Page 34 of The Little Board Game Café

‘Hi,’ she said.

‘I was passing.’

‘Passing? It’s a cul-de-sac.’

‘I had a home visit. And I knew this place had been sold and wondered if you’d bought it.’

Emily nodded towards Mr B.

‘Ludek, this is Mr B.’

Ludek held out his hand. ‘Mr Baranski. How are you?’

Mr B beamed. ‘Doctor, please call me Stanisław. Or Stan. Or Mr B, as Emily has nicknamed me.’

‘Dobrze Cię znowu widzieć, Stan,’ said Ludek.

‘Wzajemnie, Panie doktorze.’

‘So, Ludek, what can I get you?’ she said. ‘On the menu today are Chorley cakes and cappuccino.’

‘No latte?’

‘I haven’t learned to make that yet. That’s one of my many jobs this weekend. Along with stocking the fridge and baking loads of cakes, ready for the grand opening next week and the hordes of customers who beat a path to my door.’

Mr B opened his mouth as if he was going to say something, then closed it again and patted her arm.

‘In that case, I’ll have a cappuccino and a Chorley cake,’ said Ludek.

‘Coming right up.’

As she made the coffee, Ludek and Mr B chatted away in Polish. Obviously, she couldn’t understand a word, but they glanced in her direction several times and she wondered if they were talking about her. Maybe they were admiring the café; the place was definitely looking brighter.

‘Good cappuccino,’ said Ludek, taking a first sip.

‘I had a good teacher.’

Mr B smiled and got to his feet. ‘I had better be going. It was lovely talking with you, Ludek.’

‘You too, Stan.’

‘The café’s looking good,’ said Ludek as the door closed behind Mr B. ‘A lot fresher.’

Emily looked around, seeing her handiwork through new eyes: the light walls and the chessboard floor, sparklingly clean.

‘It’s been hard work. You should have seen how dark and gloomy it was.’

‘I remember. Although last time I came down this street, I was rather distracted by an attractive woman I found sprawled on the pavement.’

Their eyes met. Her cheeks reddened. There was an awkward silence then Ludek said, ‘Tell me about your plans. Are you going to change the menu?’

‘Definitely.’

He glanced up at the whiteboard above the counter, still showing Mr Panagi’s extensive selection of dishes. ‘There’s rather a lot of choice.’

‘I’m going to pare it right down.’

‘Sensible. Tell me your favourite five items to keep.’