopped arranging dinners and nights out, didn’t text her good morning and, at work, become colder, more professional, all seemingly overnight. It all seemed so obvious now, that he had known she was on the redundancy list, and it had hurt to know he hadn’t warned her or chosen their relationship over work.

  Jack had looked nervous when they called her into the boardroom to tell her the news. He told her that as one of the newest staff members there, it was first in, first out. What had hurt the most was that Jack had had the nerve to offer his hand to shake, along with the other two partners, when she stood up to leave.

  It had taken all of her willpower not to break down and cry right then in front of them. She had instead fled to the loos and broken down in privacy there.

  Forcing herself out of her misery, Abbie looked around once more before moving on to the dining room. It was an impressive, long room with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and French windows displaying views of the vast estate. In front of the sloping green lawns was an outside dining area that had chairs and tables all covered up, which struck her as strange for the start of the summer season. Abbie noticed that the door was open slightly, so she stepped outside into the grounds. The sun was peeking out through the clouds, and the promise of warmer days seemed to be on the horizon.

  Abbie couldn’t see any guests around, or staff for that matter, as she strolled around the outskirts of the house. It was in need of a paint job and the garden could do with a tidy-up too, or at least some colourful flowers and hanging baskets. At the back of the house were stables, albeit empty of horses. She heard a noise and stopped.

  ‘Look, I know I asked for more time before, but it’s the summer – our busiest time – so . . .’ a harassed voice sounded out from behind one of the stable doors. It was man with a cultured lilt to his frustrated voice. ‘John, you know I would pay if I could. I just need another extension. A couple of months? Okay, a month then? Yes, I know you think I should sell. Well, yes, I might have to, but please, just give me this summer.’ The stable door opened and Abbie jumped, her cheeks flushing at being caught eavesdropping. She stood there like a lemon as a tall, dark-haired man in a suit and wellies strode out. He didn’t even notice her as he walked towards the house, talking on the phone. ‘Okay, I’ll come and see you next week. Thank you. Goodbye, John,’ he said, shoving his phone into his pocket.

  Abbie found herself following him. She knew she should act as if she hadn’t heard any of that, but this man and his hotel were definitely in trouble, and she could see why. She could also see what a shame that was, as this place had a lot of promise.

  She thought of Harry and Joy in Brew; when they were doing so well, how was it that the hotel whose grounds their café stood in wasn’t reaping the same benefits? Curiosity got the better of her and she spoke up before she could stop herself.

  ‘Excuse me,’ she called tentatively.

  The man stopped and finally noticed her behind him. ‘Can I help you?’ he asked.

  Face to face, Abbie saw that he was younger than she had thought, only a couple of years older than she was. Yet this was the man in charge of Huntley Manor. She was intrigued.

  ‘Are you the manager here?’

  ‘I’m the owner actually. Well, and manager. Thomas Huntley.’

  ‘Oh.’ No wonder his accent was so posh, he owned this vast estate. Abbie was intimidated, but she wasn’t going to let that scare her away. She thought of all the times she hadn’t told Jack what she really thought and she didn’t want that to happen again. Abbie thrust out her hand, thinking she had nothing to lose at this point. ‘I’m Abbie Morgan and I think I can help you.�
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  Chapter Five

  Thomas Huntley cut an imposing figure, especially as he was over a foot taller than Abbie, but it helped that he had wellington boots on as it made him seem a little more down-to-earth.

  He raised his eyebrows. ‘And how can you help me?’

  ‘I couldn’t help but overhear that the hotel isn’t doing that well.’

  ‘You mean you listened to a private phone call?’ Disdain dripped from every word.

  ‘Well, I certainly didn’t mean to, but you do have a loud voice and it’s very quiet around here.’

  Thomas started walking again with a shake of his head and Abbie hurried to keep up with him. ‘I suppose you want me to sell like everyone else? Another estate agent, are you? You really are all vultures.’

  ‘I’m not an estate agent. Actually, I work in PR. Well, I did until very recently, and I think I can help. This place could be amazing, but I can’t see any guests and, could you slow down a bit, please?’ Abbie was almost panting as her much shorter legs tried to keep up with his strides. They made their way into the dining room. ‘I get that you don’t know me, but I love coming up with ideas to help businesses and I happen to be free this summer.’

  Thomas stopped and faced her again. ‘Let me get this straight – you were sacked from your job but you think I need your help?’

  This time, it was Abbie who raised her eyebrows. ‘I wasn’t sacked, I was made redundant and not because I’m not good at my job.’ Why was she bothering to try and convince him? This place had drawn her in. It reminded her of the house her grandparents had owned in Cornwall, but she didn’t think Thomas Huntley would be persuaded by sentimentality. ‘I haven’t been in Littlewood long, but imagine what it would be like if this house was left here empty, or worse if it wasn’t standing here overlooking the town at all? Is that what you really want to happen?’

  Thomas sighed. ‘Unfortunately, I might not have any choice but to sell. The mortgage . . . well, I’m very behind and, as you rightly pointed out, we have hardly any guests.’ He sighed. ‘Why would you want to try to help? Even I’m not sure there’s anything left to save.’

  ‘Isn’t it better to say you tried to keep it going than to always wonder what might have been? Why regret not trying?’

  ‘I can’t pay you.’

  She smiled. ‘That’s not why I offered to help. I promised someone that I’d pay their act of kindness forward so that’s what I’m going to do. I have skills that you need and while I’m here this summer, trying to find another paying job, you might as well put me to use. We can try and save Huntley Manor together. What do you say?’ She held out her hand.

  Thomas shook his head. ‘Abbie, was it? I have never met anyone quite as forceful in my life before, and you should have seen my father. He would turn in his grave if I gave up on this house. So, okay, let’s try. But I warn you, we’re going to have our work cut out for ourselves.’

  As Thomas shook her hand, Abbie grinned, feeling hopeful for the first time since she walked out of her office in London. ‘I managed to get a disgraced client of ours to star in, and win, Strictly Come Dancing. This will be a piece of cake in comparison.’

  ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about, but okay. I’m guessing it was Harry and Joy who put this mad kindness idea into your head, wasn’t it?’

  ‘I knew it! It’s a cult, isn’t it?’

  This time, Thomas laughed. ‘I don’t think Littlewood would ever be hip enough to have a cult, but they are passionate about being kind, and it has rubbed off around here.’

  Abbie could understand why. As Thomas introduced her to the small staff, she felt good about herself for what she was doing. She liked that she was able to help out Thomas and the team, and that she had lived up to the pact she had made with Harry, Joy and her sister.

  Eszter had been right: Abbie had known instantly that Huntley Manor needed her, and she was determined not to let it down.

  ***

  They spent the remainder of the day looking around, with Abbie seeking out all of the hotel’s nooks and crannies she could find. The upstairs rooms were similar in that they were elegant but in need of sprucing up. Though they had lovely views of the grounds, they lacked the amenities guests would expect from a luxury hotel.

  ‘I’ll start by making a list of things we need to look at,’ she said decisively.

  ‘We have no money for improvements.’

  ‘There are still things we can do while keeping the cost down. We might be able to get a company to give away toiletries, for example, in return for promoting them. Oh, how is your online presence?’ Abbie asked as they walked back through the lobby. The receptionist had at last appeared and looked thoroughly bored at her desk. Thomas and Abbie stepped outside. The day was drawing to a close. She had somehow spent hours there.

  ‘Um . . . we have a website, I think.’

  She gave him a withering look. ‘You think? Thomas, your online presence is one of the most important things. I’ll look at it tonight. That is something we can do something about, easily and cost free. Right, I’ll talk to you on Monday then?’

  ‘I’ll be here.’ Thomas shifted on his feet, ‘Abbie, I do appreciate this, but I’d rather the town didn’t know how much trouble the house is in.’

  ‘They may want to help, though.’

  ‘I suppose I’m not used to asking for help.’

  ‘Well, now you have me, and I have no shame at all if it gets us where we need to be. But don’t worry; I’ll keep it to myself, if that’s what you want.’ She wondered why he felt the need to be so reserved, considering the trouble he was in. She supposed it was hard to change the ways of a lifetime. Huntley Manor must once have been the life and soul of Littlewood, and it must be so hard for Thomas to accept that the house was barely clinging on by its fingertips now. ‘What was this place like when you were growing up?’ she asked before she turned to go.

  ‘It was . . . thriving.’ She could see he was remembering that time as he smiled and looked at the house rising behind them.

  ‘Then it can be again.’

  She hoped the same was as true for people as it was for places.

  Abbie walked back to her sister’s cottage, her heels almost bouncing off the pavement. A project already, it was just what she needed. She checked her email as she walked and there were a couple of rejections to her applications. There was also an email from a client she had worked with saying how sorry they were to hear she had left and they wished they knew of any opportunities for her. She tried not to feel disheartened. She hadn’t been job-hunting for long. There was no rush. She needed to find the right thing anyway. And as she searched for the perfect place, she could throw herself into helping Thomas make Huntley Manor thrive again.

  ***

  Louise was in the kitchen in her pjs pouring out wine for the both of them when Abbie returned with a Chinese takeaway. She had taken off her make-up after causing her mascara to spill everywhere as she let herself have a cry over Peter.

  ‘I have news!’ Abbie trilled as she walked in. Louise forced a smile but she couldn’t match Abbie’s beam. ‘I have also bought enough to feed about six people. Are you okay, Lou?’

  Abbie was staring at her and Louise knew she wouldn’t be able to pretend everything was fine any longer. Wordlessly, she handed Abbie her phone with Facebook open on the screen. She turned to get out plates and cutlery while her sister absorbed the news.

  ‘This has nothing to do with you,’ Abbie said, firmly, turning off the screen and putting the phone down on the counter. ‘Peter was always selfish. You got out just in time. You would never have been happy married to him.’

  ‘He said he didn’t want to get married, that everything was happening too soon, that commitment scared him. We were together for years, Abs. And now he’s marrying someone he hasn’t known for more than a minute! So, you’re wrong. It has everything to do with me. I wasn’t good enough for him to want to marry.’ Louise hated how her voice wobbled as she sp
oke and she hastily took a long gulp of her wine, pleading with herself not to cry again. Abbie never cried over anything, she seemed to be able to handle whatever was thrown at her, whereas Louise felt like she was for ever struggling.

  Abbie grabbed her sister’s hand. ‘That’s complete crap. You were, and always will be, good enough for whoever you fall in love with. The point is, whether they’re good enough for you. You fell in love with him too young; you couldn’t see his faults. You loved him unconditionally, that’s how big your heart is. But trust me, you are much better off without him.’

  ‘Let’s get the food out. I am in dire need of some comfort eating.’ Louise busied herself plating up the food, aware of her sister’s gaze on her the whole time. ‘I really thought I was over it,’ she said in the end as they carried their over-full plates to the living room, curling up in an armchair each. ‘What was your news? I’m sorry, you seemed excited when you came in and I ruined it,’ Louise said, trying to inject some enthusiasm in her voice. She shovelled a spring roll into her mouth. When in doubt, eat, was their motto for most moments.

  Abbie launched into an enthusiastic speech about Huntley Manor. ‘It really reminded me of Nan and Granddad’s house. I feel like I can help him, even though I don’t think he believes it can be saved.’

  ‘I’ve met Thomas a few times. He’s always intimidated me. He’s so tall and rich,’ Louise admitted. ‘But he definitely cares about Littlewood; he’s on the board of some local charities and is a school governor, I think. Maybe he has just run out of ideas. You’re brilliant at them, so I think you’ll make a great team, and I’ll be especially happy about it if it keeps you in my little town a bit longer.’

  Abbie smiled. ‘Small-town life doesn’t really appeal to me like it does to you, I’ll still be trying to get back to London, but it’ll do me good to get stuck into a project here. Maybe Harry and Joy are right about this kindness lark as I feel pretty good about trying to save Huntley Manor.’