The New Beginnings Coffee Club

by Samantha Tonge

  ‘How come you have today off work, Mummy? Has Noah fired you already?’

  It was Wednesday and the first morning April hadn’t kicked her toes on the way to school. She still hadn’t eaten breakfast but had asked Noah to help her choose a cake for her lunch box. Since Monday she’d religiously fed Buttercup her breakfast, changed the water and brushed her fur.

  ‘No, you cheeky monkey! And what do you mean “already” as if it’s bound to happen at some point?’

  My heart leapt as April looked like her old self for a second and smiled.

  ‘It’s just the way the rota works,’ I said. ‘Although it might change from week to week. But Wednesday is always the quietest day as some of the village’s shops shut in the afternoon. Apparently midweek Noah often runs the shop by himself for a few hours.’

  To be honest it was a relief. Never before had I appreciated the work put in to making coffee. Standing all day. Cleaning tables. Stacking the dishwasher. Fetching new milk cartons from the fridge. Refilling the machine with coffee beans. And then there was the mental energy required, to study closely how Noah and Elle made each drink. Quite the perfectionist, Noah would occasionally measure the frothy tops on hot chocolate and check the coffee’s temperature. There was also quite a technique to pouring hot milk into a cup and the height of the drink had to be just right.

  With a big yawn, I held April’s hand and we walked to school. My spirits rose as she gave a shy wave to a girl across the road. Sun fought its way out from between the clouds and we wore waterproofs due to a pinch of cold in the air.

  ‘It’s Minecraft club at lunch today,’ said April.

  ‘Is Lizzie going?’

  ‘Yes. And Tom.’

  ‘The boy who laughed at you on Monday?’

  April shrugged. ‘He’s okay. For a boy. Yesterday he came over. I looked at the floor in case he was going to make fun again.’

  ‘But he didn’t?’

  Vigorously she shook her pigtails. ‘Guess what? He said sorry. He told his mum about me and when she found out what he said she went mad.’ April sniffed. ‘Then he gave me his last yogurt raisin.’

  ‘Generous,’ I said.

  ‘It was a big fat juicy one.’ She caught my eye and we both laughed. ‘He’s got pigs and wolves like I have, on Minecraft. Today he’s going to show me the rainforest dens he’s built.’

  ‘And that meant absolutely nothing to me,’ I said to Elle when I got back to the cottage. ‘But I’m thrilled April had found new friends to talk about it with.’

  We sat at the kitchen table. I drummed my fingers and picked up my phone, then put it down again.

  Elle looked up from the newspaper. The kitchen was quiet until Martini arrived at ten. Buttercup was sleeping in a cardboard box on the floor. She’d taken to her new home quickly. It had taken longer for me but, slowly, the cottage was feeling comfortable. Familiar.

  ‘Everything okay?’ Elle raised an eyebrow.

  ‘Yes. Thanks. Just deciding what to do today.’

  ‘Me too. Noah says I can take the day off if I want. He reckons it’s going to rain, which will make it even quieter than normal.’ She jerked her head towards the phone. ‘Who were you going to ring? Although … tell me to mind my own business if you want to.’

  ‘I think you know all my business by now.’ I took a deep breath. ‘Hold on a minute.’ I dashed upstairs and came down holding a hand mirror. I sat next to her again and stared at the glass. ‘I’ve been doing this a few times since … since Zak and I split. The perfect, conservative Kate Middleton hair. It feels, I don’t know, like a bad fit at the moment maybe. I’m tempted to go to the hairdresser’s. I was going to ring up Steph down the road, see if her salon had any space. But the prices are a bit high.’ My cheeks pinked up. ‘As you know, I’m on a super tight budget.’

  ‘Hasn’t Zak given you anything yet – at least for looking after April?’

  ‘No. At some point I’ll need to swallow my pride and arrange a regular payment from him. Noah’s been great, what with the advance on my wages, but …’ I shrugged. ‘I just can’t face taking any money from Zak at the moment. But I know I’ve got to get over that. He should contribute towards April’s upkeep. He wants to. It just feels so weird, the idea of being paid by him.’ My stomach twisted. ‘And I got up early this morning, put some items on eBay. The proceeds from them will tide me over for a while. I’ve already had several bids.’

  Elle’s brow furrowed. ‘Items? Like what?’ She looked at my left hand.

  I fiddled with my wedding ring. ‘No. Not that. I’m not even taking it off at the moment. That would be too much of a shock for April. Slowly, slowly.’ I shrugged. ‘Just gifts Zak has given me that now mean nothing. A Gucci handbag. Pandora bracelet. A Swarovski key ring.’

  ‘So … you’re looking for a makeover, then? In Laventon?’

  ‘Well, I certainly can’t afford my usual salon.’ I sighed inwardly. I missed those head massages and the accompanying glass of chilled champagne. Chanelle and I often went at the same time and we’d laugh and chat. My eyes pricked. All that counted for nothing now. Her friendship had been as plastic as her credit card and her boobs.

  ‘No offence to glamorous Steph – it’s not her fault – but she earns most of her money from the blue rinse brigade,’ said Elle. ‘Whereas you aren’t quite drawing your pension yet …’

  ‘Some days it feels like I am.’ I forced a smile and stared at Elle’s harshly dyed black hair, as usual, scraped back into a tight ponytail. She was a striking woman, with full lips and big chocolate eyes. With a softer hairstyle she would be what my dad called a knockout.

  ‘Where do you have your hair done?’ I asked.

  Her cheeks flushed. ‘I don’t.’

  ‘Huh?’

  ‘I colour and trim it myself. I haven’t been to the hairdresser for a few years.’

  ‘Elle! Why on earth not?’

  Her cheeks flushed deeper. She cleared her throat. Fiddled with the corner of the newspaper. ‘The truth?’

  I nodded.

  ‘I’ve never felt confident about my … femininity. I grew up living in jeans.’

  ‘Bit of a tomboy?’

  ‘You could say that. And I just never got into the habit of shopping for clothes or paying attention to hair and nails.’ She looked down at herself.

  ‘You always look great! Anyway sometimes it takes time.’ I bit my lip. ‘And look at me now – in my thirties and starting from scratch again. My old wardrobe seems impractical with the high shoes and tight-fitting dresses. I couldn’t even afford to get them dry-cleaned now.’

  She gave a small smile and I had a sudden urge to give her a hug. It was obvious Elle wanted to be more adventurous but didn’t know where to start.

  ‘You know, your hair would look gorgeous with a few chocolate lowlights,’ I said. ‘How about we help each other take the step to a new us? Let’s head off into town and try and find a cheaper, more modern salon. I’ll drive. What do you reckon?’ I almost clapped my hands. This was the most excited I’d felt about anything for a while.

  ‘Really?’ Elle’s mouth quirked up and she touched her ponytail. ‘Yes, I mean, going with someone I knew would be easier.’

  ‘We could do lunch – even if it is just a sandwich.’

  ‘A proper girls’ day out?’ Her eyes shone. Clearly it meant so much.

  ‘Did you used to go shopping with your friends back in London?’ I said. ‘Noah mentioned that you both used to work together in finance.’

  ‘Not really. Without much confidence, I never saw it as a pleasurable pastime. I’d rather go hiking instead of braving fitting rooms.’

  ‘Hiking?’

  ‘I grew up going on walking holidays with Mum and Dad. Great they were, up in Scotland, out in the wilds, bird-watching and identifying wildflowers.’

  ‘Have you been to the top of Laventon Mountain?’ I asked and we both grinned. That was the name loca
ls gave to a very steep hill in a field on the outskirts of the village. Woodland surrounded its base and it took about forty-five minutes to walk to the top.

  ‘Yes. So many times. I could practically find my way up and down in the dark.’ She shrugged. ‘To be honest, at the grand old age of thirty-three I wouldn’t know where to begin now with clothes.’

  ‘Less of the grand! I’m thirty-two!’

  Elle smiled. ‘It’s Marks & Spencer or online for me.’

  I sat upright and studied her frame. The broad shoulders. The full chest. I pictured her standing, her long abdomen and shortish legs. She needed to avoid patterns across the shoulders, so as not to draw attention to them, and wear V-necks to show off her bust. Dark tops and light skirts would also give the impression that her top half was more in proportion. As for colours, with her dark hair she needed to stop wearing pastels and go for bold navy blues and reds like me. My fingers twitched and I had an urge to design and sketch some outfits for my new friend.

  Elle looked up at me and I blushed. ‘Sorry. I’ve just gone into fashion student mode. Haven’t done that for a while.’

  ‘You studied fashion?’

  ‘Dropped out when I got pregnant,’ I mumbled.

  ‘So what is your verdict? Any hope for me?’

  I smiled. ‘How about next Wednesday we go clothes shopping together? I’m slowly starting to find my style again, but could do with finding some inspiration during a good mooch around the shops – or charity shops.’ Those last words weren’t so difficult to say, although I knew from the quality of the clothes locals had given me over the years, for my fundraisers, that I’d be able to pick up some decent stuff. ‘And I reckon strong colours and styles would really suit you.’

  Her eyes shone even brighter. ‘I’d like that very much. It’s time the outside reflected the inner me.’

  ‘Which is?’

  ‘A sassy, sexy tigress of course!’

  We both laughed and I eyed her curiously. Joking aside, Elle had plenty of sass. I’d seen her handle rude customers and she gave off an air of confidence when chatting, be it a discussion on Jennifer Aniston or world politics. So why had she spent a year helping a friend set up his coffee shop? ‘We’ll have to go underwear shopping of course, then,’ I said. ‘We can’t have a tigress wearing department store big pants.’

  She chuckled. ‘There’s no need for that.’

  ‘Elle!’

  She grinned and blushed. ‘I find it easier buying items online and there’s some great lingerie for all shapes of women about. I bought a lacy coffee-coloured set last week.’

  ‘What’s that about coffee? Would you like me to make one?’ said Martini as she bustled in.

  ‘That would be lovely thanks,’ said Elle and smiled at me. ‘But Jenny and I are going out for the day – on a secret mission.’

  ‘Talking of missions, if April carries on getting up and going to school this week without any complaints, I’ve got a rather special zookeeper evening to plan for Friday.’ I told them about April’s wish list and what I’d promised.

  ‘So what will you do?’ said Martini and bent down to stroke Buttercup, before tying her gardening-themed apron.

  ‘I haven’t worked it all out yet. But Postie’s daughter, Louise, used to babysit April and as you might know, she works in the rescue centre where Buttercup came from. I texted her last night and asked if she’d consider helping out for a couple of hours on Friday. Once I’ve sold those eBay items, I can afford to pay her a small amount, although she tried to insist on doing it for nothing.’

  ‘She’s a good-hearted girl,’ said Martini.

  I nodded. ‘But she’s saving every penny at the moment to go travelling, so I wouldn’t hear of her doing it for free. I’ve got a vague concept of trying to set up some sort of zoo in the lounge. Louise said she could bring over some of her animals and show April how to look after them. As well as cats, the rescue centre has rabbits, mice, and hamsters …’ I sighed. ‘It’s hardly exotic but it’s the best I can do.’

  This time last month I would have simply rung the nearest zoo and booked one of their exclusive ‘Be a zookeeper for a day’ experiences. But money would be tight enough for the next few weeks. And it didn’t make sense to sort out child maintenance at the moment until Zak had a clear idea of what was happening with the business. Plus there was the threat of April becoming a boarder from next term.

  ‘Remember, I’m a grandmother.’ Martini’s eyes twinkled. I beamed as she ran through the various creatures her grandchildren owned – everything from stick insects to a chinchilla. Surely April would be impressed? My stomach squeezed as I remembered an eighth birthday party she’d been to. It had been Frozen themed. The parents had employed actors from the local theme park for the day and hired them the best outfits. As for the food and decor, think turquoise sparkles from top to bottom. They’d even had an ice sculpture made and a machine that threw out snowballs.

  I was still thinking about that party as I drove into town with Elle, playing her musical CD, which featured the Frozen classic ‘Let it Go’.

  ‘So what are you going to have done to your hair?’ she said as we pulled into a council car park.

  I turned off the engine and looked sideways at her. ‘No idea.’ I pulled a face and we laughed.

  After buying the parking ticket and heading down the busy high street, I started to panic. Honestly. I hadn’t thought this through. Short or long? Go blonde or stay brown?

  The first salon we came to was called ‘A Cut Above’ and the prices certainly were. So we headed further into town and turned down a side street. I’d noticed a neon sign with a pair of scissors and hairbrush. Sure enough, it was a salon, but a far cry from the gilt-mirrored ones I’d become used to as Mrs Masters. For a start the staff didn’t wear matching uniforms and there was an open bowl of toffees. No extra calories would be served in the salons I was used to frequenting, unless they came in a bubbly, alcoholic form. And the decor was far from muted gold and magnolia and instead reminded me of a rainforest, with its green and purple hues.

  ‘How about here?’ I said and peered at the price list. I glanced through the window. Whilst the colour scheme was a little quirky, laid out were the standard style books and hair products you’d find in any salon. A perfect combo. I looked up at the name. Hair with Flair. I raised an eyebrow at Elle.

  ‘Looks good,’ she said.

  What’s more, they said they could fit us both in if we came back in half an hour. Instead of leaving, we flicked through the style books.

  ‘You reckon chocolate lowlights, for me?’ said Elle, above the whirr of a hairdryer.

  ‘Definitely. And what about getting it cut to shoulder-length, to frame your face? You could even have a fringe. That would really pick out the beautiful brown colour of your eyes. Hold on.’ I flicked back a few pages through my book. ‘Like this.’

  Elle stared for a few minutes. ‘It looks very glamorous.’

  I squeezed her hand. ‘Going from what you say about your underwear, I think there is a very glamorous person inside you just waiting to be let out.’

  She swallowed. ‘Okay. I’ll do it.’

  ‘It’ll be a surprise for Noah.’

  Elle stared at me for a moment. ‘Jenny. Me and Noah …’

  ‘God sorry, Elle.’ I felt my cheeks pink up. ‘I didn’t mean anything by it. I mean, it’s none of my business.’

  ‘We aren’t a couple.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘Just good friends.’

  ‘Right.’ For some reason my shoulders relaxed.

  ‘I know half the village thinks we’re an item. Hope my admission isn’t somehow a disappointment.’

  ‘No! And the other half of the village are enjoying every minute trying to work it out – so I won’t spoil it for them.’

  She smiled. ‘It’s not as if we ever kiss in pubic or hug.’

  ‘Remember, this is quaint little Laventon.
Not all corners of it have yet moved with the times. They might just think you two are old-school and not into public displays of affection.’ I eyed her curiously. So in one year of being here, neither of them had met a partner.

  ‘What about your hair?’ she asked, changing the subject.

  ‘What do you think?’

  ‘Oh, I’m no expert.’

  ‘Me neither. Just give me your opinion.’

  Elle studied my head for a moment. ‘Firstly, I love your brunette colour but feel like you have a side that doesn’t want to conform but has been suppressed.’

  I stared at her. Was that true? Has the old me been waiting, all this time, to make a reappearance?

  ‘What about a single highlight of red in the front? You like wearing that colour, don’t you?’

  ‘Hmm. I like that idea! Dramatic but not too dramatic. And you’re right: it was my favourite shade at fashion school. From bright cherry to dark burgundy.’ I twisted a strand of hair. ‘And the length?’

  ‘I don’t need to think hard for that. The very first time I saw you, after moving here, I thought what a stunning face you had, and how it was hidden by all that hair. Those gorgeous green eyes. That button nose. The high cheekbones … If you want my opinion you should go for a chin-length choppy bob to show it off.’

  ‘Elle! What lovely comments! I don’t know what to say.’ Heat surged into my face. A bob? When I first met Zak I’d had chin-length hair – well on one side. The other side had been shaved.

  ‘I’m thinking Mary Quant,’ said Elle.

  ‘Get you, dropping names,’ I teased. Elle didn’t look like the kind of woman who’d be familiar with fashion icons.

  ‘Just because I don’t wear top labels doesn’t mean I don’t know my Victoria Beckham from my Victoria’s Secret.’ She glanced at me. ‘I’d love to see your designs from college. Have you still got them?’

  ‘Yes. They’re still at The Willows. I haven’t quite moved out all of my stuff yet.’

  ‘You should fetch them. I bet April would love to see your work, if she hasn’t already.’

  My stomach tingled and suddenly I yearned to grab a charcoal pencil. Perhaps I’d nip to The Willows in my lunch hour tomorrow and collect them. I beamed. What a blessed relief this day was, away from the problems in reality and in my head.