Page 42 of Second Chances at the Board Game Café

‘He’ll love it. I can’t believe how good it looks. Really professional.’

She turned to face him again, and began to unbutton the shirt, suddenly feeling self-conscious even though she had the T-shirt on underneath. He was, she noticed, watching her fingers as they worked their way down the buttons. He looked away suddenly, and she saw that he was blushing.

Did he find her attractive too? He was difficult to read.

‘I really ought to be getting back,’ he said. ‘I’ve work to do.’

‘Me too. Thank you so much for fixing the washing machine. And the socket and the banister.’

‘You’re welcome. Thank you for the sewing lesson. And please hassle that landlord about getting your electrics checked out. I worry about you.’

He worried about her?

‘Yeah,’ she said slowly. ‘I promise. I will.’

‘So I’ll see you at the next recycling class.’

‘Upcycling, Harry. It’s called upcycling.’

*

Taylor found herself looking forward to the upcycling evening all weekend, laughing to herself as she recalled how Harry called it recycling. She worked through Saturday and Sunday, as Max played with his model railway and drew pictures of steam trains. Once the fashion show was over, she promised herself, they would go for some days out together. That big train museum in York, perhaps, or the heritage railway that ran through nearby Haworth and featured in The Railway Children.

When the fashion show was over…

Would she still see Harry then? she wondered.

The upstairs of the café was even busier than it had been the previous week. The trestle tables had all been set up with sewing machines on some, and piles of clothes on others. In one corner, a woman was getting creative with a scarlet satin bedsheet, winding it around herself like a toga, whilst her friend pinned it into place. In the corner, a small group had gathered around another woman who’d brought along a patchwork skirt. And there was Harry, proudly showing his dragon shirt to Kate. She caught Taylor’s eye and came over.

‘Do you want me to call the meeting to order?’ Kate said. ‘And get us started?’

‘That’d be helpful.’ Taylor was relieved. She hadn’t been sure whether she was supposed to say something, or just let them get on with it.

Kate clapped her hands, then welcomed everyone and said how delighted they were to see so many new faces. She invited those who’d already done some upcycling at home that week to show off their garments. Four people, including Harry, came to the front and the dragon shirt, the patchwork skirt, a rather garish tie-dyed T-shirt and a silky top made from two scarves were admired and applauded.

Taylor outlined the basics of upcycling as she had the previous week, and said that she was on hand for advice and guidance.

And then as if she were presenting The Great British Sewing Bee, Kate said, ‘Okay, everyone, you have ninety minutes for this challenge, and your time starts now!’

The room was suddenly a swirl of colour, as everyone descended on the clothes and began to hold them up.

‘Your shop’s looking great, Taylor.’

Taylor turned to see Ava, standing beside her.

‘You’ve seen it?’

‘Yeah, I walk past with Ollie every morning. I always peek in. I want to be a fashion designer when I leave school. Dad wants me to do medicine.’

Taylor felt a pang for her own younger self. ‘My dad wanted me to be a teacher or an accountant. I wanted to be a designer too.’ She heard the sadness in her own voice.

Ava must have heard it too. She put her hand on Taylor’s arm and said, ‘But you are a designer. Upcycling is designing. It’s re-designing.’

Taylor smiled. ‘I’m a fashion re-designer. I like that.’

‘Please will you help me choose fabrics?’ said Ava. ‘I know what I want to make. I saw a vintage shirt online. A floral front and floral sleeves with striped cuffs and collar, and stripes down the bit with the buttons…’

‘The button stand?’