Page 78 of The Little Board Game Café

Costa. She was trying to forget about bloody Costa.

‘But they won’t have board games,’ Emily said. ‘I even have Buckaroo! Three sets in fact. You could bring your friends in. Organise a Buckaroo! tournament.’

She could feel Ludek’s eyes upon her. ‘I’ve no idea what a Frostino or a Gimme S’mores cake is, but I will google them and learn how to make them for your next visit. In the meantime, how about a chocolate milkshake and a rocky road?’

‘I suppose it’ll do,’ he said grudgingly.

‘We had a lovely time here on Saturday,’ said Julia.

‘Did you? Honestly?’

‘We did. Though it was a little unfortunate the way the evening ended. Do you know if that lady was okay?’

‘She’s fine, thanks. Now what can I get you?’

‘A latte for me, please.’

‘I’ll bring them over. Help yourself to games.’

She glanced over at Ludek, who had edged over to the door. Feeling torn between the need to attend to her customers and her desire to talk to him, she went over to him and said, ‘Can you give me a minute? I’ll just serve these people and—’

‘Don’t worry, Em. I can see you’re busy and I need to be getting back. We’ll catch up another time. I presume the board games group can meet here on Fridays again?’

‘Absolutely. I’d be upset if you didn’t.’

‘Perfect,’ he said. ‘And Em?’

‘Yes?’

‘Keep the games for as long as you need them. Till you’ve built up a collection of your own.’

And with that, he was gone.

When George and Julia had left, she closed up for the afternoon. Takings wise, it was her best day so far, but she still felt deflated. Even if she took this much every day, she couldn’t pay herself the minimum wage.

*

Kate was sitting at the kitchen table when Emily got home from the café that evening.

‘No Freddie?’ Emily said.

‘Well yes, I’m going over in a few minutes, but I wanted to see you first. To apologise. I’m so sorry about Saturday night. I don’t know what I was thinking. What we were thinking.’

‘I’m sorry too. I didn’t exactly make you welcome.’

‘We were drunk, Em. And it wasn’t that kind of event. We shouldn’t have come. Is Ludek furious about the game?’

‘Probably. I dunno.’

‘Look, give him this. To buy a new one.’

She scrambled around in her handbag, pulled out her purse and held out a note.

‘A tenner? If those kinds of games only cost a tenner, I wouldn’t have needed to borrow his in the first place. I’d have bought my own.’

‘Oh yeah. Sorry.’ She handed over two twenties. ‘Will that be enough?’

‘I should think so.’