A Year at The Cosy Cottage Café_A heart-warming feel-good read about life, love, loss, friendship and second chances

by Rachel Griffiths

  Honey stood up. “Sorry to love you and leave you but I’d better get back.”

  “Of course.” Dawn accepted her hug. “Come see us soon. I won’t be at the café next week so come here instead if you like.”

  “When you’re not busy, Dawnie. You’ve got your hands full at the moment.”

  Honey went out into the hallway and Rick followed her.

  “Don’t be a stranger, Honey. Dawn loves to see you and will be glad of the company. She’ll be glad to talk about things other than nappies and breastfeeding.”

  “I bet.” Honey accepted a brief hug from Rick. “See you soon. Have a lovely weekend.”

  “Thanks. Don’t think we’ll be straying far from the sofa though.” He rolled his eyes but he looked so happy and contented that Honey knew he was joking.

  She made her way back to her cottage, thinking about how happy her friends were now and how happy she was for them that they’d found love and contentment. Neither were to be underestimated or taken for granted. Sure, Rick and Dawn had had their fair share of problems, and at one point last year it had seemed as though they might split up, but they’d come through it all stronger and more in love than ever.

  But Dane… he’d looked sad and tired and she was devastated that it was because of her. She wanted to run back there and hug him but she couldn’t do that and she wasn’t big on public displays of affection at the best of times, so the thought that he might push her away was enough to keep her feet moving forwards.

  When she got home, she walked through to the kitchen then out into her back garden. She checked the chicken enclosure and it was locked, just as she’d known it was. But she couldn’t have stayed any longer knowing that Dane was as uncomfortable as she was. She’d also been afraid that someone might mention Purple Hen designs and Dane would feel even more betrayed, because she hadn’t told him about its growing success either. He was always so busy with work and striving to succeed, so telling him that her hobby had blossomed into a successful business seemed almost cruel. She’d never been one to show off, preferring to keep any successes to herself, but she realised now that it also meant that she never really opened up to anyone. Not her friends, not her boyfriend…

  It was time to be positive and to make a plan for her future. She was still only in her twenties but life had a habit of passing quickly and there were things she wanted to achieve before thirty. She still wanted to continue to grow her business and she wanted to learn how to make pastry that didn’t shrink when she put it in the oven and she wanted to do lots of other things too. Life was for living, right?

  A few hours later, there was a knock at the door. Hope sparked in Honey’s gut as she wondered if it was Dane. Had he come to talk to her now? Did he need to see her as much as she longed to see him?

  But what good would it do them when her past was still clinging to her like clay clung to her fingers.

  Still, there was no sense in standing in the garden wondering who it was, so she’d just as well go and find out…

  9

  “Hello, you!” Camilla smiled at Honey from her doorstep. Her short black hair shone and her green eyes sparkled.

  “Hi Camilla.”

  “Oh… what’s wrong? Disappointed it’s me?”

  “No, of course not. I just wasn’t expecting you, that’s all. Come on in.”

  Camilla followed Honey through to the kitchen, the tote bags she was holding clinking as she walked.

  “What’ve you got in there?”

  Camilla placed the two bulging bags on the kitchen table. “I’ve been shopping. I thought you needed a girls’ night in.”

  “But we haven’t had one of those in—”

  “Ages! I know. We’ve had our Tuesdays at the café but not a good old night in wearing pyjamas and eating ice cream and cake. Allie’s coming over too once she’s closed the café… as long as you’re up for it.”

  “Well, yes. It sounds great, but what about Tom?”

  “He can take care of himself.”

  “I don’t like to take you away from him though.”

  Camilla walked around the table then wrapped her arms around Honey, who felt tears pricking at her eyes.

  “Don’t be so daft, woman! We’re friends and we all need to make time for one another. Obviously, Dawnie can’t make it, but I think we’ve been a bit neglectful of our group lately and Allie agrees. So I hope you’ve got ice in the freezer.”

  “I have but I don’t have much food in.”

  Camilla waved a hand. “Not a problem at all because Allie said she’s got that covered and I brought the drinks.”

  Camilla opened the bags and started pulling out bottles.

  “Bloody hell, Camilla.”

  Camilla wiggled her eyebrows.

  “I brought a selection because I didn’t know what you’d fancy. There’s elderflower gin, plenty of tonic and some lemons. Then there’s white rum, soda water and limes in case you fancy mojitos. Ah…” She chewed her lip. “I forgot the mint.”

  “There’s plenty of mint in the garden.”

  “Wonderful!”

  Camilla rolled up the tote bags and stuffed them into her Marc Jacobs handbag.

  “And I bought plenty of tortilla chips and two boxes of chocolates, because… well, I think you need them.”

  Honey gazed at the bottles and snacks on the table then at Camilla.

  “Hey, love, what is it? Did something happen between you and Dane?”

  Honey nodded.

  ‘I take it things progressed but not as you’d hoped?’

  ‘Kind of…’ Honey squeaked.

  “Say no more! Camilla’s here now.” She released Honey and handed her a tissue from the box on the table. “What are we going to do with you? I know! We’ll make some cocktails then you can relax and let it all out.”

  “Okay. Sounds good.” She blew her nose. “I’ll go and pick some mint.”

  “Mojitos it is!” Camilla declared.

  When Honey returned from the garden, where she’d picked plenty of fresh dark green mint and pondered the wisdom of drinking cocktails mid-afternoon, Camilla was using the cocktail shaker from Honey’s cupboard while dancing round the kitchen to Abba.

  “Hope you don’t mind my music? It’s a feel-good playlist I put together. All sorts of great songs on there like Abba, Queen, Whitney Houston, Journey, Christina Perri, the Bee Gees and so on… Always gets me smiling, even on my lowest days.”

  “You have low days?”

  Camilla stopped dancing. “Of course! Doesn’t everyone?”

  Honey nodded. “Especially at certain times of the month.”

  “I know. It’s a rollercoaster sometimes being a woman but then you see my gorgeous nieces and nephew and it’s just…”

  “All worth it?”

  “Absolutely!”

  Honey got two long thin glasses from the cupboard and took them to Camilla, then she washed the freshly picked mint and tore it up onto a piece of kitchen roll.

  “Right, let’s get changed then enjoy some drinks!”

  “Changed?” Honey asked.

  Camilla nodded then opened her large handbag and pulled out two rolled up garments.

  Honey’s mouth fell open as she stared at them. “Really?”

  “It’s what you need. Come on!”

  Camilla dragged Honey upstairs by the hand then gave her one of the garments. “See you in a minute… I need the loo.”

  Honey stripped to her underwear then held the garment up. Was she really going to put it on? She shrugged; she had nothing to lose.

  “Wow… You look fabulous!” Camilla exclaimed as she entered the bedroom ten minutes later.

  “I do? Where did you get it?”

  “I had them for Christmas from my mother but haven’t worn either of them yet. I was waiting for the right occasion.”

  “I guess that romantic nights in with Tom don’t call for these?”

  “Not exactly.” Camilla giggled. “But tonight’s the pe
rfect night to wear them.”

  They stood in front of the mirrored cupboard doors and grinned at their reflections. Camilla was wearing a grey elephant onesie with a trunk and floppy ears on the hood and Honey had on a unicorn onesie that was white with rainbow stripes up the sides, a rainbow mane and glittery white horn on the hood. Both onesies had chunky feet – Honey’s resembled hooves – and padded fronts that made Honey feel a bit like she’d eaten too much. She turned sideways and admired her bulging tummy.

  “Oh don’t you start.” Camilla shook her head and her trunk wobbled from side to side.

  “I thought I looked full rather than pregnant,” Honey explained.

  “Okay, I’ll believe you. In light of your business success, I thought it was particularly appropriate for you.”

  “I am sorry I didn’t tell you all about it. To be honest, it’s all happened so quickly.”

  Camilla hugged her. “Not a problem, sweetie. We’re all delighted for you.”

  “All?”

  “I hope you don’t mind but I told Allie when I spoke to her earlier and she’s over the moon.”

  “She is? She’s not… disappointed that I didn’t say anything.”

  “Of course not. We’re friends and we understand why you kept it quiet.”

  Honey chewed the inside of her cheek. She could tell Camilla everything now, unburden and have no more secrets from her friends. It would feel good, surely, to get it all off her chest…

  “Anyway, it’s mojito time!” Camilla said, breaking into Honey’s thoughts. “Let’s go have some fun.”

  Back in the kitchen, drinks in hand, they danced around the kitchen to Whitney, Christina and Journey until they were both breathless and getting rather warm in their onesies.

  “Another drink?” Camilla asked after she’d drained her glass.

  “Go on then. That was delicious.”

  “Open the tortilla chips, will you? I’m getting peckish.”

  Honey opened the bag and tipped the chips into a bowl then placed it on the table before sitting down. Camilla returned with more drinks and started to disco dance when the Bee Gees high voices filled the kitchen. Honey clapped and laughed as Camilla gave a performance that could have won her a role in Saturday Night Fever.

  “I didn’t know you could dance like that.”

  “Neither did I.” Camilla snorted. “But it’s nice to let go once in while. I’m such a sensible accountant most of the time, you know.”

  “I do know and I promise not to tell anyone that you discoed around my kitchen dressed as an elephant.”

  “Thank you. Between us right?”

  Honey nodded.

  “So… now you have something on me, would you like to tell me anything else? You don’t have to, of course. There’s no pressure but I sense that there’s something you’ve never told me… and I’m not referring to Purple Hen designs this time. If it would help you to get it off your chest, then I’m here to listen. I might even be able to help.”

  Camilla sat opposite Honey and pushed her hood down. Her hair was slightly damp with perspiration and her cheeks were flushed. Honey realised that Camilla had been trying to relax her, to get her to forget about her worries for a while and to have some fun. Silly fun, but fun all the same. And Honey did feel lighter because of it. But now… Camilla was offering her the chance to talk, to really talk and get all of her worries out in a safe environment.

  The mojitos had relaxed her, warming her from the inside, and she was tired of carrying around her secrets. If she could tell her friend about her past, it could help. Camilla might be able to offer her some advice. It had been so long since Honey had felt light and free; she gave the appearance of being blithe, but inside, her heart was heavy and her conscience was soiled.

  “I do have… things that I’ve never told anyone. Nothing terrible, you know, like murder… but things I’ve carried my whole adult life. I should have told you and the girls before but I just couldn’t seem to do it, then it seemed too late to suddenly admit to having secrets from you all. The growth of Purple Hen was bad enough but that’s such a recent thing and the other thing is worse…”

  Camilla reached across the table and covered Honey’s hand with her own, stilling her tapping fingers.

  “Don’t apologise. Everyone has secrets; families are hives for secrets and lies. Some things we can tell and some are perhaps, best left unsaid, but usually, sharing can lighten the burden. I know you don’t have any close family to lean on and that’s why I want to help. Allie, Dawn and I… we’re here for you. Trust us.”

  “I do trust you. I just worried that if I suddenly told you about what happened to me, then you’d wonder why I hadn’t said anything before.”

  Camilla shook her head. “Some things emerge when the time is right. No one knows anyone inside out, Honey.”

  “True.”

  Honey sipped her drink, savouring the fresh minty aroma, the sweetness of the sugar and the warmth of the rum as it slipped down her throat and into her stomach. She could drink mojitos all day and not get tired of the taste.

  “Okay. I’ll try to start at the right point but I may end up moving around a bit.”

  “I’ve got all day and all night, Honey. You take your time.”

  “Right…” Honey took a deep breath then released it slowly. “Before I came to Heatherlea…”

  10

  “And I guess that’s why I’ve kind of drifted along for the past nine years. After what happened … I couldn’t seem to apply myself to anything with the same vigour as before. Growing up, I’d had dreams of studying art at university and travelling the world to gain inspiration for my own work, but none of that held the same allure.”

  “I’m so sorry, Honey. You’ve had a lot to deal with over the years and…” Camilla shook her head, “no wonder you found it difficult at Dawnie’s this morning being around the baby.”

  “Please don’t think I’m not delighted for her and Rick.”

  “I don’t, not at all. I feel sorry for you having gone through such pain. Yet you’ve been so strong.”

  “I’m not strong. I went through what millions of other women do every day.”

  “That doesn’t mean it’s any less painful.”

  “I’m okay though.”

  “You are?”

  Honey nodded. “But Dane doesn’t know any of this either and it’s the kind of thing I should tell him. But when’s the right time? Not on the first few dates, yet not on our first anniversary either.”

  “It is difficult, Honey, but not impossible. After all, Dane has likely got his own secrets too. I found out that Tom was still married, remember, and that was a huge shock. It’s better to be honest as soon as you can be, I think. Misunderstandings can cause their own problems.”

  “I agree, but I also want to sort a few things out first, so I feel I can move on properly.”

  “Of course.”

  “Shall we have another drink?”

  “Absolutely.” Camilla smiled then looked at the clock on the wall. “Allie should be here soon.”

  “I’ll tell her too.”

  “Allie is always great with advice.”

  “I know. She’s been through so much herself.”

  Camilla picked up their glasses. “I think, dear Honey, that life puts us all through the mill and that we’re all stronger because of it.”

  There was a knock at the front door then, so Honey went to answer it while Camilla made more drinks. Allie stood on the doorstep holding a large cardboard box. Her face creased up as she looked at Honey.

  “Is it fancy dress then? Dammit! I don’t have a costume.”

  “What?”

  “You’re a unicorn.”

  “Oh, right.” Honey stood back to let Allie in. “It’s Camilla’s. She said we needed to wear onesies.”

  “And what’s Camilla come as?” Allie asked as she kicked off her shoes in the hallway while balancing the box on one knee.

  “She’s an elepha
nt.”

  Allie grimaced. “Of course. An elephant and a unicorn!”

  They went through to the kitchen and found Camilla pouring mojitos into three glasses.

  “Love the onesies, Camilla.” Allie put the box on the worktop.

  “Thanks. Shame I didn’t have a third one.”

  “I’m good, thanks. I can’t wear the things because they make me feel panicky.”

  “Panicky?” Camilla frowned. “How can a onesie make you feel anything other than happy?”

  “It’s the being confined thing. I prefer pyjamas, where the bottoms are separate. That whole being enclosed in one garment experience is just…” Allie shivered. “Not for me.”

  “Each to her own.” Camilla shrugged. “Right then ladies, here’s to friendship.”

  They clinked their glasses together then drank.

  “Mmmm. Good job, Camilla,” Allie said, raising her glass to admire the drink.

  “Thank you. I’m rather proud of my mojito-making skills.”

  “They’ve gone to my head already,” Honey said, pulling a face at her friends. “I’m a bit tipsy.”

  “I’ve catching up to do then.” Allie took another sip.

  “No rush, Allie, we have all night.”

  “I’ve brought some goodies from the café.” Allie opened the box and showed them the contents. “There’s all sorts of savouries and some cakes too.”

  “Yum! I’m quite hungry now.”

  “Well let’s eat.” Allie carried foil trays and dishes over to the table while Honey got knives, forks and plates. Delicious aromas filled her kitchen as the light outside changed from afternoon brightness to dusk. They drank more mojitos, enjoyed the food from the café then opened the chocolates Camilla had brought. By the time Honey had to switch the lights on, she was fit to burst.

  “So, Allie. What do you think?” Honey asked, now that she’d told Allie everything too.

  “That you have nothing to worry about. I understand why you want to be open with Dane and why you want to deal with certain things before you do that. Don’t feel bad at all. No one has a flawless past, you know?”

  “That’s what I told her,” Camilla said then popped a hazelnut whirl into her mouth.