‘It isn’t working?’ she repeats scornfully. ‘What, so you’regoing todumpme? Oh, here we go. How many times have I heardthatbefore?’
He stares back at her, meeting her eyes this time, and Ifind that I’m silently cheering him on as I gather plates and cups onto mytray.
‘You don’treallythink you’ll find someone elsewho’d put up with you, do you?’ she sneers, before picking up her spoon andthrowing it at him, aiming at his head. He tries to catch it but misses and itclatters to the floor, at which point Shona sits back and laughs scornfully, asthe other customers in the café turn their heads to stare.
I pick up the spoon, which has skidded across the floor, andthe guy turns and meets my eye. He’s trying not to show it, but it’s so obvioushe’s upset and doesn’t know what to do.
And suddenly, the discomfort that’s been simmering awayinside me is too much. I glance back at the counter. Madison must be in thekitchen.
Walking over to their table, I smile at Shona. ‘Would youmind leaving, please? You’re upsetting the other customers.’
‘What?’ She stares up at me, confused, as I fight to retainmy composure.
‘Now, please.’
She makes a disgusted noise in her throat and looks atJonathan. ‘Let’s go, honey. We’re obviously not welcome here.’
He folds his arms and says nothing.
‘Jonathan. Come on. We’re going.’ She sounds a little lesscertain. And when he still fails to respond, her eyes narrow, she grabs her bagand marches out of the café.
I suddenly realise I’ve been holding my breath and thetension inside me is now ebbing away like air from a pricked balloon. Jonathanlooks at me gratefully.
‘Are you okay?’ I murmur.
He rubs his nose ruefully. ‘I am now. Thank you.’
‘Good.’
He gets up to go. ‘It’s over. She’s done it once too often.She can take a flying leap.’ He tries to smile.
‘Take care,’ I murmur, and he nods as he walks out of thecafé.
I watch him through the window, crossing the green. Will hestick to his guns? Is it really over?
A tap on my shoulder makes me almost leap out of my skin.
‘Ellie!’
‘Erm, did I just see you eject a customer from the café?’She stares at me in bemusement.
I gulp. ‘She was horrible.’
‘Really? She seemed lovely and charming when I talked to herearlier. And anyway, horrible customers contribute to the takings just as muchas nice ones.’
I nod, suitably chastised. Ellie’s right.
‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.’
‘Well, as long as it doesn’t happen again,’ she snaps andwalks off.
*****
I feel terrible. It’s not like Ellie to be so brusque. Imust have really annoyed her.
I continue with my work, wishing I hadn’t done what I did.It wasn’t like me at all. I wouldn’t say boo to a goose usually – unlesssomeone really provokes me.
Later, I’m in the kitchen loading the dishwasher when I heara strange noise. I glance through the window, thinking it might be a catoutside, but it seems to be coming from inside the building.
