Page 95 of Daydreaming at the Boathouse Cafe

He glanced over to the Boathouse Café where the veranda was already packed with people watching from the vantage point.

Hannah was the main reason that he was happy, he knew. Their date had been special, wonderful and the kisses they had shared had been the icing on the cake as far as he was concerned. The family had all given their approval and life was good. The best it had ever been, in fact.

He shook his head, trying to dismiss her sweet lips from his mind and tried to concentrate on the matter in hand.

But as he looked across the crowds standing on the path around the lake, as well as in front of the hotel, two very familiar faces stood out to him.

‘I’ll be back in a minute,’ he told Ben, walking quickly over to where his parents were standing.

‘Hi,’ he said, standing in front of them, feeling a little nervous.

He and his mum moved at the same time for a kiss and hug.

As he stepped back, Alex and his dad exchanged an awkward nod.

‘What are you both doing here?’ he asked.

His mum looked from her husband to her son before rolling her eyes, seemingly at them both. After all, they hadn’t seen or spoken to each other for four months. It felt like a lifetime for Alex.

‘We wanted to come and see you,’ said his mum. ‘So we booked a night at the hotel. Or ratherIbooked us a night here. I must say, we’ve only just arrived but it’s the most delightful place. The receptionist told us all about the charity run and I thought you must be involved somehow.’

Alex nodded. ‘I organised it,’ he told her. ‘The idea came from one of my regulars at the swimming club.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘I’m sorry but I’m needed at the start line.’

‘Of course,’ said his mum, reaching out to squeeze his arm. ‘We’ll still be here when you’re finished, won’t we, Tom?’

Alex looked at his dad, who nodded silently before looking away once more.

Alex gave his mum a small smile before dashing back to the start line.

The race went smoothly with no lifesaving heroics needed from either Alex or Tiny, he was grateful to see. Once the winners’ medals had been handed out and the photographs had been taken, Alex looked around to try and find his parents.

‘They’ve gone to the boathouse for a drink,’ said Jake, standing nearby, as he cooked up a storm on the barbeque for all the visitors.

Alex nodded and, feeling nervous once more, set off towards the café.

The café was packed and he had trouble getting through, such was the number of people who were greeting him. He realised that he had become a local without realising it and was part of a community now.

Finally he made his way through the crowd to the kitchen.

‘They’re on the veranda,’ Hannah told him, coming around holding a tray of drinks. But that didn’t stop her from reaching up to give him a kiss on his cheek. ‘Go on. You’ll be fine,’ she added.

Despite his nerves, he couldn’t be anything but proud of how much stronger she sounded. At that moment, he was grateful for her newfound strength, worried about the conversation about to take place.

He found his parents on the veranda, sharing a pot of tea and two plates of Hannah’s cakes. He grabbed the last spare chair from a nearby table and sat down.

As if by magic, Hannah placed his favourite cold drink, a strawberry iced tea, and carrot cake in front of him before disappearing once more. But not before he felt her gently squeeze his shoulder.

‘These cakes are delicious,’ said his mum, glancing at Hannah as she headed away. Alex was certain that she had spotted Hannah’s hand on his shoulder. ‘Does Hannah make them all herself?’

Alex nodded. ‘She’s done so well.’

‘It certainly seems to be the case. This place is very popular,’ replied his mum, glancing around. ‘And she’s Ben’s younger sister, I understand.’

‘You’ve met him too?’ he asked.

‘At last, after all these years. In fact, we’ve met all the family,’ said his mum, with a smile. ‘I must say, it’s a lovely place. The hotel is charming and our room looks amazing.’ She looked out across the lake. ‘What a beautiful setting. I can see why you’d want to stay here for the summer.’

Alex glanced across at his dad, who had stayed silent until that time.