Читать книгу Millie Vanilla’s Cupcake Café - Georgia Hill - Страница 26

Millie forced herself up and out of bed early the following morning. She needed to walk Trevor before another day working on the café. On her return from a blissfully solitary walk on the beach, one of the perks of rising at daybreak, she unlocked the café and stood for a minute, appraising the work done so far.

She’d been worried the bright colours they were adding might be too much – too busy in such a small space. Jed and Sean had given the floor its first coat of white paint before finishing yesterday and she could already see how it would calm everything down. Once the re-painted furniture was back in, it would be perfect. Or as perfect as her present budget allowed.

‘Hi, Millie.’

Millie turned to see Tessa standing in the doorway. She began to tease her friend about bailing on her yesterday, but then saw her pinched and tense face.

‘Can I have a word?’

‘Of course you can. Let’s sit outside, though. I can’t guarantee the paint’s dry in here.’

They perched on the low wall next to the aubrieta, which had suddenly blossomed into a vivid purple cascade.

‘Is everything alright, Tess? The boys are okay, aren’t they? Sean looked hale and hearty yesterday. It’s not Ken? He did look a bit preoccupied, come to think of it, but he’s done a fantastic job on retouching the mural. It’s as good as new.’

Tessa looked out to sea and blinked in the bright sunshine. She shook her head. ‘No, everyone’s fine. I’ve got something to say to you. Something that won’t be very good to hear, kiddo.’

Millie’s stomach did that peculiar flipping-over thing that happens when you fear you’re about to receive bad news. She’d rarely seen her best friend so serious. She reached out a hand. ‘God, Tessa, what’s wrong?’

‘Don’t be nice, Millie, alright? I’ve got this new job, see.’

‘Well, that’s a good thing.’

‘Making bread.’

‘Even better.’ Millie forced a jolly note into her voice, but she knew what was coming. Just knew it.

‘Blue Elephant have taken me on to do their range of artisan breads.’

Millie nodded. Part of her noticed how far out the tide had gone this morning. A man was throwing a tennis ball to his Labrador. The dog was barking excitedly. A family were heading out to the rocks at the edge of the harbour wall. Making the most of the low tide to do some rock-pooling. The sun hit hard off the wet sand and made her eyes water. It made it difficult to see. Part of her was aware Tessa was still talking. Giving reasons. Making excuses.

‘And it means I won’t have time to do both. I just won’t be able to supply you with bread as well as them and they –’

‘Pay more,’ Millie finished. She added in a monotone, ‘Of course they would.’

‘Aw, Millie, I’m so sorry, it’s just with Ken not bringing much in and that exhibition of his making a loss, I didn’t have a choice. The kids aren’t getting any cheaper and Louis looks like he’ll get to university and –’

Millie put up her hand to stop the flow of hopes for Tessa and Ken’s middle son. ‘Was that why you were at Blue Elephant on the afternoon of their launch?’

‘Me? Oh, you saw me, did you? Yes, the manager asked me to go in for a meeting. To discuss the range he wants me to develop. They want me to start immediately, but didn’t give me much choice in the matter, to be honest.’ Tessa added lamely. ‘Where will you get your bread from now?’

‘Bread?’ Millie tried to focus. ‘I don’t know. I can make some, but I’m not a bread- baker in your league. Haven’t got the time.’

‘Maybe Berringtons will let you have some?’ Tessa named the town baker. She was obviously trying to be helpful.

‘Yes, that’s possible.’ Millie stood up. She couldn’t face talking to Tessa any more. Was afraid of saying too much, of ruining their friendship beyond repair. ‘And now, if you don’t mind, I’ve a busy day in front of me.’

Tessa stood too. ‘Yeah, okay.’ She turned to go and then stopped. She turned back to Millie, who was staring unseeing out to sea. ‘Mil, I’m really sorry. I hope – well, I hope you’ll be able to see why I had to do it. I hope –’

‘Yes, Tessa?’ Millie’s voice was steely.

Tessa flinched. ‘We can still be friends, right?’

Millie stared at her. The rational part of her understood Tessa’s decision. But this was her friend. Her best friend. It felt like the worst kind of betrayal. ‘Time will tell, Tessa,’ she said quietly, desperate not to let the hurt show. ‘I think we just need some time apart right now, don’t we?’ And, with that, she turned on her heel and went into the café.