‘I’ll be there tomorrow for that.’ Demi pulled out her phone. ‘I go to sobriety ones as well, and you know how we have sponsors that help us when we’re feeling on edge, so to speak?’
Jamie nodded.
‘Well, we can have the same sort of thing at Butterfly. So, if you want, we could swap numbers, and any time you feel you might slip into your old ways, you can call me to talk you down.’
He appreciated her kindness. ‘I don’t have a phone just yet.’
‘Let me write my number down for you. You can always ring from the B&B if you need me.’ She removed a small notepad from her handbag and jotted down her number. ‘It’s up to you.’
He didn’t feel he needed it but took the torn paper anyway, thanking her.
They got off the bus and headed towards their homes, saying goodbye at the Jolly Pirate pub.
Jamie was about to head inside the B&B when he spotted Will outside the tearoom just along the road. He called out, then made his way over.
‘Hey, Jamie. Been shopping, I see.’
Jamie glanced at his bags. ‘Yeah. Hey, listen, I was wondering if I could talk to you about any shifts going.’
‘Sure, come inside. I’ll grab you a coffee or something.’
Jamie followed him into the cosy tea shop and sat at the table near the window, pleased to see no one had swiped the tearoom’s Christmas lights. At least whoever had taken Alice’s didn’t return for another go.
He leaned back against the exposed brick wall and placed a hand on the boat-print tablecloth, thinking how nice everything looked. The scent of fresh coffee filled the air, and a waft of chocolate cake came from a woman’s plate at a nearby table.
‘Tea or coffee?’ asked Will. ‘Or hot chocolate?’
‘Black coffee is fine, thanks.’
Will brought the drinks over, then gestured at the glass counter by the till. ‘You want some cake?’
‘No, thanks. Spoil my lunch.’ Jamie laughed.
‘So, tell me, Jamie, what you’ve got in mind. Café or tearoom?’
‘I’m not fussed. Wherever you need your floors mopping.’
‘Oh, I’m sure we can get you doing a bit more than that.’
‘I’ve got an evening course lined up to start in January, so I just need some daytime work until I get the skills I need to start my own business.’
Will beamed like a proud father. ‘Brilliant. Doing what?’
‘Website design.’
‘Lottie runs the website for the Hub. She’s self-taught, but perhaps she could give you a few pointers while you’re waiting for your course to begin.’
It was a nice thought, but he wasn’t too sure Lottie had forgiven him enough to sit side by side with him as his teacher.
He stayed awhile with Will, arranging shifts, mostly at the café, then headed back home, looking forward to seeing Alice.
Benny was behind the desk, reading.
‘No school?’
‘Heating went, so we got sent home.’
‘Alice about?’
