Page 34 of Right Place, Right Time
‘Don’t worry about it,’ Harriet calls good-naturedly as she loads empty glasses and plates onto her tray. ‘I know Adam is partial to a Chelsea bun or two. I’ll let you off this time.’
‘How do you know they’re for Adam?’ I ask, relieved she’s not upset we haven’t bought lunch from her shoptoday. I do occasionally, but Harriet and Rocky specialise in old-fashioned baking in their vintage tea room, with cakes and recipes from the past. It is quite unique in Cambridge and the tourists love it. It is the sort of place you go for a treat or a special occasion, not everyday for lunch.
Harriet looks surprised. ‘Who else would you have bought lunch for? I know the two of you like to lunch together when you can.’ She gives me a knowing look.
‘It’s not that often,’ I say hurriedly. ‘I was just popping out and offered to pick something up for him, that’s all.’
Harriet nods. ‘Yes, of course, dear. It must be nice for you now he’s moved in properly.’ She lifts her tray. ‘Now you can eat lunch together every day!’
I watch her head back into the tea room and I shake my head.Typical!When I visit a rival bakery to buy Adam his lunch, it’s perfectly acceptable. If I went to Fitzbillies just for me, Harriet likely wouldn’t have spoken to me for a week!
When I first told the other shop owners that Adam was going to be taking over the bookshop, they were all delighted. Adam was welcomed into Clockmaker Court like a long-lost family member returning to take over the family business.
‘Uh-oh, did Harriet spot you’d been to Fitzbillies?’ Adam asks as he sits down next to me on the bench. ‘I saw her talking to you just now.’
‘Yes, but she was fine about it.’ I hand Adam his coffee. ‘Luckily it was for you, otherwise I’d have been in the mire.’
‘You do yourself an injustice. Everyone thinks the world of you here.’
I’m touched, but a little embarrassed by his kind words. ‘Perhaps. But somehow you seem to get away with more. Tell me, how do you do that? I’ve been here for yearsand it took ages for them to fully accept me running my grandparents’ shop, yet you waltz in as a newcomer and everyone loves you immediately.’
Adam grins. ‘My charm and good looks, obviously!’
‘Obviouslyeveryone else is seeing something I’m not, then!’ I take a sip of my coffee.
‘Ha ha, touché! Seriously, though, I know I haven’t opened yet, but I really am so pleased I made the decision to come here,’ he says, taking in the buildings around him. ‘Everyone has been so welcoming to me. It feels like a whole new beginning, like I’m moving on to the next stage of my life. I think my grandfather would have been proud this is what I’m doing with my inheritance.’
‘I think you’re right – he would be very proud.’ I put my coffee down on the bench between us. ‘Talking of your grandfather, I saw Ben when I was getting lunch. He’s much better now and he’s coming back to his shop soon.’
‘Great, that’s good to know.’
‘I told him we wanted to have a little chat with him about those photos we found when he is back.’
‘What did he say?’
‘Not a lot, but then Ben never does.’
‘Good,’ Adam says, nodding. ‘It would be great if he knew how Dotty and Archie knew each other. Is it all right if I have my bun now?’ he asks, sounding like a little boy asking for his sweeties.
‘Of course.’ I take a bun myself before handing him the bag.
Adam takes a bite of his Chelsea bun. While he happily munches on the sweet fruit-filled cake, he looks around Clockmaker Court.
‘Have you ever noticed the buildings are a little odd here?’ he asks in between mouthfuls.
‘In what way?’
‘Well, why isn’t there a number seven?’
‘What do you mean, there isn’t a seven? Your shop is number seven, isn’t it?’
‘No, I’m number eight.’
‘Are you sure?’ I ask, looking over to Adam’s shop. ‘I always thought the bookshop was seven.’
‘Of course I’m sure. I’ve just bought the building. It says it’s eight Clockmaker Court in all the paperwork. I only knew yours was number six because I picked up some post for you one day from Orla’s.’
Over time, many of the buildings within Clockmaker Court have been split into flats and shops, making delivering letters and parcels a bit of a nightmare. So, instead, any deliveries are now always left at one of the shops at the entrance to the close, and every day we all take it in turns to collect each other’s mail and deliver it around the court.
