Читать книгу Summer Secrets at the Apple Blossom Deli: A laugh out loud feel-good romance perfect for summer - Portia MacIntosh, Portia MacIntosh - Страница 18

Chapter 10

I’m the first person to hold my hands up and say that I’m clumsy. I make awkward jokes at inappropriate times. I know some words that sailors don’t, but I’m working on all of the above. I can identify my shortcomings, and I think that’s something we all should be able to do.

Similarly, I know my strengths, and one of those strengths is coming up with plans to try and achieve the things I need to do. So last night I sat down – I was going to write in my as yet untouched diary, but I’d rather wait and start it when I have much nicer things to say – grabbed my laptop and figured out a plan of attack, to get the locals on board with the deli. I made a list of ideas, all of which I think could make a real difference, and then went to bed happy, ready to start the following day with a plan of action that would bring me results.

Yep, today was going to be a great day, until thirty seconds ago when I pulled up outside the deli to meet Mike.

‘Oh sh—’

‘Exactly,’ he laughs. ‘Cow, I’d guess.’

‘But…how?’

We stand together at the front of the deli, staring at what used to be a beautifully clean stone wall. Today, however, it’s covered in cow dung.

‘And you thought the drains smelled bad,’ Mike laughs.

‘Mike, it isn’t funny,’ I insist. ‘You know someone has done this on purpose, right?’

‘No?’ he replies. ‘Surely not…’

‘Well, unless a herd of cows just happened to pass by last night – cows who have perfected their aim, and the art of synchronised sh…sitting.’

I’m quick to correct myself. Just because Frankie isn’t here, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try.

‘I was thinking maybe it was just because of a malfunctioned tractor or something – that’s pretty effed up,’ Mike replies, rubbing his stubbly chin. I can’t help but notice he edited himself there, which means he’s obviously picking up on my efforts. ‘The locals really don’t want this deli to open, do they?’

‘They don’t. You know they’ve got some little town Facebook group where they talk about us, right?’