Page 16 of Daydreaming at the Boathouse Cafe

‘Why do I feel as if there’s a “but” coming somewhere soon?’ said Hannah, raising her eyebrows.

Lily smiled. ‘OK, just for you,’ she replied. ‘Buttell me you don’t look around this space and see the potential. That you haven’t dreamed of having your own place where you can serve your own delicious bakes instead of that microwaved rubbish at the pub.’

Hannah looked around at the room once more. Lily was right, of course. She stared around the empty space and at once she could just imagine a vintage-inspired tea room, with that magnificent view of the sparkling lake beyond. She could envision trays of sandwiches and cakes, mismatched china and even colourful cocktails.

Because where the reality was a large empty room, she could see chairs and tables. Fresh flowers on the bar. The chink of china and silverware. The buzz of conversation. Of people enjoying themselves. Of her baking in the kitchen and smiling at the customers. Of seeing that view out of the windows each and every day. Of being her own boss.

But it was a crazy idea, wasn’t it? It was too much for her to expect to enjoy making a living from her favourite thing in the world.

So she shook her head at her best friend and told her that she had lots to do that morning. Lily looked at her with raised eyebrows but thankfully said nothing, merely giving her a reassuring squeeze of the arm.

Before they left the room, Hannah glanced around once more before dismissing her daydream. Dreams never came true anyway, did they, she reminded herself.

9

Back in the kitchen, Alex looked down at the blueberry muffin that Hannah had said she had baked just for him. He felt ridiculously pleased that she knew that it was another of his favourites.

The blueberries were a superfood, packed full of antioxidants, their sharpness contrasting with the rich cake and the sweet vanilla icing which he quickly wolfed down.

‘Is that true?’ asked Ben.

Alex finally looked up from his empty plate to his best friends who were both looking at him with concerned looks on their faces.

‘You’re really giving up competing?’ carried on Ben, still frowning.

Alex nodded. ‘That’s right.’

Jake wiped his hands on a napkin and leant back in his chair. ‘Listen, mate,’ he said. ‘We all get setbacks. And we both get it, we really do. But there’s no need to make a rush decision today, is there?’

Ben nodded. ‘He’s right. You’re exhausted and in a lot of pain. Take some time and rest up.’

Alex raised his eyebrows in surprise at his friends. ‘You’re both always nagging me to take it easy and so the moment I want to retire, you’re telling me to carry on?’

Ben shook his head. ‘No. If that’s not what you want to do any more, then we’ve got your back like always. Just don’t be too hasty, that’s all we’re saying.’

‘Like Claire,’ murmured Jake.

Alex shot a look at his friend. ‘That wasn’t impulsive. That was madness.’

Jake nodded. ‘I agree. That woman was dreadful.’

Claire had been a knee-jerk reaction to finding out that Hannah had moved in with her boyfriend. Both failed relationships appeared to have cast long shadows over their future love lives. Hannah had never been on any more dates, as far as he knew. And Claire’s cheating ways had caused him to put a wall up around his heart with regard to any future relationships.

‘We all make mistakes,’ said Alex, with a shrug. ‘Look at your track record!’

Jake laughed. ‘Yeah, but at least I didn’t get engaged to any of the dreadful ones!’

Ben rolled his eyes. ‘Away from Jake’s questionable dating history and back to the question in hand,’ he said. ‘Have you spoken to your dad?’

‘Yeah because he’s not going to take this well,’ added Jake with a grimace.

‘Tell me something I don’t know,’ replied Alex. He leant back in his chair with a sigh. ‘I spoke to him last night. As you can imagine, he was not exactly thrilled at the idea.’

After his dad had hung up on him, his mum had sent a text sending her love and advising him just to give his dad a bit of time. He hadn’t heard from his dad since. But perhaps there was nothing left to say. Perhaps they both needed time and space away from each other.

He looked at his friends. ‘Look, I know you’re both a bit shocked but this has been coming for a while. I’m exhausted.’

‘So this isn’t a knee-jerk reaction to you messing up in front of everyone?’ asked Jake.