Page 49 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
‘Wedon’t open until seven, hon.’
Fee startled as the middle-aged bleached blonde who’d served them yesterday appeared at her shoulder. ‘Oh, thanks. I’ll wander around town for a while.’
‘Desperate for your morning coffee fix?’ The woman’s welcoming smile forced Fee to be honest.
‘No, I never drink coffee. I’m really here to use your Wi-Fi… although I do intend to have breakfast.’She didn’t want to give the impression she was taking advantage without intending to give the cafe any business.
The woman smiled. ‘Come on in. I’m Brenda by the way. You can do your emails and whatever while I get the coffee on and start cooking.’ Fee was ushered inside before she could protest and settled at a prime seat by the window. ‘You have a look over the menu while I get organised.’
She did as she was told and selected scrambled egg whites with turkey sausage and Earl Grey tea. Left alone while Brenda bustled around in the kitchen she fished out her tablet and logged on. With Allain Dupre’s message open Fee worked on composing a reply.
The cluster of bells hanging over the door chimed and she glanced up to see Tom standing there, haggard and grey-faced.
‘We’re not open yet, love, but you might as well come in too.’ Brenda’s shrewd glance at the two of them turned into a knowing smile. ‘I’m guessin’ you’re together?’
He raised an eyebrow in her direction.
Fee nodded and gestured to the chair next to her. She kept her face blank and unrevealing while smiling inside. He wouldn’t expect her to make this easy and she had no intentionof disappointing him.
