He laughs and kisses me. ‘When we were teenagers the only place, we could go was our rock and it wasn’t the comfiest of places. The beach was better although sand was an issue…’
‘Noah, stop talking,’ I say, with a grin. ‘I’ve been waiting alongtime.’
CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHT
We are a week away from the judge’s visit next Wednesday. Noah has replaced Jake and working at The Little Love Café has never felt so good. Noah has stayed over my flat twice since he returned. Each time it’s been amazing to wake up beside him in bed. I have had to pinch myself to ensure this is not a dream. We’ve also had an evening in with Lucas. Noah sat through an entire Batman movie with an excited Lucas telling him what was going to happen in the next scene.
Dad and I have not spoken which has been upsetting. I thought he would have come to speak to me. Noah has been supportive and keeps reassuring me that Dad and I will be okay.
I’m on my way back to the counter with an order for table six when Georgia, Ava’s best friend, taps me on the arm. ‘Alice,’ she says, ‘Great Grandpa Harold is in hospital.’
Her news makes me come to an abrupt halt. ‘Is he going to be okay?’
A worried look takes hold of her face. ‘A nasty chest infection. We are all hoping so. I went to visit him in hospital, and he gave me these envelopes. He said you know about his secret mission.’
She hands me a plastic bag. Inside are two cream envelopes containing letters to be delivered.
‘But he never gave me any instructions about his secret mission,’ I say.
Georgia fiddles with her pink hair which today has been plaited down one side. ‘Grandpa said that if these two letters are not delivered, Pearl won’t go on a date with him.’
Noah comes over and peers over my shoulder. ‘What’s up?’
‘Georgia’s great grandfather is Harold Brown. He’s been asking Pearl out every Monday at the Senior Tea & Chat session at the community centre for five years and she finally said yes. However, there was one condition: he had to complete a secret mission for her. Now he’s in hospital and wants me to do it for him. All I know is that he had to deliver some letters.’ I open the bag. A huge waft of lavender perfume comes out, making us all step back with surprise.
Georgia giggles. ‘Will’s nana loves a scented letter. She’s been dousing Will’s birthday and Christmas cards in perfumes for years. I bet she’s sprayed the envelopes.’
I take out the envelopes. On the front of one is the letter P and on the other envelope is the letter L. ‘Help me, Georgia. Who are these for?’
Georgia studies the envelopes. ‘They’re both sealed so we can’t be nosey.’
Noah chuckles. ‘Good luck, Alice.’
I look at the envelopes and try to think of two elderly Blue Cove Bay residents who have the same initials. I’m about to give up when it hits me. ‘Phoebe who owns the bookshop and Liam who owns the record shop.’
Georgia casts me a puzzled look. ‘Why are my grandpa and Pearl sending those two a scented letter?’
‘Oh, my goodness,’ I gasp. ‘Phoebe and Liam are the two lonely souls your grandpa was talking about. Also, Phoebe told me she’d spotted Harold and Pearl giggling in her bookshop when she was arguing with Liam. That’s it. Your grandpa and Pearl have been doing a spot of secret matchmaking. They must be trying to get Phoebe and Liam together.’
Georgia makes a face. ‘This is super cringe.’
I turn to Noah. ‘Are you okay to cover me? I am going to have to deliver these. Phoebe will laugh when I hand over her envelope.’
He nods and I take the envelopes. Georgia taps me on the arm. ‘Great Grandpa kept telling me that this is a secret mission. Even though I don’t think it is very cool, we can’t let Great Grandpa down.’
‘Don’t worry. I know Phoebe.’
She shakes her head. ‘You can’t just give them to Phoebe and Liam. That will blow the mission. I think you’re going to have to sneakily drop them at the bookshop and the record shop.’
‘Really?’
Georgia nods. ‘If Grandpa passes over this will have been his final wish.’
I stare at her. ‘Harold can’t pass over yet as he’s not had his date with Pearl. I will sort this.’
I walk into town with the two envelopes in my bag. How am I going to deliver them without Phoebe or Liam spotting me?
As I enter the bookshop, Keith spots me and comes over. ‘Phoebe has a secret admirer,’ he whispers. ‘She’s on her tea break out the back pretending to sort out new orders but I know she is trying to work out who it is.’
