The Little Beach Café, page 6
‘Not told me? Who’s not told me what?’ Pippa went behind the counter and switched on the coffee machine.
‘Joe. He didn’t tell you I was coming.’
‘No, should he have?’ Pippa smiled, maybe this was his way of trying to make her feel better after yesterday. Maybe he thought if he sent a few customers her way it would make her feel more successful.
‘I’m his mum.’
‘Oh, right.’ Pippa plonked two cups of coffee onto the table, the steaming brown liquid puddling on the checked tablecloth.
‘You don’t remember me, do you?’
‘No, I… No, sorry, have we met?’ Pippa slipped into the chair opposite Carol and mopped the coffee from the table, leaving a smear of brown.
‘I used to work for your Great Aunt Kathryn. I remember you coming in with your mum and dad when you were a little girl.’
‘Carol? Carol. I remember you made me that knickerbocker glory with the extra strawberries when I cut my knee that time!’
‘That’s it,’ Carol chuckled. She had the same dimple on her right cheek as her son. ‘It’s funny what we remember from our childhood, isn’t it?’
Pippa nodded and took a sip of coffee. ‘Thank you for popping in.’
‘I’m more than popping in. You have me here every day for as long as you need me.’
‘I’m really sorry, but I’m closing up and moving back to London in a couple of weeks. And to be honest, even if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to afford to employ anyone.’ Pippa scrunched her nose up.
‘Oh, I don’t need paying, my love. Well, maybe in coffee and the odd hot chocolate from time to time but, no, I’m not here for a job. I’m here to help you. To give you some friendly guidance. Joe mentioned you wanted to return the café to its former glory and offer the home-made cakes and cream teas we used to serve when Kathryn ran this place and so I thought I’d come and share the recipes we used to make.’
‘Joe told you about my kitchen disasters yesterday, didn’t he?’ Pippa pulled at her T-shirt collar as a blush crept its way to her cheeks.
‘He may have mentioned it in passing, but please don’t be cross with him, he was only worried about you and has your best interests at heart.’
‘I am more than a little rubbish at baking, to be honest.’ Pippa smiled.
‘Ah, so was I when I started working here. Kathryn taught me everything I know, so I’ll just be passing the knowledge back to your family. But, if I’m stepping on your toes and you’d rather I didn’t, I understand.’ Carol patted Pippa’s arm.
‘Well, I am closing in a couple of weeks, I don’t want to waste your time.’
‘How about we do a deal then? I’ll help you initially for these next two weeks and you don’t make any decisions until then? We’ll see if we can drum up a bit more business in those two weeks. If we can’t, then, by all means, go ahead and go back to your old life, but if we can, you might reconsider?’
‘I don’t know if I can, I’ve just told Joshua’s headteacher I’m pulling him out.’ Pippa stared into her coffee cup.
‘Pam Havish? Don’t worry about her, she used to bring her own children in here when they were younger. I’ll have a word with her and let her know you’re not making any firm decisions quite yet.’
‘I’m not sure.’
‘You’ve not told Joshua about leaving yet, have you?’
Pippa shook her head. She had planned to wait and tell him as close to leaving day as possible. He’d be heartbroken to leave this place.
‘That’s settled then.’ Carol drank the last of her coffee and stood, picking up both their cups. ‘Come on then, let’s get started. Let’s show those expensive coffee chains how it’s done.’
Behind the counter, Carol began taking bowls, measuring cups and spoons from the cupboards, while telling Pippa which ingredients they would need. Soon the counter was covered in equipment and ingredients.
‘Right, I think we’re ready to make a start now. I thought we could start with a basic Victoria sponge recipe, if that’s OK? Have you got any fresh strawberries and cream? Don’t worry if you haven’t, we can improvise.’
‘Yes, I’ve got fresh cream, and I think, I might have some strawberries I bought for Joshua’s pudding upstairs.’
‘Perfect. Grab a pen and notebook too and you can write the method down as we go so that you’ve got it for next time.’
Pippa ran upstairs to the flat and sifted through the bedside table, she was sure she had packed the notebook she had fruitlessly recorded her budget in each month, never being able to make the money going in balance with the money flooding out of the account. There it was, a blue notebook with pale pink butterflies fluttering across the cover.
Strawberries and notebook in hand, Pippa paused in the doorway to the living room and shook her head. Maybe, just maybe with Carol’s help this place had a chance to pick up business and survive. Whether it was her and Joshua who could make this happen would take some time to find out.
‘So, when did Great Aunt Kathryn close this place? I’ve got to admit, when we got here I was expecting it to still be open.’ Pippa gently knocked the sieve against the side of the blue bowl and watched as the fine flour cascaded through the tiny holes and coated the butter and sugar mixture.
‘Did you? That must have been a bit of a shock then! Let me think…’ Carol closed the lid of the flour container and placed her hands on the work surface. ‘It must have been five years ago. Ever since your Kathryn’s heart op, which must have been ten years ago now, she was weaker than before and struggled to get around so much and then when my Bill passed away five years ago we made the decision to close. We just couldn’t cope with all the work any more. Kathryn became so frail and needed time to rest and then when Bill went, I just couldn’t cope with it all.’
‘Oh no, I didn’t realise she was poorly. Why didn’t she let us know?’
‘I’m not sure, to be honest. She was always such a fiercely independent lady and I think the idea of someone pitying her or mollycoddling her would have sent her running for the hills.’
‘I feel awful, if I’d known there might have been something Mum and I could have done. She could have come and stayed with us for a while or something.’
‘Don’t feel bad, it was the way she wanted it. She wanted to duck out of life here, at her home and near the beach.’
‘Even so, if we’d known…’
‘No, she was happy right up until the end.’
‘I always wanted to come and see her again but being with Mike, Joshua’s dad, we just never had the money. I wish Joshua had met her.’
‘She knew you would have done if you could have. She was proud of you, you know. Every time your mum rang her, Kathryn would spend days chatting about you to anyone who came in. Telling them she had a niece who worked in a posh restaurant in the city.’
‘I was a waitress, just a waitress.’ Pippa stared at the flour-dusted mixture in the bowl.
‘Yes, a waitress dealing with those jumped-up people that I would imagine would go into a restaurant in the city. I don’t know how you did it. Can’t stand people like that.’
‘Most of them were nice enough, there were only a few regulars who thought they were better than everyone else.’
‘Even so, she was proud of you. She didn’t much like that Mike of yours, though. And when your mum told her he had finally left you, well, that was the only time I ever heard her swear.’
‘Really?’ Pippa smiled. She couldn’t imagine her Great Aunt Kathryn swearing. ‘Why did she leave me the café? Do you know?’
‘I think she wanted someone to carry on her legacy, to keep the café going.’ Carol looked up at Pippa. ‘But don’t worry, she’d have understood completely if you want to go back to London.’
‘Umm, I know she would. She was one of the kindest people I’ve known. I just don’t know. My heart wants to stay, I just don’t see how it’s possible at the moment. It’s eating up money I don’t have, and if I don’t start making a profit I’m not going to be able to pay my credit cards that I’m living on back.’ Pippa shook her head. She had to face reality at some point; this was, and always would be, just a pipe dream.
‘Let me help you. Let me show you how to bake and together we’ll get this place turning a profit over. Wait and see.’ Carol patted Pippa’s floury hand.
‘I hope so.’
‘We will. By the way, I’ve asked Joe to pick Joshua up from school so we can work through. I hope that was OK?’ Carol took the bowl from Pippa, held it under her arm and whisked, magically turning the sloppy yellow mixture into fluffy pale mountains.
‘Hi, Mum.’ Joshua and Harley ran into the café, Joe trailing behind them.
‘Umm, something smells amazing!’ Joe piled book bags, lunchboxes and coats onto one of the tables and strode up to the counter. ‘Wow! Something looks amazing too!’
‘Oi, hands off!’ Laughing, she swiped Joe’s fingers away from the huge Victoria sponge decorated with strawberries and cream. ‘Thanks for picking Joshua up.’
‘You’re welcome. It looks as though my mum’s kept you busy today. Where is she?’
‘She’s gone home. Yes, she’s been amazing. I don’t know whether to thank you or slap you!’ Pippa smiled.
‘Thank me, please! The boys have already worn me out by racing me along the beach all the way home.’
‘Seriously, thank you. I was so angry with you when I found out you’d been gossiping about me, but now, well, I’m grateful that you did because look at everything we baked today.’
‘I didn’t gossip about you.’ Leaning his forearms on the counter, he looked into Pippa’s eyes. ‘I would never gossip about you. I was just worried that you’d throw the towel in on this place without giving it a real chance.’
‘Why would you care though? You’ve always been so critical of me and the fact that I was trying to get the café going again. Why the sudden change of heart?’
Joe shook his head. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve come across that way.’ He leant across further and took a deep breath, ready to say something else.
‘Mum, can we have some of that cake, please? We’re starving.’ Joshua and Harley peered above the counter.
‘Of course, you can.’ Scrunching up her forehead, she looked away from Joe. Had she done something to annoy him? ‘Do you want some hot chocolate too?’
7
Taking a deep breath, Pippa filled her lungs with the warm, salty sea air. This was as good as a million miles away from her old life in London. The air was not only laced with the unmistakeable seaside smell but was also pungent with hope, just as it had been that first night they had arrived.
Since Carol had begun helping her, Pippa had allowed herself to dream again, allowed herself to fantasise about how her and Joshua’s life could be if they were successful in bringing more customers into the café, at making more, no some, profit.
It had only been two weeks and already the promise of home-made cakes and cream teas were enticing customers to venture in. Even the smug marrieds from the playground had begun using the café as their meeting place for coffee and cake on a Tuesday and Thursday, much to Charlotte’s disgust, Pippa was sure, although she always seemed to perk up a bit when Joe happened to come in.
Standing still, she looked out to sea, the tide drawing the water up further inland. The white horses gently galloping towards Pippa’s feet. Stepping closer, she let the warm water wash over her skin and curled her toes into the wet sand. She didn’t want to leave. She couldn’t imagine going back to London now, not after having a taste of this.
She missed her mum terribly and she knew Joshua did too. That was her only pull towards London now. She had been a massive part of their lives. On a week by week basis Joshua had probably spent more time with Pippa’s mum than he had with her, so it was understandable that he missed her so much. Still, it was hard to see him cry for his nana, especially when there was nothing Pippa could do to help. Plus, if she was scathingly honest, it made her jealous and even more determined to put her all into making the café a success so it could be her, Pippa, who Joshua wanted at night. She wanted to fill that hole she had missed out on for so long thanks to the crushingly long hours she had worked in London.
Walking further into the sea, she let the shallow water lap at her ankles. She had no right to feel jealous of the bond between her mum and Joshua. Pippa knew she wouldn’t have been able to provide a roof over Joshua’s head if it hadn’t been for her mum looking after him. Still, she was determined to try her best to change their stars. Her baking skills were more than marginally better than they were two weeks ago before Carol intervened and offered her time and skills. There was hope.
She dropped one of her flip-flops into the water. Bending down, she scooped it out and shook it dry. Her mum had promised to visit soon, she was just waiting to get some holiday time agreed at work and then she’d come down to visit.
‘Pippa!’
Turning, she swept her hair away from of her face. ‘Hi, Joe.’
‘Are you on your way to pick up Joshua?’
‘Yes, I’m not planning on being late again. Not an hour late at any rate,’ Pippa laughed. ‘Your mum’s watching the café for me.’
‘That’s good then. I’ve got some great news for you!’
‘Oh yes? What’s that?’
‘The part has come to fix your leak.’
‘You mean I’ll actually be able to have water upstairs now? I’ll be able to get a drink without having to trek downstairs into the café in the middle of the night?’
Joe looked down at the sand at his feet. ‘Sorry it’s taken so long.’
‘It’s OK. I’m only joking. Well, half joking anyway, it will be nice to have water upstairs.’ Pippa stole a sideways glance and nudged Joe’s shoulder.
‘I know.’ Joe grinned back and pointed to the sea foaming at her ankles. ‘Can I come in?’
‘Of course.’ Standing still, she let the warm water lap around her ankles as Joe slipped off his trainers and socks, rolling up his jeans.
‘It’s nice and warm.’
‘You sound surprised. Don’t tell me you don’t usually paddle?’
‘I haven’t for a while, I’ve got to admit. So, my mum said that you were doing well with your baking.’
‘She said that?’
‘To be honest, I’ve noticed she’s still got her teeth so I’m assuming you’re improving.’
‘Oi, I’ll have you know I made a more than edible Victoria sponge this morning which didn’t even dip in the middle when I got it out of the oven. Well, not that much anyway.’ Pippa kicked and splashed water up Joe’s leg.
‘You’ll be sorry for that!’ Joe laughed, splashing her back.
Running ahead, Pippa laughed as Joe caught up with her and held her by the elbow, nudging her further into the sea.
‘OK, OK, I’m sorry,’ Pippa giggled as the sea lapped further up her legs.
Laughing, Joe twisted her around to face him. Pippa looked into his eyes and placed her hands on his forearms.
The shrill tone of Joe’s phone rang, breaking the moment between them. Dropping her hands, she stepped back as Joe reached for his phone.
‘Sorry,’ Joe mouthed to her and turned, walking up the beach speaking into his phone.
Shaking her head, she stared into the horizon, the sea growing a deeper blue the further out it reached. What had just happened? Or what would have happened if Joe’s phone hadn’t rung? Pippa wrapped her arms around her and smiled. After a rocky start, Joe had been lovely to her, and to Joshua. He was a natural with Joshua, he really was. Of course, Pippa knew it was probably only because Harley was in the same class and Joe was glad of a new friend for him.
But, no, she was sure she wasn’t imagining it, Joe had gone above and beyond to help Pippa. He had stepped in and looked after the café when she had rushed off to pick Joshua up when the clock had stopped and he’d sat and talked to her. Actually spent time talking to her and listening. When had anyone listened to her properly before? Apart from her mum, of course. It had been a long time, a really long time. And then there was the fact that he’d talked his mum out of retirement to help her get the café back to turning over a profit.
Leaning against the side wall of the playground, Pippa could see Charlotte and her clicky friends gossiping in front of the classroom doors, waiting for the bell to ring and the doors to open.
However much she tried to focus on the other parents in the playground, her eyes kept twitching involuntarily towards the gate. Where was he? Where was Joe? If he wasn’t careful, he’d be late.
The shrill drill of the bell rang out and Pippa jerked her head back towards the door. Smiling, she watched the children bound out, filling the playground with shouts and laughter. Joshua and Harley came out side by side, deep in conversation.
‘Hey, Mum.’ Joshua ran towards her, threw his book bag at her feet and scuttled off towards the wobbly bridge.
She watched as Harley wove in and out of the swarms of parents and children and made his way to the back of the playground. He ran the last metre or so towards Joe who must have just sneaked in, jumping into his arms before wriggling out of his grasp and hugging the person standing next to him. Pippa narrowed her eyes, trying to get a better view. It was a woman, slim built with short bobbed dark hair. Who was she? She hadn’t seen her before.
Joe looked across and raised his hand towards her. Pippa spun around, a deep blush creeping rapidly up her face. He’d spotted her watching him. Who was that woman? She was beautiful, whoever she was. Gulping, she realised it must be Harley’s mum. How stupid had she been, thinking that Joe would ever take a second glance at her? His ex was stunning, not just plain stunning, but amazingly just-stepped-out-of-a-magazine stunning. Drab, frizzy-haired Pippa stood no chance.
‘Come on, let’s get back to the café,’ Pippa called as she approached the bridge where Joshua and another boy were intent on seeing who could jump the hardest.
‘Aw, can we just play for a bit, please?’
‘Joe. He didn’t tell you I was coming.’
‘No, should he have?’ Pippa smiled, maybe this was his way of trying to make her feel better after yesterday. Maybe he thought if he sent a few customers her way it would make her feel more successful.
‘I’m his mum.’
‘Oh, right.’ Pippa plonked two cups of coffee onto the table, the steaming brown liquid puddling on the checked tablecloth.
‘You don’t remember me, do you?’
‘No, I… No, sorry, have we met?’ Pippa slipped into the chair opposite Carol and mopped the coffee from the table, leaving a smear of brown.
‘I used to work for your Great Aunt Kathryn. I remember you coming in with your mum and dad when you were a little girl.’
‘Carol? Carol. I remember you made me that knickerbocker glory with the extra strawberries when I cut my knee that time!’
‘That’s it,’ Carol chuckled. She had the same dimple on her right cheek as her son. ‘It’s funny what we remember from our childhood, isn’t it?’
Pippa nodded and took a sip of coffee. ‘Thank you for popping in.’
‘I’m more than popping in. You have me here every day for as long as you need me.’
‘I’m really sorry, but I’m closing up and moving back to London in a couple of weeks. And to be honest, even if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to afford to employ anyone.’ Pippa scrunched her nose up.
‘Oh, I don’t need paying, my love. Well, maybe in coffee and the odd hot chocolate from time to time but, no, I’m not here for a job. I’m here to help you. To give you some friendly guidance. Joe mentioned you wanted to return the café to its former glory and offer the home-made cakes and cream teas we used to serve when Kathryn ran this place and so I thought I’d come and share the recipes we used to make.’
‘Joe told you about my kitchen disasters yesterday, didn’t he?’ Pippa pulled at her T-shirt collar as a blush crept its way to her cheeks.
‘He may have mentioned it in passing, but please don’t be cross with him, he was only worried about you and has your best interests at heart.’
‘I am more than a little rubbish at baking, to be honest.’ Pippa smiled.
‘Ah, so was I when I started working here. Kathryn taught me everything I know, so I’ll just be passing the knowledge back to your family. But, if I’m stepping on your toes and you’d rather I didn’t, I understand.’ Carol patted Pippa’s arm.
‘Well, I am closing in a couple of weeks, I don’t want to waste your time.’
‘How about we do a deal then? I’ll help you initially for these next two weeks and you don’t make any decisions until then? We’ll see if we can drum up a bit more business in those two weeks. If we can’t, then, by all means, go ahead and go back to your old life, but if we can, you might reconsider?’
‘I don’t know if I can, I’ve just told Joshua’s headteacher I’m pulling him out.’ Pippa stared into her coffee cup.
‘Pam Havish? Don’t worry about her, she used to bring her own children in here when they were younger. I’ll have a word with her and let her know you’re not making any firm decisions quite yet.’
‘I’m not sure.’
‘You’ve not told Joshua about leaving yet, have you?’
Pippa shook her head. She had planned to wait and tell him as close to leaving day as possible. He’d be heartbroken to leave this place.
‘That’s settled then.’ Carol drank the last of her coffee and stood, picking up both their cups. ‘Come on then, let’s get started. Let’s show those expensive coffee chains how it’s done.’
Behind the counter, Carol began taking bowls, measuring cups and spoons from the cupboards, while telling Pippa which ingredients they would need. Soon the counter was covered in equipment and ingredients.
‘Right, I think we’re ready to make a start now. I thought we could start with a basic Victoria sponge recipe, if that’s OK? Have you got any fresh strawberries and cream? Don’t worry if you haven’t, we can improvise.’
‘Yes, I’ve got fresh cream, and I think, I might have some strawberries I bought for Joshua’s pudding upstairs.’
‘Perfect. Grab a pen and notebook too and you can write the method down as we go so that you’ve got it for next time.’
Pippa ran upstairs to the flat and sifted through the bedside table, she was sure she had packed the notebook she had fruitlessly recorded her budget in each month, never being able to make the money going in balance with the money flooding out of the account. There it was, a blue notebook with pale pink butterflies fluttering across the cover.
Strawberries and notebook in hand, Pippa paused in the doorway to the living room and shook her head. Maybe, just maybe with Carol’s help this place had a chance to pick up business and survive. Whether it was her and Joshua who could make this happen would take some time to find out.
‘So, when did Great Aunt Kathryn close this place? I’ve got to admit, when we got here I was expecting it to still be open.’ Pippa gently knocked the sieve against the side of the blue bowl and watched as the fine flour cascaded through the tiny holes and coated the butter and sugar mixture.
‘Did you? That must have been a bit of a shock then! Let me think…’ Carol closed the lid of the flour container and placed her hands on the work surface. ‘It must have been five years ago. Ever since your Kathryn’s heart op, which must have been ten years ago now, she was weaker than before and struggled to get around so much and then when my Bill passed away five years ago we made the decision to close. We just couldn’t cope with all the work any more. Kathryn became so frail and needed time to rest and then when Bill went, I just couldn’t cope with it all.’
‘Oh no, I didn’t realise she was poorly. Why didn’t she let us know?’
‘I’m not sure, to be honest. She was always such a fiercely independent lady and I think the idea of someone pitying her or mollycoddling her would have sent her running for the hills.’
‘I feel awful, if I’d known there might have been something Mum and I could have done. She could have come and stayed with us for a while or something.’
‘Don’t feel bad, it was the way she wanted it. She wanted to duck out of life here, at her home and near the beach.’
‘Even so, if we’d known…’
‘No, she was happy right up until the end.’
‘I always wanted to come and see her again but being with Mike, Joshua’s dad, we just never had the money. I wish Joshua had met her.’
‘She knew you would have done if you could have. She was proud of you, you know. Every time your mum rang her, Kathryn would spend days chatting about you to anyone who came in. Telling them she had a niece who worked in a posh restaurant in the city.’
‘I was a waitress, just a waitress.’ Pippa stared at the flour-dusted mixture in the bowl.
‘Yes, a waitress dealing with those jumped-up people that I would imagine would go into a restaurant in the city. I don’t know how you did it. Can’t stand people like that.’
‘Most of them were nice enough, there were only a few regulars who thought they were better than everyone else.’
‘Even so, she was proud of you. She didn’t much like that Mike of yours, though. And when your mum told her he had finally left you, well, that was the only time I ever heard her swear.’
‘Really?’ Pippa smiled. She couldn’t imagine her Great Aunt Kathryn swearing. ‘Why did she leave me the café? Do you know?’
‘I think she wanted someone to carry on her legacy, to keep the café going.’ Carol looked up at Pippa. ‘But don’t worry, she’d have understood completely if you want to go back to London.’
‘Umm, I know she would. She was one of the kindest people I’ve known. I just don’t know. My heart wants to stay, I just don’t see how it’s possible at the moment. It’s eating up money I don’t have, and if I don’t start making a profit I’m not going to be able to pay my credit cards that I’m living on back.’ Pippa shook her head. She had to face reality at some point; this was, and always would be, just a pipe dream.
‘Let me help you. Let me show you how to bake and together we’ll get this place turning a profit over. Wait and see.’ Carol patted Pippa’s floury hand.
‘I hope so.’
‘We will. By the way, I’ve asked Joe to pick Joshua up from school so we can work through. I hope that was OK?’ Carol took the bowl from Pippa, held it under her arm and whisked, magically turning the sloppy yellow mixture into fluffy pale mountains.
‘Hi, Mum.’ Joshua and Harley ran into the café, Joe trailing behind them.
‘Umm, something smells amazing!’ Joe piled book bags, lunchboxes and coats onto one of the tables and strode up to the counter. ‘Wow! Something looks amazing too!’
‘Oi, hands off!’ Laughing, she swiped Joe’s fingers away from the huge Victoria sponge decorated with strawberries and cream. ‘Thanks for picking Joshua up.’
‘You’re welcome. It looks as though my mum’s kept you busy today. Where is she?’
‘She’s gone home. Yes, she’s been amazing. I don’t know whether to thank you or slap you!’ Pippa smiled.
‘Thank me, please! The boys have already worn me out by racing me along the beach all the way home.’
‘Seriously, thank you. I was so angry with you when I found out you’d been gossiping about me, but now, well, I’m grateful that you did because look at everything we baked today.’
‘I didn’t gossip about you.’ Leaning his forearms on the counter, he looked into Pippa’s eyes. ‘I would never gossip about you. I was just worried that you’d throw the towel in on this place without giving it a real chance.’
‘Why would you care though? You’ve always been so critical of me and the fact that I was trying to get the café going again. Why the sudden change of heart?’
Joe shook his head. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve come across that way.’ He leant across further and took a deep breath, ready to say something else.
‘Mum, can we have some of that cake, please? We’re starving.’ Joshua and Harley peered above the counter.
‘Of course, you can.’ Scrunching up her forehead, she looked away from Joe. Had she done something to annoy him? ‘Do you want some hot chocolate too?’
7
Taking a deep breath, Pippa filled her lungs with the warm, salty sea air. This was as good as a million miles away from her old life in London. The air was not only laced with the unmistakeable seaside smell but was also pungent with hope, just as it had been that first night they had arrived.
Since Carol had begun helping her, Pippa had allowed herself to dream again, allowed herself to fantasise about how her and Joshua’s life could be if they were successful in bringing more customers into the café, at making more, no some, profit.
It had only been two weeks and already the promise of home-made cakes and cream teas were enticing customers to venture in. Even the smug marrieds from the playground had begun using the café as their meeting place for coffee and cake on a Tuesday and Thursday, much to Charlotte’s disgust, Pippa was sure, although she always seemed to perk up a bit when Joe happened to come in.
Standing still, she looked out to sea, the tide drawing the water up further inland. The white horses gently galloping towards Pippa’s feet. Stepping closer, she let the warm water wash over her skin and curled her toes into the wet sand. She didn’t want to leave. She couldn’t imagine going back to London now, not after having a taste of this.
She missed her mum terribly and she knew Joshua did too. That was her only pull towards London now. She had been a massive part of their lives. On a week by week basis Joshua had probably spent more time with Pippa’s mum than he had with her, so it was understandable that he missed her so much. Still, it was hard to see him cry for his nana, especially when there was nothing Pippa could do to help. Plus, if she was scathingly honest, it made her jealous and even more determined to put her all into making the café a success so it could be her, Pippa, who Joshua wanted at night. She wanted to fill that hole she had missed out on for so long thanks to the crushingly long hours she had worked in London.
Walking further into the sea, she let the shallow water lap at her ankles. She had no right to feel jealous of the bond between her mum and Joshua. Pippa knew she wouldn’t have been able to provide a roof over Joshua’s head if it hadn’t been for her mum looking after him. Still, she was determined to try her best to change their stars. Her baking skills were more than marginally better than they were two weeks ago before Carol intervened and offered her time and skills. There was hope.
She dropped one of her flip-flops into the water. Bending down, she scooped it out and shook it dry. Her mum had promised to visit soon, she was just waiting to get some holiday time agreed at work and then she’d come down to visit.
‘Pippa!’
Turning, she swept her hair away from of her face. ‘Hi, Joe.’
‘Are you on your way to pick up Joshua?’
‘Yes, I’m not planning on being late again. Not an hour late at any rate,’ Pippa laughed. ‘Your mum’s watching the café for me.’
‘That’s good then. I’ve got some great news for you!’
‘Oh yes? What’s that?’
‘The part has come to fix your leak.’
‘You mean I’ll actually be able to have water upstairs now? I’ll be able to get a drink without having to trek downstairs into the café in the middle of the night?’
Joe looked down at the sand at his feet. ‘Sorry it’s taken so long.’
‘It’s OK. I’m only joking. Well, half joking anyway, it will be nice to have water upstairs.’ Pippa stole a sideways glance and nudged Joe’s shoulder.
‘I know.’ Joe grinned back and pointed to the sea foaming at her ankles. ‘Can I come in?’
‘Of course.’ Standing still, she let the warm water lap around her ankles as Joe slipped off his trainers and socks, rolling up his jeans.
‘It’s nice and warm.’
‘You sound surprised. Don’t tell me you don’t usually paddle?’
‘I haven’t for a while, I’ve got to admit. So, my mum said that you were doing well with your baking.’
‘She said that?’
‘To be honest, I’ve noticed she’s still got her teeth so I’m assuming you’re improving.’
‘Oi, I’ll have you know I made a more than edible Victoria sponge this morning which didn’t even dip in the middle when I got it out of the oven. Well, not that much anyway.’ Pippa kicked and splashed water up Joe’s leg.
‘You’ll be sorry for that!’ Joe laughed, splashing her back.
Running ahead, Pippa laughed as Joe caught up with her and held her by the elbow, nudging her further into the sea.
‘OK, OK, I’m sorry,’ Pippa giggled as the sea lapped further up her legs.
Laughing, Joe twisted her around to face him. Pippa looked into his eyes and placed her hands on his forearms.
The shrill tone of Joe’s phone rang, breaking the moment between them. Dropping her hands, she stepped back as Joe reached for his phone.
‘Sorry,’ Joe mouthed to her and turned, walking up the beach speaking into his phone.
Shaking her head, she stared into the horizon, the sea growing a deeper blue the further out it reached. What had just happened? Or what would have happened if Joe’s phone hadn’t rung? Pippa wrapped her arms around her and smiled. After a rocky start, Joe had been lovely to her, and to Joshua. He was a natural with Joshua, he really was. Of course, Pippa knew it was probably only because Harley was in the same class and Joe was glad of a new friend for him.
But, no, she was sure she wasn’t imagining it, Joe had gone above and beyond to help Pippa. He had stepped in and looked after the café when she had rushed off to pick Joshua up when the clock had stopped and he’d sat and talked to her. Actually spent time talking to her and listening. When had anyone listened to her properly before? Apart from her mum, of course. It had been a long time, a really long time. And then there was the fact that he’d talked his mum out of retirement to help her get the café back to turning over a profit.
Leaning against the side wall of the playground, Pippa could see Charlotte and her clicky friends gossiping in front of the classroom doors, waiting for the bell to ring and the doors to open.
However much she tried to focus on the other parents in the playground, her eyes kept twitching involuntarily towards the gate. Where was he? Where was Joe? If he wasn’t careful, he’d be late.
The shrill drill of the bell rang out and Pippa jerked her head back towards the door. Smiling, she watched the children bound out, filling the playground with shouts and laughter. Joshua and Harley came out side by side, deep in conversation.
‘Hey, Mum.’ Joshua ran towards her, threw his book bag at her feet and scuttled off towards the wobbly bridge.
She watched as Harley wove in and out of the swarms of parents and children and made his way to the back of the playground. He ran the last metre or so towards Joe who must have just sneaked in, jumping into his arms before wriggling out of his grasp and hugging the person standing next to him. Pippa narrowed her eyes, trying to get a better view. It was a woman, slim built with short bobbed dark hair. Who was she? She hadn’t seen her before.
Joe looked across and raised his hand towards her. Pippa spun around, a deep blush creeping rapidly up her face. He’d spotted her watching him. Who was that woman? She was beautiful, whoever she was. Gulping, she realised it must be Harley’s mum. How stupid had she been, thinking that Joe would ever take a second glance at her? His ex was stunning, not just plain stunning, but amazingly just-stepped-out-of-a-magazine stunning. Drab, frizzy-haired Pippa stood no chance.
‘Come on, let’s get back to the café,’ Pippa called as she approached the bridge where Joshua and another boy were intent on seeing who could jump the hardest.
‘Aw, can we just play for a bit, please?’
