Page 44 of Clara's Secret Garden
My aim, regarding Lois and Rory, is to avoid them as much aspossible without it being obvious what I’m doing. And the Little Duck Pond Caféturns out to be my biggest ally in this.
The lovebirds seem to see each other at weekends and onWednesday nights. And after feeling like a spare body part at a party duringtheir first mid-week date at home (Lois cooked for Rory, taking over thekitchen with candles and spaghetti and lots of dirty pans left in the sink), Iwas more than relieved to learn that the following Wednesday evening, Ellie washolding a ‘Belter Bette Davis night’ at the café. What’s more, I was veryfamiliar with the two black and white movies being shown. The unashamedlyromanticNow, VoyagerandDark Victoryare two of Gran’s all-timefavourite films, so I invited her along and escaped the house for once.
As it turned out, Lois and Rory spent the evening at Rory’sflat. But Gran and I had a lovely night. Gran was delighted to catch up with someof her Women’s Institute friends, and Ellie introduced me to Madison and Katja,who work at the café and were there to help out that night.
During the conversation, Madison worked out that Lois was mystep-sister and asked was it true that she was dumped by the millionaire,Ronnie Weeks, because she was caught trying to stuff his diamond-encrustedeagle with emeralds for eyes into a Tesco bag and hawk it in the pawn shop?
Katja looked at Madison, appalled, and turned as red as atomato.
But I just laughed heartily and said that was Chinesewhispers for you. Lois was a lot of things, but she most definitely wasn’t athief. I felt sad for Lois, though, imagining how she must have felt if she’dbeen aware of some of the rumours that were flying around after her break-upwith Ronnie.
‘You and Lois would really get on,’ I said to Madison with agrin. ‘Shedoesn’t mince her words, either.’
We got onto the subject of work and I mentioned that nowBertie was back at school and wouldn’t need me through the day, I was thinkingof trying to get a part-time job that would dovetail with school hours. AndKatja nodded and said they were losing one of their part-timers, a girl calledKenzie, so maybe I should apply?
Interested, I asked why Kenzie was leaving.
‘Oh, she’s a fabulous potter and her business has taken offbig-time now that she’s got studio space in the artisan crafts community atBrambleberry Manor,’ Madison explained. ‘She has some of her pieces in a localgallery and she can hardly keep up with demand.’
‘She was nearly in tears telling Ellie she’d have to leave,’Katja adds. ‘We’re a jolly little team. And yes, there’s definitely a vacancyhere, Clara.’
I tell Gran about it later on the drive back to the cottage.
‘That sounds perfect.’ She turns and beams at me. ‘It’s hightime you did something for yourself, my love. I know Bertie needs you becausethat useless layabout Irene can’t be trusted to look after him. But I long tosee you spread your wings and do something you love with your life.’
‘Bertie is everything, Gran. I have to be there to steer himin the right direction.’
‘Of course you do. And you’re doing an absolutely brilliantjob. But... why not at least find out a bit more about thejob? See if you like the sound of it?’
I smile. ‘Maybe I’ll talk to Ellie.’
‘Good.’
‘Has Shaun been back round to see you?’
‘Yes. He’s a nice boy.’ She hesitates. ‘He was...asking me about you.’
‘Really?’ I grin. ‘What did you tell him?’
‘Lovely things, obviously. I think he might ask you out.’
‘Oh.’ I swallow. ‘Did he say that?’
‘Well, no. He didn’t have to. It’s obvious he likes you.’
I glance at her, puzzled by her serious tone. ‘But you don’tthink I should say yes?’
She laughs. ‘Oh, I’m not saying that.’ She shrugs. ‘Isuppose I was quite pleased when I found out that you and Rory had been workingon the garden together. I know you’ve liked him for a long time, and I hoped...but then the lovely Lois made that dramatic speech in my kitchen.’ She flicksher eyes to the car roof.
I laugh. ‘Lois is all right. Once you get used to her.’
Gran snorts. ‘She’s a chip off the old block if you ask me.Totally self-centred. Mind you, with a mother like Irene, it’s hardly asurprise.’
‘They seem... happy together. Lois andRory.’
‘Well, good for them.’ She folds her arms grumpily.
I chuckle. ‘I’m glad Sylvia was there. You seemed to behaving a proper old catch-up. She said something funny, though, when I firstmet her. I’ve just remembered.’
