There. At least now it looked ready for the season, even if the décor clashed a tad with the nautical theme of the place.
Flopping back in a chair, Ginny stared at the fishing net adorning the ceiling directly above her. It could do with a dusting. Perhaps after work.
Tears blurred her vision for a moment, as she allowed a few seconds of self-pity to take control. Sniffing, she straightened and pulled herself together. She wasn’t alone, not really. She had the most wonderful group of friends she could call on anytime, but she needed to crack on, so there wasn’t time to feel deflated or cry on anyone’s shoulder.
Ginny sprinted to the toilet, coated her lips with dark-red lippy, adjusted her head scarf, blew the mirror a kiss, then headed back to the front door.
Robson jogged by, stopping to wave.
Ginny stepped onto the pavement, gulped down the salty air blowing over from the sea across the road, and gave her friend a hefty pat on the back; he looked too sweaty to hug.
Robson jolted forward and laughed. ‘For someone so petite, you’ve sure got some whack.’
‘Sorry. Lots of arm muscles used in running a café, you know.’
‘If you took on my pub, you’d have arms like Popeye.’
Ginny poked his biceps. ‘So where are yours then, chick?’
‘Oi, cheek. I am of the athletic build.’
‘Oh, is that what it’s called?’
‘Here I am, out enjoying the early morning, and I get insulted by my best mate.’
Ginny nudged him. ‘You want a bacon sandwich?’
Robson’s piercing blue eyes sparkled as he patted his toned stomach. ‘Ooh, don’t tempt me.’
Ginny glanced down the road. ‘I don’t know why you get up so early when the Jolly Pirate doesn’t open till eleven.’
‘I do have a whole day to fit in before that time. Anyway, I like to keep fit. You should try it.’
‘I hardly sit down, thank you very much. I’ve got Hub duty today as well.’
‘What time?’
‘When I close at four.’
‘You still thinking about letting Samuel use the café as a food bank after closing time?’
Ginny shrugged. ‘The Happy to Help Hub has the food bank. He just wants to offer free dinners to those in need. But honestly, Rob, I’ve got too much on at the moment.’
‘How is your mum?’
Never one to tell what her mother was really like, she simply smiled politely. ‘Doing good. We should get word on a care home soon.’
‘That’ll be a weight off.’
Ginny nodded, then gestured towards the Jolly Pirate pub. ‘I’ll pop by later for dinner. Your chef makes the best fish pies.’
‘I’ll make sure he saves you one.’
She waved him off, then turned back to the calm sea to watch the boats bobbing gently. It would be nice to sail away and forget about life for a bit. She blew a kiss out to sea. She did it every morning so it would float off to her soulmate, whoever the poor sod was. Some of her regular customers were heading her way though, so dreams were pushed to the back burner.
Safe travels. Wherever you are.
‘My wife used to do that for me,’ said the old man passing her by.
