The Heart of Baker’s Bay

by Danielle Jacks

  “I’ve only read the plays we did a school.”

  “So, how well do you know A Midsummer Night’s Dream?”

  “I’ll have a look online.”

  “Are you serious? I thought you were a book expert.”

  “Just because I read, doesn’t mean I’m a nerd.”

  “I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and I don’t. There is so much about you I like, it’s hard to stereotype you as just one thing.”

  “I agree. I mean, when I first saw you, I didn’t think you’d last a week in Clover Bay. I shouldn’t have thought the way you looked would influence how hard you’d work.”

  “I’m not sure that’s a compliment.” She raises her eyebrow.

  “All I’m saying is I thought we were getting an airport fully staffed with glamorous air hostesses,” I tease.

  “Hey!” She swats my arm.

  The waiter returns with the starters and wine. He places them on the table. “Enjoy your meal.”

  “Thank you,” we say in unison.

  “When I saw you chasing your scarf along the front of the café, I knew I’d been wrong about you.” I can’t help but laugh at the memory.

  “How do you mean?”

  “Well, you didn’t care if anyone saw you.”

  “My mum always taught me to show my best side when trying to make an impression, but I’ll always be me. I like to look glam, but at the end of the day, it’s all about choosing the right company to entertain.”

  “You look beautiful whatever you wear. I like all sides of you. I just can’t help teasing you.”

  “Thank you. I like most of the sides of you too.”

  I laugh. “Expect the judgemental version of me?”

  “Exactly.”

  I pour the wine into the glasses. “I propose a toast… to good company.”

  “Cheers.” We clink our glasses and take a sip. The food is delicious, and we continue our small talk until the performance starts.

  “Oh… I didn’t realise there were fairies around in Shakespeare’s time,” Jody says.

  “Yes. They are closely linked to elves, and I thought you’d like that.” We laugh and she cuddles into me.

  “You’re a great date. It doesn’t matter what we do, you seem to make it perfect.”

  “I aim to please.”

  The rest of the evening goes well. We take a romantic walk back to the village along the pretty cliff tops. I kiss her goodbye at her door.

  “Thank you for a wonderful evening.” She leans in to kiss me one more time. I stroke her cheek, wishing I could stay longer.

  “I’m glad you had a good time. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”

  “Goodnight.”

  “Sweet dreams.”

  We kiss one last time before I head home. I’m beginning to fall for her, and I wish this could last forever.

  Twenty-Six

  Jody

  Wednesday

  After washing-up the final couple of dishes from the end of the day, I make my way down to the beach, hoping to get a glimpse of Adam. I sit close to the water’s edge. It’s quiet in Clover Bay, and I relish the peaceful setting. I must’ve fallen asleep because the vibrations of my phone wake me. I rub my eyes, hoping I’m not sunburnt.

  My phone begins to ring again. I sit up to shade the sun from the screen. It’s my mum calling, finally. I haven’t spoken to her in a while. She always seems to be too busy.

  “Hello,” I say when I press the green answer button.

  “Hello, sweetie. How’s the café doing?” she asks.

  “Everything is great. I’m all prepared for tomorrow and I’m now enjoying the beautiful sea view. My strawberry jam muffins are going to kick ass.”

  “That’s nice, dear.” This is my mum all over. She hasn’t called to find out how I’m doing. I’m a little disappointed, but I let it go. I don’t want to argue with her.

  “How’s Gran? Is she resting? I’d love to speak to her if she’s up to it. I have some amazing ideas for renovating the café.”

  “Oh, yes. The café. That’s why I’m calling. Your gran made an appointment for an estate agent to value the property and take some pictures. He’ll arrive in an hour or so.”

  “Has she decided to re-mortgage so she can decorate?”

  “No, silly. The café is going up for sale.”

  “Wait, what?” My pulse quickens. This can’t be happening. Just when I thought things were coming together for me, the rug is pulled from under my feet.

  “Your grandma is going to move closer to us. She’s realised Clover Bay is too much for her to continue living there, especially with the hill. She’s getting old and needs our help, so it makes sense for her to move here.”

  Clover Bay is where I want to be though. I could’ve helped her.

  “I’d like to stay here and run the café.”

  She laughs. It isn’t unpleasant, but it feels like it. “This is a long-term plan. It’ll be easier to sell the café before the end of the summer when lots of people are visiting the village.”

  “I want the job. I want to stay on as the permanent manager.”

  “You’ll get bored like you always do. Don’t make the café another one of your failed projects. You can stay until it sells then come home and be with your family where you belong. Besides, we all miss you.”

  She has a funny way of showing she misses me. Until today, my family hasn’t tried to contact me, and the reason for calling has nothing to do with wanting to see how I am. She’s never had faith in my ability to achieve anything, but this time it cuts a little deeper. Although, she’s right. I’ve failed at everything else, so why not this? What was I thinking? I can’t become the permanent manager, especially if my gran isn’t coming back. I don’t want to acknowledge I’m agreeing with her, so instead, I avoid the subject.

  “I miss you too.” My words are true but don’t feel heartfelt.

  The rest of the conversation is awkward, and we soon end the call. My sister is the key to our relationship, and without her as a buffer, I don’t have anything to say. There’s no point in small talk when she isn’t interested in listening to me. I’m sad my time here is coming to an end, angry my mother has no faith in me, and what about Adam? What is he going to think? My stomach fills with dread. I have to tell him, only I can’t bring myself to do it just yet. This isn’t a problem I can run away from, but I need some time to think about what to do. I don’t want things with Adam to change. I like the direction they were going in.

  After collecting my thoughts, I make my way back to the café. The estate agent will be here soon, so I should at least tidy up.

  I stand opposite the tearoom, looking at the newly placed sign and wondering how long I have left before it reads sold. Apparently, people don’t move to Clover Bay, but is my grans business an exception to the rule? I sense Adam’s presence before he comes to stand beside me. I bite my fingernail as my eyes flicker to his. I quickly look away, focusing back on the front window.

  “What’s going on? Why is there a for sale sign up?” he asks

  “My gran’s decided not to come back,” I say.

  “Why not? She loves it here? Didn’t you want to take over the café? Why would you let her put the café up for sale?” Adam says, crossing his arms like he’s already angry before I’ve had chance to explain.

  “My gran loves it here, but she’s getting too old. She needs her family. I like it here too. I tried to suggest I could manage the place, but my mum didn’t want to listen.” My voice starts to crack. I don’t want him to see me fail.

  “You should’ve made her listen. Why didn’t you tell her all the great things you’ve done here?” He waves his arms around gesturing to more than the café.

  “You don’t know my mum. She’s hard to talk to. My gran will have told her about my baking.”

  “Did you tell her how much you’ve changed or how much hard work you’ve done?”

  “Well, no.” I lower my chin so I
can look at my shoes.

  He rubs his jawline. “You didn’t fight hard enough.” His voice is turning unfriendly. I turn to face him, but he stays looking at the for sale sign. His features are tight, similar to the first time we met.

  “You don’t understand how my family can be. I’ve failed so many times. They don’t have confidence in my ability.”

  “You’ve been dedicated to making this work until now. You should show them that you can run the café.”

  “With them being so far away, it’s hard to make them see my transformation.”

  “Or maybe you don’t want them to,” he says bitterly.

  “Excuse me? Did I hear that correctly?” I clench my fist, letting my nails dig into my skin. The pain helps me fight back the tears welling in my eyes.

  The straight-talking side of Adam leaves little room for negotiation. Everything isn’t as simple as he’s implying. “If you really want something, you shouldn’t just give up. Did you speak to your grandma? Did you tell her how much you care about the café?”

  “No, but I will. I haven’t given up yet. I’ll get someone to hear me out. The phone call caught me off guard. When I ring back I’ll have collected my thoughts.”

  That was a blatant lie. I had accepted my mum’s decision. This morning, I was thinking of moving here, and as soon as she’d called, I’d thought about packing my bags. I don’t want to lie to Adam, but he doesn’t understand how difficult my family can be. Although, I feel I’m good for the café and I owe it to myself to try harder to make my family see I can do this. My words can be the truth. I can try again to get her to see I’m serious about running the café.

  He shifts from one leg to the other. “If you like it here, I’d like for you to stay in Clover Bay.” He turns to face me with sadness in his eyes. Adam’s a proud man so it must have been hard for him to say those words.

  “I want my shot with the café too.”

  He kisses my forehead. It wasn’t until the decision was taken away from me that I realised how much I want this, and I want to have my chance with Adam.

  “Hopefully you’ll figure out what to do.”

  I reach up to kiss his lips, hoping to find some comfort from our argument. The passion from last night is missing, and that’s when I realise he said ‘you’ll’ figure something out not ‘we’. He’s always supported me before. “What’s wrong?”

  “We should pause whatever this is between us before it goes too far and someone gets hurt.”

  His words are like an ice bucket of water being thrown over my head. It feels like he’s asking me to commit before he’ll give us a go. Has he given up on us already? Today isn’t my day. It’s the massacre after the perfect night. My relationship is over before it began. It’s one more unlucky thing to add to the list of bad karma. Why does this always happen to me? As soon as I get the hang of something, it all slips away and I’m back to square one. No job, no boyfriend, and no prospects.

  “Okay. Sure. We can cool things until everything settles, but you’re giving up too. You’re not giving me a chance to prove myself.” I push my hair back from my face. What I really want to do is run and hide away in my room, which is childish, I know, but it might make me feel better. The one thing I’ve learnt is I need to make things happen if I don’t want to lose everything I’ve worked so hard for.

  “I’m not giving up. I just think we should take some time to reflect before we’re in over our heads. Do you want some help baking?”

  At least he still wants to be friends, although I need to protect myself. “No. I’ve got everything under control. Thanks, but I should go.”

  There’s no point telling him I’ve already baked for tomorrow. All I want is to get away from him before I start to hyperventilate. Adam is the one thing I didn’t think I could have. Now I’ve had a taste, I don’t want it to end.

  Twenty-Seven

  Jody

  Thursday

  I stack the freshly washed cups onto the tray while Kayleigh loads the dishwasher. The lunchtime rush is tailing off, and we’re preparing for a slow Thursday afternoon. Now is the perfect time to talk to my grandma.

  “Go grab your supplies and we’ll set-up in the window seat,” Kayleigh says.

  “I’m on it,” I say, unable to hide my crazy smile. I’m excited and nervous about trying to prove myself. This is a different experience for me. I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want this chance.

  I’ve convinced my sister I need to video chat with my grandma while my mum’s at work. I didn’t go into details about why it’s important, but it’s my final attempt at saving my job. The decorations I found for the meal with Adam should work for setting the scene. I hurry into the back and rummage through the sample tablecloths. I find the midnight blue material, the silver clover-shaped candles, and a dainty sugar bowl. Kayleigh is fluffing the pillows in the window when I reach the table. She helps me set-up our stage.

  “I’ll make the tea. I’ve been desperate to try one of your muffins since I saw them this morning.”

  “Get one for me too. They look extra good today, even if I say so myself.”

  Now I’m on top of the baking, I can afford to sample the goods. I adjust the table décor until I’m completely happy while Kayleigh disappears to the counter. I remember seeing some fancy plates in the back, so I retrieve them. Kayleigh uses china teacups from the back of the cupboard. Once we’re all set, we sit at the table. I strategically place my phone so our hard work is on show.

  “Ready?”

  “Let’s do this.” Before I can lose my nerve, I press the call button. My sister’s sitting on the bed with my gran. She looks better than the last time I saw her in the hospital bed. Kayleigh and I wave to my family.

  “Hello. How’s the hip?” I ask.

  “Nice to see you both. My leg hurts, but the doctors have fixed me up good. I’m on the mend and I’ll be back up on my feet in no time,” my gran replies.

  “That’s great to hear.”

  “You look great, Molly,” Kayleigh adds, lifting the muffin towards the camera before taking a bite. She makes satisfied food noises and I laugh.

  “Subtle,” I whisper, taking a drink of my tea.

  “I see you found my theme night decorations.”

  “Oh, I didn’t think of that. A clairvoyant or mystery game night would be fun. I’d enjoy giving the café a makeover.”

  “When I open my new café in Manchester, you can help me pick out some designs. I’d very much like it if you’ll join me in the decision-making process, right up to the running of the day to day aspects.”

  I rub my neck. The silver lining is at least something, although I can’t hide my disappointment. “I’m hoping you’ll let me stay on here, running the Botanist Tearoom.”

  She rubs her eyes like she’s tired. “Sorry, Jody. I really don’t want to give up on my home, but I have to be realistic. My leg’s going to take a while to mend, even with physiotherapy. I might never fully recover, and Clover Bay isn’t practical for an old woman like me. I’ve been trying to cope for a long time, but now is the time to move on. I don’t want to feel trapped in my own home. Besides, after talking to your mum, I realised I can sell the café so I can afford a new place closer to my family.”

  My last bubble of hope bursts with a bang. That’s not what I wanted to hear. My grandma’s obviously career-driven, like the rest of my family. She isn’t ready to take a back seat, and I can’t argue with that. There’s no way anyone would invest in me. My credit history won’t be good, and I’m not a person to bet on. I’ve never had a loan and I live with my sister practically rent-free. I need to accept my fate. Living in Clover Bay was never supposed to happen for me.

  “That makes sense. I’m sure the new café will be even better. Thanks for the opportunity.” I try to hide my sad feelings with a fake smile.

  “Moving to Manchester will allow me to spend time with my family. I’ve enjoyed living with Hannah, and I look forward to having you home t
oo. A few visits a year aren’t enough anymore. I want my family full time, not just for holidays.” Clover Bay is so far away, and I can understand why she’d want to be closer to us all.

  “Is there any way we could keep the café?”

  Gran lowers her head to her chest. “I’m afraid it’s not possible.”

  I don’t have any savings, but it can’t be hopeless. “Maybe I can raise some of the money.”

  “You have to be realist. That’s a lot of money, and we want you home,” Hannah says.

  “I want my family back together, so I can enjoy the time I have left,” my gran says.

  She’s right. It’ll be nice to spend some time with her and get to know her better. Even though I wish there was another option to the one I’ve been given. I take another drink of my tea before answering.

  “I’m going to stay here until the café sells.”

  “That sounds like a good idea. I’m having some cardboard boxes delivered for you to start packing my things, and I’ll have someone collect them next week.”

  I nod. “Sure, it’s no problem. I can pack your things.”

  After a little more small talk, a customer enters the café. Kayleigh gets up to serve her and I say goodbye before ending the call. My sister didn’t have much to say, but overall, the conversation was positive. I won’t be leaving here with nothing. I have a job, a permanent one at that. I should be happy, but I feel deflated. Clover Bay has qualities I can’t find anywhere else. Adam has become more than my friend. Maybe it’s presumptuous to think it could’ve led to more, but I wanted to give our relationship a chance. The customer leaves and Kayleigh sits down to finish her muffin.

  “Do you mind if I leave early today?” she says, missing my glum mood. Kayleigh often leaves early, so I’m suspicious about why she’s asking. Her question usually means she has something on her mind.

  “Is there a particular reason?”