‘And then there’s the question about banana skins.’
‘Banana skins? What about them?’
‘Well, is itreallythat easy to slip on one, or wasthat just something invented by clowns to make people laugh?’
‘I’m starting to worry about you, Maddy. Are these reallythings that keep you awake at night?’
‘Well, sometimes. If Jack is snoring, and that happens quitea lot. I keep telling him to put a clothes peg on his nose but he won’t.’
Jen tuts. ‘So inconsiderate.’
‘I know.’
There’s a brief pause and then Jen says, ‘I’ve neveractuallyseenanyone slip on a banana skin. Except in a circus.’
‘Me, neither. I’ve got a banana in my bag. I could test tosee if it’s true.’
‘What?’ Jen snorts. ‘You’re not that bored, are you?’
‘Here. Can you eat half?’
‘Er, okay. Thanks.’
I glance from Ellie to Dorothy. They’re both still tuned in,grinning away.
And then, from the kitchen, we hear Jen shout a warning. ‘Maddy,you’re notreallygoing to...watch out!’
There’s a clatter and a loud yelp and the sound of somethinglarge hitting the deck. Alarmed, Ellie throws down her tea towel and dartsthrough to the kitchen, and Dorothy and I follow swiftly behind her.
Maddy is on the floor, attempting to get up but squealing inpain and saying she’s broken her foot.
Ellie, on her knees beside Maddy, looks up worriedly. ‘Ithink we’ll need a trip to A&E. It’s obvious something’s wrong. I’ll closethe café and drive her there myself.’
‘I am here, you know,’ gasps Maddy. ‘And yes, something’sdefinitely wrong!’
‘Oh, dear.’ Dorothy frowns in sympathy. ‘Did you slip onthat banana skin, then?’
‘No, I bloody didn’t. I tripped over that stupid mop.’
Ellie flicks an amused glance in my direction and I have tofight the urge not to laugh. But it’s really not funny – as Maddy keepsinsisting while we half-carry her out to Ellie’s car and get her into the backseat.
‘I’m really sorry,’ Maddy keeps groaning, from where she’shalf-sitting, half-lying with her injured foot on a cushion.
‘It’s partly my fault,’ says Ellie. ‘I meant to put that mopaway after I cleaned the floor first thing. Right, are you okay there? Jen, canyou put the closed sign on the door and wait here till I get back?’
‘Yes, of course,’ says Jen swiftly. ‘You just go and I’llsort everything out here.’
‘Great. Thanks.’ Ellie frowns at us. ‘Sorry, ladies. Coffeeand cake are on the house next time you’re in.’
‘I could stay and help Jen if you like,’ offers Dorothy. ‘Thenwe could keep the place open? Just until you get back. It would do me good tohave something to occupy my mind.’ She sighs. ‘All I’m doing at the moment isworrying about Auntie Josie.’
Ellie nods in sympathy. ‘How long has it been?’
‘A week, now.’
‘She’ll be back. She’s a free spirit, your Auntie Josie.’
Dorothy smiles fondly. ‘She is. Although she’s never beenout of touch with the family for this long before. She always lets me know whenshe’s going off on one of her trips.’
