Katherine’s face lit up. ‘I would. What time will you be there?’
Tammy looked across at Ben for an answer.
‘7 o’clock,’ he said. ‘I need to be in bed for nine.’
Katherine nodded. ‘Lovely. I’ll look forward to it.’ Her smile broadened as she turned around and walked back over to the counter.
Tammy watched her go and then looked back at Ben. He looked like a cat who’d just drank a pot of cream. ‘You look happy Uncle Ben. Is it because I invited Katherine to come along this evening?’
He shook his head, his smile not wavering. ‘I’m ecstatic you are thinking of staying on here longer than the short visit I thought you were only coming for.’
Tammy grimaced. ‘It all depends on whether I can get a job and find somewhere to live though, uncle.’
‘Poppycock! You can stay with me as long as you want. And don’t worry about food. I have a freezer full of fish.’
Tammy burst out laughing. ‘Will it be kippers for breakfast, cod for lunch, and lobster for supper?’ she ended with a wink.
‘Something like that. Anyway, I’m just happy I’ll get to see more of you.’
‘Me too.’ Tammy reached across the table and squeezed Ben’s hand just as a young man walked past, looking down at the gesture with animated shock.
He met Tammy’s eyes. ‘Have I come on the wrong day? Is this sugar day? Get it?’ He pointed at Ben and opened his hands wide, gesturing to the café as he winked at Tammy.
Tammy screwed her face up. She was totally anti-men at the moment and this man’s childish insinuation boiled her blood. ‘Grow up!’
His face blanched, and he raised his palms at her in defensive as he shook his hands. ‘No, no, no. I was only joking.’ He turned to look at Ben with appealing eyes. ‘You know what my humour’s like don’t you Mr Hickman?’
Ben nodded his head with a wry smile. ‘Yes, but I told you it would get you in trouble one of these days Pharis, didn’t I? I think you owe my great niece an apology.’
Pharis looked at Tammy with a bashful grimace. ‘I’m truly sorry if I offended you...’
‘Tammy’ Ben offered.
‘Tammy,’ repeated Pharis.
Tammy straightened in her seat. ‘It’s fine, but maybe next time, think before you speak.’
Pharis nodded his head like a bobby dog toy on the dashboard of a car. ‘Yes-yes. I will.’ He smiled through thin lips and quickly made his way to the counter.
Tammy shook her head as she looked at her uncle. ‘Men.’
‘You mean,youngmen,’ he smiled.
She looked at the man she’d spoken to maybe just fifteen times in as many years and her heart swelled with love. ‘Yes, Uncle Ben...young men.’
