Page 65 of The Gingerbread Cafe
To Gretel’s surprise, Miss Whimple picked up her polystyrene cup and chucked it in a bin. ‘Wanna walk?’
Gretel nodded, and they continued their pace along Penny Road, away from the Whimple family’s office.
‘So the thing you were going to say about Lukas?’ Gretel said quietly, taking cautious footsteps in the snow. She did feel a bit sorry for the woman, but she wasn’t here to massage her wounds or praise her work ethic.
Miss Whimple screwed up her face as though her brain cells were having an argument, before giving up with a sigh. ‘Lukas told me the day before the fair that he was falling for the café and he didn’t want to sell it to me. Or to anyone. That’s what pushed me to take those photos of that mole of yours, although to be fair, the thing was quite happy to run around nicking gingerbread when I let him.’ She shrugged like her actions were perfectly acceptable. ‘I thought a few leaked pics to the papers and Environmental Health might persuade Lukas he was onto a loser with that place.’
They passed a couple of boarded-up shops and Gretel’s heart felt sad.
‘But I heard you speaking to Lukas on the phone, the morning after the fair,’ said Gretel. ‘He was telling you about the restaurant he was planning and the fancy food he wanted to create. How is he going to pay for that if we don’t sell the café? Or is he planning to gut the café and turn it into a Michelin-star-seeking place?’ The very thought of it turned Gretel’s stomach.
‘Seriously, it’s not my idea to share. When I spoke to him he was like an irritating, excitable puppy, but he was embarrassed to share it with you so soon into yourthing.’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘It’s more of a longer-term concept. But he’s not planningon selling or gutting the place. Weirdly, he wants the two of you to keep the café and let it evolve however feels right. His idea doesn’t affect any of that, and actually, you’d probably like it. It’s annoyingly ingenious.’
Gretel blew out a long breath. ‘Oh gosh, really?’ If Miss Whimple was telling the truth, it sounded like she’d got completely the wrong end of the stick when she’d overheard that conversation. The way she’d behaved. The things she’d said to him. She put a hand on her spinning head. She’d have some serious making up to do – though she had no idea what Lukas’s grand plan could be, or if he’d want anything to do with her after their arguments. ‘But why would he tell you that stuff?’
‘We used to be mates in high school. We both had shit dads, so we had plenty to rant about. Though he’s been a hell of a lot less ranty lately. Maybe someone’s cheered him up a bit.’ Miss Whimple gave a small laugh, as though it was hard to believe.
‘And why are you telling me this? You’ve never liked me, and aren’t you more likely to get your hands on the café if Lukas and I are rowing?’
Gretel moved to avoid a man coming out of the 99p shop, laden with bounty. When he saw Miss Whimple, he ducked to avoid her.
‘Like I said, I’m out of there. And you can bet Whimple & Sons won’t be arsed to put in the hard graft to talk the shop owners in Green Tree Lane into selling. That village has become as tight knit as one of your weirdo festive jumpers. No offence.’ She waved an apologetic hand.
The motion made Gretel slide on a patch of ice and Miss Whimple grabbed her arm. Gretel nodded a thank you, and they continued their walk.
‘As much as you used to annoy me, you were there for Amber when she was going through some difficult stuff at school. None of us realised, or knew she was skiving. She reckons you didn’teither. But you created a safe space for her when she felt she had no one to turn to.’ Was Miss Whimple’s voice actually wobbling? ‘I feel dreadful that I wasn’t decent enough to be that person, and even worse that I’ve been turning into a freaking bully to impress an idiot who’s no better. Sodding family, hey? Sorry. Not to be ungrateful or whatever.’
Gretel tried not to be offended. She could tell the woman was trying, even if it would take a while for her to morph into a fully reasonable human.
They came to the end of Penny Road, which forked off in two directions.
‘Right,’ said Gretel, awkwardly. Despite their chat, she still felt nervous about asking this. ‘Francesca, I still need you to do something for me. In fact, you ought to do this, to put things straight.’ She fiddled with the sleeve of her coat. ‘I want you to admit to the newspaper you were spreading fake news and to tell the truth. Get them to print a new report. The fair was a success, and it’s not fair to the village for the whole thing to be overshadowed by bogus scandal.’ Even in the chilly weather, Gretel’s palms were sweating. But she wasn’t backing down.
Miss Whimple kicked at a patch of snow with her black and gold trainer. ‘Tell the papers I made the whole thing up? That’s pretty embarrassing.’
Gretel shrugged. ‘You said no publicity was bad publicity. I’m sure you can spin it into something useful. Maybe you can tell the world you’ve changed and start off an anti-bullying campaign or something. You’re a clever woman, aren’t you?’ It didn’t hurt to massage her ego a tiny bit, if it meant getting her to fix things.
‘Yeah, I am pretty clever.’ Miss Whimple nodded her gratitude. ‘And you know what? Now and again, you show a bit of promise too. For someone who used to dress like one of Santa’s little helpers, obvs. I mean, you managed to bring thatdead old café and street back to life. Maybe you’re a people person.’
Gretel wasn’t sure she was ready to believe that. ‘So you’ll do it?’ she asked, trying not to hold her breath.
‘Not sure I’ll name and shame myself, but I’ll make sure the paper knows it was fake news and I’ll get them to print a retraction. If you promise to keep being there for Amber, that is.’
It sounded like an easy enough deal. Gretel stuck her hand out like she’d seen businessy people do on telly, and they shook on it, before stepping off in their separate directions.
And after that small victory, it was time for Gretel to fix a few more things.
Chapter 53
Gretel jumped back into the car, where her three wise women were waiting. There was a hopeful pause before Gretel’s face broke into a grin, and all four of them began bouncing in their seats and cheering, the little flower-patterned car rocking around like a dinky toy. Gretel filled them in on her chat with Swingy Bob Whimple.
‘So what next?’ Amber asked.
Gretel scratched her head. ‘Have you still got your trusty brainstorming pad?’
‘Damned right I have.’
‘Then it’s time to make ourHome Aloneinspired battle plan.’
