Wednesday morning dawned and Honey was a bag of nerves. She’d barely slept, watching the numbers on the digital clock on her bedside table change, taunting her as she tossed and turned.

Finally, at just gone five, she’d got up and pulled on her yoga pants and vest top and run through her routine, enjoying how the familiar stretches and controlled breathing helped her to zone out, if just for a short while.

After seeing to the chickens, she’d picked at a piece of toast and drunk two mugs of green tea before deciding that a day at home would not be good for her at all. She needed to get out and to keep her mind busy, so she’d go to the café to see Allie. She had heard from Dane, via text message, several time since Sunday, and it sounded as though he’d been working every spare minute he had. Honey could only hope – for his sake – that if he secured the job, then he’d be able to relax a bit and enjoy some time out. Working so hard all the time would not be good for him long term; it was a sure fire way to burn out.

Once she’d showered and dressed, she made her way to the café, arriving at the same time as Allie.

“Good morning.”

“Hi, Honey.” Allie frowned. “Am I late opening or are you just up and about very early?”

“It’s still early. I couldn’t sleep.”

“You okay?” Allie asked.

“Yes, just a bit anxious about today.”

Allie let them into the café then took her bag and the keys and tucked them behind the counter.

“What’s today?”

“Dane’s interview.”

“Oh, yes!” Allie tucked her blonde hair behind her ears then pulled a red apron over her head. “When we don’t have our Tuesday meet ups, I forget what day it is.”

Honey nodded. They hadn’t got together at the café last night, as they usually did on a Tuesday, because Dawn wouldn’t have been able to make it. Camilla had wanted to go to see her sister and the baby, so Allie had suggested to Honey that they leave it until next week.

“Do you want to come through to the kitchen while I get ready for the day?” Allie asked.

“Yes, of course.”

While Allie chopped and stirred, Honey got stuck in peeling potatoes and vegetables, and soon an hour had passed with them chatting about Dawn and the new baby, as well as about the egg hunt that Allie and Chris were planning for Easter Sunday.

“Time for a coffee, I think.” Allie washed her hands then they went through to the café.

“Make mine a strong one, please.”

“You need the caffeine?”

“I was worrying about Dane so much last night that I couldn’t rest.”

“That’s understandable. Interviews can be so gruelling.”

“He’s not supposed to know but the head teacher’s PA told him there are some strong candidates.”

“But Dane’s so good at what he does, isn’t he? I remember Dawn telling us that local parents approved of him.”

“Yes and he’s dedicated and energetic and he really wants this.”

“Here you go… one latte with a double shot of espresso.”

“Thank you so much.”

“Let’s have a sit down, shall we? I have ten minutes before I officially open.”

They settled onto the leather sofa.

“Try not to worry. I’m sure Dane has as good a chance of getting the job as any of the others. Besides, he’s been doing the job, so he probably has a better chance.”

“I hope so but nothing’s guaranteed.”

Allie cocked her head.

“What’s wrong?”

“I can hear my mobile ringing.” Allie patted her pockets through the apron then stood up and peered at the counter. “I’m not sure what I did with it.”

She hurried through to the kitchen and the ringing stopped.

Honey sipped her coffee and tried to relax. Usually, the lovely interior of the café with its shabby-chic furniture and groaning bookshelves, as well as the delicious aromas coming from the kitchen, made her feel better. It was a safe haven; a place where troubles could be put aside and she could find comfort in a warm drink, a good meal and the company of her best friends. But this morning, even the café’s ambience was failing to raise her spirits.

Allie appeared in the doorway, her face pale.

“What is it?” Honey put her mug on the coffee table in front of the sofa. “Has something happened?”

Allie slumped onto the sofa and turned her mobile over in her hands.

“It’s Mandy. I’m so worried about her.”

Allie’s daughter worked in London and rarely returned to Heatherlea. She’d been devastated by her father’s death over six years ago and had told her mother that there were too many painful memories in the village. Allie had admitted that she missed her daughter enormously, and she got up to London whenever she could, but it wasn’t as often as she’d have liked because she had the café to run.

“What did she say?”

“Oh…” Allie blinked hard then leant her head back on the sofa. “She was crying again. She doesn’t feel very well, which I suspect is due to stress, and she wants to come home. Actually wants to come home for a break… but she’s torn because of work and doesn’t want to miss any time.”

“Couldn’t she take some leave?”

“Maybe. But she’s not very good at listening to my suggestions. I said that she should come back and have a rest but she started spouting reasons why she couldn’t. I think she’s exhausted to be honest.”

“If she’s working as hard as you said she is, then I’d say definitely.”

“She loves her job so much but there have been… complications.”

“Oh.”

Allie sighed. “There’s a man and from what she’s said… or not said… I think she’s in love. Problem is that she doesn’t know how he feels and doesn’t want to push things.”

“That sounds familiar.”

Allie gave a wry laugh then squeezed Honey’s hand. “It’s not easy this life, is it?”

“Not at all. I’m sure Mandy will be fine though. She’s her mother’s daughter.”

“I think that’s why she’s finding this relationship so difficult. She’s having trouble letting go of her independence.”

“Do you think it will last?”

“I have no idea. As long as she’s okay though, that’s all that matters.”

“I’m sure she will be.”

“Do you know what I need?”

“What?”

“Cake.”

“At this time?”

“Breakfast muffins, Honey. As good an excuse to eat cake before nine as I can think of. Want one?”

“Go on then.”

Allie got two freshly baked blueberry muffins and handed one to Honey. It was light and sweet and the blueberries slightly tart as they popped in Honey’s mouth. It was the perfect combination and she savoured every mouthful.

“I needed that.” Honey wiped her fingers on a napkin. “Comfort food.”

“The best kind. Time for another coffee?”

“I have all the time in the world.”

“Wonderful.”

And as Allie made two coffees, Honey carried their plates out to the kitchen and put them in the dishwasher. Allie was right; life wasn’t easy, but good friends, cake and coffee helped, and Honey was lucky enough to be able to enjoy all three.