Page 105 of The Little Board Game Café

‘If you don’t allow yourself to really love someone,’ said her dad, ‘then yes, you protect yourself from the pain of losing them one day. But you also miss out on all the good things. If I could put the clock back, if I’d chosen Joan or Elfrida or that woman from the Co-op – they all had their eye on me, you know – I’d still be with her now. I’d have spared myself the heartbreak of watching your mum’s life support machine being switched off. Of watching my little girl sobbing her heart out. They were dreadful times, Em. You know they were. But they were worth it for the good times I shared with your mother.’

Emily had never heard Dad make such a long speech. Let alone such a long, impassioned one. It was a lot to take in.

‘I…’

‘Let me finish, Em,’ he said. ‘I’m on a roll.’

He took a sip of his tea then continued. ‘My grief means I never leave Thornholme. I should, I know, and I can’t quite put my finger on why I don’t. It’s as if by staying here… Well, your mother’s still close to me somehow. Your grief means you keep men at a distance. You avoid getting too attached. I have no idea if Ludek is the one for you. But I’ve promised I’ll pluck up the courage to come and visit your new café, Em. If I can do that, the next time you get a chance at love, proper head-over-heels, can’t-live-without-them love, promise me you won’t shy away.’

‘I dunno, Dad…’

‘Promise me, Em.’

‘Okay. I promise.’

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Books by Emily’s bedside: Recipe for Success – How to Run A Profitable Café; Good Grief – Positive Ways to Heal After Bereavement; Swipe Right – A Guide to Twenty-First Century Dating. (That last one was a flat-warming gift from Kate; Emily wasn’t sure she’d bother to read it.)

Emily drained her glass of rioja. ‘Kate, I need a wingman.’

‘A wingman?’

‘Yep. We’re going to the running club.’

‘The running club? Seriously? Ah, I get it. You want to see Ludek again.’

‘No. I could go to the board games group to see Ludek, and I wouldn’t need a wingman for that. Perhaps it’s not a wingman I need exactly. More moral support. Clipboard Woman was really scary.’

‘Why the sudden interest in running? Are you wanting to get fit?’

‘Nah, don’t be silly,’ said Emily. ‘I like cake too much for that.’

*

Clipboard Woman didn’t remember them.

‘Welcome,’ she said, almost smiling. ‘Always nice to see new members.’

‘I’ve brought my medical form,’ Emily said, handing it over. ‘Kate, d’you have yours?’

When Clipboard Woman had gathered all her forms from the new arrivals, she instructed the group to form a circle around her, called her helpers into the middle and introduced them.

Damn. He wasn’t here. This evening was going to be a complete waste of time. He was the only reason she’d wanted to come.

‘Right, warm-up,’ said Clipboard Woman. ‘Jogging on the spot. Knees high.’

Emily could see why it was called the warm-up. She was hot and sweaty within about thirty seconds.

‘Who are you looking for?’ said Kate.

‘No one.’

‘It’s Ludek, isn’t it? I knew this was about him.’

‘No, not Ludek. I don’t think he helps with the beginners—’

Kate nudged her. ‘He’s rather nice. Look!’