Page 10 of Coming Home to Crumbleton

Quickly cleaning the milk spout, Ruby tapped the jug neatly on the countertop before pouring herself the perfect latte. She even managed to execute her signature dove in the froth.

‘Not lost your touch after all!’ she murmured, admiring her handiwork.

The tinkling bell above the door made her turn with a warm smile, ready to greet the newcomer. The smile promptly froze on her lips. Red-faced and slightly sweaty, her past was staring at her from the doorway.

Ruby blinked.

So… she hadn’t been mistaken. Oliver Evans was in Crumbleton… and he was walking straight towards her.

‘You’re new!’ he said, raising an eyebrow.

Ruby blinked again, her mouth dropping open - but no sound came out.

‘I could do with a coffee?’ he said. ‘Like… I’m desperate!’

Ruby gaped at him, feeling like a stranded goldfish. Did he really not recognise her?

‘I can talk you through the machine if you’re still learning?’ he said, giving her a small smile.

‘I… I…’ stuttered Ruby.

How was this even happening? She’d wasted hours and hours of her life obsessing about what she’d say if she ever bumped into Oli again. Now here he was - standing right in front of her - and he didn’t even recognise her?!

‘I…?’ she stuttered again.

‘Oh… never mind!’ he said, glancing down at her freshly made latte. ‘I’ll just grab this one. I’m sure Mabel won’t mind.’

Ruby watched in frozen horror as Oli picked up her coffee, took a sip and then cocked his head.

‘You know, that’s not bad - for an early attempt,’ he said, shooting her a wink. Then he turned on his heel with the cup clutched in his hand and disappeared back outside, leaving the saucer on the counter.

‘It’s - it’s not a takeaway!’ she squeaked as the door banged closed behind him.

Ruby shook her head. Had that really just happened? She’d spoken to Oli for the first time in six years - and he hadn’t even recognised her?! She couldn’t work out if she was angry or if she just needed a damn good cry.

Blinking hard, Ruby turned away from the door. She quickly emptied and then refilled the coffee puck, before shoving it back into the machine. Then she stepped back and just stared blindly at it.

How could he have forgotten her?

‘Forgotten how to use the machine?!’ chuckled Mabel, as she reappeared from the kitchen.

Ruby turned to her but didn’t say anything.

‘Blimey my girl, you look like you’ve seen a ghost!’ said Mabel, frowning in concern.

A stiff smile forced its way onto Ruby’s face. That was the second time she’d heard those in the last hour… and she had a feeling it wasn’t going to be the last.

‘Here, take this over to table four for me,’ she said, plonking a tray bearing a plate of toasted tea cakes drowning in melted butter onto the counter. ‘I’ll make that drink for you. I don’t trust you around hot steam – not when you look like you’re about to fall over!’

‘Thanks Mabel!’ muttered Ruby, picking up the tray. ‘Erm… could you make it a takeaway? I need to head up to the bookshop.’

‘Of course, love!’ said Mabel. ‘Can’t expect a celebrity to wait on tables all afternoon, can I?’

‘Trust me, I think I’d prefer to stay here and help you,’ said Ruby as she edged around the counter.

Ruby quickly delivered the tasty treat to the mother and daughter at table four, who were still so busy debating the merits of peach over lilac that they didn’t spare her a second glance.

‘Here,’ said Mable, placing the large paper cup down on the counter as Ruby returned and started to reluctantly shrug out of her apron.

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