‘Fire away,’ Kelly said.
‘Grandma tells me that your nephew and his fiancée have a children’s book coming out later this year and that Autumn’s the illustrator. I love drawing and it would be amazing to talk to her about how she got into illustrating. Could you give her my phone number?’
‘I can do one better than that. Dane and Autumn have a table booked for lunch in half an hour so I can introduce you then and you can sort out a time to chat to her.’
‘Awesome! Thank you.’
‘You’re very welcome. She’s lovely and extremely talented.’ Kelly took our order and told us she’d be back shortly with the drinks.
When she returned, she looked directly at Saffy. ‘When your grandma said you had a favour to ask me, I thought you might be looking for a job. We’ve had a couple of waiting staff leave unexpectedly without working notice so we’re a bit stuck. I don’t suppose you’d be interested?’
Saffy looked at Paulette. ‘What do you think, Grandma?’
‘It’s up to you, love,’ Paulette said. ‘If you’re sticking around, it makes sense to get a part-time job. This is a lovely place to work and it’s handier than traipsing into Keswick.’
‘I’ve just realised I should have asked if you have any experience first,’ Kelly said. ‘My brain’s not in gear today.’
Saffy laughed. ‘I had a job at the cinema while I was at college so drinks prep and serving hot dogs, nachos and popcorn if that helps.’
‘That would be perfect. Have a think and, if you’re interested, give me a shout and we can talk hours and pay. Your food will be out shortly.’
My lunch was delicious – a brie, bacon and cranberry ciabatta with curly fries followed by a slice of salted caramel sponge cake – and the company was great too. So many television programmes conveyed teenagers as uncommunicative individuals with their mobile phones stuck to their hands but, while I was sure there were many who fit that description, the only time any of Paulette’s granddaughters dug out a phone was to snap photos to send to Mila and Naomi’s parents. I took a photo of the three of them together and another of them with their grandma but was touched when they called one of Kelly’s team over to take a photo of all five of us.
‘You’re an adopted member of the family now,’ Paulette whispered to me, creating a lump in my throat. I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be part of a family but having Naomi link her arm through mine as we smiled for the photo reminded me of how Mrs Kellerman and Cliff used to make me feel on my birthday.
When Kelly came over to clear our dessert plates away, she brought Autumn and Dane with her and made the introductions. I’d never met either of them before but I remembered seeing their photos in the newspaper. Autumn asked Saffy about the artistic styles she was most drawn to and, after a quick chat, arranged a date to meet up.
‘When’s your first book out?’ I asked them.
‘Not until the end of the year,’ Dane said. ‘We finished the series ages ago but it’s a lengthy process to get to publication date.’
‘You must be so excited,’ Paulette said.
Autumn nodded. ‘It still feels like a dream. I don’t think either of us will fully believe it until we’re holding a copy in our hands and, even then, I think someone might have to pinch me.’
‘Your ring’s really pretty,’ Mila said, pointing at Autumn’s sparkling engagement ring. ‘When are you getting married?’
Autumn and Dane exchanged smiles. ‘We wanted to make the books our priority for this year,’ she said, ‘but we’re thinking next year for the wedding. We haven’t looked at any venues yet, so we really need to get cracking with that.’
They settled at their own table and Kelly returned with the card reader so we could pay.
‘I’d love a job, please, Kelly,’ Saffy told her. ‘I like it here. It’s got a good vibe.’
Kelly smiled widely. ‘Aw, bless you. If you scribble me down your email address and phone number, I’ll send you the details and we can talk hours.’
‘I’m really flexible,’ Saffy said. ‘If possible, I’d rather not work a Wednesday afternoon because I go to Cake & Craft Club with Grandma but, if you do need me then, that’s fine.’
Bill paid and job secured for Saffy, we headed outside.
‘Have a nice time in town,’ Paulette said. ‘I’ve transferred some pocket money into each of your accounts.’
To cries of, ‘Thank you, Grandma,’ they all launched at her with hugs.
‘Thank you for letting me have lunch with you,’ I said, smiling at them all, and was rewarded with hugs too.
As they crossed the road, I turned to tell Paulette she had a lovely family but I couldn’t get any words out over the lump in my throat.
‘Told you you’d been adopted,’ she said, linking her arm through mine. ‘Come on, you can drive me home to change our shoes then we’ll have a walk by the lake to work off that incredible cake.’
