He leans on the counter on his elbows and takes a sip.
The silence between us whispers a thousand words. There’s so much to say but we both stay silent. I’m unsure what to say or what to do right now. So, I enjoy this last bit of quiet between us where the world doesn’t exist.
A key jangles in the door outside and opens, letting in the morning cold and dark sky that will soon be awakening with the rest of the sleeping village.
Gloria bundles in with a sleepy Lola in her coat and uniform. She stops and looks at Sam and then to me. Then back at Sam.
Lola runs to my table and throws her little arms around me.
Sam slides coffee to his nana who is hanging her coat up and looking at him with suspicion in her eyes.
I feel like I am about to be told off.
“Early morning walk, was it?” she questions Sam, taking a sip of her coffee and raising her suspicious eyebrow.
“Just doing my grandsonly duty of opening the cafe early for you. Save those precious hands from working too hard.” He gives her a side cuddle and kisses her head.
“Mmmm, I’m sure that is the reason, not free coffee and oh, I can see the chocolate cake has been eaten for breakfast? Or dinner?” She looks at me and back at Sam. My face is red hot andI am sure my cheeks will match. Sam just laughs and cuddles her closer.
“Harri was hungry, and as you have always taught me to, I was being hospitable,” he teases.
She smiles and taps her hand on his stomach. “I am sure it was Harri and not you. Honestly, Harri, this boy eats me out of house and home.”
Thank God, she is not dragging it out. That could have gone a lot worse.
“Right.” She claps her hand together. “Since you now owe me one chocolate cake, you can take Lola to Hannah and Lois’s and then come back and help with the cleaning before work. That OK?”
“Sure, Nana.” He kisses the top of her head again and turns to me and Lola sat at the table. “Come on, Stink, let’s go.”
Lola grabs my arm. “Will you come too?”
I look at Sam for approval. I don’t need it, but I also don’t want to intrude on his time with her.
He smiles and nods slightly letting me know it’s OK.
“I’d love to,” I chirp. “I need to head home to… Oh God… the shop! I need to open the shop! It’s Monday! I only have a few days left working for him and I have forgotten!” Panic sets over me. I was so wrapped up in me and Sam I forgot my commitment to Jim and the shop!
“Hey, hey,” Sam says soothingly. “I have already asked Pete to cover. Told a little lie that you were feeling a bit ill. He was happy to do it. Think he feels it is payback for the other night.”
“Why, what happened the other night?” Gloria chimes in for the juicy titbit of gossip.
“We caught him and my aunt,” I sheepishly answer.
“Doing?” She raises her suspicious eyebrow once again with a slight smirk on her face.
“Having a bit of a snog.” I smile.
“Well, finally!” Gloria exclaims throwing her hands in the air. “It has been a long time coming those two. Glad a bit of whiskey and Halloween spurred them on to finally give in to what we all knew was there.” She heads into the back to start prepping for the day.
“Well then, I guess I am free to walk you.” I smile at Lola. She grabs my hand and pulls me towards the door like an excited Labrador.
Sam, Lola and I walk hand in hand to Hannah and Lois’s, the sky now a gorgeous colour swirl of oranges and red. Lola’s hand is held tightly in my own as she tells Sam and I all about what she hopes to do at school that day. Nothing but innocence with no fear or worry in her voice. My soul longs for that feeling. To cut off the what is to come.
We make it to Hannah and Lois’s and Lola eagerly knocks on the door. Hannah opens, still in her pink fluffy dressing gown and cow slippers.
“Hello, my gorgeous girl,” she purrs at Lola. “Go on through.”
Lola trots off inside before running back out and giving me a huge hug. She turns to Sam and hugs him also before running back behind Hannah and into the house.
