‘Yep.’
He looks around the café. ‘I don’t want to spoil your plan, but we have one stressed-out cake supplier and there are only us two working here. How are we going to make a wedding reception happen?’
CHAPTERNINETEEN
@Sharonandhershoeobsession: My act of love was to buy my new boyfriend a surprise pair of new shoes. He’s worn them out today and I think he looks irresistible in them. #GIVELOVEGETLOVE #LittleLoveCafé #RedLeatherLoafers
@MikeFlowers: An act of love is also to say sorry to someone who means a lot to you. @KirstenBall36 – I am sorry I broke up with you. I love you and always will x #GIVELOVEGETLOVE #LittleLoveCafé
‘Hello, Alice.’ A voice from the doorway makes me look up from the counter. I am busy looking at the responses to my promotion. A familiar young woman, willowy, with black hair approaches. She’s wearing a blue denim skirt with a pink T-shirt. ‘Remember me?’
‘Lilly,’ I shout before going over to give her a hug.
She grins. ‘I heard you were back, so I had to come and see you.’
Many years ago, I used to babysit Lilly and her brothers. Lilly hugs me. ‘Alice, you had the patience of a saint with me and my five little brothers.’
‘You were an angel, Lilly,’ I say, draping my arm over her shoulders. ‘But your little brothers were a gang of little so-and-sos.’
‘Fancy a free drink?’ I say, pointing at the coffee machine.
Lilly piles her long hair on top of her head into a messy bun. ‘Black coffee, please.’
Once I have made her a coffee, she sits on a stool at the counter.
‘What are you doing now? College? Ice-cream parlour?’
She screws up her face. ‘I dropped out of college. All that studying wasn’t for me. I work in the ice-cream parlour, and I volunteer at the youth club. Remember the old place?’
‘The old lifeguard building?’
Lilly nods. ‘It’s in a bit of a state but all the young people still go there.’
The memory of me kissing Noah at the youth club resurfaces. My face is reddening as I spot him walking into the café after his lunch break. I avert my eyes from him and focus on Lilly.
‘Tonight, at the youth club, I have organised a painting party. We’re struggling to get the funds to redecorate the place. Paint and all that stuff is costly so everyone who is coming is bringing some spare paint from home. We’re going to decorate the youth club area ourselves. The kids are excited.’
I recall Frankie saying something about wanting to attract a younger audience.
Lilly leans in with a mischievous grin. ‘I’m also trying to impress Sunny.’
‘Ah,’ I say with a grin. ‘I see.’
She giggles. ‘He hasn’t made a move yet. I want him to, but I think he’s shy. Tonight, over a can of paint, I can work my magic.’
An idea on how to grow Frankie’s business unfolds in my mind. ‘I have an idea,’ I say, thinking on my feet. ‘How about I donate some pink paint from The Little Love Café, and I come to help too.’
‘You have paint?’
I nod and point out the back. ‘Loads of tins. It’s pink, but I am sure you won’t mind.’
Lilly’s face lights up. ‘That would be great.’
‘I might have to bring my little boy to this painting party though,’ I say, remembering Dad’s late shift at the supermarket.
‘Painting party?’ Noah comes over, looking interested. ‘Can I come?’
Lilly nods. ‘More the merrier.’ She glances at both of us. ‘I’m so glad you two are back together. Mum heard about it in the supermarket. She said you two were the Romeo and Juliet of Blue Cove Bay at one time.’
