Millie was in such a state the following morning that she hardly noticed who came in to the café, what they ordered and, more worryingly, what she served them.
What had Jed got to sort?
Why did he have to go to Paris? When would he back?
Why hadn’t she thought to ask for his mobile number? Why hadn’t he given it to her?
Why did his upper lip jut out slightly more than the lower and made her want to take it between her teeth?
‘What is the matter with you, girl? Since when do I eat chocolate cake?’ Biddy’s sharp voice made Millie jump.
‘So sorry, Biddy. It’s my special today, but I’ll get you your usual scone.’
‘And a biscuit for Elvis.’
‘Of course.’ Millie caught a sympathetic look from Arthur as she glided back into the kitchen. She was walking on air. Who would have thought one kiss could make her feel like this? And if his kiss was that powerful, what would …
‘Millie!’ roared Biddy. ‘Arthur’s not got his tea yet.’
Millie forced herself to concentrate. At this rate there would be no Millie Vanilla’s for Jed to come back to. Banishing a vision of his long tanned body rumpling her nautically striped sheets, Millie slapped herself on the cheek and went to work.
As she came out, bearing a tray of tea for Arthur and scones for Biddy, Zoe and Sean came in. According to Tessa, Zoe was making the most of any free time by spending it with Sean, working with Ken in his studio.
‘Hi, Millie,’ Zoe said and blushed. ‘We’ll sit over in the corner, if you don’t mind. Thank you. Oh, hi Granddad,’ she called to Arthur. ‘Mum said she’d be over later. Got a couple of frozen casseroles for you.’
This was deeply worrying. Zoe never blushed. And she was never that polite.
Millie served Biddy and Arthur and watched, from the corner of her eye, as Zoe and Sean pressed themselves into the corner table and gazed adoringly into each other’s eyes. The intensity!
‘There’s no sugar in this bowl,’ Biddy yelled.
Buttoning down the urge to tell Biddy where to go, Millie forced a smile and murmured she’d go and get some.
‘What did she say?’ Biddy said irritably to Arthur. ‘What’s going on in here today? I’ve a good mind to take my custom elsewhere.’
Millie served Zoe and Sean their hot chocolate and was beckoned over by Arthur. ‘Come and sit yourself down for a minute, my dear,’ he said. He looked comically over his shoulder, as if spies might hear. ‘I’ve got some information about that new place opening on the high street.’
Millie poured herself a coffee and, having glanced around to check if anyone needed anything, perched on a chair next to Arthur. ‘Do I have to give you a password before you tell me anything?’ she hissed, wide-eyed.
Arthur looked blank.
‘You know, “The moon is full and the sea is calm,” sort of thing.’
Arthur raised his eyebrows in a way that made Millie feel about five. ‘You might not be laughing when you hear this, my dear. This new café, Blue Elephant, is opening next weekend.’
Millie sat back in dismay, all flippancy gone. ‘So soon?’
Arthur nodded.
‘I’d been hoping it wouldn’t be ready for ages.’
‘Apparently they’ve been beavering away behind those boarded-up windows. Want to catch a bit of the trade as soon as possible. Establish themselves before the new tourist season starts.’
Millie bit her lip. ‘I suppose that makes sense.’ She could kick herself. There had been no time to think through the refurbishment of the café and she hadn’t even tried out any new menus. She looked around. Who was she kidding? Biddy always had her coffee and scone, the kids drank hot chocolate and Arthur was loyal to his pot of tea. They weren’t exactly the customers to go for the sort of exciting flavour combinations she’d eaten last night. She couldn’t see Biddy enjoying brill and citrus couscous. With a heavy heart, she tuned back in to what Arthur was saying.
‘They’re opening a Blue Elephant in Berecombe,’ he was saying, ‘and Taunton and Honiton is next on the list and then Exeter. That’s if all goes well here.’
Millie snorted. ‘And why shouldn’t it? With so many branches close together they’ll be able to buy in bulk cheaply. And completely undercut my prices.’ She put her head in her hands and groaned.
‘I’m so sorry, my dear, but I thought you’d like to know.’ Arthur’s voice was full of concern.
She forced herself to look him in the eye. ‘Thank you, Arthur. I appreciate it.’ Then a thought struck. ‘How do you know all this?’
‘Dennis, the chairman of the trading committee, told me.’
‘Fuck.’ Millie caught herself. ‘Sorry, Arthur.’
He gave a small smile. ‘A certain level of profanity is acceptable in the circumstances, my dear.’ He patted her hand. ‘But you have no need for concern. This café and the Blue Elephant place are two very different animals, as Zoe would say.’
‘Maybe.’
‘Now, don’t look so gloomy. Think about it. You’ve lived alongside Kosy Korner and The Plaice Place all these years.’
‘I have. But you’ve got to admit they both offer different things. People go to a chip shop for, well, chips and the KK does its roast dinner carveries. The Blue Elephant will sell the same things as me – coffee, cake, sandwiches, that type of thing. They’ll be in direct competition with me.’
Arthur straightened. ‘I’m positive it will all be fine. When the tourist season begins there’s trade enough for everybody.’
‘That’s the problem, Arthur. I’ve got to get to the next season.’
‘Things that tight, eh?’ He looked shocked.
Millie didn’t trust herself to speak. She nodded.
‘Oh, my dear, I’m so sorry.’
‘Arthur, I don’t know what I’ll do if I don’t have this place. I can’t do anything else.’
He patted her hand again. ‘I’m sure it won’t come to that. Look, I’ll get my thinking cap on, shall I? See what I can come up with.’
‘Oh, Arthur, would you? Thank you.’
‘Best be off. Don’t want to leave Daisy too long.’ He stood up.
Now it was Millie’s turn to look shocked. ‘Oh, Arthur, I feel awful, I haven’t even asked after her!’
Arthur’s face clouded. He tucked his scarf around his neck. ‘I’m still waiting for test results. Never an easy time, is it?’
Millie rose and gave him a hug.
He shook her off. ‘Now, dear girl, don’t be too nice to me. That’s when the waterworks start. I’ll be off.’ And, with a quick wave to Zoe, he’d gone.
‘What were you two whispering about so secretly?’ Biddy asked, obviously miffed at being left out of the conversation.
Millie said the first thing that came into her head. It wasn’t a complete lie. ‘Oh nothing much. Think Arthur’s worried about vet’s bills and poor Daisy being so ill.’
‘Hmph, he needs to man up,’ Biddy said, sourly. ‘Eyes too near his bladder. Always said so.’
Millie ignored her, collected Arthur’s plate and mug and went into the kitchen. All romantic thoughts of Jed had fled.