With a smile I sit down opposite him. Pearl is talking to a lady two tables along. Harold beams at me. ‘This is great,’ he says, ‘I’ve really enjoyed today.’
‘Thanks, Harold, that’s good to hear.’
‘How’s your father? I see him at the supermarket most days.’ Harold gestures to Pearl. ‘I’m always running errands for Pearl.’
‘Dad’s good,’ I say.
Harold leans over the table. ‘Pearl has just agreed to go on a date with me after five long years.’
I gasp. ‘Really? Harold, that’s great news.’
To my amazement he grimaces. ‘There is a catch.’
I giggle. ‘What sort of catch?’
He coughs and looks around him to check no one is listening. ‘I’ve been wanting to tell someone. Will you promise me you won’t say anything?’
‘Harold, I promise.’
‘To go on a date with Pearl I have to help her carry out a secret mission.’
I chuckle at him. ‘A secret mission? Are you two now working for MI5?’
He erupts into a coughing fit. Once it has eased and I have made him drink some water, he sighs. ‘Pearl knows how much I love her and that I will do anything for her. She’s a crafty one, my Pearl. Do you know we were once childhood sweethearts?’
I nod and glance at Jake who looks like he needs a hand back at the counter.
Harold carries on. ‘In 1951, Pearl’s family moved into the council house next door. Pearl had beautiful shiny dark hair that made me think of raven feathers and she had slender deer-like legs which carried her swiftly up and down our street. I’d never seen a girl like Pearl before. Pearl was the girl who broke all the rules.’ He smiles. ‘When her mother told her not to get her Sunday best dress dirty, Pearl would go climbing the tall trees in it at the end of the street. She wasn’t like the other girls who played hopscotch and skipping with old washing line ropes. Pearl wanted excitement, danger, and everything her parents didn’t want. When we were older Pearl, and I went to a few dances. Sadly, though, our love was short-lived as my mother wanted me to marry Edith Barnes; and Pearl married Bert. So, now Pearl and I find ourselves widows and neighbours. Every day we talk to each other over the fence, walk into town and every Monday I take her to the Senior Monday Tea & Chat. Neither of us are getting any younger and I love her with all my heart.’
‘Harold, I need to go rescue Jake,’ I say, pointing to the queue of people.
He grabs my hand. ‘Do you want to know the secret mission?’
I spot Ava. To my relief she starts helping the customers. Hiring Ava is one of the best decisions I have made. I turn back to Harold. ‘Tell me the mission?’
He grins. ‘Pearl believes there are two lonely souls in Blue Cove Bay who need a helping hand.’
I wonder who these two lonely souls are. They must attend the Senior Monday Tea & Chat session. I am curious though. ‘A helping hand? Do they have mobility issues, Harold?’
In my head I am imagining an elderly lady who is unable to get to the community centre due to health reasons but is desperate to see the love of her life. He also struggles to get to the community centre. Maybe Harold and Pearl are hiring a taxi for one; or bringing the Monday session to them.
Confusion flashes across Harold’s face. He ignores my question. ‘Pearl says if I help her carry out this plan, I can take her out on a date.’
‘Yes, but what exactly do you have to do?’
Sitting back, he scratches his head. ‘Deliver some letters.’
‘Letters? Is that your secret mission?’
Harold nods. ‘Pearl wants me to do the delivering.’
‘That sounds lovely.’ My fictitious elderly lady has received a love letter from the love of her life, hand delivered by Harold.
‘Oh well, good luck, Harold.’ Rising, I give him a wink. ‘If you need a hand, let me know.’
His face lights up. ‘Really? That’s very kind of you.’
Pearl appears by Harold’s side. She gives me a mischievous wink. ‘Are you chatting up my man, Alice?’
