Page 35 of Your Carriage Awaits in Crumbleton
‘Ooh, remember those stacks of pancakes with the maple syrup and bacon?’ said her dad, his eyes lighting up.
‘Yeah… you didn’t like that idea much to begin with, did you, Brian?!’ chuckled her mum.
‘Didn’t take me long to have my head turned, though!’ he said, taking a sip of Coke.
‘Honestly, love,’ said her mum, ‘it’s a shame you stopped.’
‘Yeah, well,’ Michelle shrugged. ‘Life got in the way, didn’t it?’
‘But with that degree of yours, I was always sure you’d end up doing something food-related.’
‘Yep. But then I met Lawrence and had to get a job and…’ Michelle trailed off.
Lawrence had hated her style of cooking, and it hadn’t taken long before he’d managed to suck all of the joy out of it. Her shiny dream had quickly turned into something that felt like a failure because she’d never been brave enough to defend it and take the final leap.
‘Anyway, that’s over now,’ she said, not wanting thoughts of that idiot to tarnish the moment. ‘Actually, there’s something I’d like to talk to you guys about. Something I need to tell you.’
Her parents exchanged a quick glance but stayed quiet, waiting for her to continue.
‘I didn’t just leave Lawrence,’ said Michelle. ‘I left my job too. I hated it there. I know it probably sounds completely irresponsible and stupid… and I really should have told you straight away… I just didn’t want to be even more of a disappointment.’
‘You’veneverbeen a disappointment!’ said her dad, looking shocked.
‘Not once,’ said her mum, shaking her head.
‘What, not every single time you called me a Chaos Magnet?!’ said Michelle. She’d meant it as a joke, but her voice had come out all leaden and flat.
‘Love… I think you might have the wrong end of the stick,’ said Brian, putting his burger down and giving her his full attention.
‘Yes,’ said her mum, her eyes wide. ‘We always called you that because… well… everyone turned to you tofixtheir problems! You mended toys, baked birthday cupcakes, put plasters on scraped knees…’
‘See. Chaos Magnet!’ laughed her dad. ‘That’s how it started, but then… it was just your nickname.’
Michelle stared at them, open-mouthed. It felt like a huge weight had just fallen from her shoulders. All that worry… all that judgement… she’d just been heaping it onto herself!
‘So… whatareyour plans for work?’ said her mum. There was nothing other than genuine curiosity in her voice.
‘Well,’ said Michelle, with a gentle shake of her head as she tried to adjust to this new version of reality, ‘I’ve been thinking… instead of taking another job just because it pays well, maybe I should try something different. Something I actuallywantto do.’
‘Like what?’ asked her dad.
‘Well,’ she gestured around the kitchen, at the gingham tablecloth and vintage bottles and carefully plated food. ‘Like this! I’ve always had this mad dream about opening a proper American-style diner. You know, 1950s theme, jukeboxes, milkshakes, the works. I know it sounds completely nuts?—’
‘It doesn’t sound nuts at all,’ interrupted her mum. ‘It sounds wonderful!’
‘Really?’ Michelle blinked in surprise.
‘Really,’ said her dad firmly. ‘You’ve got a real talent for this, love. Always have had. And if this is what makes you happy…’
‘We just want you to be happy,’ finished her mum. ‘After everything that’s happened, seeing you light up like this… I think it’s the first time you’ve looked properly yourself since you came home.’
Michelle swallowed hard. ‘You don’t think it’s a terrible idea? Opening a restaurant with no experience?’
‘You’ve got more experience than you think,’ said her dad. ‘If you ask me, you’ve been building up to this for years… and passion counts for a lot. Of course, if you need us, we’d be happy to help any way we can. Your mum’s got a head for numbers, and I know every supplier and tradesman in a fifty-mile radius.’
‘Thank you,’ said Michelle, overwhelmed by their automatic support. ‘I’ll probably be taking you up on that offer!’
‘Good,’ laughed her mum. ‘I can’t wait to hear every little detail. I’m always happy to be a sounding board for your ideas!’
