‘Alice, this is a private family matter,’ hisses Joy.
Esme shakes her head. ‘I want Alice to hear what you’re going to say.’ She laces her fingers through mine, and I give them an encouraging rub.
‘And me too,’ says Phoebe coming to stand by Esme’s other side. ‘We’d all like to listen to how you are going to try and manipulate Esme into going to North Devon with you and running your new business while you do posh lunches with Eric.’
Joy looks at us one by one. ‘Esme, please stop this. We’re family…’
Esme shakes her head. ‘Alice and Phoebe are my new family now, thanks, Joy. As I said in the café, I am not coming with you to North Devon.’
‘You can’t do this to me,’ cries Joy. ‘I need you. Esme, you’re my twin sister.’
Esme stands a little taller and looks directly at Joy. ‘I am your twin sister but that doesn’t mean we have to live the same lives, wear our hair the same, live in the same town and run a business together. I am finally becoming the person I have always wanted to be. Last night I applied to foster cats for a local charity, and it made me feel so happy. I have a male friend who takes me out on day trips and makes me laugh. I also live in my hometown, Blue Cove Bay, and I am happy about that.’
I am blinking away tears of pride for my friend Esme. To hear her say all this is lighting me up inside.
‘You’ll regret this,’ snaps Joy. ‘When I get in Eric’s car tomorrow with all my stuff you will come rushing out and beg me to take you with me.’
‘I don’t think she will,’ says Phoebe. ‘I think Esme will be happier than ever once you leave Blue Cove Bay.’
Joy mutters something under her breath.
‘Is that all, Joy?’ Esme asks.
‘I’ll come over tonight to say goodbye,’ sneers Joy, ‘when you are on your own and I can talk some sense into you.’
Esme gasps and before she can say anything I look at Joy. ‘Esme is staying with me tonight, Joy, so why don’t you say your goodbyes now.’ Esme rests her head on my shoulder.
Joy lets out a heavy sigh and goes into the gift shop, slamming the door behind her.
‘Did you mean that about tonight?’ Esme asks.
‘Definitely,’ I say, pulling her into a group hug with me and Phoebe. ‘You might have to sit through a Batman film, though.’
‘Don’t you want to spend the evening with Noah?’
I smile at The Little Love Café. ‘Noah and I have the rest of our lives to spend an evening together.’
CHAPTERFORTY-THREE
It’s the second week of May and the day of the announcement for the National Award for the Most Innovative Café.
Noah and I have dropped Lucas at school and are walking hand in hand along the beach to the café. Our jeans are rolled up to our knees and in our hands are our trainers – there’s nothing sweeter than an early morning paddle. We stand for a few moments, savouring the azure blue sky, sun rays skittering over the water, and the gentle lapping of the waves. Noah gazes out towards the horizon and I stare down and see something glinting in the wet sand. Bending down I see that it’s a tiny gold bracelet which has been brought back by the tide. Gently I wipe away all the bits of wet sand and seaweed. ‘I’ll stick this on our social media to see if anyone has lost it.’
Noah circles my waist with his hand and pulls me close. ‘I’m glad I never lost you, Alice.’
‘I am glad you came back, Noah.’
The Little Love Café is packed with happy couples. The winner of the award will be invited to a fancy dinner in London where they will be formally presented with their award. I’m sat at a table constantly refreshing The Little Love Café email account. Noah is sat by me; Richard is playing his harp and Ava is serving.
Ava added a photo of the lost bracelet to our social media pages and on the town’s Facebook page. We’re hoping the owner comes forward soon.
Noah places a hand on my shoulder. ‘I believe in us.’
I lean my head on his shoulder. ‘We make a great team, Noah.’
He chuckles. ‘Once we stopped arguing. I am so glad we got a second chance.’ Noah plants a kiss on my cheek. Underneath the pink table I cross all my fingers and toes.
I look across the café. Harold and Pearl are in the corner gazing into each other’s eyes. The completion of his mission earned him a proper date with Pearl. Since then, they have been seen walking arm in arm around Blue Cove Bay and exchanging a kiss or two at the community centre. They did reveal to Phoebe and Liam that they were responsible for the lavender scented love letters and the matchmaking.
