‘Alice,’ she says, after she’s pumped up several balloons. ‘You don’t know anyone who is looking to rent a flat?’
‘No – why?’
‘My parents have a little flat above the ice-cream parlour on the seafront and they are struggling to find someone to rent it. Mum suggested I speak to you as you might know someone.’
‘What’s it like? The flat?’
Ava beamed. ‘It’s lovely. Two bedrooms. If you look out of the living room window you can see the beach and the sea.’
‘Oh, wow, it sounds fabulous. I’ll mention it to a few people.’
Noah has arrived. He looks so handsome in a blue fitted shirt and smart beige trousers. While Ava is busy sweeping outside the café, Noah and I are having a cuddle behind the counter. I am losing myself in his beautiful aftershave which is a delicious aroma of lemon and wood pines.
‘Hello,’ he whispers making a huge smile spread across my face. I close my eyes as he presses his lips against mine. We engage in a slow and lingering kiss. His lips are soft, warm, and inviting. ‘You look gorgeous, Alice,’ he says, admiring my pink dress. ‘It’s a shame we have to work today, and we can’t go down to the beach.’
When Ava comes back inside, Noah and I break away. We all get to work on making The Little Love Café ready for its first wedding reception.
As I move tables and chairs so that I can mop the floor I think about the flat Ava mentioned. Somewhere like that would be perfect for Lucas and me, plus it would give Dad and me some much-needed space.
Pam hurries into the café carrying a huge cake box. ‘Your cupcakes are here. Do you want a peek?’
We all gather around a table, and she opens the box. ‘Alice, my baker followed your instructions.’
The two-tone pink and cream vanilla cupcakes in a rose design look fabulous. ‘Pam, they look great.’
Ava lets out a little coo. ‘They’re so pretty and they are the same pink as The Little Love Café.’
I follow Pam out to the back of the café. Her beautiful silvery hair is busy trying to escape the clip which is holding it up. ‘How are you, Pam?’
She rubs her forehead. ‘Still stressed. Doctor says my blood pressure is sky high. It’s all my ex-husband’s fault.’
‘Why is that?’
‘I went into this cake wholesale business with him when we first met. Now we’ve split up and I must rely on him for the baking. Neither of us can stand each other.’ She looks at me. ‘You’re Brian’s daughter – aren’t you?’
‘You know my dad?’
She smiles. ‘Sure do. I worked in his bakery. His cakes were always out of this world. Much better than my ex-husband’s.’ She giggles. ‘I never said that.’
‘Please take care, Pam.’
‘I’ll be fine.’
Once Pam has left, I walk over to where Ava is hanging up balloons. ‘Ava, I would be interested in your parents’ flat.’
‘Great,’ gushes Ava, taking out her phone. ‘Let me message Mum. She will be pleased. Sunny, the guy who works at the ice-cream parlour, has been renting it but he’s moving out today. He’s got a job in Cornwall.’ She taps something into her phone.
‘Sunny is moving away?’
She nods. ‘Lilly looked upset at the youth club last night.’
Her phone vibrates. ‘Mum says are you free to look around it tomorrow? I can bring the key to work and show you during a break.’
‘That sounds like a plan. I better try and see Lilly.’
The wedding reception has gone to plan. Noah, Ava, and I make a great team. I thought seeing Donna in my wedding dress would have brought back my old emotions but to my surprise I have felt nothing but pride and happiness at seeing it on her. Her children were angelic and made their parents proud. We did a round of photos in the café and then everyone trooped outside for beach pictures.
As happy guests leave, Donna throws her arms around me and squeals. ‘Thank you, Alice.’
