The boy surveys the empty café. ‘Yeah. I would bring my nana here. She’d love it.’
I cast them both a look of surprise. With a grin, the girl flicks one of her braids. ‘Teenagers get a lot of bad press. I can see why, I mean we stay out late, we don’t do our homework, our bedrooms are a mess, we are grumpy, we play our music too loud, and we shout at our parents. However, everyone forgets how much we love our grandparents. We love our nanas and grandpas. We love taking them out and treating them. You could run aTreat Your Grandparenttype promo. I know a few people at college who would love that.’
I turn to Noah. ‘What do you think?’
He nods. ‘I like the idea a lot and it might help with attracting senior customers.’
The girl giggles and taps the boy on her arm. ‘I’ll get Georgia to bring her grandpa if you bring your nana.’ She turns to me. ‘We think Will’s great nana and my best mate Georgia’s great grandpa fancy each other.’
I smile. ‘Well, I love your idea. What’s your name?’
She outstretches her hand. ‘I’m Ava. He’s called Will. I’m also looking for some holiday work. I’m seventeen, I am a hard worker and I have been a waitress before.’
I like Ava. She’s bright and could help on a Saturday when we get busy, but she could also help with the wedding reception next week. ‘How about a trial on Saturday?’
Her face lights up. ‘You won’t regret it.’
‘You can help sort out our grandparent day promotion and we have a wedding reception in here next Friday? When do the Easter holidays start?’
She grins. ‘Next Friday and we have a teacher training day. I’ll be happy to help at the reception.’
When they leave, our first customers of the day arrive so Noah and I get to work. At the counter he leans over and says, ‘You’re like a different person.’
‘Really?’
He pauses and holds my gaze. ‘It’s like the old Alice I once knew is coming back.’
‘What was she like?’ I whisper, finding myself getting lost in his summer blue sky eyes.
‘She had all these big ideas, she loved organising everyone and she believed in herself.’
A ball of warm tingles shoots up my spine.
During my break, I go into the gift shop on the seafront to see how Esme is doing. Luckily Joy isn’t working so it’s just me and Esme.
She lifts her head from arranging a new collection of Blue Cove Bay mugs and smiles. ‘Hi, Alice, how are you after quitting your job?’
I smile and browse her extensive candle collection. ‘I went back. Noah and I have agreed to not discuss the past and I am trying my hardest to control my emotions. How are you?’
Esme shrugs. ‘Still the same. Joy is still intent on selling this place.’
After smelling a few of her candles, I move on to her range of vanilla and cotton cloud scented diffuser sticks. ‘What about you and your secret friend?’
Her face brightens. ‘He’s great.’ She takes out her phone. ‘His texts are making me laugh.’
‘Are you going to tell me who it is?’
Her dark eyes shine and for the first time in all the years I have known her, she casts me the biggest happy smile. ‘It’s Keith. He works for Phoebe.’
Seeing Esme happy gives me a rush of excitement. ‘Oh wow, Keith is lovely, Esme.’
She nods. ‘He makes me laugh, Alice. He takes me for walks on the beach, buys me ice cream, gives me book gifts and he listens to me. And my cats adore him.’
I rush over and hug her. ‘Esme, I wish Frankie was here. He would be so happy for you.’
She takes out her phone. ‘Every day Keith sends me funny stories about life in the bookshop. This week his stories have been about the guy called Liam who has moved into the shop next door.’
‘Ah, the record shop guy.’
