Page 49 of For My Finale
But when Lilah paid, the older woman placed the change directly into Lilah’s hand, rather than banging it on the counter like she normally did. Lilah stopped herself from smiling, but she had the feeling that she’d passed some sort of test.
She left the shop in good spirits and was just walking past the pub when she saw someone frantically waving to her from the window.
“Lilah!”
“Arty?” she asked, stepping through the car park and coming closer.
“I’ve been trying to ring you at the cottage,” he said. “But you weren’t in.”
“Obviously not,” said Lilah. “I’m… here.”
“Yeah, right.” He scratched his head. “Look, I was wondering if you’d do me a favor and come and work a shift behind the bar this afternoon.”
“Me?” Lilah asked, raising both her eyebrows in surprise.
“I’m in a bind,” said Arty. “Anyway, you did just fine last time. I’ll pay you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“It’s not,” said Lilah. “But you should pay me if I’m going to work.”
“If?”
She shrugged. She had nothing else to do this afternoon. “Goon then.”
“Perfect,” Arty said. “Just for a couple of hours. Good girl.”
“Good girl? You can’t say things like that to a grown woman,” Lilah began.
But Arty was already pulling his head back in through the window and clanging it shut.
With a sigh, Lilah continued on her way. As she rounded the corner near the post office, Daisy pedaled past on her post-bike, looking bright and cheerful as always.
“Morning, Lilah,” she called.
“Morning Daisy.”
“Looking forward to rehearsal tonight,” Daisy said, bringing the big bike to a stop. “And have you heard the news?”
Lilah’s stomach clenched a little. Daisy’s news was almost always gossip. “What’s that then?”
“That new bloke working at the bakery’s got a boyfriend.”
“Oh,” said Lilah, surprised and gratified to find that she wasn’t the butt of the gossip for once. “Um, there’s nothing wrong with that, is there?”
“Of course not,” Daisy said, looking slightly offended. “But, and here’s the thing, the boyfriend used to work at the palace.”
“Palace?” asked Lilah.
“Buckingham Palace,” said Daisy in reverential tones. She gave Lilah a nod, as if that proved something, and kicked her pedal around to re-start her bike. “See you at rehearsal,” she said as she rode off.
Lilah shook her head and smiled to herself again as she watched Daisy go. It was strange how quickly this place had woven itself into her life.
But as she neared the cafe, she slowed her steps, drawing out the anticipation of seeing Blossom. Reveling in the morning that she’d had, the way that things were beginning to click together, the life she was starting to build.
She hadn’t expected to want to stay here. That had never been the plan. There had been no plan. But now, well, now things were starting to look a little different.
LILAH STEPPED INTO the cafe and her eyes went immediately to Blossom, standing behind the counter. A customer was paying, and Lilah paused, watching.
Blossom moved with such unconscious grace, her smile natural, her movements elegant. And Lilah couldn’t believe that just last night, she’d kissed this woman. Had held her and tasted her, had felt her respond. Her heart beat hard in her chest. The bell above the door rang as the customer left, and, just like that, the cafe was empty.
