Page 118 of The Little Board Game Café

He hadn’t found Dad, Emily thought, but he wanted to break the bad news in private, knowing she’d be upset.

She hurried to the door. As soon as she stepped outside, she saw the real reason Peter had summoned her: the Austin was parked right outside the café and there was someone in the passenger seat.

‘Dad!’

She rushed over and flung her arms around him.

‘Get in, Em. Peter is taking us for a ride.’

‘But the café…? The launch…?’

‘Ten minutes. Fifteen at most,’ Dad said. ‘Today is the day that you fulfil yours and your mother’s dream, and I get to fulfil mine.’

‘Where did you find him?’ said Emily as Peter helped her into the cramped back seat. There was barely room for her legs, so she kicked her shoes off and tucked her feet up.

‘At the bus stop.’ Peter got into the driving seat.

‘At the bus stop? Really?’

‘I was on my way.’ Dad turned to look at her. ‘I’d have got here hours ago, but two buses were cancelled – shortage of drivers. It was lucky Peter came along.’

A small crowd had left the café now and were watching from the pavement. Peter turned the key and the engine began to purr. ‘Hold onto your hats,’ he said as they drove away.

Emily waved at the people watching, feeling almost like royalty, and shouted, ‘I’ll be back in a minute.’ It probably wasn’t ‘good optics’ as Kate would say, driving away from her own launch event, but they wouldn’t be long and Dad leaving Thornholme was every bit as monumental an occasion as opening her new café.

Dad leaving Thornholme. And of his own volition? Emily couldn’t get her head round the fact that Peter had found him at the bus stop.

‘So, Dad, you were coming here anyway?’ she said. ‘Before Peter picked you up?’

‘Of course.’ Dad turned to look at her. ‘A promise is a promise. I’ve kept mine and now you’ve got to keep yours.’

‘What was your promise, Em?’ said Peter, glancing at her in the rear-view mirror.

Emily shrugged. ‘I don’t remember.’

What had she promised exactly? Something about the next time she got a chance at love, she wouldn’t shy away.

She’d cross that bridge when she came to it. Probably wouldn’t be for ages. Ludek was with Rachel, and Emily couldn’t imagine feeling about someone else the way she felt about him.

‘I hope Smudge will be okay today,’ said Dad as they turned left, up a narrow lane that led to the moor. ‘She’s not used to being without me for more than an hour.’

Peter skilfully negotiated several hairpins – Emily was glad that Kate wasn’t driving – and the Austin chugged its way up the steep gradients until finally they were on the open road, speeding across the purple moorland.

*

Marjory ran out to meet them later as they pulled up outside the café.

‘I’ve always wanted a ride in one of those open-top Jaguars,’ she said.

‘It’s an Aust…’ Emily began, but Dad interrupted her, ‘Come on, then. What are we waiting for? Chauffeur?’

Peter laughed and doffed an imaginary cap. ‘Your carriage awaits, sir. Madam.’ He helped Marjory into the back of the car.

‘But, Dad, the café?’ Emily said. ‘You’re supposed to be here for the launch.’

‘One short spin,’ said Dad. ‘Then I promise you, I’m all yours.’

Emily watched them drive away, then went back inside. She gazed over to where Ludek was now talking to Alan.