Page 51 of For My Finale
“You’re cooking?” Blossom said.
She was in too deep now. “Perhaps,” Lilah said carefully.
“Then it’s a date,” said Blossom.
A date. The word sent a pleasant little thrill through Lilah’s stomach. She smiled, nodded, and picked up her groceries. Yes, life was good. And it could only get better from here.
Chapter Twenty-One
Blossom wiped her hands on her apron as she moved behind the counter, then pulled a tray of used cups and plates towards herself so she could begin piling them into the sink. The morning had been steady, and she was grateful for the business. She was grateful for every single customer at this point.
She’d just started running the hot water when the door jingled and Daisy bounced in, her red Royal Mail jacket unzipped over a t-shirt that said “I Brake for Tea.” She pulled a cap off her head and beamed at Blossom.
“Afternoon!”
“Afternoon, Daze. What can I get you? The usual?”
“Yes, please. It’ll have to be a quick one though, I’ve got a lot on today. But I had to come in, because I had to tell you.”
Blossom felt her stomach dip. Surely not? Daisy was always up to date on the latest gossip, but surely no one had found out about her and Lilah yet? How could they? Well, other than the fact that Lilah had been in just this morning and the cafe had big windows and…
“Bloss?” Daisy said. “You alright?”
Blossom, not trusting herself to speak, nodded.
“So, like I was saying, I saw a bunch of blokes carrying all thefurniture in.”
“In where?” Blossom asked. This conversation was not heading in the direction she’d thought it was heading in.
“Into Coffee-To-Go,” Daisy said impatiently. “All fancy looking tables and big comfy chairs. Looks like they’re getting ready to open any day now.”
Blossom swallowed, her mouth dry. She’d known this was coming, of course, but hearing it out loud like this, hearing it in real words, it just made it all more concrete. “So they’re close to finishing, eh?” she said, trying to keep her voice light.
Daisy shrugged. “Dunno. I’m no expert. But they look like they’re moving fast. Wouldn’t be surprised if they were open in a week or two.”
Blossom had to swallow again, had to get some moisture into her mouth. She’d hoped for a bit more time than that. Time to get a more solid plan, time to save just a little more. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn’t hear the faint hissing sound behind her.
“Um, Bloss?” Daisy’s voice was hesitant. “Is that supposed to be doing that?”
“Is what supposed to be doing what?” she asked, only half paying attention.
“The machine, is it supposed to be doing that?”
“What machine?” asked Blossom.
Daisy’s eyes had widened. “I think the coffee machine’s on fire,” she yelped.
“Oh, hell.” Blossom turned and lunged to yank the plug out of the wall. Smoke stopped rising from the coffee machine. But the acrid smell of burned plastic lingered in the air.
“That’s not good,” Daisy said.
Blossom groaned and rubbed her face. “No, it’s not.”
AN HOUR LATER, a mechanic from the next town over was crouched in front of the machine, tools laid out on the counter beside him. Blossom stood with her arms crossed, watching as he poked and prodded at the inner workings of her beloved, iftemperamental, espresso machine.
“Well?” she asked, heart pounding.
The mechanic sighed, rubbing a hand over his stubbled jaw. “I can fix it,” he said. “But it won’t be cheap. Parts alone will run you a fair bit, but with labor added…” He shook his head. “Honestly? You’d be better off just buying a new one.”
