‘You can butt out as well,’ Chloe said before she headed for the toilets.
‘Chloe!’ Kate shouted after her. ‘We’ve got customers to serve. You mustn’t walk away. Chloe!
‘She was in the wrong,’ Lucy reasoned later that afternoon as she sat with Kate during a break. Chloe hadn’t spoken to either of them since their disagreement. She’d stayed in the kitchen or behind the counter with her arms folded every time she got a few minutes to herself. It was now quarter to five. There were two tables occupied: one by a man reading the evening newspaper and one by a woman trying hard not to cry for reasons known only to her. Four teenage girls were draped colourfully over the settees. Once their dishes were cleared and their tables wiped over, there would only be the floor to mop.
Kate returned her cup to the saucer with a clatter. ‘She’s got to learn that she can’t always say what she wants without taking the consequences.’
‘I suppose she was used to having her own way at home.’
‘Well, she’s not getting it here. We’re running a business, not a nursery.’
Lucy sighed and reached for the sugar bowl. ‘I know, but she’s only young. I’ve said loads of things I’ve regretted in my time.’
‘And I bet you had many a good rollicking afterwards.’
‘I suppose so.’
‘I know so,’ replied Kate. ‘Sometimes we have to learn the hard way. In the meantime, we have to try and keep it from Lily.’
Later that evening, forgetting the fact that she’d started the argument, Chloe’s mind tumbled over and over the lunchtime events until she could practically repeat what had happened word for word inside her head. She lay on her bed thinking of things that she should have said in answer to Angela’s wisecracks. The night outside was invitingly warm as the curtains flapped in the slight breeze coming through her open window. But she didn’t care.
Kate should have stood by her, that’s what friends are for. If it wasn’t the girls on the van who took the sign, then who was it? Who else would rib her like that so she’d give as good as she got and make herself look a fool?
It had taken a while before she’d accepted she’d been in the wrong. She had jumped to conclusions and made things far worse. But she was damned if she was going to break the silence first. She picked up a magazine, flicked to a new page and decided to stay in her bedroom all night if it proved a point.
But moments later, she realised that it might be to her advantage to apologise first. If she let Kate think that she was sorry, she might not get the telling off she knew she deserved.
Chloe smiled to herself, pleased with her plan of action. It had to be worth a shot.
But first she would let Kate stew.
The next morning, Kate was enjoying her second caffeine fix of the day when Chloe came downstairs at twenty past eight. Kate gave her a smile. No matter what mood Chloe was in, it wouldn’t spoil hers.
‘Sorry about yesterday,’ Chloe said straight away. ‘I was way out of line. It was my fault.’
Surprised by her apology, Kate tried not to let it show. ‘It wasn’t very professional. You had no right to go accusing someone like that. Can you imagine how they must have felt?’
Chloe pulled up a stool next to her. ‘You’re right. I don’t know what came over me.’
Kate observed Chloe as she attempted to look shamefaced by glancing down at her hands.
‘Sometimes you’re a bit too inquisitive,’ she told her. ‘You need to step back a little, not be too presumptuous. It makes you come across as arrogant at times.’
‘Sorry,’ Chloe repeated. ‘It won’t happen again.’
Kate smiled. She knew what Chloe was up to but if it worked and, at the same time made her job easier, then she was willing to go with the flow.
An hour later, Kate noticed the man who had come in last week sat at table four again. No matter how many times it happened, it still gave her an immense feeling of pride when someone kept returning. So when he came to settle his bill, she slipped him a chocolate muffin into a paper bag. The smile he gave her lit up his whole face, taking emphasis away from the mean and moody darkness of his eyes.
‘Third visit gets you a treat,’ Kate offered in the way of explanation.
‘Thanks. I’ve been to the solicitors along the way again so I thought I’d try another one of your lattes.’
‘Oh, you’re a legal type?’ Kate drew a conclusion from the sharp suit he was wearing.
‘Nothing as glamorous I’m afraid. I’m a computer engineer.’
‘Oops,’ she smiled apologetically. ‘Trust me to put my foot in it.’
‘No offence taken. You’ve certainly turned this place around in a short space of time. I hope it does well for you. Do you know the old couple who lived here? What happened to them? Did they sell up?’
‘No, Mr Mortimer died earlier this year. I’m sorry, but I’m not sure how well you knew him.’
‘Not that well. I’ve only been into the old café a few times, when I was younger. What about the woman? Lily, was that her name?’
‘Yes, Lily is still the owner. I’d introduce you but she’s –’
He gave her another smile that she noticed reached his eyes. ‘Oh, not to worry, I’m sure I’ll be calling again. Thanks for the cake.’
Kate watched him leave, thrilled that he turned back and smiled at her before he closed the door. Cute ass were the first words that entered her mind. Luckily, there was no one there to see her blush.
Another week passed. Then another. A pleasant July turned into a mediocre August, the first week the weather being atrocious. It rained solidly for five days with the sun showing a brief appearance before disappearing again for the weekend. This week had been a little better and the long term weather forecast promised a glorious end to the month. No one was holding their breath.
Serle wasn’t their only regular customer as the business gradually built up. Mistakes were being made, but learned by. Not everyone liked dressings on their salads so they made it an optional choice. Chloe soon discovered that she couldn’t carry four cups and saucers when she was too idle to get a tray. Toast burned if no-one kept a watchful eye on it. And although Lucy and Chloe still bickered as if there was an imaginary scoreboard, their comments became less insulting.
Just as Lily thought things were starting to settle into a regular routine, she received the phone call that would send her world into chaos once more.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Ten past six the following morning, Chloe found herself wide awake and destined to stay that way. She reached up to pull back a curtain, pushed off her duvet and relished the suns rays on her naked body. Even this early in the day, she was hot. Luckily, business was still steady in the coffee shop. Kate had come up with the idea of an ice-cream special. Coffee and vanilla scoops drizzled in chocolate sauce. A wafer biscuit added the finishing touch. They’d even put out extra tables and chairs on the forecourt.
It was August sixteenth. The day of reckoning had finally arrived. After two years of hard work, Chloe’s exam results were due. She so wanted to pass her A levels with better than average grades, but underneath the worry of failing was the mixed feelings floating around inside her head. Getting those good grades would mean that she’d have to leave Somerley in a matter of weeks and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to. Spending time working here was always meant to be a temporary measure but lately she’d started to think about how she’d feel when it was time to move on. She was having fun, and although the coffee shop didn’t give her the huge salary her dad said she could possibly have with a sound degree, she’d started to wonder if she was ready to leave now that the time was drawing near. Though she still texted Manda most days, like they’d predicted, new friends had come along – even if one of them was Lucy. Her local haunts had been replaced by others, so she hadn’t missed them. And if she wanted to see her dad, or her brother, she could always jump on the train or get in her car.
She imagined what her dad
would say if she mentioned it to him. ‘You can’t live your life in a two-bit coffee bar, Chloe. What will you do when you tire of it and want to leave? There are no prospects, nothing to work towards. You’ll be bored in a few months.’
Would she get bored? Chloe questioned herself as she twirled strands of her hair around her index finger. She had only been working for just over two months. Any work she’d taken could have turned out this much fun, although she very much doubted it. If she’d chosen to work at her dad’s shop or the factory, where would she be now? He said he didn’t mind if she and Ben did their own thing, but really Chloe knew he wanted one of them to take over. Working for him would have been easy too. She’d have a better car, for starters. Longer lunch breaks and a slightly higher than decent salary.
But it wasn’t what she wanted. And the more she thought about it, the more she wanted to stay here with Kate and Lily. Chloe felt that she’d be letting them down but she didn’t want to let her dad down either. It seemed a no-win situation.
Still, everything could change today. If she hadn’t got good grades for her A-levels, she’d have to stay here anyway. Apprehensively she got up, took a shower and dressed in her uniform. At least she didn’t have long to wait.
‘Morning,’ Kate welcomed Chloe with a gentle hug of reassurance. ‘The big day comes at last. How are you feeling?’
Chloe blew the air out of her cheeks. ‘I’m petrified.’
Kate perched herself on a stool and slid a coffee over to her. ‘I remember when I had my results. My hands were shaking so much that I couldn’t even open the envelope.’
‘At least I don’t have to do that. My results will go to my home address. But it does mean that either Ben or my dad will see them first. And if it’s my dad and I’ve failed, then I’ll be more disappointed that he had to open the envelope.’ Chloe picked up the mug but before it reached her lips, she put it down again with a thud and delved into her apron pocket as her phone began to vibrate.
Kate had opened up and was already preparing the first order of the day for the women at the post office when she disconnected it two minutes later.
‘I didn’t hear you squeal,’ she called over.
‘The postman hasn’t been yet.’ Chloe sighed, her feet dragging across the floor. ‘Ben’s going to ring me later.’
‘Patience, dear,’ said Kate, feeling powerless as she could do nothing to alleviate Chloe’s apprehension. ‘Help me with this order and then I’ll make you some toast before the rush starts.’
‘You’ve made an impression on a certain friend of mine,’ Serle informed Kate when he called in for his usual morning coffee and teacake.
‘Oh?’ Kate took a quick glance around the busy room. No one waved for her attention so she decided to question him. ‘Tell me more.’
‘The guy I met in here the other day.’ Serle raised his eyebrows suggestively. ‘His name is Will.’
‘Well, that’s an improvement on Laptop Man.’ Kate smiled. ‘How do you know him?’
‘We went to school together and kept in touch for years afterwards. But I reckon it must be a good ten years since I last saw him. He hasn’t really changed that much either – still as good looking as ever, the creep.’
‘How old is he?’
‘He’s the same age as me, thirty nine. We both have the big four-o next year.’
‘He doesn’t look that old.’
‘He wanted to know if there is a Mr Kate on the scene. Of course, I told him he’d have to join the queue.’
Kate’s hand moved to the open collar of her shirt. ‘You might have put him off,’ she scolded.
But Serle said exactly what she wanted to hear. ‘Oh, I don’t think there’s a chance of that.’
An hour later, the door to the coffee shop opened and a voice boomed across the room. ‘I’ll have the biggest slice of cake you have and a cup of your finest coffee.’
‘Ben!’ Chloe came from behind the counter and ran straight into her brother’s open arms. ‘You said you’d ring me!’
‘I thought I’d come in person and surprise you instead.’
‘Kate, this is my brother.’ Chloe moved to one side, taking hold of his arm.
‘I’ve heard so much about you.’ Kate delighted in watching him squirm as he grasped for himself how much damage his sister may have done.
‘I’ve only told them the gory details,’ Chloe claimed quickly. She frowned as Lucy moved across the room towards them.
‘Hi, I’m Lucy,’ she gushed, holding on to Ben’s hand for far too long. She turned to Chloe. ‘You certainly don’t take after your brother. He’s really good looking.’
Kate bit her lip to stop herself from giggling. It was laughable how alike Chloe and Lucy were really.
‘Lily’s in the kitchen,’ said Chloe, ignoring her. ‘I know she’ll want to meet you too.’
Ben stopped Chloe dragging him towards the door by holding up his hand to reveal a white envelope. ‘Don’t you want to see your results?’
Chloe's heart found her mouth and she gulped. This was it. The moment she’d been dreading for ages, yet waiting for too.
Anxiously, she took the envelope. Her mind played tricks on her as she swore it was burning her fingers. While Kate and Ben started and finished a conversation with Lucy hanging onto Ben’s every word, she put her thumb in and out of the seal at least a dozen times.
A minute later, Kate snatched the envelope from her. ‘For goodness’ sake, Chloe. Open it. We want to know how you’ve done, even if you don’t.’
As Lily came over, Chloe leapt on the opportunity to waste a little more time. ‘Lily, this is my brother, Ben.’
‘I’m very pleased to meet you,’ said Lily.
‘Customers, this is my brother, Ben.’ Chloe waved an arm around the shop. People at most of the occupied tables nodded a greeting. A couple even raised their cups.
‘Well?’ questioned Lily.
‘She won’t open the envelope,’ Ben explained with a shake of his head. ‘I think she’s scared.’
‘No, I’m not! Give it here, Kate. I’ll open it myself.’
‘Now?’
Chloe nodded and the envelope was back in her hands. Without hesitation this time, she ripped it open and pulled out the slip that sealed her fate. She squealed so loud that a young boy and his dog walking past stopped in their tracks and turned their heads.
‘I’ve passed!’ Chloe jumped up and down on the spot. ‘I’ve passed them all!’ Handing the slip to Kate, she hugged her brother again. A round of applause erupted from everyone.
‘Well done, you.’ Ben twirled her around before placing her back on to the floor. ‘What grades did you get?’
‘A in Sociology, A in Law,’ Kate read aloud. ‘And you’ve got a B in Business Studies.’
‘I’m so proud of you,’ said Lucy, giving Chloe a hug and a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. ‘I can’t believe you’ll be leaving soon.’
Chloe realised the implication and opened her mouth to speak. But Kate’s stern look stopped her from erupting.
‘Time to celebrate,’ said Lily, feeling the tension too. ‘Free coffees all round, I think?’
As relief flooded through her body, Chloe felt light-headed and flung herself backwards onto the length of the nearest settee, much to the delight of the young man in front of her who plainly had a glimpse of red and white knickers when her short skirt flew up.
‘I’m so chuffed,’ she said. ‘I can’t believe I’ve got a B in Business Studies. That was my worst exam. I finished half an hour before the end of the time limit – I remember discussing it with Callum. Everyone else was still writing. Well, I must have written the right things. I must ring Manda, and Dad.’ She reached for her phone. ‘He’ll be dying to know too.’
‘Congratulations, my dear.’ Lily hugged her first before whispering in her ear. ‘I, for one, hope you won’t be leaving us yet.’
‘So, what’s next?’ Ben wanted to know. He and Chloe were sitting on on
e of the wooden benches in the square, drinking celebratory wine and eating chicken salad baguettes. A sole elderly gentleman sat reading a newspaper on the bench opposite them and a group of teenagers ambled towards the main road. Chloe had kicked off her shoes and was busy waggling her bare toes.
‘I don’t know,’ she replied. Her eyes flicked across to the place she’d grown attached to in such a short space of time. ‘I love everything about working in the coffee shop. Carrot cake and coffee aromas, the regular crowd of customers that have started to come in, a routine that I can handle blind-fold now if necessary. Even the deafening sound of the steamer exploding every thirty seconds doesn’t annoy me anymore.’ She picked up her glass and took a sip of wine.
Ben shook his head. ‘You can’t stay here, Chloe. It’s hardly a career, is it?’
‘You sound like Dad.’ Chloe placed her glass down carefully on the path. ‘What if I do want to stay here? He can’t force me to go to uni.’
‘He’ll try. You know he wants what’s best for you.’
‘But, how does he know what I want? Even I don’t know what I want to do with my life yet.’
‘That’s precisely why you go to university.’ Ben reached across her knees for a paper napkin. ‘A degree gives you more options for the future.’
‘Not necessarily. There are plenty of graduates on the dole.’
‘Not any that I know of.’
‘Look, big brother. I’ve had enough of the third degree.’ Chloe picked up the sandwich box they were sharing and popped her used napkin inside before replacing the lid with a click. ‘I’ve passed three A levels. Let me enjoy my success.’
Ben grinned, screwed his napkin up into a ball and flicked it at her. It hit her full in the face. Laughing as she lobbed it back, he picked up his glass and raised it in the air.
‘Here’s to my brainy little sister,’ he toasted. ‘May she make the right decision about her career. To go to university – or not.’
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