‘He was a really giddy, naughty dog and whenever anyone wearing a skirt came to visit, he would jump up and try to bite their bums and rip their knickers. Apparently my mum was terrified of him. When she told me the story, my great-grandma instantly became Grandma Pins. Now, eat your food and stop laughing at me, okay!’
Levi pointed his fork, his eyes full of mirth and a smile on his face so, Honey nodded and picked up her knife and fork, still curious about his odd-ball family but at the same time, starving.
As she tucked into her lunch, she realised her earlier angst had eased and that her decision to meet up with Levi had been sound. At least someone in her family could make the right choices, but then again, lunch with a fit bloke was a lot different from deciding whether to steal a baby, or not!
While they ate, Honey skilfully moved the conversation on from family, suspecting Levi would at some point ask about hers, and that was the last thing she wanted to discuss. Today wasn’t for talking about what happened to her dad, or why her mum now lived in Spain and God forbid they got onto her grandparents and those no longer with them! Talk about walking through the mire in leaky wellies.
Instead, Honey thought it best to be practical and ask Levi to explain how he could help her plans for the café because, after all, that was supposed to be the reason for their meeting which actually felt more like a date.
Focus. Don’t go imagining stuff that’s not there, and do not get your hopes up about anything.
‘Right, so, are you going to stop being mysterious and tell me how you can help with my ideas for the café? I’m intrigued because you could’ve explained by text or called so I’m thinking you’re going to persuade me to help rob a bank, unless you’re a secret billionaire and you want to invest in yours truly.’ Even though it sounded okay on the outside, inside Honey was cringing because she was just fishing for confirmation he wanted to see her again.
‘Well, I can wholeheartedly confirm it’s neither of those options but you’re right, I could have emailed the details over but then I would’ve missed out on seeing you again, and after taking the tribe to Wales, I needed something to look forward to. Believe me, there’s only so many times a human being can sing ten green bottles, and that, is a fact!’
Even though he’d made a joke of it, and he’d blushed a bit in the middle, Honey had got the message loud and clear. Pushing her feet to the floor to stop them doing a giddy under-the-table jig, she smiled her best smile, agreed about ten green bottles and settled back to hear Levi’s idea. As long as she could see him again, Honey really didn’t care what it was, even robbing a bank was doable.
CHAPTER27
Honey couldn’t believe her luck. If she and Ziggy hadn’t believed in fate, karma, the tooth fairy, angels, aliens, pixies, the bogeyman under the bed and the Loch Ness Monster, she would have converted right there and then to all of them. Because for more than one reason, Levi was meant to be. She just knew it.
Someone somewhere had rolled lucky dice or cut the pack and Honey had turned up trumps. Why would anyone – after a failed blind date – break down right outside her café – of all the streets in the Peak District – and turn out to be someone who could help make her philanthropist dreams come true? And he was fit. That was a mega bonus.
‘So, this is what you do for a living? Help businesses set up a not-for-profit charity and you reckon I can do it too?’
Levi clasped his hands together on the table, his expression eager. ‘Yep. You’re already on your way, with the warm-hub and giving back to the community but this way, by registering as a charity, it opens up opportunities to apply for government funding and grants so, your idea to expand next door could become reality.’
Honey sat back in her chair, ‘I honestly had no clue… but it sounds perfect because I have so many ideas. My head is full of them.’
When Levi reached over and gave her hand a squeeze, then didn’t let go, she wasn’t sure who flushed pink the most.
‘That’s why I knew I had to help, because I could see how your eyes lit up when you told me about the café and you are exactly the type of person we are looking for. The way you spoke about your school holiday club, I could see the passion in your eyes, and it really resonated because I know through my contacts at work and the data I see, more kids are going hungry than ever before. I think what you’ve done so far is amazing, but we can do more, if you let me help.’
Oh, Honey was going to let him help alright! And no way was she letting his hand move so, to make sure, she put her free one on his. ‘I’d love that, and the holiday club is going to be my main focus this winter, but I also need to tell you about another idea, and Butch who came to do work experience last year. He was always in so much trouble at school and on the verge of expulsion so the teachers didn’t think anyone would take him. Lizzy knows his mum who was dreading him being kicked out and dossing around all day.’
They were interrupted by the waitress who came to clear their plates and offer the dessert menu, which meant letting go of Levi’s hand. Honey didn’t have the guts to reach over and take it again, so left hers on the tabletop as she chatted on.
‘So I offered, gave him a chance, and you know what, he was a flipping star. Hit it off with Gospel straight away and now he works on Saturdays, and during the holidays. After his work experience he decided to do catering at college and got his head down and tried really hard. He scraped five GCSEs but he’s at college now. So that’s one of my ambitions, to get kids that have given up on education, and education’s given up on them, interested in cooking. Give more Butches a chance.’
‘I love that story. And I reckon we can make this a reality. It’s not a quick fix as applying for grants et cetera takes time, but we can get the ball rolling, setting you up as a charity whenever you’re ready. I can introduce you to my colleagues and contacts who are all on the same page as us, and if you want to bounce ideas off me anytime, don’t be shy.’
Honey took a sip of her Coke, not wanting to think about bouncing on or off anything, so tried to focus and be business-like. She could do it if she really tried. However, being shy was not on the agenda, so Levi had no worries on that score. While she tried to work out how to prolong their ‘meeting’, Levi snapped her out of the lurid depths her mind was wallowing in, with a question.
‘Do you want dessert? I’m three-quarters full but we can share something if you like. I’ve got plenty of time because my next appointment isn’t till three.’
Honey also had room for more, of desert and definitely spending more time with Levi, so nodded vigorously, ‘Oh yes, pudding it is – but you choose because it’ll take me ages! And… seeing as you don’t have to be in work for a while, I have a question for you.’
‘Okay. Ask away while I ponder.’ Levi glanced at the menu, his attention spilt between dessert and Honey who asked…
‘Do you like donkeys?’
Half a banoffee pie and a short bus ride later, Honey and Levi stood in the grounds of the donkey sanctuary, the pungent aroma of wet hay and manure singeing their nostrils.
It was going to rain, tiny splats of the wet stuff were leaving their mark on her parka and Honey wondered whether it had been a good idea, dragging Levi out of the city.
She was stroking the mane of her adoptive donkey, looking into deep brown eyes that made her heart swell as she introduced him. ‘This is Honker, isn’t he gorgeous?’
Levi stretched out his arm and ruffled the donkey’s mane. ‘He really is. And that’s quite a name! They’re all really cute and I still can’t believe I didn’t know about this place. I mean, who would’ve thought there’d be a farmyard right here in Manchester, let alone a donkey sanctuary.’
