‘I never stopped thinking about him. Frankie says that when Noah left, he built a little house in my head and has spent the last twenty years popping in and out of it.’
‘He’s come back into your life for a reason,’ Esme said. ‘There obviously was a reason. Maybe you both needed to grow as people first?’
‘Rocco said he was jealous of Noah and me because we have been given a second chance.’
We drank some more wine, and I considered what Esme said. After Phoebe fell asleep on her rug, Esme and I decided to stagger home.
‘Mummy.’ Now Lucas was shaking my arm. He was sat up in his bed. ‘I have a belly ache.’ Hauling myself off the camp bed, I felt the room sway. With a thumping headache and breath like that of a wild dog, I reach for my fluffy pink dressing gown. Why did I drink so much wine?
Five seconds later Lucas vomited all over his bed and me.
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
@BabsTheScienceFictionFan: We met in the science fiction section of our local book shop years ago. His act of love is to buy me books I have been wanting to read for ages. Here’s today’s gift. Lovely coffee. #GiveLoveGetLove #LittleLoveCafé
@EmmaHappilyEverAfter: I was catching some rays on the beach, and he bought me an iced coffee. So happy and your flower wall is beautiful #LittleLoveCafé #GiveLoveGetLove
@DonnaThomas: Thanks to Alice at the #LittleLoveCafé we are getting married on Friday and she’s made a miracle happen. Money has always been tight for us and my cancer hasn’t helped. We thought getting married was going to cost more than what little money we have saved so we were on the verge of cancelling it - but Alice has saved the day. We can’t thank her enough and watch this space for our reception pics on Friday at the #LittleLoveCafé
Noah is sat by the door to the café as I walk in on Tuesday. To say I feel exhausted is an understatement. Lucas was ill all day yesterday. Dad was working so I had to sort Lucas out and battle my hangover. Today Lucas is brighter and at home with Dad. I, however, still feel rough.
‘Look, Alice, about the other day…’ His face is pale, and his summer blue eyes are pinkish and housed inside two purple rings. ‘I’m sorry about…’
My heart is beating so loud I am surprised he can’t feel the vibration. I don’t say anything and head towards the counter. He follows me. ‘We need to talk.’
‘You’re right, Noah, we do. You can’t kiss me like that and suddenly walk away.’
He opens his mouth, and our first customer of the day comes striding into the café. We both groan as the opportunity is lost.
On my break I head over to the gift shop to see how Esme is doing after our wine session on Sunday. As Lucas had been so poorly yesterday, I didn’t have time to go see if she was okay. I have a little niggle that she won’t stand up to Joy. Frankie and I spent years at school trying to make her do that, but it never worked.
As I cross over the promenade, I look up at the doorway of the gift shop and gasp. Esme is grinning at me and modelling a new sharp bob which grazes her jawline. It frames her face perfectly and accentuates her amazing cheekbones. ‘I did it,’ she cries out as I get closer. ‘I cut my hair.’
Throwing my arms around her I blink back tears of joy. ‘Esme, you look so beautiful.’
‘It’s made me feel different,’ she gushes. ‘Joy hates it.’ We both laugh and hug again.
‘I’m so proud of you, Esme.’
She ruffles her silky bobbed hair. ‘Keith loves it.’
‘Have you told Joy everything yet?’
Esme’s smile fades. ‘I haven’t told her I am not going with her yet. That’s going to take some doing.’
‘Small steps,’ I say, reassuringly.
She takes hold of my hand. ‘I want to thank you for what you said the other day about following my heart and lending me that amazing book.’
‘You don’t have to thank me.’
‘Well, I am going to keep following my heart and one day I will be the motorbike and not the sidecar. Wish me luck.’
‘Stay strong. I believe in you.’
I walk back to the café in shock over Esme’s hair transformation.
It’s not until late afternoon that things get quieter in the café. Noah waves me over to the counter. There are two couples sitting in, and they are both near the window so out of earshot. My heart thuds. He holds my gaze and then bows his head. ‘I got married five years ago.’
