‘I almost forgot. Sorry, everyone,’ she shouted. ‘Becky has the kettle on, so I think it’s about time to do this.’ The small pair of scissors she had ready finally came into play and with a flourish she snipped the ribbon. ‘To celebrate the café opening, I want you to enjoy whatever you like as my gift.’ Tamara grabbed Gage for one swift kiss and a tight hug. That was the ration for now. ‘With all this captive audience you should sell a load of books too.’
‘Tyrant.’ Gage’s fake grumble made her smile.
* * *
‘Are you ever going to stop grinning?’ Paul slammed a brimming pint in front of Gage. ‘You would think no one else ever fell in love with a pretty maid before. I know you’re over the moon Tamara’s moved in, but just wait till she gets you up the aisle. It’ll all change then.’
Gage laughed and shook his head. ‘Give us a chance.’
Although it was February already, this was the year’s inaugural meeting of the Book Club Refugees as they’d decided to postpone the January meeting because of Evelyn’s loss.
The pub kitchen was still out of commission, but the brewery had pushed to get the roof repairs done quickly so the new licensees could at least reopen the bar. It was odd not to see Pixie presiding over things, but she’d made the move to Cardiff over the holidays and life moved on.
‘Leave him be.’ Nathan clapped a hand on Gage’s shoulder. ‘Don’t take any notice of this old misery guts.’
‘I think it’s great,’ Tessa said. ‘I’ve got a bit of news as well.’ Her face flushed. ‘Amy and I have been together five years, so we thought we’d make it official and tie the knot.’
‘That’s bloody terrific.’ Gage spoke first and was followed swiftly by all the others. ‘When’s the big day?’
‘Probably in the summer. We’re thinking a destination wedding somewhere warm, Jamaica maybe. We don’t have to consider our families because I doubt any of them will come wherever it is.’ Her careless shrug didn’t match the flicker of sadness in her eyes. It was common knowledge that Amy’s parents had cut her off when she and Tessa had become a couple, but the younger woman’s background was more of a mystery.
‘We’ll have a party here when you’ve done the deed,’ Barry said stoutly. ‘Nothing like a wedding for a good old knees-up.’
‘My wife’s already informed me that she expects a second party after we do the official thing at the register office. Apparently, fake ones don’t count.’ Quinten’s plump cheeks turned pink. ‘Not that she didn’t appreciate the New Year’s Eve one, especially knowing I’d thought of it for Ophelia’s sake . . .’ He didn’t drop his head fast enough to hide his emotions.
Nathan chimed in. ‘You and Tamara certainly haven’t wasted any time moving in together.’
‘Good on you, I say.’ Quinten’s voice was unsteady. ‘I know it’s not the same, but Evelyn and Ophelia almost left it too late to reconcile. None of us know how long we’ve got, so make the most of every second, young man.’
‘On that note, I’ll get another round in before we go our separate ways.’ Harry levered off the chair. ‘We’ll need the strength to hear the gossip from tonight, and, as a distant afterthought, what books we’ll be forced to hear about this year.’ He chuckled. ‘From what I’m hearing, you’ve joined the saintlyNathan who reads and discusses the books with his good lady wife.’
Gage didn’t try to deny it.
‘That’s going too far for me but it’s all good for business, right?’ Harry joked.
‘You hit the nail on the head there!’
* * *
‘So, are we all agreed on books set in different countries for this year’s theme?’ Evelyn said briskly. ‘It’s an excellent idea and should broaden our outlooks on the world.’
The clear implication was that living in rural Cornwall was no excuse for becoming isolated and ignorant. That was something she’d pounded into their heads for years at school. She’d reinforced the idea that even if they didn’t get the opportunity to travel in the physical sense, the world was still their oyster if they made a point of exploring it through books and other media.
If Tamara dared look at Laura, they’d start giggling and send their indomitable leader back into headteacher mode.
‘Tamara, we know your mind is elsewhere, but could we have your attention for a minute? Amy has a clever idea and we want your opinion.’
‘Sorry, I was—’
‘Daydreaming? I know,’ Evelyn’s voice softened. Her frown lines smoothed and a new sense of empathy poured out of her. ‘I’m finding it a little hard to focus tonight as well.’
Of course, her distractedness wasn’t for joyful reasons. She hadn’t mentioned Ophelia so they’d followed her lead, guessing she needed a mental break from her grief for a couple of hours.
‘Amy, why don’t you explain it again for the benefit of those who missed it the first time,’ said Evelyn.
‘Don’t worry, lovey. I was mentally planning my meals for the week,’ Becky whispered.
Amy ran a hand over her sleek black hair. She was such a contrast to the ebullient Tess, with her shaggy blonde mop and happy-go-lucky manner. ‘I know we all enjoy hosting book club, but perhaps we might make a change this year?’ She aimed her next words at Tamara. ‘I’ve heard Gage wants to expand events at the bookshop, and I wondered if he might be open to the idea of staying open late once a month so we could meet there?’ A rare impish smile changed her whole appearance. ‘It needn’t put a stop to him joining the Book Club Refugees booze-up because you could make sure we didn’t vandalise the place.’
