Lucy loves a proper afternoon tea, so I made sure to bring some cakes from the shop, and I’ll put together a few sandwiches in a minute.
“Strawberry, please!” she squeals, running up the steps after me.
She climbs onto the bar stool by the kitchen island.
“Is Ivy coming over for tea?” she asks, snatching a piece of ham from the open packed I was just about to use for our sandwiches.
“No, Ladybug, she’ll be having dinner in her tent, remember?”
“Oh.” Lucy looks disappointed, then brightens. “Can we save her some cake? This one has strawberries. Ivy likes strawberries. Maybe she’ll visit us.”
I look from the tiny cream cake with a few strawberries perched on it to Lucy and back at the cake.How could I say no to that?Under Lu’s watchful eyes, I place the little round cake into a plastic pot and store it in the fridge. Lucy beams at me before tucking into her own cake, humming happily between bites.
I take a sip of my tea, putting on my most serious voice. “Ah yes, a fine vintage. The delicate notes of… strawberry and… very serious sweetness.”
Lucy giggles. “Mine tastes like yummy!”
“Ah, the finest flavour,” I nod. “And what do you think of the cake, madam?”
She takes an exaggerated bite, chewing thoughtfully. “Hmm… it’s good. But it needs more…” She taps her chin like she’s thinking very hard. “More cream. And more strawberries. And more cake.”
I gasp. “More cake? But then we’d have too much cake!”
Lucy shakes her head, looking at me like I’m completely ridiculous. “Daddy, there’s no such thing as too much cake.”
I sit back, pretending to be shocked. “No such thing? My whole life hasbeen a lie!”
She bursts into giggles, nearly spilling her tea. Wiping her chin with the back of her hand, she sits up straighter and sticks out her pinky, grinning.
“Look, Daddy! Fancy!”
I nod solemnly. “Very fancy. You, madam, are the fanciest lady in all the land.”
She beams. “I am Queen Lucy of Cake Land.”
“Well then, Queen Lucy,” I bow my head. “Would Your Majesty like a ham and cheese sandwich and maybe another cup of tea?”
“Yes, please!” She slides her cup over to me. “And make it extra fun.”
“Ah, extra fun tea, coming right up.” I drop the tea bag with some added drama into the mug and then pour water over it with an exaggerated flourish, making her giggle again.
As I pass Lucy her tea, a low rumble rolls through the sky. Distant but heavy, the kind that lingers in the air.
I glance towards the window. The dark clouds that had been gathering earlier have thickened, swallowing what’s left of the blue sky. The wind stirs the trees at the edge of the field, their branches swaying. It’s coming in fast.
Lucy doesn’t notice at first. She’s too busy dunking a biscuit into her tea, watching as it soaks up the liquid before quickly popping it into her mouth. But when another rumble follows, louder this time, she pauses.
I try to ignore the uneasy feeling creeping up my spine.
I picture her out there, alone in that tiny tent that didn’t look like the sturdiest model on the market. I quite like thunderstorms but not when I am camping in a field and I doubt Ivy will enjoy it much. I just wish there was reception at the camping ground so I could check in with her.
The wind suddenly picks up, whistling around the cottage. The door to the patio rattles in its frame, making Lucy jump.
I stand up, crossing the room to shut it properly. As I slide it closed, a flash of lightning flickers in the distance, illuminating the storm clouds for a split second before plunging everything back into grey. The air feels thick, charged.
Lucy has gone quiet.
“Daddy?” Her voice is small. “Is it gonna be a big storm?”
