He leads the way outside, while I set the alarm and lock the front door. A quick glance at my watch tells me it’s twenty-five past eight, which means Evan’ll be late for school again today. I sit at the wheel, preparing myself for yet another earful from Helena, the school’s headteacher: a woman who loves punctuality, parents who are there for every single event, and mothers who bake cookies for school discos.
Luckily, the school is only ten minutes from our house. Ten minutes, that is, without the morning traffic, which we would’ve avoided if I’d left on time. I park outside the gates at eight forty-five, getting out of the car for the late attendance notice I’m required to sign. Before I’m through the door, I quickly message Vic, asking her to start getting everything ready for breakfast, or I won’t even be able to open the café this morning.
“Er…Mum,” Evan grabs my arm. “I didn’t have breakfast this morning and I don’t have anything for lunch.”
Shit.
“You’re right,” I say, reaching into my bag for my purse. “I’m sorry,” I say, grimacing as I hand him twenty euros. It might be a bit much, but I feel disgustingly guilty.
Evan nods and heads up the stairs towards his classroom, while I lower my head, ready to sit through another lecture from Helena, who nods at me to go into her office.
* * *
“I’m here,I’m here, I’m here!” I shout to Vic, who’s behind the counter, making my way through the customers.
“I heard you the first time,” she says, casting me a look that says I should buy her a glass of wine today too for being late again. After five p.m., of course – or maybe after two. Not that we’re alcoholics.
“We were late for school, I had to sign the late attendance form and then listen to twenty minutes of the ‘good-parent’ lecture from Helena.”
I go through to the back, find a clean apron, chuck my hair into a ponytail and go back out to the counter to give Vic a hand. Once again, she’s had to cover for yours truly.
I own this café, theRed Cherry, which is basically my entire life. We open at nine in the morning and close at seven in the evening every day, including bank holidays. Breakfast, quick lunches, afternoon tea, and dinner, for anyone lazy enough. I shouldn’t complain, and I actually don’t complain very often. Business is going well, and here in the neighbourhood we’re like a big family. Apart from Dave, the bastard who owns theBagel Factoryacross the road, that smirks at me every time someone chooses to sit on one of his super-comfy white leather sofas, instead of my vintage wooden chairs.
Arsehole.
I hope he chokes on one of his fatty, overly-stuffed bagels.
I take my place behind the counter, already tired: I slept badly, and not very much, and I still have a headache. I can feel the weight of this week all over my body; but it’s nothing that three coffees can’t fix.
One of the girls who works for me, Leah, brings me a coffee straight away, with a worried smile across her face. I realise I can’t look too good today. I thank her with my eyes, and just about manage a few sips before the first clients come up to the counter, ready to order.
“What can I get for you guys?”
“Hey, Chris!”
I lift my gaze and find Ian standing there, one of my regulars. A big guy, nearly six-foot-five, with a threateningly seductive smile that disarms anyone who sees it. But I don’t buy it – I know that behind that mass of muscles is actually a big, cuddly teddy bear.
“How’s it going?” I ask him, unenthusiastically. This morning, I’d rather do anything than make conversation.
“We’re just on the way to the airport for an away game. We’ve come by to have some breakfast.”
“Where are you off to?” I ask, with a hint of jealousy. I’d love to be able to go on holiday, but between Evan, the café, and my family always needing me around, it’s basically impossible.
“We’re going to France, but only for two days.”
Just two days in France, he says. As if I’d know what France is like.
“Is Riley going with you?”
“Riley won’t be able to travel for a while,” he says with a smile.
“You guys must be so excited.”
“We are,” and I can see in his eyes that he really is. “But I’m sure you already know that.”
Actually, I do – Riley comes here a lot, and when she does, she always stays longer than most people, just to have a chat. She’s a beautiful girl. To be honest, they’re a beautiful couple.
I’m so jealous.
