Chapter 31
I was up and on my way to work far earlier than I needed to be. Just like yesterday and the day before that. Despite working twelve-hour days and driving Nonna backwards and forwards to the hospital to visit Stanley in my new little car (a bargain from one of our café regulars who’d sold his to treat himself to a new cabriolet for the summer) and sitting up late into the night researching pizza ovens, the oblivion of sleep eluded me.
And all because of that row with Gabe on Tuesday night when he’d confessed to accepting a new job with Garden Warehouse. I had been avoiding him ever since and as he hadn’t been into the café, I could only assume he was doing the same to me.
The awful thing was that I’d been secretly hoping that he would put himself first for once, really think about what he wanted to get out of life. Any other company and I’d have been delighted that he’d decided to return to his legal career. But not Garden Warehouse; I couldn’t get my head round that.
On my first trip to The Neptune, when Gabe moved to Barnaby, I’d been touched by how much he’d given up for Noah. He’d been so determined to give that little boy the start that he and Mimi had always wanted for their child that he had pared down his life so that he could manage it. Gone back to basics. And while I could see that ‘working to live’ to fit in around being a single parent had had its benefits, I could also see that Gabe might be ready for something more. And not just career-wise; he’d called me a beautiful woman and said he’d like to go out on a date with me …
But why oh why did he have to choose the company whose very existence posed a threat to my little café?
That question rolled round and round in my head during the lonely hours of the night to the point where I was relieved when five o’clock came around and the sky changed from grey to pink, accompanied by such a cheerful symphony of birdsong that it almost put a smile on my grumpy, sleep-deprived face. Almost.
And today, I remembered, as I stomped across the village green where a low mist hovered over the dewy grass, today was the first Friday in May. Today heralded a new moon. So much for Clementine’s theory about my lemon-peeling skills attracting a new love before the next new moon; the only thing I’d fallen in love with this month was Lia’s extra-thin-crust rocket and goat’s cheese pizza. I honestly think I could eat that every day for the rest of my life and never get bored.
Yes. Much better. Think happy thoughts; I congratulated myself on changing the subject. Thinking about pizza and my plans to radically alter the Lemon Tree Café was a far better topic. All I needed was to get the go-ahead from Nonna. I slowed my pace as ahead of me, two baby rabbits, tails bobbing, scampered through a clump of bluebells and disappeared into a tuft of grass near the edge of the stream. Baby rabbits, spring flowers and a blue sky … I sighed a happy sigh: life wasn’t so bad after all. Once this mist had cleared I reckoned it was going to be a lovely sunny day, clear skies perfect for … stargazing.
The thought brought me back down to earth with a jolt.
Tonight I had been invited to The Neptune to celebrate Gabe getting a new job. He’d suggested a night under the stars with him and Noah and supper al fresco.
Except that Gabe had taken the one job I couldn’t celebrate. And seeing as we now weren’t even speaking to each other, I could confidently say that our evening was well and truly cancelled.
I picked up my pace again as I approached the road, ready to cross to the café, and tried to regain my fleeting good mood …
Lia’s ideas for the menu had been inspired; the pizza party had gone down a storm and our customers had all but abandoned our regular food in favour of them. And for the last three days, she had devoted herself to satisfying demand. Lia was über-talented in the kitchen. This week had given her a huge confidence boost; she had an amazing palate, she was a super-quick worker and completely unflappable under stress, and no one was more surprised to discover she had these skills than Lia herself. And now that I’d bitten the bullet and offered her a job, she was in the process of sorting out some proper, regular childcare. Although Mum was happy to do a few hours a day, Lia wanted more. And as soon as she’d organized that, she’d be bringing her talents to the kitchen of the café permanently. So that was good news.
The other good news was that Stanley, with plenty of love from Nonna, had stabilized and the doctor had told him that he should soon be fit for surgery to mend the ruptured ulcer, which had been detected.
So, on balance, I thought, taking out the big brass key to the door of the Lemon Tree Café, there were plenty of blessings to count.
‘Eh, Rosanna!’
I turned round at the unmistakable sound of my grandmother’s voice. She was hanging out of the window of Clementine’s van and waving at me from the other side of the green. Clementine reversed wonkily around two sides of the green until the van was outside the café.
‘Morning, you two,’ I said, walking to Nonna’s side.
‘You up early?’ Nonna’s beady eyes scanned my face. ‘What happen, you wet the bed?’
She nudged Clementine and they both hooted with laughter.
I did a double take at Clementine. Her hair still looked like she’d let Tyson loose on it with a pair of hedge clippers, she was still wearing scruffy men’s clothes, but she had lost her haunted demeanour; she looked happier and more relaxed than I think I’d ever seen her.
‘Couldn’t sleep,’ I said, leaning in through the window and kissing Nonna’s wrinkled cheek. ‘Clementine, you look well.’
‘Thank you.’ She circled her shoulders back and took a deep breath in as if she was about to start yoga. Then she smiled serenely. ‘I’m going to the coast for the weekend after work tonight; staying with a cousin in a caravan. Got my regular radio slot this morning and then finishing digging a raised salad bed at the school this afternoon. Then I’m free. Free!’
Her thick eyebrows shot up at the last word as if she’d surprised herself.
‘Sounds great; a weekend off. Remind me what that feels like.’ I pretended to sigh and then smiled. ‘Actually, Nonna, I’m glad I caught you. I want to invest in a proper pizza oven. We’ve only got that one on loan from Ed’s parents and really it’s not commercial standard. It’s expensive but I’ve drawn up a plan …’
Clementine crunched on an apple while Nonna half listened to my idea to remove one of the ovens and replace the griddle with a smaller one to make room for a pizza oven. While I was talking she was rummaging through her purse counting out change.
‘What are you doing?’ I said eventually, a bit miffed that she wasn’t concentrating when I’d been up half the night finding a supplier who actually had a small oven available for immediate delivery and a willing workman whose next job had fallen through. If I gave him the nod today he’d come next week.
‘I need coins for hospital car park,’ she muttered, counting out silver into her lap.
‘Oh right,’ I said, chastised. I opened my handbag and took out my purse. ‘I didn’t realize that’s where you were going. Is everything all right?’
‘Hope so.’ Nonna sighed. ‘They operating on my Stanley this morning. That nice Indian nurse phone me. Clementine say she take me in early so I can see him … you know, see him before he goes.’
I nodded, I did know. Mamta, the nurse, had explained that there was a risk with surgery; Stanley’s spirit was willing, but his heart was very weak. And the longer his internal injury continued unchecked the weaker his body would be. Establishing the right time to operate on him was difficult; it was catch-twenty-two.
‘That’s good news; they must think he’s well enough! Give him my love,’ I said. ‘Ooh, just quickly before you go, sorry to push you about the pizza oven. I spoke to Paolo last night about it, he said—’
‘Paolo?’ A big smile spread across Nonna’s face. She looked at her friend. ‘My great-nephew. In Italy. Lovely boy.’
‘You might have mentioned him,’ said Clementine drily. She polished off her apple, core and all, opened the glove box and took out a leather coin purse. ‘What do we need?’
‘One more pound,’ said Nonna.
‘I’ve got that.’ I held up a gold coin but Clementine waved a hand.
‘Got loads of change in here.’ She closed the purse and started the engine again. ‘Let’s beat the traffic, Maria.’
‘Wait,’ I said, grabbing Nonna’s arm through the window. ‘I know you want to get off, but can I order the oven? There’s only one in stock and the installer has got a window next week.’
‘I dunno.’ Nonna shrugged. ‘You the manager.’
Clementine gave a short bark of laughter. ‘Rosie’s right, Maria. You’re the owner and a big investment like this has got to have your approval. I don’t envy you, my friend. Best pound I ever earned when I sold the garden centre. Now the biggest decision I have to make is which herbs to have in my tea.’
‘I don’t want decisions!’ Nonna cried. ‘I had enough of business. I old lady now, I just want to be with Stanley and enjoy time together.’
I cocked an eyebrow at her but said nothing. Wasn’t this exactly what Mum had been saying to her for years?
‘I understand,’ I said, extracting myself from the van. ‘You go; we can do this another time. Give him a kiss from me.’
I’d miss the order deadline and might lose the oven I’d set my heart on, but her mind was on Stanley, quite rightly. I was wrong to push her for an answer right now.
‘Right. Give me the pound,’ Nonna demanded, holding out her hand.
I held the money out to her, startled by her sudden change of mind.
Nonna prised it from my fingers. ‘Okey cokey. Sold.’
I blinked at her. ‘What is?’
She held up the pound between her finger and thumb. ‘Fearnley’s sell for a pound and now café too. Congratulations, cara, you just buy my café. You the new owner. You decide about oven.’
I stared at her. ‘Me, the new owner?’
She flapped a hand. ‘Yes. Can’t be bothered any more; life not all about work, you know.’
Clementine snorted.
My heart began to quicken. I’d never planned to run a café let alone own one. But … why not?
‘Really?’ I said, completely calmly even though my heart was beating so loudly I could barely hear my own voice.
‘Really, one hundred per cent,’ Nonna confirmed.
I could do this; I knew I could. And it was a damn sight more meaningful than a career in social media, cheerleading other people’s business, other people’s dreams. Besides, now that I thought about it, turning the Lemon Tree Café into an Italian pizza café had become a bit of a dream and what better than to completely own that dream, to be responsible for its every hiccup, its every triumph? Paolo had taken on his family business and made it his own, transforming it into something special. And I could do the same. The Lemon Tree Café could evolve and grow and be the hub of the community and be there for the next generation of Nonna’s family after me. I’d already got some ideas too; I had thought up so many during the last three sleepless nights that the notebook by my bed was covered in scribble.
‘About bloody time.’ Clementine was grinning from ear to ear. ‘Congratulations, Rosie. I can’t think of a better custodian to take on the mantle from your indomitable grandmother. Any tips on those lemon trees, come to me.’
I swallowed. ‘Thank you.’
My head was spinning. There was so much I needed to learn. About tax and employment law and environmental health … And really, let’s face it, I was a rubbish cook. But all that could wait.
I met Nonna’s gaze. Her eyes had a film of tears. Despite the nonchalance of handing over her business for such a paltry sum, I knew the price she was really paying. The café had been her life, her lifeline, for years. A way to stay in control, a place where no one had power over her. And now she was handing that to me.
‘I love you, Nonna.’ I opened the van door so I could give her a proper hug. ‘I promise I’ll make you proud of what we do.’
A thought struck me as I said ‘we’, and I realized exactly what I had to do.
‘Can we keep this between ourselves, just for now?’
Nonna shrugged. ‘Sure. Whatever you say, you the boss. Now, Clementine, put your foot on it, I got a man to kiss.’
‘Whoo hoo!’ cried Clementine. ‘Now we’re both free!’
‘Ciao, Rosie!’
The engine on the old van lurched off throatily into the early-morning sunshine and Nonna and Clementine waved hands out of the windows like an elderly Thelma and Louise.
I stood for a second, feeling dazed and wondering whether that just happened. And then I looked down at the brass key in my hand and started to laugh.
Rosie Featherstone, owner of the Lemon Tree Café …
I fitted the key into the lock, pushed open the door and breathed in the smell of all my tomorrows. The coffee machine was calling me, but before I could turn it on, there was something else I needed to do.
Dropping into an armchair, I took out my phone and called my soon-to-be business partner.
‘Lia,’ I said, unable to keep the smile from my voice, ‘this might seem an odd question at seven o’clock in the morning, but have you got fifty pence?’