Page 12 of A Family Affair
Eating in front of strangers was a problem for some people. Her dad had hated it, and her grandad preferred his meals in the company of his family to that of strangers. Honey didn’t care a bit and wolfed down her sandwich, talking between mouthfuls about what a nightmare the street outside was if it snowed, which it often did in winter, and her cottage was on a hill and a death trap.
Honey was a chatterbox. Her capacity and desire to fill in quiet gaps had done her previous boyfriend’s head in. The fact that Levi seemed comfortable was a sign. Honey was sure.
‘So, why are you here, in High Peak? It’s a long way to come from Manchester to get cake and coffee.’ Honey took a sip of her drink. After he’d told her his name and where he lived – in the city centre, thirteen miles away – she’d reciprocated, explaining her family were from Marple, three miles away, but she’d settled in an old mill terrace on the far side of Valley Mills. A doer-upper.
At her question, Levi sat back, his body relaxed in the sofa, but his face wore a wary expression, like he was wondering what to say. ‘Do you really want to know? Or more to the point, do I really want to tell you?’ He stroked his chin, affected a ponderous look, and there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
‘Go on, tell me. I’m intrigued now.’ Honey hoped he’d share and it was areallylong story and also, that Gospel and Lizzy weren’t getting peeved with her for not helping out in the kitchen.
‘It’s really embarrassing. A very sorry tale of woe so maybe we should move on and talk about you.’ Both his eyebrows rose in an expectant kind of way.
‘Go on, be a devil. And then you can ask me something. Anything you want.’ For another coffee which will be extra hot. Or for a date.Did she just think that?
Levi puffed his cheeks then sat forward and grimaced, before starting his sad tale. ‘I’d like to make up some random story about lord knows what, but I hate fibbers so, here goes. It all started with a dating website…’
By the time he’d finished, Honey felt incredibly sorry for Levi and at the same time, even more smitten, simply because he told her the truth. Not many people would admit to that, probably not even her.
‘Oh that’s awful. What a horrible thing to do. And then you broke down. But at least it happened outside here, and you could come out of the cold.’ Honey looked on the bright side wherever she could and from the look on his face, Levi agreed.
‘Yep, every cloud and all that. But my date from hell is history now,andthat dating website. Have you ever used one? Or are you happily, you know, involved, so have no need.’
Honey’s heart did a happy dance inside her chest. That was a first. Being glad to be single. ‘Nope. Me and dating don’t go very well together; and neither do the hours I work here to be honest. My last boyfriend took the high road over a year ago, literally, and moved to Edinburgh. Couldn’t get away quick enough.’
‘I’m sure that’s not true. So, tell me about your café. How long have you been here? I love the décor; it’s really chic and homely, too.’
Honey was about to answer when movement to her left distracted her. Expecting Lizzy, telling her to get her finger out and come and help with the prep, she was surprised to see her bringing over more drinks, which she placed on the table.
‘There you go, chickens. Thought you might like a refill.’ Addressing her next comment to Honey she said, ‘We’ve got everything covered out the back, so you relax. I’ll watch the shop.’
And in true Mr Benn style, as if by magic, the little bell rung and three regulars entered the café, causing Lizzy to shoot off, but not before giving Honey a sly wink.
Honey turned to Levi. ‘I love that woman. I don’t know what I’d do without her. Right, the café, where should I start?’
CHAPTER10
Minutes later, Honey had given a brief version of how, after her dad died, she’d used the money he’d left her to put down a deposit on her little cottage terrace and take out a lease on the café. There’d not been much left over to furnish it so she’d improvised where she could.
‘What made you decide to run a café, though? Are you a trained chef?’ Levi reached for his drink and waited.
‘I went to college and studied hospitality. After I graduated, I realised that the corporate side wasn’t for me. I don’t think I’m suited to a big chain and was looking for an opportunity to change career. Just after dad died, I saw this place when I was cycling with Ziggy – she’s my best friend. It was all closed up and looked really sad. By the way, I think inanimate objects have feelings and I swear this one had tears in its eyes because it had been neglected. You can join the dots after that, and ta-da. This became my history, or my future, I suppose.’
Levi sank back and took another look around. ‘Well I think you’ve done a brilliant job and I bet your dad would be really proud of what you’ve achieved.’
Honey felt a familiar prick of tears that often welled whenever she talked about her dad, and the last thing she wanted was to start blubbing in front of a virtual stranger. To fend them off she focused on the café. ‘I’ve got loads of ideas for the place, but it’s baby steps for now. We’re doing okay, though. I just need to be patient.’
Levi nodded. ‘Agh, the impatient type. My mum says I’m too laid back for my own good, but I bet you’re the opposite. Do you open every day? You said you worked a lot of hours.’
Levi seemed genuinely interested… unless he was really a burglar, trying to work out when he could rob her chest freezer of Gospel’s stash of curried goat; or a lying con-man, who’d just rinsed some rich widow in the Lost Stag and now had his sights set on a trusting, slightly lonely thirty-three-year-old who liked crocheting blankets in her spare time. Still, his curiosity made a pleasant change.
‘We’re open Tuesday to Saturday. Sunday is our day off, but on Monday it’s open for the community – the elderly to be precise. I gave the vicar a spare key and he does the rest.’
‘Really?!’ Levi’s eyes were wide, not a unique response. Kind of like her mum’s and grandad’s when she pitched her idea to them.
‘Yes really. Look, you’ll probably think I’m mad, but I have this theory, or maybe it’s a dream and a theory, or is it an ethos? Well, anyway, I once heard an interview on the radio with a millionaire businesswoman who, as she approached retirement, decided to change her life completely.’
Honey always got fired up when she told the story, as if the spark she’d felt when she first heard it were reigniting. ‘This lady worked out how much money she would need to live comfortably for the rest of her days, put that aside, and then gave the rest away. She bought a forest, and then started a charity that trains people who have struggled in society, or been in prison, in forestry skills, carpentry, stuff like that. I just thought it was so cool and it made me think about what I want from life.’
Honey took a breath while Levi stared. So she continued. I have my little cottage that I’ll do up at my own pace. A decent wage from this place that pays my bills with a bit left over, so apart from maybe having a couple of weeks’ holiday a year somewhere warm, I don’t really have a big list of wants or needs. For me, it’s enough. I’ve never wanted to be a millionaire and I don’t crave fancy things; but I would like to help people if I can. Give more than I take, I suppose. My mum thinks I’m naïve and will get hurt or used, and that I should be looking after my future first. Grandad has come round a bit now he’s seen phase one of my plan work, and he helps by supplying veg free of charge from his allotment. I want to do more, though.’
