Page 23 of Autumn at the Oak Leaf Café
Ruby’s orange-framed face appeared. She looked like a giant, real life corn doll.
‘There’s a guy out here who’s absolutely bang on for you,’ she hissed. ‘Like, you’d need to smarten up a bit and drop the hippy skirts, maybe cut your hair about half, but he’s totally your type, and he looks about your age.’
Madeline sighed. ‘He’s three years older than me. I know exactly how old he is because he used to be my boyfriend.’
Ruby stared. ‘You gave up that suit? Seriously? I mean, I expect he’s totally boring, but he probably drives a Merc. I wouldn’t be seen dead with someone like that, but I’m talking about for you. Easy middle-aged life on the cards. Yoga, painting classes, and sitting in cafés like this, rather than working in one.’
‘Excuse me?’ came a familiar voice. ‘Can I order one more?’
‘He’s not going away,’ Ruby said, trying to pull open the door. ‘Just swallow a can of toughen-the-hell up and get out here.’
Madeline took a deep breath. ‘All right, I’m coming.’
Ruby went off to serve Rory. Madeline closed her eyes for a moment, steeling herself, then stood up, opened the door, and stepped out. She took two steps forward, turned left past a protruding wall, and there he was, standing in front of her.
‘Huh? Oh, wow. Madeline? Is that you?’
Madeline just spread her hands. ‘Me? Ah, yes, I suppose it is.’
‘You work here?’
‘I’m the acting manager. I was just doing … stock check.’
Ruby turned back, catching Madeline’s eyes and smiling. ‘Did you flush the toilet?’ she asked.
Under the promise of double-time, Ruby took Hazel off to the vet for her vaccinations, leaving Madeline and Rory to talk in private. Madeline flipped over the sign to CLOSED, got herself a coffee, and sat down across from him. Outside, the fog had closed in again, turning the Oak Leaf Café into the only café left in the world.
‘Of all the places to bump into you,’ Rory said, giving her that easy smile that had defined him. ‘I mean, I haven’t been in here in years. I was just passing through, figured it might be a good time to stop by for a coffee, and well, here you are.’ He chuckled. ‘Well, after a stock check.’
Madeline grimaced. ‘I think I’m eating too much sugar.’
She told him about taking over as temporary manager in Angela’s absence. He listened with that attentive way that she had always loved about him, his eyes rarely leaving hers, pausing for a couple of seconds after she had finished before replying, proving he was absorbing what she said. If anything, he was a better listener now than he had been before. He looked better, too. His hair was neater, his body tight and toned, his skin clear. He had obviously aged, but aging seemed to suit him.
‘I work in the private sector,’ he told her, when she asked what he did now. ‘I’m sorry to have turned all boring and corporate, but I needed to grow up, really. I needed to do something mature. It might not be saving the rainforests, but I’m doing my part.’
‘That’s nice,’ Madeline said. ‘What exactly do you do?’
‘I work in recreation,’ Rory said. ‘More specifically, accessibility. I create ways for more people than ever before to enjoy their leisure time.’
‘That’s kind of you,’ Madeline said, not really having a clue what he meant. The sincerity in his voice was enough, though. ‘Not everyone can save the rainforests, can they? But it sounds like you’re doing your part.’
‘Oh, I am,’ Rory said.
Madeline stared as he drank the last of his coffee, then looked at an expensive watch and sighed.
‘No rest for the wicked,’ he said. ‘I’m afraid I’ve got yet other corporate type meeting. Let’s see if I can make these people happy.’ He turned to her. ‘It was lovely to meet you again, Madeline. I enjoyed our talk. If you don’t mind, I’d love to stop by again sometime.’
‘Anytime,’ Madeline said, a little too quickly. Before she could help herself, she reached out and patted Rory’s hand. He didn’t react, but he looked down and smiled.
‘It really was good to see you again.’
‘And you.’
He picked up his briefcase and umbrella, and went out. Madeline watched him go, walking around the gentle arc towards the mosaic plaza and the children’s playground beyond, but he soon became little more than a silhouette in the fog. Just before he faded out of sight, however, Madeline was sure he paused and looked back.
She was sitting in the corner table, staring at the space Rory had recently vacated when the door opened and Ruby came in, Hazel’s carry box under her arm.
‘You owe me fifteen quid,’ Ruby said, putting the box down on the ground and opening the door. Hazel, mewing, came scampering out. She ran to Madeline’s leg, inserted her claws into Madeline’s flesh, and began to climb. Madeline, grimacing, scooped the little cat up on to her lap before too much laceration could take place.
