‘Those flapjacks will need another five minutes or so, I reckon.’ Eleri came out of the café’s kitchen and deposited two steaming mugs of coffee next to Millie’s laptop. She peered over her shoulder, humming along to ‘Two Thousand Miles’, which was playing on the radio. ‘Got to be the coolest Christmas song ever,’ she said. ‘The Pretenders did such lush stuff. My Da’s fave band. What are you looking up?’
Millie clicked on Google and frowned. ‘These criminal gangs in Colombia.’
‘Oh right.’ Eleri nodded and sat down. She shoved up her collection of bangles and continued with her task of folding green serviettes into Christmas tree shapes. ‘These bandas criminales thingies. I thought the Colombian government was trying to control them. Supposed to be a safer place to travel in now. Or so they say. I never managed to get that far. Stopped in Costa Rica.’ She blew on her coffee and sipped. ‘Gorgeous country. So much wildlife. What does it say, lovely?’
‘It mentions something called BACRIM.’ Millie scanned the computer screen. ‘General term for drug-trafficking gangs. I think. There’s a lot about trying to eradicate them and the political situation. Certainly sounds like they’re trying to do something, but I’m not sure I’m really any the wiser. Nothing to do with coffee anyway.’ She let out a relieved breath.
Eleri folded the last of the serviettes and put them neatly into a tinsel-lined basket. ‘Why did you think they might have something to do with coffee?’
‘Oh, I don’t know, Ri. I can’t stop thinking about Jed. Something doesn’t gel. He goes off coffee buying, gets a fever, gets flown back, but he’s moving as if his body hurts.’ Millie thought back to how Jed had winced when trying to sit up. ‘More specifically, as if his arm hurts.’ She went silent, deep in thought.
‘Maybe the fever is making his muscles ache? Or maybe he’s just weakened by it. He looked a lot better the last time I saw him.’
‘When did you see him? Was he okay?’ Millie tried to sound casual. It had been three days since she’d seen Jed. Three difficult days.
Eleri shot her a look. ‘On his feet, looking a lot more cheerful. Giving Coral hell for making him rest. Asking about your pal Savio.’
Millie ignored the Savio comment. The man had been hovering around constantly since he’d arrived. Genial and entertaining he might be, he was a distraction she could do without. She would have to let him down gently. ‘Good,’ she said, vaguely, and stifled a pang of jealousy. She ought to be the one looking after Jed. Then she remembered they’d split up.
‘You know, whatever the reason Jed has for working for Blue Elephant and being so mysterious, I’m sure it’s a good one.’
‘I’m glad you think so.’
‘Perhaps you should trust him?’
‘Ri, that’s all I’ve ever done.’ Millie snapped the laptop shut. ‘And it’s got me into a mess time and time again. No, I’m done with being asked to trust Jed Henville. I’m afraid we’re finally over. Thanks for doing the serviettes, by the way. And the white lights in the glass vases look great. Very festive.’ She picked up her mug and drank her coffee.
Eleri accepted the change of subject matter. ‘Thought they’d be good centrepieces for the wedding tables. Has Biddy suggested anything else?’
‘Once she’d calmed down after I’d missed the meeting, you mean?’ Millie smiled tightly. ‘What hasn’t she asked for? Think we’ve compromised on rows of lanterns with tea lights creating the aisle and an arch covered in white silk camellias and ivy.’
‘Nice. The vases will go well, then. I could add some fresh greenery, if you like? Is she still going with a green and white colour theme?’
‘As far as I know.’
‘Are they still getting married on the beach?’
‘Yes. Just out there.’ Millie nodded to the stretch of flat sand in front of the café’s terrace.
Eleri shivered. ‘Won’t it be cold, though? Weather’s set for a really chilly spell.’
‘Arthur’s sourced a load of cast-iron braziers, apparently. They’ll be lit.’ Millie shrugged. ‘Suppose the guests will just have to wear coats.’ She grinned, enthusiasm for Biddy’s wedding beginning to break through her numb misery. ‘Biddy has insisted on the guests wearing red or white.’
‘That’s never popular.’ Eleri laughed. ‘People hate being told what to wear.’
‘She says it’s to make the photos look Christmassy.’
‘Suppose she’s got a point. How are the hot chocolate recipes coming on?’
‘Tried a rum and salted caramel one last night. That might be a winner. Thought it would warm everyone up when they come in after the ceremony. And Biddy mentioned a problem with the invitations, so I’ve customised a load of Christmas cards. Oh and I thought I could make a batch of teeny mince pies and ice them with B and A.’
‘Cool.’ Eleri gazed at Millie. ‘It’s all going to be fab. Considering you’ve never hosted a wedding before, you’ve got a real knack for it, you know.’
‘Have I? Thanks, Ri.’ Millie shrugged. ‘I feel I’m winging it, to be honest, but I suppose it’s just an extension of what I’ve been doing at the café all my life. Making people happy.’ Her voice quivered. ‘Just a shame I couldn’t make myself happy, isn’t it?’ She concentrated fiercely on drinking the last of her coffee.
‘Millie, all will be well. Everything will work out, you’ll see.’ Eleri stood up and went to the door. ‘There’s an end to our peaceful morning,’ she laughed. ‘Here come the happy couple and Zoe too. Ooh,’ she added, as a thought struck. ‘Flapjacks!’
Mille stared at Ri’s long, elegant back as she headed to the kitchen. She wished she could be as certain. All would be well? Fat chance.