Page 72 of The Little Board Game Café

Before Emily could stop her, Kate made a bee-line for him, staggering past Malcolm who was still trying to explain the rules of Azul to Marjory. Kate put a hand on the back of Ludek’s chair, lent over him and said, ‘What are you playing, Ludo?’ and, at that moment, Freddie came up behind her, slapped her bottom and the bottle in Kate’s hand splashed all over the game.

‘Shit,’ said Ludek, jumping up and rummaging through his pockets for a tissue.

Alan sprang to his feet, proffering a handful of napkins.

‘Kate,’ said Emily. ‘You know how he feels about his games. I told you.’

‘He knew it was a risk, Em.’

‘He knew…’ She was putting two and two together now. ‘You asked him to bring them?’

‘Yeah, well. Someone had to. And you wouldn’t.’

Emily looked at Ludek. He was trying to salvage some very soggy cards now, seemingly oblivious to the stain down his chinos that made him appear as if he hadn’t made it to the gents in time.

‘Kate, I think you should go now,’ Emily said. ‘Back to Freddie’s sister’s birthday party.’

‘Brother’s.’

Emily was unsure whether the message she wanted to convey should be said in a firm and school-mistressy tone or a pleading and desperate one. She opted for the latter. ‘Please go home and sober up. Please.’

‘Okay, we’re going. Come on, Fred.’

Kate linked her arm through his again and the whole café watched as they left. Well, the whole café except for Alan and Ludek, who were still frantically mopping.

‘Ludek, I’m so sorry about your game,’ Emily said.

He smiled, but it wasn’t his usual warm, overflowing-with-happiness kind of smile; it was a what-can-you-do? kind of smile. Resignation.

Emily was suddenly aware that the rest of the café was still listening in on the conversation; no one had resumed their games. She caught Mr B’s eye.

‘Turn the music off,’ he mouthed.

Emily clicked ‘stop’ on her phone, bringing ‘Tumbling Dice’ by The Rolling Stones to an abrupt end and Mr B clapped his hands together before addressing the room. ‘If I could have everyone’s attention, please. I think this might be the perfect moment for us all to enjoy a cup of Emily’s excellent coffee, along with some pączki and makowiec – donuts and poppy seed cake to the non-Polish speakers amongst you – and this evening’s slideshow which is entitled, “Wildlife in the Białowieża Forest”. You can play the music again now, please, Emily.’

As The Beatles’ ‘Ticket to Ride’ began to play, a queue formed at the counter. Mr B and Emily set to work, making lattes and cappuccinos and the odd espresso. Marjory handed round the pączki and makowiec, people began to chat again, and the hum of conversation filled the room.

When everyone had been served, Mr B set up his projector and Ludek put a folding screen in place.

Emily decided that she ought to say a few words as she hadn’t officially welcomed her guests. She turned off the music – they were partway through Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Roll of the Dice’ – and banged a teaspoon against a mug to get everyone’s attention. She would keep it short, she decided. She wasn’t accustomed to public speaking and was doubly nervous for some reason as she felt Ludek’s eyes upon her. ‘I’m so sorry about the interruption earlier. I’d like to welcome you all to The Little Board Game Café which I hope is going to be a popular venue here in Essendale for many years to come. You can come in to play a game or have a coffee, but I’m very much hoping you’ll want to do both. I hope you’ve all enjoyed this evening’s special Polish food…’

‘Yeah, and the entertainment!’ someone quipped.

Emily waited whilst a couple of people laughed. ‘…and I want to thank Mr B for teaching me his Polish recipes and Marjory for all her support. And, of course, Ludek for helping me in the kitchen this evening and loaning his games. Now, if anyone has room for seconds, I’ve put the remaining pączki and makowiec’ – she took extra care over her pronunciation and saw Ludek smiling in approval – ‘on a plate on the counter so help yourselves. In the meantime, I’ll hand over to the wonderful Mr Stanisław Baranski, who will share his photos of the Bia…Bia…Białowieża Forest. Phew. I managed that one.’

There was a titter of laughter as she flicked off the lights and slipped into her seat beside Ludek, who had a plate with two pączki on his lap. He offered her one, but she shook her head.

Mr B’s slides began with a landscape scene: tall trees around a river. He gave a short explanation; the river had apparently been dammed by a family of beavers.

‘Well, I’ll be damned,’ whispered Ludek.

Emily smiled. She was still mulling over the events of earlier. This really wasn’t how she’d wanted the evening to go.

‘Next slide, please,’ said Mr B and Marjory dutifully pressed a button on the projector. A small black and white bird appeared on the screen, unremarkable to Emily’s eyes but apparently it was a three-toed woodpecker.

‘How many toes do woodpeckers normally have?’ whispered Ludek, before biting into one of the paczki.

Emily smiled again, and held up her hands to gesture that she didn’t know. Bless him, he was trying to cheer her up. It was working too; she could feel herself beginning to relax.