Summer at the Kindness Cafe

by Victoria Walters

  She sat cross-legged on the floor with Anne in the armchair behind her and opened up a box with some of Nick’s school things in.

  ‘His favourite subject was English. He loved telling stories,’ Anne said as Eszter lifted up a notebook filled with Nick’s childish writing. ‘In hindsight, it shouldn’t have been a surprise that he ended up teaching it.’ She sighed heavily, the weight of the past still acute.

  ‘He wanted to make you happy,’ Eszter said, looking at a school photo of Nick. Her husband had been kind and loyal; she knew he would have wanted his parents to be proud of him, and that must have weighed on him growing up, when he knew he really wanted to do something vastly different to what they wished he would. She hoped she would always let Zoe choose her own path in life.

  She glanced at her daughter, who was lost in the box of books, and smiled, knowing that she would always be proud of her, whatever she chose to do.

  ‘Look at this, Mum,’ Zoe said, holding up a copy of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. ‘This looks good.’

  ‘Your father loved that one,’ Anne said. ‘Open up the first page.’

  Zoe did and showed them that Nick had written his name there and the date he got the book. ‘Can I add my name?’

  ‘I think you should,’ Anne told her and handed her a pen.

  Eszter watched her daughter add her name and ask Anne for the date, and her heart swelled. Nick and Zoe would read the same pages of that book years apart. They would always be connected. The ones we love and lose never leave us. They leave their mark on us, an imprint that stays with us even though we don’t always know it’s there. Eszter knew that she and Zoe would be okay because of the imprint Nick had left on them. They had had so much love and happiness in the years they spent together, she knew that they would always carry that with them.

  ‘I’m going to start reading it tonight,’ Zoe said, holding up the book so they could see her name below her father’s.

  ‘Will you read it to me? I’d like to hear the story too,’ Eszter said, her voice breaking a little as she looked at how happy her daughter was to have Nick’s book.

  ‘We could have hot chocolate too!’

  Eszter laughed. ‘Sounds perfect.’

  ***

  After dinner, Eszter left Zoe having a bath at Anne’s and walked round to Louise’s cottage to drop off the cakes for the kids at the hospital.

  Abbie opened the door with a smile. ‘Come on in,’ she said, letting Eszter go on through. They went into the living room. ‘Louise is still at work,’ Abbie said, offering Eszter a drink, which she turned down, knowing that she couldn’t stay long.

  ‘I just wanted to drop off these cakes for Louise to take into the hospital,’ Eszter explained, putting them on the kitchen counter.

  ‘Oh, that’s sweet of you, they will love them.’

  ‘So, how does it feel to be back?’

  Abbie smiled. ‘Really good. I was surprised how much I missed it here. And all of you guys.’

  ‘What happened with Jack?’

  ‘It turned out he’s been suspended from where we worked. They think he was stealing money, claiming things under expenses that weren’t legit.’

  Eszter let out a gasp.

  ‘I know. I couldn’t believe it. Needless to say, I no longer wanted to set up a company with him or stay living in his flat.’

  ‘I can believe that. It’s good you got straight out of there. I bet Lord Huntley was pleased to see you?’ Eszter smiled, thinking that the two of them made so much more sense than Abbie and that horrible Jack. She knew that Louise thought there was chemistry between them too. After Louise and Alex seeming to fail before they had even begun, Eszter was keen to matchmake for someone else, and Abbie sure needed something good to happen after going through all of that with Jack.

  ‘I’m not sure, to be honest. I think I hurt him by going away. He’s happy for me to keep helping out, and we’re planning the end of summer party together, but it’s not quite the same.’

  ‘But I thought he bought you a painting?’

  Abbie pointed to it, now hanging above Louise’s fireplace. ‘That’s it there. It’s a picture of our grandparents’ old house in Cornwall. It was such a thoughtful present, but he bought it before I left.’

  ‘He cares about you, Abbie, that’s obvious. You don’t buy a sentimental painting like that for someone that you have no feelings for.’ Eszter remembered Nick buying her a necklace that looked just like one she had had when she was younger soon after they first met. It had really touched her. Expensive gifts didn’t mean anything compared to ones that showed the giver had really paid attention to things you had told them.

  ‘Maybe.’ Abbie shrugged and looked as if she was pretending not to be bothered when she obviously was. ‘I need to start thinking about what to do after the end of the summer though. Once we relaunch Huntley Manor, I won’t be working on anything.’

  ‘I thought you were planning to set up your own PR company?’

  ‘That’s what I was going to do with Jack.’

  Eszter raised an eyebrow. ‘Why can’t you do it without him?’

  Abbie looked at her. ‘Well . . . I don’t know.’

  ‘Seems to me that all he did was hold you back.’

  ‘I guess I could,’ Abbie said slowly. ‘It would be scary, though, on my own.’

  ‘Sometimes the scariest things are the ones most worth doing,’ Eszter replied, thinking of her trip to the UK. ‘Think it over. You can claim Thomas as your first client; I’m sure he’d give you a good testimonial.’

  ‘Let’s see if we can keep the hotel open first.’

  ‘Well, if you need any help, just let me know. To be honest, I have no idea what I’m going to do at the end of the summer either, so anything that takes my mind off that is a good thing.’ She stood up from the sofa. ‘I’d better get back to Anne’s. It’ll be Zoe’s bedtime soon.’

  Abbie followed her to the door. ‘Thanks again for the cakes. And the career advice.’

  Eszter chuckled. ‘You’re welcome. Think it over. I’m sure you can do anything you want to do, Abbie.’

  Abbie gave her a hug. ‘You too.’

  Eszter stepped out into the darkening light and waved to Abbie as she started to walk back through Littlewood. She knew she couldn’t put off thinking about what she and Zoe would do after the summer ended for much longer. August was in full bloom – before they knew it, the trees would start to turn and the nights would draw in, and it would be time to leave Littlewood. She would never have guessed how much that thought would sting.

  She looked around the town as she strolled back to Anne’s house, feeling more at home here than she ever thought would have been possible. She had to remind herself that this wasn’t her town, she was just visiting. It seemed as if she and Abbie were both at a crossroads, not sure which turn to take next.

  She hoped the answer would soon become clear to both of them.

  Chapter Ten

  A few days later, Louise felt as if she was dying. She was curled up on the sofa under a blanket. It was grey and raining outside and she blamed the cooling of the weather for the stinking summer cold she had suddenly come down with. That, and the snotty kid at the hospital a few days before who she was sure had passed on his lurgy. The perils of working in close contact with sick people and their visitors, she supposed.

  Abbie had forced her to call in sick before setting off to Huntley Manor, which Louise really hated doing, but she had to acknowledge that she was in no fit state to look after anyone. At least Louise had two days off work after today so could get over it properly. It sucked, getting a cold in summer, and she was feeling really sorry for herself.

  There was a sudden knock on the door, causing Louise to jump and then groan.

  ‘Who is it?’ she called out groggily from the sofa, not wanting to have to walk all the way to the door.

  ‘It’s Alex, can I come in?’

  Louise’s mouth opened in horror. Her nose bo
re a sharp resemblance to Rudolph’s, her throat was dry and croaky, her hair was unwashed and limp, and she had come out in at least four spots around her chin. Plus, she was lying in her PJs having not even washed that morning, and there was a row of used tissues on the coffee table in front of her.

  The door opened. ‘I’m coming in!’

  ‘Wait, I’m ill . . .’ she started to protest, trying to sit up.

  But there he was in the room. ‘I know you’re sick, that’s why I came by. Don’t get up! Please, lie back down.’ He walked over and sat down in the armchair by her. ‘I was just in Brew and Abbie was getting coffee, she told me you were having a sick day, and your cottage is so close to work, I thought I’d drop off a care package.’ He held out a paper bag and a cup. ‘Coffee and the biggest Danish pastry they had.’

  Louise was stunned. ‘Oh, wow, thank you.’ She had been trying not to listen to her rumbling stomach as the thought of getting up and going into the kitchen to make something had zero appeal. She took the bag and cup gratefully. ‘Thank you so much. It smells amazing.’

  ‘I know I always fancy that when I’m ill and never feel like getting up to go to Brew. So now you won’t have to,’ he said with a smile.

  ‘This is really kind of you, Alex.’

  He stood up. ‘No problem at all. Oh, Abbie gave me this for you as well.’ He passed her a plastic bag. Inside were two magazines, more tissues and a big bar of chocolate. ‘Everything you need to survive, right?’

  ‘You guys are brilliant,’ Louise replied, feeling distinctly less sorry for herself.

  ‘You’d do the same for us, Nurse Louise. Now, lots of fluids and rest, yes? Vet’s orders.’

  She smiled. ‘Well, I’d better do as you say then, hadn’t I?’

  He chuckled. ‘Anything else you need while I’m here?’ He picked up the remote control to the TV and put it by her. ‘In case you feel the need to indulge in daytime TV.’

  ‘Does anyone feel that need?’

  ‘Good point. Right, I’d better get to work and help heal more of the Littlewood sick. Take care, okay?’

  ‘I will.’ She watched him walk out. ‘Thanks, Alex,’ she called, wishing she didn’t feel all warm and fuzzy inside about his visit.

  She opened up the bag from Brew and felt like applauding the deliciousness inside. Alex had somehow known exactly what she needed.

  Louise wished he hadn’t seen her looking and feeling like such a mess but she knew it didn’t matter; they were friends and that was that.

  She bit into her pastry and opened up one of the magazines, thinking that a sick day like this she could almost actually enjoy.

  ***

  Abbie’s phone rang as she walked towards the library in Huntley Manor with the two coffees she had bought at Brew on the way in. She put them down on a side table in the corridor and paused to answer, looking at the name on the screen with a smile. ‘Hi, Kate.’

  ‘So, are you all settled back in Littlewood?’

  Kate was really the only thing she would miss in London, Abbie decided. ‘I am. I’ve just arrived at the hotel to start work. We really want this party to be huge. You are coming, aren’t you?’

  ‘Of course. I even sent back my RSVP. Actually, a few people from my work were talking about needing a hotel for events so I told them about it. It’s okay if I show up with a few more people, right?’

  ‘Sure. Just try to let me know numbers as I’m terrified we’ll run out of wine.’

  ‘That really would be a disaster.’ Kate paused. ‘Listen, I have news but I’m not sure whether to tell you.’

  ‘Is it about Jack?’ Abbie was instantly worried about what she might hear. She hadn’t had any contact with him since she left London, and she really didn’t want to.

  ‘Yes. Do you want to know?’

  Abbie wished she could confidently say no, but she was still curious about what was going on. Even though she was furious with him, she was also worried about him; she had, after all, cared about him for a long time. ‘Tell me.’

  ‘I spoke to Melanie. They were talking about a tribunal, maybe even the police, so he did what he had to and resigned; they’re dropping the investigation. But, basically, they all know that it was true – he was fiddling his expenses.’

  Abbie exhaled. ‘Wow. He’s resigned. Well, he had no choice really, did he? He must be devastated.’

  ‘Plus, there’s no way he can keep his flat now, is there?’

  ‘No, I guess not. Wow. He really has ruined everything.’

  ‘Don’t feel sorry for him, Abs,’ Kate said sternly, hearing the concern in Abbie’s voice. ‘He brought all of this on himself, don’t forget that.’

  ‘I know, I won’t. But we spent a long time together, you know? I just wish it had all turned out differently.’

  ‘Do you miss him?’ Kate asked then in a softer tone.

  Abbie shook her head even though Kate couldn’t see her. ‘I miss what we had, what we could have had, if that makes sense? I did the right thing in coming back here. I don’t think the London life is for me any more.’

  ‘I honestly never thought I’d hear you say that.’

  ‘Me neither. I can’t wait for you to come here and see it for yourself.’

  ‘I’m looking forward to it.’

  They said goodbye then, and Abbie picked up her coffees again and walked to the library.

  She hoped Jack was okay. Maybe he could go and stay with his parents until all the furore died down. She supposed he wouldn’t be able to work in PR again. When your own public image is worse than your clients’, you have a pretty big problem.

  ‘Morning!’ she called to Thomas as she went in.

  He was at his desk and looked up with a smile. ‘That looks like a welcome delivery.’

  ‘I had to stop off at Brew on the way in.’ She passed him his coffee, then sat down opposite him. ‘What are you working on?’

  ‘I’ve been looking at local bands – it would be nice to have a local group doing the music at the party. Make it a real community event?’

  ‘That’s a good idea. Plus, they will hopefully be cheaper, or even free.’ They grinned at one another. ‘I did something this morning.’

  ‘Oh God, what?’

  ‘Hey!’ Abbie said with a laugh. ‘I booked a driving lesson. I thought it was about time I learnt for real, and I can’t keep driving around here and narrowly missing trees, can I?’

  ‘Look out, Littlewood.’ Thomas smiled at her annoyed expression. ‘I’m only joking, it’s a great idea. If you’re planning to stay out of London you’ll need a car.’

  ‘I’ve been thinking about that. Eszter had an interesting idea actually.’ She told him what Eszter said about Abbie setting up her own business. ‘I mean, do you think I could do it?’

  ‘Of course you could. It won’t be easy, as you’ve seen from my experience, but you have all the right ideas and skills to be able to make a success of it. All you need is the determination.’

  Abbie smiled at him. His words warmed her. She liked how Thomas seemed to really see her. ‘It’s just getting started really, isn’t it? I’ll need investors and some cash flow before I can take on any clients. It’s scary.’ She bit her lip. She had never shied away from a challenge, look at how she had got to work on Huntley Manor, but this would be her biggest challenge yet.

  ‘I’ll have a think if there’s any way I can help. You should go for it though.’

  ‘Maybe I need to wait to see how this party goes. If it all fails, it won’t look good to new clients, will it?’

  ‘I thought I was the pessimistic one,’ he reminded her. ‘We’ve already had some people book in to stay the weekend of the party. It appears people are looking forward to it, so that’s a great start. We just need them to spread the word if they have a great time here.’

  ‘Which they will.’ She sipped her coffee. ‘I’m going to start calling the local press; we need it to be covered as widely as we can,’ Abbie said, pulling out her lapt
op and phone from her bag.

  ‘I wish I could stay and hear you smooth-talk journalists, but I have guests to see to. We could have lunch together?’ he suggested.

  ‘Definitely.’

  She stole a look as Thomas walked out, his long legs striding gracefully as usual, and then looked away quickly, feeling silly. They were work partners, that was all, she told herself sternly, but the thought of lunch together with him out on the terrace kept her smiling most of the morning.

  Chapter Eleven

  Louise was having lunch with Julie in the hospital café. A rare opportunity, as they hardly ever managed to have a break at the same time. Louise picked at her sandwich, still not feeling a hundred per cent after her nasty cold. Julie was grinning at her phone, frantically texting someone. Louise didn’t want to ask, but she was convinced it was Alex who she was talking to.

  ‘Oh, he’s so sweet,’ Julie said, finally putting her phone down and picking up her sandwich again. ‘He’s coming to get me after work. We’re going to see a film and have dinner. It’s the first time I’ll be seeing him since the barbeque. I’m kind of nervous,’ she gabbled, her face unable not to smile.

  Louise could barely remember that first flush of romance. It was so long ago that she and Peter got together, and they were so young they hadn’t really dated, just become boyfriend and girlfriend from friends. But then she thought about how she felt when Alex smiled at her and she understood why Julie was so excited.

  ‘That’s great,’ Louise managed to say, putting her sandwich down, its taste suddenly sour. She didn’t want to be one of those people who couldn’t be happy for other people just because they’re not, that wasn’t her, but it had been easier to do it when she hadn’t been remotely interested in love herself.

  ‘I brought a dress to change into. I hate having a date after work, you always feel like a mess, don’t you? But at least it stops you spending two hours changing outfits,’ Julie said with a laugh.

  ‘Two hours? I’m glad I’m not dating,’ Louise said, trying to laugh as well.

  ‘You really should. Don’t you get lonely?’