The New Beginnings Coffee Club

by Samantha Tonge

  ‘How?’

  ‘Elle has a hospital appointment in London on Friday and is spending Saturday and Sunday there too, so I shall need your help more than ever in the shop.’

  ‘Is she all right?’

  ‘Did I hear my name?’ Elle strode into the lounge and smiled. ‘I hope I’ve done something outrageous.’

  ‘Yes, taken a day off work to go to hospital.’ Noah grinned. ‘I was just telling Jenny you had an appointment in London next week, so she would have to work extra hard over that weekend.’

  Elle’s cheeks pinked up for a second. ‘Ignore him, Jenny – that’s the only way to handle slave-drivers.’ She turned to Noah. ‘A supplier is on the phone out front – something about a new brand of low sugar hot chocolate powder.’

  ‘Ah yes.’ He glanced at me. ‘Okay?’

  I nodded.

  ‘I’ll be through in a while,’ said Elle. ‘I’m starving. Haven’t had time for lunch.’

  ‘Me neither,’ Noah and I said in unison.

  ‘Looks like it’s cheese and tomato all round then,’ she said and I followed them both into the kitchen. Noah disappeared into the shop. Elle took out the cheddar from the fridge.

  ‘Can I help?’ I asked.

  ‘No, I’m fine. Did you pick up your sketches?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I’d love to see them.’

  ‘Okay. I’ll just fetch them in.’

  Ten minutes later we sat up at the kitchen table in front of iced lemonade, sandwiches, and an array of papers with drawings on. Wiping her hands first on a paper napkin, Elle flicked through the sheets of paper. Colours jumped out – bright reds and greens, blues and yellows. At the time I’d been inspired by the Eighties and my designs were big on shoulder pads and New Romantic cuffed blouses. I smiled. It was like meeting myself as a younger person. All the drama. How clothes had to make a statement and shout something about a person’s identity.

  ‘These are gorgeous,’ said Elle. ‘I love the detail. I mean, the shapes are quite basic, but it’s the little things like the slit and the bow on the shoulder of that dress.’ She pointed to a sketch. ‘And I love the flared cuffs on that shirt.’

  My chest glowed. ‘Thanks, Elle. We were always taught that it was the little things that made a design stand out.’

  Elle bit into her sandwich and studied the drawings she had spread across the table. ‘You’ve got a real eye for colour as well.’

  I glanced at her.

  Elle grinned. ‘I know. That’s a strange comment coming from me, because I’m not stylish at all, but my gran, she was mad about flower arranging and said the most important thing was that the colours in a vase gelled together.’ She pointed to a sketch of a floor-length summer dress. ‘I would never have thought pink and yellow could look so good together.’ She looked up at me. ‘Ever thought of taking up your clothes designing again?’

  ‘What if I’m too old?’

  ‘At thirty-two?’ She shook her head. ‘Lots of people start over in their thirties.’

  Did that include herself?

  ‘What about, I don’t know, the actor Samuel L. Jackson,’ she said. ‘He didn’t really find much success until he was approaching forty. Judi Dench was older too, before she hit the big time.’

  ‘Same for George Eliot and Laura Ingalls Wilder,’ I muttered, an array of late-blooming authors scrolling through my mind. I glanced at the sketches and my fingers twitched as if they had a sudden urge to draw. ‘I was thinking about going back to college, but what if I haven’t got that creative fire in my belly any more?’

  Elle drained her glass of lemonade. ‘Your blotchy eyes prove you’re an emotional woman – and that’s what artists thrive on, isn’t it?’

  I swallowed and pushed back my shoulders. Maybe she was right. Jenny Masters. No, wait, Jenny Jarvis, new up-and-coming designer. Could that really be me, one day?

  She laid her hand over mine. ‘Your bravado act hasn’t fooled me over the last few weeks. I recognise the signs of hiding a deep, heartfelt pain.’

  My ears felt hot.

  ‘Once you read a newspaper upside down, your mind clearly elsewhere. After a movie, I can tell when we talk that you’ve missed most of the details. I often catch you looking sad, when you think no one is around, and with the customers your voice sounds just a tad too bright.’ She squeezed my fingers. ‘You are coping brilliantly, Jenny – but don’t forget, there’s no need to put on an act with me and Noah. We understand.’

  ‘You’ve suffered heartbreak?’

  Elle’s eyes went shiny. ‘Yes. A few years ago.’

  ‘Are you over him?’

  ‘Just. It took a while.’

  ‘What happened – if you don’t mind sharing?’

  She shuffled in her seat. ‘He was called Dale.’

  ‘Sexy name.’

  ‘Sexy bloke. He had shoulder-length hair. Stubble. And a tattoo on the inside of his wrist.’

  ‘You don’t strike me as the tattoo sort!’ I said, thinking more and more that Elle’s style didn’t do justice to the feisty woman inside.

  She smiled wryly. ‘I liked everything about him. His eyes had a way of making you feel you were the only person in the room.’

  ‘What went wrong?’ I asked gently.

  ‘I admitted my romantic feelings for him. He was horrified.’ She glanced at her lap. ‘Guess I can’t blame him.’

  ‘Elle!’ I shook her shoulder. ‘Don’t be silly. Any man should be chuffed to have you on their arm.’

  ‘Well, there were extenuating circumstances.’ She sat more upright but her face still looked bleak. ‘You’ll be fine, in time, Jenny.’ She stood up, her voice clearly signalling she had closed the door on that conversation. ‘And think over what I said about the drawing. You’ve been blessed with a talent. It would be a shame to waste it.’

  At that moment, the back door creaked open and Martini walked in. Her hands were covered in soil and her grey hair hung in wild curls. Today’s apron was cupcake themed.

  ‘I don’t know. The borders have really been neglected lately. I’ve pulled a few of the larger weeds.’

  ‘That’s our job!’ said Elle. ‘In fact, perhaps tonight, with us all out in the garden for this zoo barbecue, Noah and I could get to work.’

  ‘Better late than never,’ said Martini and she winked at me.

  I glanced at the clock. ‘Oh my word. Quarter to three already? How did that happen? Talk about a late lunch. I’d better pick up April. And I really will have to work hard for Noah next weekend, to make up the time.’

  Humming, Martini busied herself at the sink with our plates, scrubbing her hands first.

  ‘Thanks, Elle,’ I said in a low voice. ‘For the girlie chat. You are renewing my faith in our sex.’ And in myself. More than ever, my fingers twitched and felt the urge to sketch.

  Her whole face lit up as if I’d just paid her the most valuable compliment in the world. ‘Are we still going shopping next Wednesday?’ she asked.

  ‘You betcha.’

  Her smile widened and she went back to the shop singing her current favourite musical song, ‘Singin’ in the Rain’.

  I glanced out of the window. No rain here today. And hopefully the storms were over in my life.

  What else could possibly happen?

  Please, oh universe, bring on the sunshine.

  Chapter Fourteen

  April gazed shyly at me, as she stood by her bed in her zookeeper outfit. It was especially baggy on her slim frame, as Tom had loaned her his camouflage trousers, beige T-shirt, and Indiana Jones hat.

  ‘You don’t think I’m a bit old to dress up?’ she asked shyly.

  ‘Of course not. You’re only in Year Five. Why think that?’

  ‘I texted Skye last night. She said dress-up was for babies – that we should only be dressing up for real and looking like pop stars, or the Kardashians.’

  I sighed. ‘Perhaps she�
��s just a little jealous, darling – that you have a fun evening ahead of you. And it’s not dress-up, really. I mean, in Africa, conservation park keepers really wear clothes like this.’

  April sat on her bed. ‘That’s what Tom said. Although he thinks being a zookeeper is boring and reckons an astronaut is way cooler.’

  We both grinned. I went over and sat down by her side. ‘Tom’s mum said you took a cake in for him.’

  Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red. ‘I only gave him a bit of mine.’

  I bit my lip and took her hand. ‘I’m sure Noah wouldn’t mind you taking in a cake for Tom as well, some days, but you must eat your own lunch.’

  ‘I do, Mum. It’s just …’

  ‘What, darling?’ I pressed gently.

  She shrugged.

  ‘You can tell me.’

  ‘I’m trying to make friends and I want everyone to like me.’

  ‘What has that got to do with eating cake?’

  She shuffled on the bed. ‘Everything Chanelle and Skye say and the girls at Oakwood, you know …’

  I shook my head although I thought I understood exactly what she was thinking. This was the first time we’d properly talked about it and I had to act as if it was nonsense – which it was.

  ‘No one will like me if I get fat.’

  ‘Huh? That’s what your old friends used to say?’

  April nodded. ‘Lizzie never talks about stuff like that though. I left some crisps yesterday and she finished the packet.’

  ‘And Lizzie isn’t fat, is she?’

  April thought for a moment. ‘No. That’s why I think zookeepers are ace. They don’t care what any animal looks like. They aren’t judgy about stuff like that. A grey rhino is just as pretty to them as a colourful parrot.’

  I leant forward and gave her a hug.

  ‘And most people are like that, sweetie. Take, I don’t know, Tom. I bet his friends come in all shapes and sizes.’

  April cocked her head to one side. ‘Yes. Ben is chunky. Tom calls him The Bodyguard. And he likes Lucy ’cos her older brother knows everything about Minecraft. She’s got orange hair. Skye once said she’d die if her hair was that colour. Tom says it looks like his favourite fizzy drink.’

  ‘There you are, then.’

  ‘April! Jenny!’ called Noah’s voice. We both jumped up. April paused before hurling herself at me and hugging me tight. ‘You’re the best mummy in the world.’

  A lump rose in my throat as I remembered leaving The Willows, only weeks ago under a very different cloud. I took her hand and we headed downstairs. Buttercup was playing with a plastic straw. It was her latest obsession, running around with it in her mouth like a dog playing Fetch. True to her word, April had remembered to feed her every morning and spent time with her after school. With litter training going well it probably wouldn’t be long before she spent every night on her bed.

  ‘There are some very important guests in the garden,’ said Noah in a serious voice. Louise had set up the cats, rabbits, hamsters, and mice in the tent in cages whilst April was dressing, and Martini had collected her grandchildren’s pets. I’d helped settle them all outside.

  ‘Ready?’ I said to April.

  She gripped my hand tighter. ‘I know it won’t be a proper zoo outside, but I’m still excited.’

  We walked towards the back door. Martini had left now but on the table stood a delicious bowl of rice salad she’d prepared for the barbecue. I reached for the back door handle; however, the doorbell rang and we stopped. I didn’t want anything to interrupt this special evening for April. Noah went to answer it and seconds later came back

  ‘It’s your daddy, April,’ he said. ‘In the lounge. He just wants to wish you a nice evening.’

  April headed that way but she didn’t hurry as usual. I followed her, after exchanging a glance with Noah. I smoothed down my blood-red dress that I was wearing with black pumps and a wide black belt, plus a chunky African beaded necklace that I’d bought from the Oxfam shop. It would have been far too unsophisticated for Chanelle. What with my haircut and slowly changing my style, I was enjoying a sense of freedom, simply wearing clothes that were comfy or suited my mood. Of course I missed shopping at my favourite boutiques with assistants on hand to quickly fetch different sizes and give me their opinion on what looked best, but I was beginning to feel more like myself again.

  Zak’s eyes widened when he saw me. ‘Quite a makeover you’ve had, Jenny.’

  Whereas Zak looked exactly the same in his Italian work suit and bright cerise tie – sharp, heartbreaker handsome, in charge. But my stomach didn’t flutter. Well, only a tiny bit. Nor did I feel the slightest urge to kiss those determined lips or run a hand through his thick hair.

  ‘Doesn’t Mummy look great?’ said April, in an accusatory tone.

  Zak’s nodded. ‘And, um, you look great too, April, in those trousers.’ He opened his arms.

  April looked at me, a glint in her eye that conveyed she knew Zak was just being polite. But I didn’t acknowledge her glance and strove to keep a neutral expression. I knew – for her sake – I had to keep her relationship with Zak on track. But oh, it was hard.

  ‘Don’t I get a hug?’ he said.

  April held back and shuffled from foot to foot. ‘I haven’t got time. Everyone is waiting for me in the garden.’

  My chest squeezed. It killed me to see this distance between them. She and her dad had always been close.

  Zak’s arms fell and the light left his eyes for a second. ‘Okay. I won’t keep you.’ He reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a CD. ‘I found this in your room. It’s the Disney music CD Granny gave you for Christmas, a few years ago. Jungle Book. I thought it might be suitable to play tonight, what with all the animals.’ He held it out and after a few seconds April took it.

  Silence fell.

  Zak coughed. ‘Right. I’ll get going. Pick you up at ten o’clock tomorrow morning, princess?’

  ‘I’m not your princess,’ she muttered.

  A muscle flinched in Zak’s cheek.

  ‘Perhaps you could help April get a bike this weekend,’ I said brightly. ‘Her new friend Tom goes riding and she’s off to tea with him next week. I’ve found out about a second-hand bicycle shop on the outskirts of Comberfield.’

  ‘Sounds like a plan. April?’

  ‘Guess we could,’ she said in a more upbeat voice. ‘And Tom’s told me about a really good bike store that sells matching helmets and water bottle holders.’ She looked at me. ‘If we can afford it. Tom always takes a drink when he goes on an afternoon exploring.’

  Zak gave the thumbs-up and moved forward as if to kiss April, but thought better of it. I closed the front door behind him. Took a deep breath. ‘Let’s go!’

  We went through the kitchen, after stopping to stroke Buttercup who had suddenly collapsed in her hammock, exhausted like a small child. As a toddler, April had once fallen asleep face down, among the crumbs in her high chair.

  I opened the back door and we stepped into the late afternoon sunshine. Birds chirped – or rather budgies did – and I spotted a small cage on a picnic table, in front of the camping area. Whistling came from the tent and April looked up at me. I nodded and she walked forwards on her own. Louise came into view, holding the most adorable brown and white Jack Russell called Barney. Martini said it was the most well-behaved dog in the world, and sure enough, it just sat in Louise’s arms, wagging its tail.

  ‘April! I hear you wanted to spend the day as a zookeeper?’

  April glanced into the tent, shoulders a little slumped.

  ‘A rescue centre isn’t much different,’ Louise continued. ‘Not when it comes to cleaning and feeding the animals and giving them the necessary attention. And I’m so grateful your mum rang me because I’ve got a little behind on my work. I’ve used one of the tent’s bedrooms to house Benji, a blind tabby cat. It’s the perfect cage for him because the walls are soft i
f he bangs into them. We’ve been so busy this last week, I haven’t had much time to give him the attention he loves.’

  April’s face brightened. ‘Hasn’t anyone adopted him?’

  Louise shook her head. ‘No. He’s lived with us for over four years now. And to be fair, a disabled animal is a big responsibility to take on. But he’s happy enough, so long as he gets plenty of cuddles – and he loves being talked to.’

  April stood a little taller as she tried to peek into the tent.

  ‘Then we have to clean out the hamster and mice cages in the other bedroom – I imagine you’ll be good at that if you already look after guinea pigs.’

  April’s mouth upturned.

  ‘And I’ve brought along another of our older residents – Houdini the snake.’

  ‘Really!’ April’s eyes sparkled. ‘Can I touch him? I’ve never held one before.’

  Louise smiled. ‘He is a she. And yes. Fortunately she doesn’t mind being touched. We need to gently examine her as she’s had problems shedding her last skin and might need to go to the vet.’

  At that moment, a hamster pedalled past inside a clear plastic ball. It belonged to one of Martini’s grandchildren. April giggled, picked it up, and followed Louise into the tent. On the picnic table, next to some budgies, stood a cage of twigs and leaves. Presumably among them lived the stick insects. I headed inside to fetch a CD player and plugged it in, with an extension lead Noah found. I put on the Jungle Book CD that Zak had brought. Then I glanced at Noah who stood on the patio, near the kitchen, at the barbecue. He’d lit the coals and smoke wafted into the air.

  ‘I’m surprised you’re still awake after two days of jogging,’ he said.

  I grinned. ‘I’d like to say today’s run went better but I still felt out of breath the whole way around.’ I nodded towards the barbecue. ‘Thanks for doing this. So far June’s weather has been amazing. It’s great to be outside. We never had many barbecues at The Willows. Zak always preferred to eat out, and I got into the habit of hiring someone to cook if we had friends round.’

  Across the woodsmoke I admired the way his T-shirt clung to his pecs. A warm sensation surged through my stomach. I recalled his lips pressed against mine; his natural, masculine smell. It made a change from Zak’s super zingy, citrus aftershave. As usual Noah’s fudge-coloured hair looked ruffled and I had no desire to smooth it down. Quite the opposite. My hand touched my throat.