Page 28 of The Rebound
“Then why do you sound like that?”
“Honestly?” She shrugs. “It’s expensive.”
“Three-fifty for a croissant,” Tomasz says gravely. “A plain one.”
“Eilish does lovely coffees at the pub,” Louise continues, looking back to the menu. “And soon you’ll have all the pop-up places when the summer starts. I don’t think it’s going to last.”
“Their hot chocolate is nice though,” Tomasz adds at the look on my face. “They give you free marshmallows.”
“Beth only opened it a few months ago,” I say, feeling oddly defensive. “Give her a chance.”
Louise turns to me. “When did you meet Beth?”
“The other day. She wanted me to help her out with some marketing.”
“You’re not in marketing.”
“I know but she—”
“Did you say yes?”
“No,” I say stiffening at the interrogation. “Like you said, I don’t do marketing.”
The one server appears with a basket of breadsticks and we all smile pleasantly until he leaves.
“Did you ask Abby about the stall?” Tomasz asks, reaching for a handful. “For the Easter Fun Day?”
I have to smile. “They still do that?”
“Andrew insists on it every year,” she says, and I picture the unofficial but very dedicated village mayor.
“Last year they had the weather lady as the guest of honor,” Tomasz says. “The six o’clock one.”
“We rent a stall for the charity,” Louise continues. “If you’re still around, I could use your help signing people up.”
“I’ll be here,” I say. “I used to love Easter Fun Day.”
“When is your flight anyway?”
I pause, annoyed by this perfect opening to tell her. We’re in public too, so it’s not like it can go that badly. But she’s not in a good mood. If anything, I feel like she’s waiting for me to give the wrong answer so she can find a reason to be angry with me.
“I haven’t booked it yet,” I say with what I hope is a convincing smile. “I might wait until after the Easter break for the prices to go down.”
She accepts this as reasonable excuse and returns to her menu while across the room a tired-looking man now tries to distract the toddler with a video of Peppa Pig.
“Will you remind me to give those hedge clippers back to Luke?” Louise says, reaching for her water. “I think he borrowed them off Sean.”
Tomasz nods absently, twirling a breadstick in his hand.
“Does he often come for lunch?” I ask.
“Luke?” Louise shrugs. “Not really. He’s busy. Pat and Susan come by every other week.”
“I almost didn’t recognize him.”
“Well, that’s what happens when you don’t visit,” she says.
Alright. Fair. “But he looks different, doesn’t he?”
