Only Gabe hadn’t made it.
‘I’d love to lend a hand, but Noah fell asleep at the dinner table,’ he’d explained on the phone, sounding disappointed. ‘School is tiring him out and I don’t know the people in the boats next door well enough to ask them to babysit him yet. I’m missing out on all the fun.’
I pictured him alone having an early night, with a book, in that bed …
‘I could come round later, if you like?’ I found myself saying. ‘Tell you all about it.’
‘Really?’ I could hear the smile in his voice. ‘Great. Oh and be careful. If anyone asks, you’re collecting pre-ordered stock. OK?’
We drove in, past the public car park and along the driveway marked ‘Deliveries’ and parked in front of the longest polytunnel. There was a bit of a breeze and the sky was dark and cloudy but spirits were high.
Nonna had borrowed a black hoody from Ed and Stanley had put the hood up on his cagoule and pulled the drawstrings in tight. The pair of them looked like jolly Grim Reapers.
‘I so excited, I already need to pee,’ Nonna said in a low voice, scuttling off to the customer toilets.
Clementine and Tyson were waiting for us, side by side in front of the garden centre entrance in matching padded gilets, jeans and work boots. They made quite a pair: Clementine so tall, thin and pale, Tyson, chubby and pink.
‘I doubt that the buyers would send anyone round tonight,’ said Clementine, making us all squint as she shone a torch in our faces. ‘But I’ve turned the outside lights off just in case. Have you all got your torches?’
We all flashed our lights on and off.
‘We can take a few trays off you to sell in our shops,’ Ken offered. Biddy and Nina nodded their agreement.
‘I’ve been thinking about that,’ I said swiftly. ‘We could make a big day of it. Like a village fête but led by us, the businesses.’
Everyone murmured their interest and Clementine cleared her throat.
‘It’s cold and dark and quite possibly muddy,’ she said in a wavering voice. ‘And yet you’ve all turned out to help a silly old woman who has made a total mess of things. I can’t thank you enough.’
We all began to dispute her claims and Tyson threw his arms round his boss and pressed his face into her bosom. ‘I’ll miss you,’ he said in a squeaky voice. ‘You did your best.’
She patted his head awkwardly. ‘I did. I just wish my best was better.’
‘Well, I can’t think of a more fruitful way to spend an evening,’ said Stanley, taking Nonna’s arm and looping it through his.
‘Talking of fruit,’ Clementine wiped her eyes on her sleeve, ‘if you and Maria would like to start on the strawberries, while I head for the sweet peas …’
She divvied up the jobs and we all set off. Tyson showed Dad and me to a row of handcarts and we took one each.
‘Follow me to the marigolds,’ he said, steely-eyed. ‘Let’s do this.’
Chapter 15
Two hours later, it was mission accomplished and we called it a night. We left a few packs of bedding plants to avoid raising suspicion as Gabe had advised and around five thousand tender seedlings had been secreted in numerous cold frames and greenhouses around Barnaby. Clementine had written watering instructions down for people and made promises to give advice if anything looked like it was getting too ‘leggy’. Everyone was so fired up with the drama of it all that no one had wanted to go home, so Adrian invited everyone back to the pub for a drink ‘on the house’.
I made my excuses and walked along the dark lanes through the village to the river. The lights on the other narrowboats were off, but there was a welcoming glow from inside the cabin of The Neptune.
‘There’s a real sense of community in this village,’ said Gabe, after I’d filled him in on the capers amongst the courgettes. ‘Barnaby is a lovely place to live.’
It was too breezy to sit comfortably on the little deck tonight so we were in his cosy living area instead. He handed me a mug of tea and slid a stool under my feet. It wasn’t particularly comfortable – a built-in bench-style arrangement – but I was so tired that with gentle music playing in the background, soft light from one solitary lamp and the lulling motion of the boat on the water, plus the warmth of the small space, I soon began to relax.
Noah was fast asleep and the two of us kept our voices low.
‘Everyone is talking about you, singing your praises.’ I slipped my shoes off and made myself more comfortable. ‘Clementine, Nonna, even my dad.’
‘Really?’ He sat down next to me on the sofa. ‘It’s mutual. I’ve been made to feel really welcome in a short space of time. And I want us to fit in, it’s important to me.’
‘You’ll no doubt have made quite an impact at the school gates too. A new face and a single man with a cute …’ I sipped my tea and looked at him over my mug. ‘Boy.’
‘I did feel the weight of a few stares.’ He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. ‘I hate that, to be honest, although I’m getting used to it now. It happened at Noah’s nursery too. All the curious looks and the wondering what happened to Noah’s mum.’
‘Sorry.’ I bit my lip, touching his arm lightly. He was wearing a denim shirt with the sleeves rolled up and his skin was warm. ‘I didn’t mean to make light of it. I should have thought of that and come with you. At least on Noah’s first day.’
‘That would have given them even more to speculate about.’ He grinned. ‘Anyway, it’s fine. Moving somewhere different is always going to be difficult at first. We’ll soon be old news.’
I peered at him surreptitiously as he gazed into his mug; somehow I doubted Gabe Green could ever be old news. Unless he left, which, I realized with a jolt, I didn’t want him to do.
‘You mentioned liking the freedom of boat life to Dad. Does that mean you’re not planning on staying in Barnaby for long?’
He puffed out his cheeks and didn’t answer straight away.
‘Million-dollar question. The whole narrowboat life … it has served me well for three years, but at some point I’ve got to put down roots, build us a better life on solid ground. A family life.’
His eyes held mine for a second and my heart thumped.
‘Being here has given me a taste of what I could be part of again. I want to get back on track. Rejoin the real world.’
‘Verity would applaud that.’ I grinned. ‘I should warn you that she has asked me to introduce you to all the eligible women in the village.’
He groaned. ‘All of them?’
‘Don’t worry, there aren’t many.’
‘I’m only interested in one.’
‘So you’ve been looking already?’ I raised my eyebrows, wondering who the lucky girl was.
‘It’s not just about having a girlfriend.’ He laughed softly. ‘It’s a whole lifestyle change and I need to be part of a community again. Until I moved here I thought that working as a French polisher would see me through life and I’d stay living on the boat with Noah but now …’
‘I know what you’re thinking,’ I said, sitting up straighter.
My heart leapt with pride for him; Gabe was ready to kickstart his career and it was being in Barnaby that had done it.
‘Do you?’ His grey eyes searched mine and he twisted his body towards me.
I nodded. ‘And I think you’re absolutely right.’
It must have been helping Clementine out that had reawakened his interest in law. And, of course, working as a solicitor would be demanding; he’d need a support network around him for that to work. And I didn’t mind helping out.
‘Thank you for making it easy for me.’ He exhaled. ‘Because this is a big thing.’
‘Of course it is!’ I said encouragingly. ‘I have a theory that we should be the very best version of ourselves and I think for you that means getting a proper job again.’
‘A proper job?’ He stared at me, his expression telling me that I’d got the wrong end of the stick.
‘That
wasn’t what you meant?’ I stammered.
‘No, I …’ He raked a hand through his hair. ‘Actually, I was working up to asking you out on a date.’
He looked so deflated that it was all I could do not to hug him.
‘Me?’
‘But I can see now that that wouldn’t work,’ he said flatly. ‘Especially as I haven’t got a proper job.’
I was mortified to have insulted him and my stomach lurched.
‘Forget I said that. Of course you’ve got a proper job,’ I said hurriedly. ‘I thought I was doing the right thing, trying to encourage you and I misunderstood you, that’s all.’
He sprang to his feet. ‘No, I did. Put it down to lack of practice. I’m really sorry. And you’re right. It is time I got my act together. Why would a girl like you …? Look, forget it.’
I stood up too, feeling awful. ‘Gabe, let me explain.’
‘No need.’ He plastered on a smile. ‘Honestly. Message received and understood.’
He pressed a kiss hastily to my cheek and ushered me to the door. ‘You must be tired. Long day. I know I am.’
He faked a yawn and stretched his arms above his head.
I stood my ground and stared at him, forcing him to make eye contact.
‘Gabe, listen.’ I tucked my hair behind my ears. ‘I’m really flattered and I do really like you but—’
I could see Gabe’s chest rising and falling with every breath, waiting for the end of my sentence and my heart went out to him. It wasn’t his fault, it was mine. He’d done nothing wrong. I was preparing to flee as usual. It was a shame because Verity loved him, all my family seemed to like him and he’d done nothing but help everyone around him since he’d been here. And on top of that, there was no denying it, Gabe Green was totally gorgeous.
He wasn’t the problem, I was.
‘It’s OK,’ he said stoically. ‘A widower plus a four-year-old boy isn’t much of a catch.’
‘No. It’s me who isn’t a catch. I know enough about you and Mimi to know how happy you were and that you’ve had your heart broken,’ I said softly. ‘But what you don’t know is I have a past too.’
An image of Callum’s stricken face flashed through my brain, his pleading with me to give him another chance, that this couldn’t be the end. I shuddered at the memory.
‘We’re in our thirties,’ Gabe shrugged. ‘Who doesn’t have a past?’
‘Not like mine.’ I shook my head sadly. ‘Verity will confirm it: as soon as someone starts to get close, I run a mile. I can’t help it. It’s the way I am. I can’t …’ I swallowed. ‘I can’t take the risk. Not again. And you deserve better, Gabe, believe me, you and Noah.’
‘What happened to you?’ he said, reaching out gently to take my hands.
His eyes bore into me as if he was searching my soul for answers and my heart thudded in case he found them.
I looked at the floor between us. ‘Don’t. Please don’t ask.’
‘OK.’ He nodded and stepped closer until I could smell his lovely smell and feel the warmth radiating from his body. I squeezed my eyes shut. God, I was so fickle and idiotic. I wanted to meet someone but it was almost as if I activated a self-destruct button as soon as a glimmer of romance came my way.
Gabe pulled me into a quick friendly hug instead.
‘Friends?’ I said, relishing the feel of his arms round me.
‘Yeah,’ he murmured, pressing the swiftest kiss into my hair. ‘Friends with benefits.’
‘Gabe!’ I gasped, pulling back to gawp at him.
‘What?’ He shrugged innocently. ‘I’m a French polisher who’s collecting a load of your furniture tomorrow. What did you think I meant?’
I was still smiling when I climbed into my bed an hour later.
Chapter 16
The next morning, I was frying eggs at the griddle with one hand and jotting down ideas for a village event with the other when Lia approached me, holding out a spoon.
‘Taste this,’ she said.
I blew on the food and opened my mouth for her to pop the spoonful in. It was packed with flavour: aubergines, tomatoes, garlic and herbs with a cheesy breadcrumbed crust.
‘Seriously good,’ I confirmed. ‘What is it?’
‘Aubergine Parmigiana. I thought I’d try something different, even though you’re resisting all my attempts to revamp the menu.’
I looked at my sister, her face animated and her smile wide, and felt a wave of pride for her.
‘I think you’ve found your talent, you know,’ I said, putting down my pencil and giving her a one-armed hug. ‘Cooking makes your eyes sparkle. Oh BOGOF!’
I released her and scribbled the word down.
‘I was going to say thank you,’ said Lia wryly, ‘but on that note …’
‘Not you. Buy one get one free,’ I said, turning my attention back to the griddle. ‘Juliet?’
I peered over my shoulder and waited for her to catch my eye. ‘Two eggs sunny side up for Barry, to go with the beans on toast.’
Juliet swooped into the kitchen with a warmed plate and some new orders and bore Barry’s breakfast away.
‘I’ll take over,’ said Lia, wrestling the spatula from my hand. ‘You go and scribble insults on your pad.’
I breathed a sigh of gratitude. ‘Thanks. I can’t relax until I know how we’re going to help Clementine make money from those seedlings with an event like I promised.’
‘Shouldn’t the café be your priority, now that you’re the manager?’
‘The café still is my priority; we’re having all the furniture renovated this week,’ I said, picking up my notebook and pencil. ‘Gabe should be here any minute.’
My heart gave a little leap. I’d made such a mess of last night. I’d made him think his job wasn’t good enough when really I admired all he’d achieved. I’d have to make it up to him today somehow.
‘Funny,’ she said slyly, cracking two more eggs into the pan. ‘I’ve never heard you say that the furniture needed work. Then Gabe turns up and hey presto.’
‘It was Nonna’s idea, not mine,’ I said, concentrating on keeping my features neutral. I checked through the café to see if he’d arrived. Not yet. Friends with benefits. I stared at the words I’d written and tried to ignore the fizzing in my stomach: ‘free plant with every purchase’ and ‘BOGOF’. Hardly thrilling.
‘Plus,’ I said, ‘he needs the work; we’re doing him a favour.’
‘With absolutely no ulterior motive,’ sniggered Lia.
‘Absolutely none. Anyway,’ I continued, blithely, ‘back to this event. If I’m smart about it, I can put the café on the map and help Clementine. I just need to come up with a plan.’
‘You’ll think of something,’ Lia said airily. ‘You’re brilliant like that. That is your talent. Besides, you’ll have to; the whole village is counting on you.’
‘No pressure then,’ I said with a groan and headed out of the kitchen.
The café was busy this morning and a huddle of customers queued at the counter; the weather was damp and drizzly and the people of Barnaby had obviously decided that a warm café was infinitely preferable to the chilly outdoors.
Juliet looked up from sprinkling chocolate powder on two cappuccinos and jerked her head towards a man behind the counter.
‘Just sign for that parcel,’ she said. ‘He’s been waiting ages.’
The courier held a large plastic bag out to me. ‘Name?’
‘Rosie Featherstone.’
‘Signature here, please.’
I signed for the parcel, which was addressed to Dad from a posh lingerie company, and dialled his number.
‘A parcel of ladies’ undergarments has just arrived, Dad. Is Dolly Parton making a comeback?’
‘Dolly? No! That was a one-night-only performance. This is a surprise for your mum. I couldn’t have them arriving in my office. People jump to all sorts of conclusions.’
They certainly do, I thought, remembering how Lia and I ha
d done just that where Dad was concerned.
After a rather tongue-in-cheek write-up in the paper on Sunday about how midlife crisis affected professional men, featuring Dad in his sparkly dress, he had consigned his drag act to history. His agent, who it turned out was just a chap from a working men’s club in Sheffield, had been gutted; he’d already lined Dad up to sing at a stag party. Dad had appeased him by passing on the number of the Russian Cossack dancers from Liverpool. Now Gabe had got him interested in narrowboats and he’d bought himself a book on the history of English waterways. Mum wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or not.
‘How lovely,’ I said. ‘What’s this in aid of?’
He lowered his voice. ‘Remember when she caught me looking at bras online and she said to you she only wore plain boring ones?’
‘Yes?’
‘Well, not any more. I thought she deserved something beautiful, just like her.’
I felt a lump in my throat suddenly. How lovely to have someone to dream up little ways to brighten your life. I thought back to how I’d woken up with stomach cramps this morning; I’d have loved to have been able to nudge someone and ask if they wouldn’t mind fetching me some tablets or simply have given me a cuddle to make me feel better.
I shook myself; that wasn’t going to happen, was it? Not while I dispatched every suitor who came my way with a curt ‘thanks but no thanks’.
‘She’ll love it, Dad, and she’ll love you for thinking of her.’
I was still smiling about it when Stanley came in for his breakfast.
The Lemon Tree Café Page 15