The Cherry Tree Cafe (33 page)

‘I have an uncle in the trade,’ he said casually. ‘He knocked it up for me and together we made it look pretty.’

I was devastated. I’d genuinely believed Jay had a real talent and a potentially successful business up his sleeve, but it turned out he was just on the take. What a fool he had made me
look – made us all look.

‘Perhaps you should introduce me to him then,’ I said scathingly, ‘he’s got quite a gift, it would be a shame to waste it.’

I didn’t say anything to Deborah and Heather about Jay’s visit. Obviously I was embarrassed to have been duped, but worse than that, I was terrified that if I
hadn’t seen through Jay’s scheme to fund his ‘once in a lifetime trip around the globe’, then the City Crafting Café would have been financially ruined. I decided to
keep quiet, cut Jay out of my life completely and carry on regardless.

I replaced the money he’d taken from the petty cash tin and took all the business paperwork out of the office and up to the flat for further scrutiny. Every evening during the following
week I sat going through the books, walking around the Café and trying to find a commercial rather than an emotional reason for not wanting to take the business on.

Jay’s scathing remark about my heart ruling my head had wormed its way into my brain and sat there festering. I knew that if I didn’t take the plunge and commit to the City Crafting
Café it would be because I had let my heart get the upper hand again. Now was the time to dig deep, I realised, and I did my best to swing into ‘focused and driven businesswoman
mode’ before I did something I would possibly regret in later life.

Creating a better working relationship with Janice was top of the list that I frantically penned as I tried to rediscover my excitement for the project. If I wanted there to be a smooth
transition between Deborah and myself, then I knew her input would be key.

‘How would you feel about managing the shop one day a week, Janice,’ I asked in as friendly a tone as I could, ‘possibly two?’

I had been trying to find a way to schedule some free time into my week. Of course when I said ‘free time’ what I really meant was time to spend on my own crafting projects. If I was
really going to make the commitment and sign on the dotted line then there were certain things that I was not prepared to sacrifice and some private sewing time was one of them.

After much thought, I had settled on asking Janice to help out as the ideal solution. Not only would I claw back some hours, but my suggestion would also, hopefully, go some way to reassuring
her that I wasn’t going to shoe-horn her out at the earliest possible opportunity.

‘How much will you pay me?’ she sniffed.

‘Pardon?’

‘To manage the shop. You wouldn’t expect me to take on the extra responsibility and not pay me for it, would you?’

‘No, of course not,’ I blushed, my proposition already in tatters, ‘I was just asking to see how you would feel about it in theory, that’s all.’

‘Well, if it’s just a theory,’ she shrugged, ‘I suppose I wouldn’t mind, assuming I’m still here of course,’ she added mysteriously.

‘Is there any reason why you wouldn’t be?’ I asked, trying not to show my concern.

Panic set in at the thought of taking over without Janice at her station behind the counter. We might not have hit it off exactly but at least she knew how the place ran! I was still way too far
behind even to consider flying solo. She looked at what must have been my stricken expression and miraculously her face softened slightly.

‘There’s a shop become available in the parade,’ she said, blushing slightly, ‘might be too good an opportunity to miss but please don’t say anything to
Deborah,’ she added. ‘It might come to nothing if the rent’s too high.’

I nodded and sighed, wishing not for the first time that we could have got along. Janice’s business acumen rivalled Deborah’s and coupled with my passion for crafting we would have
ensured the Café’s future. I was sure of that. I looked up, expecting her to have gone back to the shop floor, but she hadn’t moved.

‘I’m sorry I’ve been such a cow,’ she said, quietly closing the door, ‘it isn’t you; I know you’re a lovely girl and I’m sure you’ll be very
successful. It’s just that—’

‘You thought you were going to be sitting this side of the desk when Deborah decided to move on?’

‘Exactly,’ she nodded sadly, ‘but she picked you. I know it’s my own fault and I shouldn’t be taking it out on you. I am sorry.’

‘There’s no need to apologise,’ I smiled, ‘I do understand. If I was in your shoes I’d feel exactly the same, but tell me, Janice, what makes you say that
it’s your fault?’

‘Well, for a start I never really rushed to tell Deborah that I might want to take over when she first hinted that she was ready to move on.’

‘But I thought that you were the other interested party?’

‘Oh I was,’ she sighed, ‘but to be honest it was such a huge decision that it took me a while to make up my mind and get the ball rolling and by that time she’d been to
see you.’

‘But I never said yes straightaway,’ I said, ‘I told Deborah that I’d think about it, that was all.’

‘Well, you know Deborah when she’s got her heart set on something. She was sure you were the one and I hadn’t the heart to make a fuss. I didn’t want to rock the boat.
When she said that you were coming for a month’s trial and that we’d talk again after that I thought it would be OK. I love working here, Lizzie, you know I’ve been here forever
and I didn’t want to jeopardise my job so I just withdrew my interest and let Deborah get on with things.’

‘But you do still want the place really, don’t you?’

Janice nodded.

‘If she offered it to me now,’ she admitted, ‘I’d snatch her hand off but I took one look at you and I knew it was too late. You’re just what this place needs,
Lizzie.’

‘I’m not so sure about that,’ I smiled. I was unsure as to where these great ideas about me had sprung from. ‘You know what people want as much as I do. I dare say
you’re glued to the Sewing Bee and read every crafting magazine on the market, don’t you?’

‘Well actually,’ she whispered, leaning forward in her seat, ‘I have got one or two new ideas.’

Having cleared the air with Janice, my heart and head were back in sync and I knew what I was going to do. The City Crafting Café was one hell of a business but it was too much for me. I
felt a huge weight lift as I reached my final decision, but then it descended again at the thought of telling Deborah and Heather.

‘I assume this is good news!’ Deborah boomed as I welcomed her and Heather into the flat later that day. ‘You’ve made up your mind, haven’t you? And still with a
week to go!’ she laughed. ‘You certainly haven’t let the grass grow, Lizzie, I’ll say that for you!’

‘Deborah dear,’ Heather smiled gently touching Deborah’s arm, ‘why don’t you let her speak, my love?’

‘Sorry!’ Deborah said, shaking her head, ‘I’m just so . . .’

‘Deborah,’ Heather interjected a little more forcefully this time.

‘OK,’ I smiled nervously as they squeezed together on the tiny sofa, ‘OK. Crikey, I’m not quite sure where to start.’

I looked from Deborah to Heather and took a deep breath. The look of expectation on Deborah’s face almost made me change my mind, but I had to stand firm.

‘Well,’ I swallowed, sitting down and rubbing my damp palms together, ‘I’ve really enjoyed my time at the Café. It’s been a definite eye-opener and the place
is fantastic, but—’

‘But?’ Deborah demanded.

‘But it isn’t for you, is it?’ Heather said gently.

‘No,’ I said shakily, ‘it isn’t.’

‘I didn’t think so,’ she said, quietly, squeezing Deborah’s hand.

‘It’s nothing to do with the staff,’ I babbled, ‘or any of the courses, it’s just . . .’

‘Too much?’ Heather suggested.

I nodded.

‘Don’t get me wrong,’ I carried on, ‘the place is buzzing and I love what you offer but I just don’t want to be a manager. I want to be more hands-on, running all
the courses and getting really involved and I’m not sure I can face moving back to London either.’

‘Home is where the heart is,’ Heather added for good measure.

‘Yes,’ I smiled, ‘I couldn’t have put it better myself.’

Deborah hadn’t said a word. She sat still and silent next to Heather, her complexion growing darker
with every word she heard. Any second, I was poised to throw myself over the back of the chair and take cover.

‘Well,’ she said eventually, ‘all I can say, Lizzie, is that I’m sorry.’

‘Sorry?’ I asked, completely thrown. ‘For what?’

‘When I came to see you at the Cherry Tree,’ she explained, ‘I could see how happy you were, how you’d created the perfect space for what you wanted your business to
be.’

‘I had,’ I said sadly, an image of the crafting area, complete with bunting and pastel painted tins swam before my eyes.

‘And I took advantage of what you’d achieved.’

‘How?’

‘By assuming you’d want more. I thought you’d jump at the chance to take on this place but I can see now that you already had what you really wanted. You’d achieved what
you’d always dreamt of and you’d got the balance just right. If I hadn’t offered you this place so forthrightly you never would have considered moving on, would you?’

‘No,’ I said uncertainly, still mindful of all the other reasons behind my decision to leave. ‘I guess not.’

‘And now I’ve blown it for you,’

Deborah said sadly. I couldn’t allow that.

‘No, Deborah,’ I told her firmly, ‘things were spoilt at the Cherry Tree, but not by you. Even if you hadn’t proposed I took on the Crafting Café I probably still
wouldn’t be there. Too many other things had happened behind the scenes to make it viable for me to carry on.’

‘So what will you do now?’ Heather asked.

‘I honestly don’t know,’ I said resignedly, ‘I can’t get my head around the future right now, deciding not to buy this place has been enough for one day but more to
the point, what will you do?’

‘Go back to the agent, I guess,’ Deborah shrugged, ‘get the place back on the market.’

‘No,’ I said, ‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you.’

‘Well, what do you suggest then?’ Deborah said, a hint of annoyance creeping in for the first time since we all sat down together. ‘We’re not giving up the cottage. I
promised Heather we’d retire and we are!’

‘I’m not suggesting you give anything up!’ I laughed. ‘Just go and talk to Janice.’

‘She’s not really interested in the place,’ Deborah frowned.

‘I think you’ll find she is,’ Heather said, patting her companion’s knee. ‘Are you
coming back down, Lizzie?’

‘No, I don’t think I will, if that’s OK. Now I’ve made up my mind I’m not going to buy I’m going to get packed and get out of your hair.’

‘You don’t have to!’ Deborah insisted. ‘There’s no rush, and besides you said yourself you hadn’t made up your mind what you’re going to do, so where
will you go?’

‘I think I need a break,’ I said, suddenly remembering Jay’s dream of seeing the world. ‘My stuff can go back to my parents’ place and then I think I might take off
for a while. Have a little holiday and stop thinking about everything so much.’

‘Sounds like a good idea to me,’ Heather smiled. ‘Have you got anywhere in mind?’

‘Wherever the wind blows me!’ I laughed.

It didn’t take long to pack my few sticks of furniture and boxes ready for the return journey, but how to get them to my parents’ house was proving something of an
issue. Having parted company with Jay after discovering his malicious motives meant that I was a van driver down and Dad was still out of the country.

‘I could help you out,’ Henry offered, ‘if you’re really desperate, but I won’t be free for a few weekends I’m afraid.’

‘Thanks, Henry, I appreciate the offer. I’m sorry we haven’t managed to get together.’

‘So am I,’ he replied, ‘I really wanted you to meet Cass. I think she could be the one,’ he added in a clandestine whisper, ‘I really do.’

‘I’m so pleased for you, Henry,’ I said. ‘Out of everyone I know who is still single, you are the one person who shouldn’t be!’

‘What about you?’ Henry replied. ‘We’ve got to get you spliced soon!’

‘Oh don’t worry about me,’ I told him, ‘when I get back from this holiday I’m buying a couple of cats and my fate will be sealed! Look, I’ve got to go,
someone’s at the door.’

‘OK, but promise you’ll keep me posted about this move?’

‘I promise.’

‘And any kittens?’

‘Of course!’ I laughed.

I threw my mobile on the sofa thinking I was going to have to hire a removal firm to help me out and crossed the room to answer the door. It was Rob.

‘Hey, Rob,’ I smiled, ‘what’s up? Is everything OK downstairs?’

‘There’s a guy in the Café asking for you,’ he said shyly.

‘Is there?’ I asked. ‘What’s his name?’

I knew it couldn’t be Henry because we’d just been chatting on the phone. The only other ‘guy’ who knew where to find me was Jay. My heart sank. What did the rat want
this time?

‘Sorry, I didn’t ask his name,’ Rob apologised, ‘but he’s really cute. Shall I send him up or do you want to come down?’

‘Oh send him up,’ I sighed, ‘if it’s who I think it is I can’t imagine the conversation will be polite enough for the ladies in the Café.’

‘Sure?’

‘Yeah go on, quick before I change my mind.’

While waiting for Rob to send Jay up I wondered how he’d travelled to London and whether I could bring myself to ask him if he’d give me and my stuff a lift home.

‘Make it quick,’ I snapped on hearing him running up the stairs, ‘I have to be somewhere.’

‘Hello, Lizzie.’

Oh god. That voice. It could only be –

‘How did you find me?’ I gasped, spinning around. ‘Who told you I was here?’

‘Does it matter?’

‘Of course it matters!’ I gulped, my voice cracking from the shock, ‘I bet Jemma told you, didn’t she? Well, she had no right to. She and Tom have done enough damage
already. I don’t want to see you, Ben. I don’t want you here. Please leave.’

‘Not until you hear what I have to say.’