Escape to Bramble Patch Craft Shop

by Sarah Hope

  ‘Oh, do stop moaning, Bill. We all know the only reason you don’t get on with her is because you wanted to be mayor.’ Pat tapped him on the arm with her knitting needle.

  ‘Did you run to be mayor?’ Perching on the edge of an empty chair, Molly looked across the circle at him.

  ‘This was years ago which makes it even harder to fathom why he’s got a problem with her.’

  ‘Yes, but you’ve got to admit, she is a tad abrupt.’

  ‘Maybe.’ Pat shook her head before looking across at Molly. ‘So, love, do you need any help with the knitting group? We’re free the Saturday after next, aren’t we, Bill? We could come over and give you a hand for a bit, if you like? We’ll have our grandchildren at some point, no doubt, but we could come for a few hours. I know we’re beginners ourselves but we could help with the tea and coffee or something?’

  ‘Did you say the Saturday after next?’ Rubbing the back of her neck, Molly grimaced. Why hadn’t she asked when it was? How had she forgotten to ask about the details? She didn’t know anything about it and yet she’d just agreed to run a group and offer a discount. She should have just told Wendy that she’d get back to her. She should have worked everything out first. Would she even make much of a profit if she gave a discount of twenty percent? But then anything lower might not be enough to entice the shoppers. Biting her bottom lip, Molly looked down. She should have given this more thought.

  ‘Yes, don’t look so worried, love. It’ll be fine. I can come across to help too if you want?’ Lowering her knitting to her lap, Gladys smiled at her.

  ‘Thanks. That’d be great if you guys really don’t mind?’

  ‘Of course, we don’t.’ Pat grinned.

  ‘I’m happy to come too.’ Taking a sip of her coffee, Susan patted Molly’s knee. ‘The shop is ready anyway and if we all come, we can help with the knitting groups and with the refreshments. Between us, we should be able to cover most of the day I should think, can’t we?’ Looking across at Pat, Bill and Gladys, Susan picked her knitting back up.

  ‘Count me in too, I’ll have to bring my brood but I’m sure we can put them to good use helping.’ Lucy rubbed Frankie’s back.

  ‘And me. I’ve got work in the afternoon, but will be able to help in the morning, if that’s any good?’

  ‘Thanks, Eva. Thanks all of you. It would really be amazing to have some help and some moral support.’ Molly had never done anything like this before. After working in an office for years, her interaction with the general public had always been quite limited.

  ‘You’re very welcome. By offering these Knit and Natter groups, you’ve done us a good deed, now it’s our turn to repay the favour.’ Gladys nodded and hooked a strand of wool over her needle.

  ‘Thank you. Do you think they’ll be many people who actually come in here? I’m not sure if I need to put an extra order in.’ Tapping her fingers against her knee, Molly tilted her head.

  ‘You and your husband used to run the old toy shop, didn’t you, Susan?’ Pat used her knitting needle to point across the circle. ‘Did you find that you had more sales on the day of the fete?’

  ‘Yes, we did. Oh, I remember those days used to be crazy. We’d have hundreds of visitors through the door. Yes, we used to be rushed off our feet and then when we did eventually close - the mess! You’ve never seen anything like it! Toys put back in the wrong places, mud traipsed through on the carpet. I remember one year we found a missing piece of a puzzle two weeks later which had somehow got kicked under one of the shelves.’ Smiling, Susan shook her head. ‘The hard work was always worth it though, some years we made as much in that one day as we did in a month.’

  ‘Really? Wow, it does sound as though I need to get an extra order in then!’ Did she have enough money in the business account to buy extra stock in the hope that it sold on the day of the fete? Molly shook her head. She’d have to make sure there was. She couldn’t miss out on the opportunity. Plus, if she made a good impression then hopefully some of the visitors would become regular customers. She could only try her best and hope.

  ‘It really will be a good day. Always is.’ Bill grinned and looked at Pat.

  BALANCING ON THE SMALL stool, Molly reached up and Blu-tacked the poster above the shelf.

  ‘Careful you don’t fall.’

  Gripping the edge of the shelf, Molly twisted her neck. It was Richie. ‘Hi. Everything okay?’

  ‘Yes, thanks. Just thought I’d pop in and check to see if your car’s all right after yesterday.’

  Turning around, Molly stepped down from the stool, holding the Blu-tac in her hand. ‘I’m sure it is, I’ve not used it since yesterday but I’m assuming its fine. Have you just finished work?’ Molly indicated to his uniform.

  ‘Nope, just on a break. Did you get back in time for your customers?’

  ‘Ah, yes, nobody was waiting anyway. Thanks again for sorting the tyre yesterday.’

  ‘It was nothing.’ Waving his hand, Richie looked up at the poster.

  ‘It’s not straight, is it?’ Turning back, Molly laughed. ‘Yep, it’s definitely not straight. In fact, I don’t think I could have got it any more crooked.’

  Tilting his head, Richie grinned. ‘Possibly not. You might actually have a talent for putting up the most crooked posters.’

  ‘Oi! Thanks!’ Turning back to him, Molly shrugged. ‘I’ll have another go later. Do you have time for a coffee?’

  ‘Yes, that’d be lovely, please?’

  ‘Coming right up. Do you have sugar? Milk?’

  ‘One sugar and a dash of milk, please?’

  Nodding, Molly made her way into the kitchen, placing the small ball of Blu-tac on the counter as she went.

  ‘HERE YOU GO.’ CARRYING the two mugs of coffee, Molly tried not to spill them. She knew she’d filled them up too much. She should have tipped a bit down the sink.

  ‘Thank you, that’s just what I need.’ Taking the mug, Richie held it to his lips.

  Glancing over the rim of her mug, Molly looked at him. He seemed to be okay, a little on edge maybe, but if this was the first time he’d properly come into the shop in such a long time, it was to be expected that he’d feel a bit strange being back in the place. Especially after what he’d said about their break-up. ‘Are you okay?’

  Nodding, Richie lowered his mug and looked around. ‘I’m all right. Thanks for asking, though. It’s weird being back in here, thinking about what she did and everything.’ He cleared his throat. ‘I love what you’ve done with the place, though. It’s amazing how completely different it is to when it was Diane’s.’

  ‘Thanks. There’s still so much that needs doing.’ Molly glanced around, a blush colouring her cheeks.

  Richie nodded. ‘There can’t be much more you want to do, surely? It looks great the way it is. I think having the comfy chairs is a great idea.’

  ‘Thanks. I wanted to make it more inviting. I don’t know, it probably sounds stupid, but I want to get to a point where people want to come in and sit and chat. Like a low-key coffee shop, I guess. Where people can meet up and talk about all things crafty.’

  ‘That’s what you’re doing with the Knit and Natter though, isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, and that seems to be working.’ Molly wrapped her hands around her mug. ‘In the long term, I’d love to set up other craft sessions.’

  ‘That’s a good idea. What would you do?’

  ‘I don’t know. Felting maybe? I did a course on that a couple of years ago. Then there’s crochet, needlecraft... there are loads. I think running other sessions like the Knit and Natter and maybe even focusing on teaching new skills too would bring in customers who would then hopefully buy things too and come back for all their craft supplies.’

  ‘It sounds like you’ve got a great business plan. Something a little bit different too. Out of the few people who came to view this place, I’m glad you brought it.’ Richie looked her in the eye.

  ‘Thanks.’ Looking across her mug at him, she pull
ed her hair over her shoulder, shielding her face. ‘I’m glad I did too.’

  Richie cleared his throat. ‘Right, I’d better get back to work.’ Passing his mug towards Molly, his hand brushed against hers, warm and confident.

  Turning around, she placed his mug on the counter and gulped the rest of her coffee. Looking up at the poster, she smiled. He’d straightened it. He must have done that whilst she had been in the kitchen making the drinks.

  Chapter Nine

  Turning the Open sign to Closed, Molly checked the time on the wall clock above the button shelf. The kids should be back by now. Trevor had said afternoon. Surely half-past five was fast approaching evening?

  They’d be back soon. Anytime now. They’d be travelling back from Jessica’s parents’ house and Trevor would have probably taken the motorway, any roadworks or an accident and traffic would have tailed back quickly.

  Straightening the cushions on the chairs, Molly flopped down into the one facing the door. Pulling the cushion onto her lap, she hugged it to her chest. She couldn’t wait to see Lauren and Ellis’ reaction to what she’d done with the shop, and with their rooms. Lauren had always wanted fairy lights in her room, so she should like what Molly had done when she’d unpacked, and Ellis would love his new football rug. She shrugged, if they helped them feel a little more at home, the local shop prices would have been worth it.

  Checking her mobile for messages, Molly balanced it on the arm of the chair and let her eyes drift close. She’d just have a quick rest before they came back. Both the flat and the shop were tidy, and there was no point starting on dinner. If she did, they’d come home and tell her they’d eaten, if she didn’t then they’d be starving but she had oven chips in the freezer which wouldn’t take long to cook.

  JOLTING AWAKE, MOLLY flung her eyes open and pushed herself to standing. They were back. Walking the few short steps towards the front door, Molly grinned and pulled it open. ‘Lauren, Ellis. You guys okay?’ Hugging them in turn as they walked into the shop, Molly kissed them on the heads. ‘Did you have a good time?’

  ‘Yeah, it was great. We went to the theme park yesterday and the ...’

  Stepping inside, Trevor cut Ellis off mid-sentence. ‘Molly. Do you mind if Jessica brings Ruby in for a wee? We’ve been stuck in a traffic jam for at least three hours.’

  Great. In other words, Jessica wants a nose around, but not just being content with making up an excuse to come and look around the shop, she has to go that one step further and make sure she gets to poke around upstairs too. But what could she say? She couldn’t very well deny the toilet to a four-year-old, could she? ‘Yes, of course.’

  ‘Thanks. Ellis run back to the car and tell Jessica they can come in.’

  Why did he always have to make everything such a big deal? Why hadn’t Jessica just come to the door with them? Yes, it wouldn’t have been nice to open the door ready to bring Ellis and Lauren into her arms only to be faced with her ex-husband’s wife and their perfect little daughter stood there, but it would have been better than this fiasco. Jessica either knew it was all a game or else Trevor made up some lie or other about Molly not being very hospitable towards her. She shook her head, Jessica didn’t need to worry. She didn’t hold anything against her. Jessica was welcome to Trevor.

  Gripping the door handle, Molly smiled as Jessica teetered towards her on her high heels, Ruby walking obediently next to her, her small hand in Jessica’s. ‘Hello, Jessica. Hello, Ruby. Wow, look how much you’ve grown!’

  ‘Lovely to see you again, Molly.’ Ushering Ruby through the door, Jessica looked around the shop. ‘Ooh, I love what you’ve done. You’ve completely transformed the place. It’s beautiful.’

  Transformed the place? What did she mean? For all Jessica knew, Molly might have brought it like this. Unless... unless they had looked at the estate agent’s photos. That’s what they’d probably done. Slowly shutting the front door, Molly momentarily closed her eyes. Nothing she did was her own business anymore, was it? She’d always have Trevor, and Jessica, monitoring her moves, judging her. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Look at this, Trevor. How adorable.’ Picking up a roll of pale pink fabric emblazoned with glittery unicorns, Jessica turned towards Trevor. ‘How perfect would this be made into curtains for Ruby’s room?’

  ‘Great.’ Nodding, Trevor drew his mobile out from his jacket pocket and studied it.

  ‘Do you offer a sewing service? Do you make curtains to fit?’

  Molly shifted her feet. ‘I’m afraid I don’t, no. Not at this moment in time, anyway.’ She wasn’t going to offer to make them for her. She had enough on with the shop and the kids. She didn’t want to be devoting her time to making Jessica’s perfect house even more perfect. Plus, she’d no doubt do something wrong because she’d be worried about getting them right. No, it wasn’t worth it, no matter how much Trevor’s current affluent wife offered his pauper of an ex. Nope. ‘Did you need the toilet still, Ruby?’

  ‘The toilet? Oh yes, of course. Come along Ruby, darling, let’s get you upstairs.’ Carefully slipping the roll of fabric back into its spot, Jessica held her hand out for her daughter before glancing across at Molly. ‘It’s upstairs, right?’

  ‘Yes, the first on the left.’ Jessica had definitely snooped on the estate agent’s website before she’d come, and Ruby definitely wasn’t acting like a four-year-old desperate for the toilet. Molly shook her head. Let them play their games. ‘So, Ellis, you were telling me about this theme park. Was it good?’

  ‘Yes, it was great. It had the most amazing rides ever. Like, literally, the rollercoaster was a hundred miles tall and... ‘

  ‘Don’t be stupid, Ellis, Mum knows it’s impossible for a rubbish old rollercoaster to be a hundred miles tall.’

  ‘It was so, wasn’t it, Dad?’ Looking towards his father, Ellis’ lip wobbled.

  ‘What?’ Glancing up from his phone, Trevor looked at his son. ‘The rollercoaster? Yes, it was tall. Very tall.’

  ‘See, I told you.’ Sticking his tongue out at Lauren, Ellis turned back to Molly.

  ‘He doesn’t mean it was a hundred miles tall, Dad just said it was tall.’ Slumping into one of the chairs, Lauren leant her leg over the arm.

  ‘It doesn’t matter how tall it was. I can imagine it would be super tall.’ Molly patted Lauren on the shoulder. ‘How many loops did it have? Were you brave enough to go on it?’

  ‘About twenty. Like, it had twenty loops. Yes, I went on it! Twice! Lauren didn’t though, she was too scared.’

  ‘I wasn’t scared. It just looked too lame. Too boring.’

  ‘It wasn’t. It wasn’t boring or lame. It was awesome. It really was, Mum. It was the most awesome rollercoaster in the whole world and I was brave enough to go on twice!’

  ‘That sounds great. What else did they have there?’ What was taking Jessica so long? Surely she wasn’t snooping around the whole flat? The sooner Trevor took his new family and left, the sooner Molly could actually spend some quality time with Lauren and Ellis.

  ‘There was a ghost train, which was super scary, and a huge slide you had to sit on mats to go down. There was a really cool thing you had to walk through and try to shoot the aliens and...’

  ‘It’s adorable, Molly. I can see why you fell in love with it. Very cosy and full of character.’ With Ruby dutifully walking in front of her, Jessica pushed through the door adjoining the shop with the stairs up to the flat.

  Really? Was that supposed to be a compliment? ‘Thank you.’

  Tearing his eyes away from his mobile, Trevor looked up towards Jessica and nodded before turning to Molly. ‘Do you mind if I have a quiet word while Jessica says bye to the kids?’

  ‘Right, okay.’ A quiet word? The last time he’d had ‘a quiet word’ with her, he’d told Molly that Jessica was pregnant. What now? Was she expecting again? Well, she certainly looked good on it if she was. She looked as though she’d lost weight rather than put any on. Pregnancy obviously suited Jessica, not
like Molly. When she had been expecting Lauren and Ellis, she’d ballooned to the size of a whale. Turning, she led the way through around the counter and into the back kitchen.

  ‘Thanks for this.’ Closing the door quietly behind him, Trevor looked down at his feet before crossing his arms and staring her in the eye.

  ‘What is it? Was everything okay at Jessica’s parents’ house?’

  ‘Yes fine. As you heard, the kids really enjoyed it.’

  Molly nodded, all she’d heard was that Ellis had loved going to the theme park, nothing else.

  ‘I’m just going to come straight out and say it. I’m worried about Lauren. She’s confided in Jessica’s mum, Joanna.’

  Molly bit down on her bottom lip. Confided in Joanna? What had she confided?

  ‘She’s really upset about being forced to move out here and away from her school friends. It’s a difficult year for her, what with beginning to study for her exams and having to navigate the social life of a teenager.’

  Navigate the social life of a teenager? How had he come up with that one? Jessica’s mother, she must have said that. Taking a low breath in, Molly gripped her hands on the edge of the work surface behind her. ‘She’s only just begun her exam options, she’s still got two and a bit years until she actually takes the exams.’

  Looking down at his feet, Trevor rolled his shoulders before looking back up at her. ‘It’s still an important time in a young girl’s life.’

  Seriously? Was he literally just going to repeat whatever had come out of Jessica’s mother’s mouth? Or was it Jessica who had put him up to this? She’d known when to distract the kids so Trevor could get her in here on her own. She must have known what he was going to talk to her about. Feeling a blush creep across her cheeks, she bit down on her bottom lip, the taste of fresh blood filling her mouth. They’d been speaking about her behind her back. They’d no doubt all been crowing about what a bad mother she was, tearing her children away from their home and school. Shaking her head, she looked down at the floor. ‘It’s not like it’s my fault.’