Page 42 of Autumn at the Oak Leaf Café
‘You have to call him out on this next time he shows up. You can’t have him playing you for a mug. Promise me?’ Ruby held up her fingers in a weird fork shape.
‘What’s that?’
‘Secret code for yes. I made a new version, because no one takes the old versions seriously anymore.’
‘Oh, okay.’
‘Touch it.’
Madeline pressed her fingers against Ruby’s. ‘Promise.’
‘You have to touch all three in a kind of piano motion, one at a time.’
‘Seriously?’
‘Yes. Just do it.’
‘I promise.’
‘No, you have to say “I promise” as you roll your fingers across mine.’
‘Can’t we do something easier?’
‘No, because this seals it. You have to call him out. If you don’t … well, that’s something you’ll have to live with.’
‘Got it.’
‘Good.’
Wednesday was a little overcast but still warm, so the café was fairly busy, all the dog walkers and couples coming in for afternoon coffee. Madeline was on edge as her date with Darren approached, and Ruby delighted in winding her up about it, at one point even taking down the clock above the counter and winding it forwards two hours while Madeline was in the kitchen, throwing her into a sudden panic when she saw it showing ten to five.
‘Just … relax.’
‘I’m trying to. It’s not easy. I haven’t been on a date in years.’
‘Look, if it makes you feel better, he’s nervous as hell. He texted me last night to ask what colours you like. I think he was selecting his clothes or something.’
‘What did you tell him?’
‘I said you’re a sucker for lemon yellow and lime green, and that you really like luminous headbands.’
‘Seriously?’
Ruby rolled her eyes. ‘No, of course not. I told him to stop being such a tool and wear whatever he liked.’
‘Thank god for that.’
‘And that as long as he remembered the headband, he was all good.’
Madeline just shook her head. ‘Well, I suppose I should be happy if he shows up.’
‘He will. Barring a car crash or a sudden onset of mad cow disease, he’ll be here.’
‘Do you think I look okay?’
‘You look pretty much the same as you did all of last week, so I imagine you’ll be fine.’
‘I can’t believe I’m asking for dating advice from a student.’
