Page 70 of The Second Chance Supper Club

Nowhere much, going by Will’s curt reaction at his house. Well then, there was no use pining after something that never came to be. And, certainly no use stirring everything up in the here and now like a hornet’s nest. Youthful Cathy had disappointed him then; she didn’t want to do that again now. If they had a chance of at least remaining friends, and seeing each other occasionally as part of the supper group, then they needed to find a bit of common ground and forgiveness.

Before what was to be a restless night, Cath got up and put the lovelorn letter back in the shoe box, deciding to absolutely put a lid also on her more recent romantic feelings for Will.

Chapter 41

Despite her best intentions, leaving Will at a distance didn’t seem to be helping her much. How strange that after all these years, she and Matty had got to meet, to become friends again.

Cath was desperately trying to get on with her ‘new normal’ life – cooking, walks in the countryside, her online tutorials, reading, popping to the village shop for updates on the lads and Maria, who was thankfully doing better. But doubts were beginning to niggle about the way she’d walked out of Will’s house that morning, even though that was what he had asked her to do, without fully explaining the situation all those years ago. She was worried about how things might be for the two of them from now on. There was an empty place in her heart, and she had an earworm telling her that she missed his friendship, him.

As she was mulling their fate, which felt like getting lost in a maze, a call came from Nikki. A most welcome diversion.

‘Hi, Cath, do you fancy calling round for a coffee? Umm, after four-thirty would be good. That’s when Lily’s about too.

We can have a nice chat and catch up … and there’s something else. It’s just, well, Lily’s keen to host a patisserie, puds and fizz evening, and we’ve a favour to ask …’

‘Ah yes, of course I can. That’d be lovely. And that sounds a great idea for a supper club night. Right up my street. So, what’s the favour?’

‘Ah hah, all will be explained when we see you.’ Nikki was being all mysterious.

‘Okay.’ She’d have to wait to find out, apparently.

‘Perfect, I’ll confirm with Lily, and give you a text shortly.’

There was a riot of noise at Nikki’s house. Her three boys, aged between eight and thirteen, seemed to be arguing about sofa space and the TV controls.

‘Right, you lot, garden, now!’ Nikki roared.

‘But Mu-um, I was just playing on my PlayStation. It’s those two who are messing about.’

‘I don’t care, Hamish. We need a bit of quiet time to think in here. We have an important meeting and things to discuss.’ Nikki gave a surreptitious wink at Lily and Cath. ‘So, get out the back, get some fresh air and play some football … and be nice to each other, okay?’

They trooped off somewhat reluctantly, but Lily’s offer of taking a stash of her freshly baked choc-chip cookies out with them – that she’d brought for the coffee and chat – softened the blow.

‘Thank heavens for that,’ Nikki sighed as the decibels dropped dramatically. ‘Welcome to my world.’

Cath smiled empathetically. She’d only had the one child, but it was always super noisy and full-on when Adam ever had friends around. Hah, thinking of him living at her cottage recently, even on his own and at twenty-two, he was able to raise the decibels.

‘So,’ Nikki continued, after handing out mugs of coffee, ‘here lies a clue to our request. Lily’s doing pastry as one of her modules next term in her Food Diploma... Science and Nutrition. Very fancy pants, hey Lils, no more good old Home Ec. like we did, anymore. Anyway, she’s hoping to test out her new skills and recipes.’

‘Sounds a good idea.’ Cath was nodding.

‘But one, my house is far too full and noisy for the next Supper Club. And, I’ve used up all my brownie points on the Seventies night with Kev and his mother, so there’s no way I’d be able to get him and the kids cleared out for another evening. And, two …’

Lily took up from here. ‘And I’m sorry, but my parents aren’t up for hosting a houseful. To be honest, it’s a bit of a sore point with me trying to push forward my cheffing plans. I’m still working on that, so I really don’t want to go upsetting things at home.’

‘So,’ added Nikki, ‘and I know you’ve already hosted twice – but well, could we use your place to do some prep, and ideally have the super-snazzy garden shed as a venue? We’ll clear up and take care of everything foodwise?’

Lily was looking nervous but hopeful. Nikki grinned expectantly.

‘Is that all? Well, that’s no problem. I’d love to have you all round again. I think it’s a great idea,’ responded Cath with a wide smile. ‘Oh, this is exciting. What are you thinking of making? And did you say fizz, I’m happy to donate a Prosecco to the cause. We could ask the lads … and perhaps Will … to bring a bottle along, too. Spread the costs.’

Oh, shit, Will. Hmm, bloody hell, she wondered how that would go down. But a meet-up was bound to happen at some point. And hey, there was no way she’d put a halt to these Supper Club plans because of their recent falling-out. However awkward it might prove to be personally.

‘Ah, thank you so much, that’d be great.’ Lily was animated, her kohl-lined eyes beaming. ‘And the menu, well …’ She listed her ideas, as Nikki and Cath’s mouths watered. She’d obviously been thinking about this a lot. The planned sweet treats and pastries sounded delightful.

The three of them chatted some more over coffee and cookies, until a half hour later when the young lads blasted back in from the garden, muddied and with clothes skew-whiff, saying they were starving and what time was tea? Normal family life chez Nikki had resumed, and it was the cue for Cath to get going.

Despite Cath’s ongoing misgivings about her and Will coming face to face, Supper Club was here again, with Nikki and Lily taking over Cath’s kitchen. Whilst Cath busied herself setting up the summerhouse shed, her mind drifted to how things might pan out.