‘Have you spoken to anyone else who’s managed to raise the necessary funds?’ Nathalie asked. ‘Perhaps they’ll give us some ideas.’
‘There are lots of examples out there. It definitely seems doable. I can’t believe I am actually going to do this!’
‘Yes Helena! It’ll be so incredible. It will really change this place. No one will need to feel lonely here again, there’ll always be somewhere for them to go’.
‘Wouldn’t that be amazing?’ Helena could feel her vision coming to life as it were almost within touching distance.
Later that evening she ran through her business plan once again with Johnny and Margery over dinner. Johnny grilled her with questions, playing devil’s advocate. She knew he was testing her, to see how much she wanted it. There was no doubt it would be incredibly hard work to get the café off the ground. She had to be prepared for it. But the more she talked about it, the more it became clear to her how passionate she was about it. After all the blood, sweat and tears, she would have created a space that wasused, loved and valued, a haven in the community for everyone to come to, a place where connections could be made, friendships nurtured, and solace sought. She would be able to continue the work she loved at Coffee Stop, but the café would be all hers. And it would be in her village, only a short stroll to get to work.
‘I think it’s going to be wonderful,’ Margery smiled. ‘I wish it had been done years ago. This village has really been missing something like this.’
‘I agree the timing couldn’t be better with the pub having closed,’ Johnny said. ‘People are crying out for somewhere to go.’
‘Please know that if it takes you a while to get things off the ground, you can always stay here for free. Just while you need to,’ Margery assured her. ‘As I’ve told you before, the pleasure of your company is more than enough of a reward for me. The rent is a mere bonus.’
‘Thank you Margery. I hope I’ll be able to raise enough to tide me over for a while, but if not, I can’t tell you how much of a comfort that is. One thing’s for sure, none of this would be happening if it weren’t for your unbelievable generosity.’
‘Shall we go over the finances one more time?’ Johnny asked. ‘I want to make sure we haven’t forgotten anything obvious.’
Margery left them to it while Helena and Johnny pored over the figures for what felt like the hundredth time. Her next step would be to register the business with Companies House, before applying to become a CIC. They leafed through the different designs for the kitchen and the air ventilation system, the different options for the refurbished toilets. There would be so many decisions to make, if she managed to get the money. They discussed different ways she could raise the funds required, searching online for different grants she could apply for.
‘You know I think it’s so great, how inspired you are,’ Johnny said, lifting his eyes from the laptop. ‘It’s impressive. How you’re going to turn a really shit time in your life into something so positive.’ Her fingers grazed against his lightly as she gathered herpapers together. She felt that electric charge flicker between them again.
Helena blushed at the praise. She met his gaze and she felt herself tingle under the warmth of it. His beard was even scruffier than usual. The creases around his eyes deeper than ever as he smiled. She couldn’t deny it any longer, she was attracted to him. She mentally shook herself. He was a close friend, that was all. Besides, there was a strong possibility he was dating Nathalie. ‘Thanks. I mean, I have absolutely no idea if I’ll be able to pull any of this off… But, thank you. And for all that you’ve done to help me get this far.’
‘It’s always a pleasure. Any excuse to come and hang out here.’
‘You miss it?’ she asked. She knew she was asking a leading question, trying to figure out if she was imagining things. Could he possibly have noticed this shifting dynamic between them as she had? Or was it all in her mind?
Johnny laughed to himself, searching her eyes but for what? ‘Something like that,’ he said.
‘Well, I really appreciate it. I don’t know what I’d do without you. And Margery.’
‘The feeling is most certainly mutual,’ Johnny smiled. ‘I—’
‘I—’ They both spoke at exactly the same time.
‘Sorry,’ they both said, overlapping again, before bursting out laughing.
‘You go first,’ Johnny said.
‘I was going to say…’ There suddenly felt like a lot she wanted to say, but she couldn’t find the words. Instead, she said ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m knackered.’ She thought he looked disappointed. If she was being honest, she wanted to tell him that she realised she liked him more than as a friend. But she couldn’t risk it. What if it destroyed their friendship? That was so precious to her, she would do anything to avoid losing it. She knew that saying something like that would change everything between them. Besides, he would want to avoid someone with a romantic history like hers like the plague, especially after everything he’d been through with Naomi. She continued, ‘My head is spinning with all of this.’
Johnny rubbed his forehead and yawned. ‘You’re right.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘It’s far too late. And I’ve got to be up at the crack of dawn to meet Malcolm in the morning.’ She chided herself for considering that he might have had anything else on his mind other than an early night.
‘Oh yes! The witch!’ she laughed, grateful for the new topic of conversation.
‘Exactly.’
‘How’s it going with him?’
‘The greenhouse is up and running, the herb garden’s pretty well established. I think he’s happy. And I’ve got several new clients through him too, so that’s good. He’s been great at sending work my way.’
‘Keeping you out of mischief!’
‘Well, I don’t know about that,’ Johnny raised an eyebrow. ‘Sadly, my own garden lies neglected. I need to make some time to sort it out.’
‘Let me know if you need any help with that? I really want to learn more about gardening, but I’ve got no idea what I’m doing.’
