It was fast approaching eleven o’clock when Nell, Gilly and Fern stood behind the counter of the deli hugging skinny lattes and admiring their handywork.
The floral bunting draped the windows, jam jars of daffodils were dotted on top of the counter and scented tea lights flickered on each tabletop. The front of the counter revealed an array of scrumptious-looking cakes on glass-domed stands and the aroma from the coffee and freshly baked bread was simply delicious.
‘Deli of the Year,’ said Nell, and they all clinked their mugs together.
‘I can remember mother saying when we were teenagers she’d never make a living from catering, and now look at what she’s achieved.’
‘You have to do a job you love, otherwise every day of your life would be miserable,’ said Gilly, ‘The funny thing is, I was one of those people who never knew what they wanted to do in life and I still don’t.’
‘But you’re happy,’ Fern chipped in.
‘I’m happy because I was surrounded by the love of good people, Benny and Nell, everything just worked, and now Lloyd is back in my life too.’
‘I never wanted to be an accountant,’ Fern suddenly piped up, her face saddened.
Nell swung round towards Fern, ‘I thought that was always what you wanted to do?’
She shook her head, ‘Parental expectations. I was bright, straight-A student, top of the class in maths. If the truth be told, I hated maths.’
‘No way! I wasn’t expecting that,’ said Nell, astounded.
‘Bea was the feisty one. She stood up for what she believed in. I towed the line, mainly for an easy life. I wish I’d been more like her. Goodness knows where my path would have taken me.’ Fern’s eyes were teary, ‘Look at me getting all emotional.’ She flapped her hand in front of her face.
Gilly touched her arm affectionately. ‘What did you want to do?’ Gilly asked tentatively?
‘I always wanted to be an artist.’
‘An artist?’ Nell echoed her words. ‘Did you ever tell them that’s what you wanted to do?’ queried Nell.
She shook her head, ‘I used to store a set of paints and brushes in the back of the garage and wait for Saturdays, when Mum and Dad were out doing the big shop, because it usually gave me a couple of hours.’
‘It’s never too late to follow your heart. You’re still only young. Why not give it ago?’ suggested Gilly, taking a sip of her coffee.
Fern hesitated for a second, ‘You know when Mum was dying and bed-ridden?’
‘Yes,’ answered Nell.
‘I began to paint again. I couldn’t tell Pete what I was doing. He would have just ridiculed me …’ she took a breath, ‘So it was my little secret, something just for me. I set up a painting studio in Mum’s back living room. It was an ideal place to store my paints, canvas and easel and when she was sleeping I began to paint again.’
‘Fern, that’s amazing. What’ve have you done with the artwork?’
It’s all at Mum’s. I’ve even painted a picture of the deli.’
‘The deli?’ Nell’s eyes widened as she placed her mug on top of the counter.
Fern nodded, ‘Yes, I missed Bea so much that I sneaked up here a few times when Pete was in the pub on a Sunday. I took some photos on my phone and then went to my easel. I painted the shop, the marina and even the Nollie is on there.’
‘Wow, what are you going to do with it?’
‘I’m not sure.’
Nell beamed, ‘How about giving it to her as a present today. The timing couldn’t be better.’
‘Now there’s a plan,’ Fern smiled, ‘Have I got time to nip back for it now?’
‘Look,’ said Gilly, and they all swung round towards the window, ‘Apart from the fact you’ll get soaked, the rain doesn’t look like it’s going to let up anytime soon and Nathan’s car has just pulled up at the side of the deli.’
‘We can keep an eye on the weather and maybe nip out after the presentation. I’m sure we could rope Nathan into giving us a quick lift later.’
Just at that minute, the deli door swung open and Bea walked in, hunched over with her coat held over her head to shield her from the rain.
Nell, Gilly and Fern began to clap, ‘Here she is, Miss Melting Pot herself.’
She lowered the coat and met their eyes and beamed, ‘What a welcome and just look at this place, you’ve all worked so hard,’ she beamed, sniffing the daffodils and admiring the floral bunting across the windows.’
‘You’re welcome,’ Nell said, smiling, taking the soggy coat from her, ‘I think this torrential rain is keeping all the customers away.’
‘I know,’ Bea sighed, glancing over her shoulder to see the rain hammering against the window. ‘And look at those boats bobbing on the water. Even Fred has battened down the hatches.
‘I think the weather has put everyone off,’ Bea exhaled.
‘We are all here and that’s all that matters,’ Nathan kissed his wife lightly on the head.
‘Ooo, who’s this? That’s a posh car!’ Gilly interrupted, pointing outside. Everyone swung round.
It was unusual to see vehicles this far up the wharf, except the butcher’s lorry delivering the meat to the shop.
They watched a man open the passenger’s door, He held an umbrella above her head to shield her from the rain as she stepped from the vehicle.
‘I feel so nervous,’ Bea whispered to Nathan, ‘Which is daft when all I have to say is thank you. I’ve got some right flutterings going on in my stomach.’
Nathan quickly placed his hand on his wife’s tummy, ‘Are you sure that’s nerves and not the babies moving?’ He quickly placed his hand on her stomach.
Bea’s eyes sprang towards Nathan, ‘Yes, Bea, I felt that.’ He beamed at his wife and swiftly placed her hand onto her stomach. For a couple of seconds, Bea waited and nothing, then ‘OMG! Yes, yes I felt them move too.’
Everyone in the deli cheered as the door sprung open, ‘Hi, I’m looking for Beatrice Green,’ the woman beamed.
‘I’m Bea,’ she answered, shaking her hand.
‘Pleased to meet you. I’m Tasha Miller and here to present you with your award on behalf of the DSA and this is …’
Tasha turned round and gestured to the gentleman standing at the side of her, ‘Alf Kemp.’
Instantly, Bea recognised the gentleman, but couldn’t quite place him.
‘Have we met before? I seem to know you from somewhere.’
‘Sorry to interrupt, but can I get you both a drink?’ Nathan asked politely.
‘A cup of tea would be great, thank you,’ said Tasha.
‘And a coffee for me … Alf paused, ‘But none of that instant rubbish.’
As soon as the words left his mouth Bea noticed the twinkle in his eye.
‘It’s you, it’s you!’
He grinned, ‘The last time you saw me I was wearing false spectacles, a flap cap, waterproof trousers and green wellington boots.’
‘And you took a scone home for your lovely wife.’ Bea grinned widely.
‘You have a very good memory.’
‘I thought you were a boater,’ Nell exclaimed.
‘That was the idea.’
‘And I thought the woman opposite you was the judge.’
‘Can I commend you on the way you dealt with that awkward customer? I’m not sure I would have been that patient,’ he gave a little chuckle and extended his hand, which Bea promptly shook. ‘Pleased to meet you, Bea. Your food was outstanding and your service impeccable.’
Bea blushed and introduced them to the rest of the staff before they moved over to the café part of the deli.
‘Look at this rain,’ Tasha gazed out over the marina.’
‘I know,’ Bea sighed. I was hoping there’d be a few regulars in to see me awarded with the plaque, but I can understand why no one’s here.’
Nathan rubbed his wife’s back and she kissed him on his cheek.
Just at that minute, the deli door burst open. Bea looked up and saw Alan giving Gilly the thumbs-up behind the counter. Following him were all the staff from his shop, the pub, boutique owners and right at the back of the long queue were Ed and Lloyd. Bea chuckled when she spotted Sam loping at Ed’s side – he looked dapper with a huge bow tied around his neck.
‘Surprise!’ Alan bellowed. ‘You didn’t think we’d abandoned you, did you? This rain wouldn’t keep us away.’
‘I can’t believe that all these people turned up out of the blue. I was beginning to feel a little disappointed,’ Bea said, smiling happily.
‘You can thank Mum for that. She was on the phone to Alan first thing this morning organising the troops because of the weather,’ Nell replied.
Bea smiled, ‘Thanks so much, everyone. I’m honestly thrilled and feeling a little giddy.
‘And so you should.’
After Nell said hello to Lloyd and Ed, everyone began to gather around the tables at the back of the deli and Gilly and Fern were pushing through the crowd, carrying a tray of champagne flutes full to the brim.
Fern handed one to Bea, ‘This one is lemonade, but it still looks the same.’
‘Thanks, Fern.’
‘Here’s the press now,’ Tasha glanced over towards the door. In walked a tall man with a camera dangling around his neck. He pushed to the back of the deli and introduced himself to Bea.
He manoeuvred her next to Tasha and snapped a few shots before Alf clinked his glass with a spoon and the whole deli fell silent. All eyes were on Bea. ‘Today we are here to present Beatrice Green with the most prestigeous award we offer.’
Both Nathan and Nell stifled a giggle as they saw Bea squirm at the mention of her name, ‘I don’t know why she doesn’t like her name, it suits her,’ Nell whispered to Nathan.
‘Here at the DSA,’ Tasha continued, ‘The Deli Standards Association, the Michelin stars of all delis and coffee shops, me and Alf have what I consider to be the best job in the world. We travel up and down the country tasting the most delicious food, granted it’s not good for the waistline,’ she patted her stomach and everyone chuckled, ‘However, when you discover a place like this,’ she swept her arms outwards, ‘It makes it all worthwhile. The Melting Pot is not only exceptional in terms of customer service and ambience but it attracts a wide range of customers, from people living on barges to local families. The standard of food is excellent, reasonably priced and it gives me great pleasure to present the award of Deli of the Year to Beatrice Green of The Melting Pot.’ Tasha handed over the plaque and Bea shook hands with both her and Alf. The photographer snapped away while everyone else erupted in cheers and clapped. And not forgetting Sam, who thumped his tail on the floor.
Once the photographer had finished taking photographs, Nell moved forward and threw her arms around her best friend while she blinked back the tears.
‘Congratulations you!’
‘Thank you,’ Bea was grinning like the Cheshire Cat, ‘I couldn’t have done any of this without you.’
‘The dream team!’ Nell high-fived Bea and they both chuckled.
‘I have to ask, was it you?’
‘Was what me?’ Nell asked.
‘Who nominated me? Come on, you can tell me now.’
Nell shook her head, ‘Honestly, it wasn’t me. I’d told you before, I’d tell you if it was.’
‘Well, who was it then? Bea asked, perplexed, turning towards Alf, who was chatting with Nathan beside them.
‘Sorry to interrupt, but Alf, could I ask, and I’m not sure you can tell me, but who nominated me?’
Alf glanced towards Tasha before flicking back through some papers in his hand. His eyes scanned the page and he ran his finger across it.
‘You were nominated by a Dot and Fern Watson.’
Bea gasped.
‘Your mum and sister,’ Nell nodded, her approving eye ran over the names on the page before squeezing Bea’s arm, ‘See, she was proud of you.’
Bea swallowed a lump and bit down on her lip, trying to keep the tears from falling, but the emotion was too raw.
She turned towards Fern, who was chatting behind her with Alan and Lloyd, ‘It was you.’
She smiled warmly, ‘More like Mum. I just filled in the form. She spotted an article in a magazine and said you would be the perfect nomination and she was right.’
‘You don’t know how much this means to me,’ sobbed Bea, smiling through the tears.
‘I think I do, come on, group hug.’
Fern extended her arms and Bea, Nathan and Nell fell into them. Tears a-plenty.