‘I walked all the way round the island this morning at sunrise,’ said Louisa.
‘Oh, I used to love doing that.’ And it made her happy to know Louisa was embracing the island’s beauty.
They fell into conversation about the island, the little bays, the marina and harbour, the shops that had stayed on Bay Street and what had changed over the years. She’d got to know Louisa so well over this visit and her last that now, chatting with her was less pressured, with fewer questions and answers, and more of a two-way conversation about the minutiae of life – the weather on the island compared to the mainland, puddings of course, local eateries, life experiences both good and bad.
‘I’m happy to do more deliveries later.’ Louisa took her arm as they set off to walk back to the café. ‘I enjoy driving the pink van. I think it’s the colour.’
Gayle laughed. ‘It’s bright, that’s for sure.’
Delivering puddings was another thing she’d introduced during the pandemic – with customers unable to come to her, she wanted to ensure puddings came to them, and the van had been a solid investment. Now there were plenty of events she catered for – engagement parties, christenings, birthdays, weddings.
Gayle realised she’d never asked Louisa the ultimate question. ‘Do you have a favourite pudding, Louisa?’
She thought hard. ‘If I had to choose, I’d say the rhubarb crumble and cream with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice-cream.’
‘I love crumble. Then again, there’s not much I don’t love in the way of puddings.’ She stopped for a beat.
‘Are you okay?’
‘Just a bit stiff after sitting.’ Really, she felt a little light-headed but she didn’t want to admit it. And hopefully it would pass. It usually did.
‘Do you ever wonder what life would’ve been like if you hadn’t come to the island?’ Louisa asked.
‘Sometimes. I suppose it’s natural to wonderwhat if?’
‘I often wonder how my life would’ve turned out if I’d studied horticulture rather than drama. Maybe I’d have a steady job rather than doing whatever work I can lay my hands on.’
‘You’ll find your way, don’t worry.’
‘Mum would like to see me settled.’
‘I can understand that.’ Despite them not being close, it was what she’d always wanted for Susanna and Addie.
‘Mum thinks I could do a course, perhaps start my own gardening business.’
‘She has faith in you. She obviously knows you well, so grab some confidence from that.’
‘How did you know the Sweet Life Café would work?’
‘I didn’t. No business owner is ever 100 per cent sure. But you do your research, you keep on doing it as time goes on. There’s a certain element of luck too.’
‘The location for the café is perfect. Did it take you long to find this place?’
‘I wasn’t even looking at the time – I was saving, waiting to feel ready. But then I saw an advertisement and the pictures grabbed me. I was hooked, even more so when I came here in person. I made an offer the same day as the viewing – the owner, who was French, wanted to return to Paris to be nearer to her parents. I think I got a bargain, she got a very speedy sale, and we were both happy.’
Gayle lost herself in her own thoughts of those days, those crazy weeks getting the business ready to open and then trying to get it off the ground.
‘Did the girls never want to join you in your business?’ Louisa asked.
‘Addie loved to bake with me when she was little, but I’m afraid to say I kept her interest at arm’s-length.’
‘Why?’
‘I didn’t want to come between her and her sister. They were close and I didn’t want to ruin that.’ She left it there. Some things she hadn’t explained to Louisa. She knew Gayle didn’t have the best relationship with the girls, but didn’t need to know all the ins and outs.
‘Do you know if Addie still bakes?’
‘I’m not sure.’
