A Change for the Better?

by Stephanie Drury

  By six thirty in the evening Katie started to realise just how wrong she had been, the queue was starting to snake around the green as the entire village, it seemed, had decided to save themselves the hassle of cooking tea and to get their evening meal at the fayre instead. Katie was filling jacket potatoes, slicing quiches, spooning crumbles into dishes and slicing pizza almost simultaneously. Fortunately she had Jess, Andy the Landlord’s daughter to help her, and she was a godsend. Jess was serving all the people queuing with a pleasant smile and an efficiently quick turnaround in the seating area without anyone feeling they were being hurried along. And when some of the older villagers arrived Jess simply picked up their plates for them and walked along to the table with them, cutting down on the ‘chat’ time without appearing at all rude. It was clear Jess had done this many times before. At seven fifteen there appeared to be a bit of a lull so Katie sent Jess for a well-earned break and started to clear some of the chaos that surrounded her, though, if truth be told, she wasn’t entirely sure where to start!

  “Need a hand?” a familiar voice said behind her, “I’m a dab hand at the clearing up” Ben was leaning against the counter with a tea towel in hand.

  “God, yes please” Katie grabbed him quickly before he could change his mind. “If you could clear the tables? Most of it can be thrown away, the plates are paper but the mugs and cutlery need to go in these crates and across to the pub. Andy’s putting them through his dishwasher – but make sure it’s on hot, I don’t want them coming back with bits on” she added sternly.

  “Aye, aye Cap’n” Ben teased and set about the tables as Katie cleared the kitchen debris, setting the supper items up and serving the odd customer as she went along. She had kept Friday’s supper simple so she wouldn’t have too much to clear up before Saturday which was going to be the busiest day. She had jacket potatoes in the potato oven with cheese, tuna and coleslaw to go on them, all to be served in boxes so there would no washing up. She also had many cheesecakes, ready sliced and waiting to be plated for those who wanted something sweeter. Katie was just checking the urns were full of water and getting the takeaway cups she was going to use in the evening ready when she heard a strangled cry behind her. She spun round just in time to see Jess sail across the kitchen area and land in a crumpled heap on her right ankle, at which point she let out another scream. Katie dashed over to her and she could see the tears in Jess’s eyes as she tried to get up and put some weight on the damaged ankle.

  “Here, lean on me” Katie instructed and then led Jess to one of the seats in the café. Jess’s ankle was throbbing now and she was distraught.

  “I’m so sorry Katie; I don’t think I can walk on it at all. Maybe we can put a chair behind the counter and I can serve from there” she offered. Katie smiled and shook her head. “No Jess, I think you need to go and get that ankle checked out properly. Don’t worry about me _ I’ll be alright, I’m sure I can get someone else to pitch in.” she said with more certainty than she felt. Dispatching Lucy to find Jess’s dad, Katie soon had Jess patched up and on her way to Accident and Emergency at Rawlinston Hospital. She now had to tackle her second problem of who she could get to help. Lucy had offered but she was already helping Poppy on her stall, and judging by the amount of things she had dropped clearing just three tables it looked like she might be more of a liability than a help!

  Just as he was wondering where to turn Ben appeared round the corner of the marquee with two crates of now clean crockery and cutlery.

  “What’s up, Katie Crabsticks?” he asked as soon as he saw her worried face. Katie explained her current dilemma. “No worries” Ben smiled, “I can help, I was always on standby anyway. So if you’re okay with it I’ll give you a hand.” Katie didn’t hesitate, Ben had shown himself to be surprisingly useful at the job so she accepted his offer before he had chance to change his mind.

  The evening was soon in full swing, the committee had booked a country and western band for the evening with a caller for the dances. The marquee had been decorated appropriately with bales of hay dotted around to sit on, and flagons of ale on the tables. There was an array of checked shirts and denim from those who were dressing for the occasion. The lively ripples of music were proving infectious. Katie looked across the dance floor and she could see Cliona and Declan throwing themselves around with gay abandon. Cliona’s hair was flying out and up and down, Declan seemed remarkably light on his feet for such a bear of a man. Then there was Poppy dancing with Guy if she wasn’t mistaken, they weren’t quite so wild as Cliona and Declan but, none the less, seemed to be enjoying themselves. Katie thought it was probably the first time she had ever seen Guy smile – it improved his appearance no end, as did being with Poppy if Katie was any judge. Even Lucy had left her teenage street coolness at the door of the marquee and was now launching herself into a swirling polka with a good looking boy Katie recognised as Jess’s older brother, Dominic. Katie laughed as Lucy’s ponytail was flung up and down as if it had a life of its own.

  “Wishing you were out there?” Ben whispered over her shoulder, making her jump.

  “Oh no” Katie shook her head, “I’d be hopeless at it” she added, looking wistfully at the dance floor.

  “Ah but you don’t need to be any good – after all they tell you what to do” Ben reasoned, with that he grabbed her hand and ran her to the dance floor before she could protest. They found a gap in the dancing hordes just as the caller announced everyone to take their partner for the Gay Gordon. Soon Ben and Katie were twisting and turning and polka-ing around the floor and, if they were a little inept, they made up for it with their enthusiasm. They made quite a striking sight as they flashed across the dance floor, Katie’s auburn hair flying out and her amber eyes shining as she laughed as they missed yet another step and then Ben’s tall figure, a head above most others on the dance floor. Cliona thought she had never seen either of them happier and she said as much to Declan.

  “Don’t go getting any ideas, Clio” Declan cautioned, “don’t start meddling – if they’re right for each other they’ll find it out for themselves.”

  Cliona pouted, but acquiesced, a little too easily for Declan’s comfort but he decided, on this occasion, to ignore his instinct and whisked Cliona back onto the dance floor.

  After half an hour of the exertions, Katie and Ben retired back to the kitchen gasping for a drink. It was already nine thirty and the band would be having a break soon, so business was likely to take an upturn. After quenching their own thirst, Katie and Ben soon had the jackets ready to go and copious amounts of cups ready for those in need of a tea or coffee. In no time they had a queue formed but they had become a well-oiled team and they soon had everybody fed and watered, as Mo called it. Katie was just around the back of the kitchen taking the last few potatoes out of the oven as Cliona came up to the counter to grab a slice of cheesecake and a large mug of tea, seeing her opportunity she decided to stop and have a quick chat with Ben. Fortunately for her Declan was chatting to some business acquaintances at the far side of the marquee or there was every chance he would have dragged her away, recognising the look on her face as the one she had exactly before she was about to extract her extremely large wooden spoon and start stirring!

  “So you two made a striking pair on the dance floor” was her opening gambit.

  “Striking being the operative word” Ben joked, “I think we took out most of the dance floor at some point or another, and ourselves if these are anything to go by” he added, looking at newly forming bruises on his forearms.

  “Well you were both well into the dancing anyway – or was it into each other?” Cliona suggested archly and was pleased to see a slight flush in Ben’s cheeks not entirely due to his recent dancing so she decided to press on. “You looked lovely together; I’m so glad you’re both getting on, Katie needs someone good in her life now – after that idiot in London.”

  “It’s a bit soon for that isn’t it” Ben asked intrigued, despite himself, “she�
�s probably sworn off men at the moment hasn’t she? That’s what women do when they’ve been disappointed isn’t it?”

  “Disappointed!” Cliona roared with laughter, “Have you just dropped out of a Jane Austen novel? Let me tell you, we’re not disappointed, we’re usually bloody furious or totally broken hearted but not disappointed Mr Wilson!” Ben laughed, “Okay, okay, I get it but still I don’t think Katie’s looking for anyone else just yet.”

  “Well I wouldn’t be so sure” Cliona said, as a parting shot, leaving Ben wondering if maybe she was right. There was no denying it – he liked Katie a lot but had always told himself that it wasn’t an option; she was only looking for friendship so that was what he had given. But if it could be more ……………….

  CHAPTER 26

  Ben was just pondering this intriguing new thought when he heard Katie bellowing from the back of the kitchen area

  “Wilson, get your backside in here – the job’s not finished yet, you know, everything’s still to be washed and gotten ready for tomorrow. Don’t think a quick trip round the dance floor gets you off the hook” Katie stood, hand on hip, waving a fish slice in as menacing a manner as could be fashioned with a plastic implement.

  “Alright, I’m coming, for God’s sake, you’re a hard task master Katie Crabsticks, I’m not even getting paid for this – I’m doing it all out of the goodness of my heaaaaaaaaart!” Ben howled as his legs slipped from under him on a blob of cream that had been dropped on the floor, and he landed with an enormous smack on his back!

  “Oh my God” Katie screeched, “are you okay?” she added running over to him. Ben groaned and Katie started giggling, “Sorry, sorry, I don’t mean to laugh, it’s just I keep seeing it in my head and you looked so funny.” She finished on another bubble of laughter, “I’m sorry, sorry. I’m okay now – are you? Does it hurt anywhere?” she asked with concern.

  “It’s my back” Ben said so faintly that Katie had to lean right down next to him to catch his words.

  “Where, where does it hurt?” she asked.

  “Just here” Ben said, grabbing her hand and catching her off balance so she fell down on top of him.

  “Not so funny now eh?” Ben teased and wrapped his arms round her as she tried to get up, “There’s no escape” he added, but Katie had stopped struggling. She didn’t feel like escaping and simply lifted her head to look Ben straight in his clear blue eyes, his eyes darkened as he met her gaze and started to pull her gently towards him, just as their lips were about to touch Lucy’s voice sounded from the counter out front

  “Is there any cheesecake left? I’m starving”

  Katie sprang up guiltily just as Lucy appeared in the kitchen ready to repeat her question when she noticed Ben on the floor. “What are you doing down there Ben? Did Katie knock you out?” she asked. Katie thought she heard him say ‘sort of’ but it was swiftly followed by a groan as he pulled himself up so she might have been mistaken.

  “I slipped on that” Ben explained to Lucy, pointing to the offending blob of cream now spread across the floor, “and Katie thought it was most amusing too – isn’t that right?” he asked looking at Katie who felt her colour rise.

  “Yes that’s right” she admitted, “but I defy anyone not to laugh when watching such a comedy pratfall as that”

  “Oh right” said Lucy, losing interest quickly now that Ben seemed to be okay, “so is there any cheesecake left?” she returned to her original question.

  “Yes” Katie replied, rolling her eyes, “there’s a couple of slices on a plate in the back there, take it through for you and Poppy.” Lucy was gone before Katie had finished speaking, leaving Katie and Ben staring awkwardly at each other. Ben cleared his throat, “Umm, so was that the last of the cheesecake?” he grinned suddenly, forcing Katie to relax.

  “Actually, it was, and I was really looking forward to a piece of it – Nevermind, I can probably rustle up some toast and jam if that’ll do?” she offered.

  “Well it’ll do for now but how about we do it properly on Sunday night? Let’s have dinner at Angelo’s, after all, the last thing you’ll want to do is cook something and we can talk properly then with no interruptions” Ben said as he looked her directly in the eyes so that she wouldn’t misunderstand him. Katie couldn’t think of anything she’d rather do on Sunday night but settled for saying “Okay then that’ll be really nice”

  Ben smiled, “Great, it’s a date then – and I won’t have to wash up!” he added.

  “Maybe not” Katie answered in a mock stern voice, “but you’ll still have to tonight so we’d best get a move on.”

  Ben groaned – again!

  CHAPTER 27

  Saturday morning dawned even brighter and sunnier than the day before and with the sun came much more warmth than the day before. Katie raised her face to the sun as she walked up the main street to the marquee for day two of the festivities. It was only seven o’clock in the morning and already it was warm enough to just be wearing a T-shirt, although Katie had tied her cardigan round her waist just in case it grew colder during the day. Not that it was likely it would ever be cold in the marquee if yesterday had been anything to go by! The kitchen had been extremely busy and extremely hot, but to be fair, Katie thought, that might have had something to do with the dancing too. In fact the thought of it now was bringing on a flush! Katie bounced happily up the road, she hadn’t felt this happy or positive for a long time, long before Marcus, long before London and she knew in her heart it wasn’t just down to the fine weather, but that was a great start and she was looking forward to spending a bit of time relaxing in it later in the day. What a vain hope that turned out to be!

  It transpired that Katie was not the only one who wanted to enjoy the weather and the fayre had been thronged with visitors, villagers enjoying their annual festivities and coach loads of tourists, who spotting the event on their way to Burton Manor, had all stopped and were busy exploring the delights of the craft stalls, rooting for bargains in the antique shops and playing on the coconut shy and hook-a-duck!

  “Even the church is bursting at the seams” Cliona told Katie as she dropped by for a cold drink, “I haven’t seen the vicar this happy since he had two chalices of communion wine to finish.” And, of course, all these people were paying a visit to Katie’s café. Tea, coffee, scones, pastries, cakes, biscuits and squash were flying off the counter. She and Ben barely had time to say hello before the first group of thirty pensioners had arrived and there hadn’t been a lull since. At eleven o’clock Katie had to send Ben for extra supplies as all the cold drinks had gone. When he returned the lunch time trade was starting and Katie was soon barking out more orders to him. Are the quiches ready? Can you clear those tables? Were all the cold drinks put away? she demanded.

  “Yes, they were” was Ben’s calm reply, “and could you pass me that brush to put where the sun don’t shine and I’ll sweep the floor at the same time” he added with a grin.

  “Don’t tempt me” Katie said ominously.

  “No? I was going to try and do that tomorrow evening” he said with a wink that brought the colour immediately to Katie’s cheeks.

  “Oh Katie, my dear, you look flushed, you must have been very busy doing all this by the look of all this lovely food” a voice said from the other side of the counter, just in time to save Katie from her blushes.

  Katie spun round to see Mary Clackett standing there, beaming from ear to ear.

  “Mary, how lovely to see you. How are you? How’s Ken doing?” Katie asked.

  “Well, my dear, why don’t you ask him yourself? He’s sat at the table over there” Mary pointed behind her. Katie dropped what she was doing and ran over to Ken giving him the biggest hug.

  “Ken, I’m so happy to see you, you look so well. How are you feeling?” she asked.

  “Well, lass, I’m doing right well now, we’ve had a few weeks at the coast with Mary’s sister and I’m right as rain now – and that’s mainly due to you and this yo
ung man here.” He said, tipping his head towards Ben who had appeared with tea and scones for them all.

  “I never got the chance to thank you properly” Ken continued, “and I’m not sure if I can, but me and my Mary will always be grateful that you two were there when it happened.” Ken shook Ben’s hand and kissed Katie on the cheek as Mary’s eyes welled up with tears and she nodded her head so vigorously it looked like it was on a spring.

  “Yes, yes, I don’t know what would have happened if you weren’t there” she added.

  “It’s alright, Mary, love” Ken said, patting her hand, “don’t get upset, it’s okay now and I’ve been given the all clear to go home.”

  “Oh Ken, that’s wonderful” Katie exclaimed, giving him yet another hug, “so when are you coming back to Tolpuddle?”

  “Well, that’s the thing, lass, Mary and I have decided not to come back to Tolpuddle House. You and young Ben here might not always be around and if something else happens we need to know someone is nearby. So we were chatting to Mo and Bert the other day and they told us all about the bungalow they’re moving into at Cheadle House and that there’s another one vacant, so we went to have a look around it – and loved it. So we’re going to move in there – it’s all arranged” he finished happily and held Mary’s hand like two teenagers just falling in love not two septuagenarians who had been together fifty years. As Katie had wistfully put it when she was telling Cliona over a quick coffee the following day. Saturday had flown past after the Clackett’s visit with barely time for a sip of water and Katie had returned home to Tolpuddle at half past eleven and gone straight to bed, barely even having the energy to even get undressed. She had returned for the final day of the fayre flagging a little and by late morning Ben had gone off in search of some real coffee for a proper caffeine boost, rather than the instant stuff that Katie had. Cliona had popped across for a quick chat before the church service finished at eleven thirty when numbers would pick up a bit.