Chapter six
Outside the café, Tammybooked the uber and then walked over to Ben. He was sitting on a small wooden stool and gave her a little wave as she approached him.
‘There you are. I wondered if I’d see you before I packed up for the day.’
Tammy peered into the cart and was surprised to see there were only three fish left, although she hadn’t a clue what type of fish they were. She pointed at the contents of the cart which was now mainly half melted ice. ‘Busy day?’
‘It sure has been. I think you’re my lucky charm.’ Tammy giggled. ‘Have you spoken to Katherine yet about the café?’
‘Yes, she’s given me advice on where to get supplies. As a matter of fact, I’m waiting for an uber to take me to the farm shop to try and negotiate the continuation of the discount Katherine receives with them,’
‘Ah, good thinking.’
Tammy crinkled up her nose. ‘I can’t actually take the credit for the idea Uncle Ben. It was Katherine’s idea.’
A car pulling up at the café caught Tammy’s attention as she glanced back over her shoulder. ‘Jeez. That was quick. That’s my uber.’
Ben looked around Tammy at the car. ‘Oh, that’s Mina. She only lives fifty feet away in that house there—the pink one.’ Ben pointed to a row of brightly coloured terraced houses, each one with flower boxes underneath the windows, abundant with flowers.
‘Right, I’ll see you later Uncle Ben. Is there anything you’d like me to get while I’m at the farm shop?’
‘Can you get some lamb chops or a couple of small braising steaks? It’s been ages since I had something other than fish for supper.’
‘Okay.’ Tammy had to quickly turn her back on her uncle to hide the grin that had erupted. Her comment was right about them only eating fish for breakfast, lunch, and supper. She reminded herself to order a supermarket food delivery—with no fish on the list.
Mina was staring at the café door waiting for her to come out, so when she tapped on the passenger window, she saw Mina jump with fright. The electric window rolled down and Mina looked up at Tammy.
‘Tammy is it for the farm shop?’
‘Yes. That’s me. Sorry about frightening you like that. I was standing over by Ben.’
Mina looked through her window screen at Ben and waved. He waved back. Tammy opened the passenger side door and got into Mina’s car.
‘Aw, I love old fisherman Ben. Doesn’t he have the best beard? In fact, with his woolly hat and his dungarees, he’d be the perfect model to put on the side of a tin of tuna.’ Tammy’s eyebrows shot up. Mina glanced her way as she turned the car around on the cobbled beachfront. ‘What? You disagree?’ Now Mina looked shocked.
A chuckle tickled past Tammy’s tonsils. ‘I don’t disagree at all. I think my Uncle Ben should be on a twenty-foot tall billboard as the face behindYoung’sfish.’
Mina gasped and flung her hand to her mouth. ‘Oh no. I hope you don’t think I’m rude—my apologises. Me and my big mouth. I haven’t offended you, have I?’
Tammy glanced at Mina’s hand still on her mouth. ‘No, not offended me, but I am a little frightened right now. Do you mind putting both of your hands back on that steering wheel?’ she smiled brightly, showing Mina she wasn’t upset.
‘Sorry.’ Mina quickly took hold of the steering wheel with both hands. ‘I didn’t even know Ben had family. I’ve not seen him receive one visitor in all the time I’ve been here, and I’ve lived here since I was nine.’ She gasped again. ‘Sorry. That came out wrong. I made it sound like you haven’t been here for him, but I don’t know anything about you.’ Tammy could feel her forehead vein bulging again. ‘Ugh, please forgive me, Tammy. I have a habit of sticking my foot in my great big mouth, but I mean well.’
Tammy gave her a smile. ‘Don’t worry about it. Uncle Ben’s and my story is a complicated one. Maybe if we get to know each other a little better in the near future, I’ll share it with you.’
‘Oh. That’s intriguing. You’re bating me with the promise of your life story. By hinting you’re staying here longer than a mere visit or a holiday, aren’t you?’
Tammy just smiled and offered Mina no other information.
Ten minutes later, Mina was driving up a narrow country lane littered with animal dung. Now she knew what Katherine meant about attempting to get to the farm shop on foot. The road was clearly a thoroughfare for cows.
Mina pulled to a stop to the left of the shop. She grimaced at Tammy. ‘A bit awkward, but if you want a return journey, my business card does state I still charge by the minute while I’m waiting.’
‘Yes-yes, that’s fine. I have no idea how long this is going to take...but don’t go anywhere.’
Mina smiled and nodded like an obedient puppy.
Stepping inside the charming rustic shop filled with the scents of fresh produce, homemade scented candles, and freshly painted wooden toys. Tammy was caught off guard when she saw Pharis chatting with a young woman who, by the look of her overall, was the shopkeeper. His eyebrows lifted high when he saw her, and one corner of his mouth quirked up.
