Page 37 of Teacakes & Tangos
‘I’ve been worried about you.’
‘You have?’
‘All those stodgy, sugary pastries in cafés can’t be good for you.’
‘They taste nice, though.’
‘Of course they do. But you should be aiming for “occasional treat” not “gob them all down because I’m not sure when I’ll next get the chance to eat”.’
‘Ah, so that’s where I’m going wrong.’
‘I should teach you how to cook, really. You were spoiled by Dana making all your meals. Can you even throw a spaghetti Bolognese sauce together?’
He groaned. ‘That sounds way too complicated. All those herbs. And I burn eggs, remember?’
‘That’s just an excuse. You’re a grown man, Xander. You need to be able to cook for yourself.’
He sighed. ‘I can’t deny it would be useful. I’m fed up with beans on toast, and ham and mustard sandwiches.’
‘Right. I’ll make spaghetti Bolognese for lunch tomorrow,’ I said firmly. ‘That can be your first cookery lesson.’
Later, when I went out in Dad’s car to get the ingredients, I was wandering through the plants and flowers section of the supermarket when an unusual-looking, spiky plant caught my eye and for some reason, I thought of Xander. I’d been thinking I’d like to buy him a little gift to show him my appreciation for taking me to the ballet, and that plant would be perfect. It seemed to stand out from the crowd just like Xander.
When I got to the till, I was pleased to find it was on sale, marked down to half-price.
Its spiky leaves tickled my nose as I placed it in the well of the passenger seat. But it was only when I got it home and placed it on the hall table in the glare of a table lamp that I realised why it had been reduced in price. Some of the leaves were already turning brown.
Disappointed, I put it down to experience and fetched some water to try and revive it.
I’d have to think of some other way to thank Xander for my night at the ballet...
Clara
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
It was mid-afternoon and I’d just given a cheerleader dance class to a group of delightful but over-excited pre-teen girls, who were clearly revelling in being free of school for the summer holidays.
Before that, I’d interviewed Anika for the post of café manager and I was planning on emailing her before I went home tonight. I’d always hated it when I applied for jobs and didn’t hear one way or the other for weeks on end. Anika would be hoping for a speedy reply.
I’d be staying late tonight, partly to work when the place was quiet, but also because Rory was away on a residential course that week, down in Brighton. So it would be a good time to catch up on admin.
I was recovering in my office with a cup of chamomile tea when Sian, our receptionist, called on the internal phone to say my step-mum was in the café, hoping to have a word with me.
‘Of course. I’ll be right along.’ Slightly alarmed, I got up straight away and hurried to the café.
What could be so important that Irene couldn’t wait until tonight to tell me?
She got up as I entered. I smiled at Maddy, who was temporarily in charge of the café, then I motioned Irene over to a table by the window which was a little more private. She didn’t want a coffee because she was on her way to meet a friend, and I could tell by her face that the news she had to tell me wasn’t good.
‘Is everything okay?’ I hardly dared to ask.
‘Well... I don’t know.’ She sighed. ‘Look, I’ll get straight to the point. I’ve been worried about Lois lately. She’s been behaving a bit oddly, don’t you think?’
I nodded. ‘I suppose it’s not surprising if her emotions are all over the place. She’s still so cut up about Mark.’
Irene gave me a strange look. ‘Well, butisshe?’
‘What do you mean? She was devastated when they finished. I couldn’t cheer her up for love nor money. It’s been good to see her happier.’
