Page 37 of A Fresh Start on Crumcarey
As well as being touched to the point she’d teared up several times, Maggie had also spent a great deal of time apologising in advance for the fact that she probably wasn’t going to be able to remember everyone’s names. She might have prided herself on knowing the faces of the locals before she’d started her new job, but now she knew their names, where they lived, their family history going back at least three generations – and their coffee and pastry preferences too!
She was also discovering that there were dozens of social groups on the island that she’d had no idea about.
‘So, you’ll come along to the knitting club?’ said the elderly lady, leaning heavily on her stick as she beamed at Maggie her through her thick glasses. ‘It’s over at my place next time. We all bring a bit of baking to share and have a grand time.’
‘I’ll… sure!’ said Maggie, finding it completely impossible to say no, even though she didn’t have a clue how to knit.
‘Don’t worry if you don’t have the necessaries, I’ve got plenty to start you off with!’
‘Oh, wow,’ said Maggie, wondering if her new friend was a mind reader. If only she could remember her name! ‘Well, thanks. I might need a lesson in the basics, too.’
‘It’ll be my pleasure,’ she said. ‘Mr Harris!’ she added, nodding at the old man who was still propping up the bar, nursing his second espresso of the morning.
‘Mrs Harcus,’ he replied with his own nod.
That was it – Sue Harcus!
Maggie did her best to stifle a giggle as Mr Harris rolled his eyes.
‘What was that for?’ murmured Maggie in amusement as soon as she was sure the Sue was out of earshot.
‘No dogs allowed at the knitting group,’ he tutted. ‘Not that McGregor really cares. Just a bunch of knots and silly sticks!’
‘You missing him, huh?’ said Maggie.
‘Don’t be soft,’ said Mr Harris. ‘He doesn’t get on very well with the cows, so it’s for the best.’
‘What do you think about the swimming group Anna was telling me about earlier?’ she said. She’d been invited to that too. In fact, she’d been invited to enough groups and events to fill up every day of the week for the rest of the year if she agreed to go to all of them.
‘Sharks,’ said Mr Harris, shaking his head. ‘And jellyfish.’
‘I thought you liked swimming with Anna?’ said Maggie in surprise.
‘I do,’ nodded Mr Harris. ‘But I have private sessions in the pool up at Crum House. It’s nice and warm in there… no sharks. You should look into it!’
‘Okay,’ said Maggie, nodding. ‘I will.’
‘Blimey girl, you’re a popular one this morning,’ said Olive, bustling over to her with a broad smile on her face.
‘Sorry!’ said Maggie automatically. ‘I didn’t mean to spend so much time gossiping!’
‘Get on with you,’ tutted Olive with a good-natured eyeroll. ‘It’s been brilliant. I think half the island has rocked up to see you this morning – and most of them stopped for a cuppa and something to eat. We’re almost out of pastries!’
Maggie breathed a sigh of relief. At least her socialising had been good for business.
‘Oh,’ said Olive, ‘I meant to say – I’ve got some half-priced diaries out the back… just in case you need to write down all these invitations you’ve been getting!’
‘Have you got a social secretary lurking out there too that I can borrow?’ Maggie laughed.
‘Not quite!’ said Olive with a grin. ‘I’ve got some stickers you could use for the important dates, though?’
‘Actually, that’d be great,’ said Maggie.
‘Only dragons or unicorns left,’ said Olive.
‘Dragons sound perfect!’
‘Should be sharks,’ muttered Mr Harris as Olive disappeared to fetch them.
