I have to stop my bike before I lose my balance as I am going too slow to keep pedalling. I stare over in their direction despite knowing that it is pointless watching them all. It only makes things more painful. But then Abe sees me from the other side of the street and waves at me. It is not his usual friendly wave but at least he is being pleasant. Sheepishly, I wave back and then start to cycle away slowly. Then I hear Beatrix shouting my name. She must have spotted Abe waving at me. At first, I pretend not to hear her and wobble about on my bike, but she runs up to me as I get stuck behind some pedestrians.
‘Hey, we’re just having a coffee break. You want to join us?’
Do I want to join them? Well, this is awkward!
‘I’m just rushing off. I have to get somewhere.’
Beatrix looks at the reusable shopping bags in my basket.
‘If you’re off to the supermarket, it doesn’t close for another few hours. How can you refuse a hot chocolate? I’ll make it with your favourite cream and a chocolate flake, on the house. Just the way you like it.’
I think about making up some spurious appointment I have before doing my shopping, but a part of me wants to see Abe and break the ice. I may as well get this over with.
‘Well, okay, if you insist.’ I smile and take a deep breath before I reach the table with Abe and his lady friend.
‘Sandy, hi,’ says Abe.
‘Hi.’ I look at Abe’s mysterious friend and greet her too. It’s not her fault she was unwittingly involved in this love triangle.
I sit down with them in silence as Beatrix heads inside to make my drink. I hope she won’t be long; every second is excruciating.
‘So, how’ve you been?’ asks Abe, finally.
‘Yeah, good. I don’t know if Beatrix told you, but it looks like a stall is coming up, so I’ve been busy getting stuff ready. You know, in case I’m lucky enough to get it.’
‘She did tell me. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you. I know how much you want it.’
‘Yeah…’
‘And here she is,’ says Abe, looking at Beatrix as she carries the hot chocolate with cream overflowing from the top threatening to spill over.
‘Thanks, looks lovely.’
‘Sandy, have you met Johanna before?’ says Beatrix.
So, her name is Johanna.
‘No, I don’t think so.’
‘Abe, you’re terrible for introducing people,’ says Beatrix, rolling her eyes at Abe.
‘Sorry.’ Abe shrugs his shoulders.
‘Sandy, since my brother is so bad at introductions, I’ll do it. This is the amazing Johanna.’
‘Good to meet you, amazing Johanna,’ I manage.
‘Johanna does a lot of work for a local dog rescue. In fact, we are joining forces and doing a rescue day here next week. We’re just planning the last details. I love that Johanna dedicates her life to finding lovely homes for shelter dogs, and we want to be a part of it.’
‘Well, now I can see why you call her amazing. That’s great.’ How am I supposed to compete with a saint like Johanna? No wonder Abe was so keen to give his phone number to her!
‘Ah, it’s not just me that can take all the thanks. My wife started the shelter before we met, and she did all the groundwork,’ says Johanna.
Her wife?
‘We arranged the date for next Saturday. Maybe you can join us? Let’s hope we can get lots of people in on the weekend,’ says Abe.
Arranged the date? Could it be that I have got it all wrong? He did try to explain that Camilla was just lonely and there was nothing going on. I jumped to conclusions then, too.
