‘I just took a little break, did a few bits at the cottage.’ But she didn’t meet either of their gazes. ‘Nancy tells me you had the butterscotch brownies. What’s the verdict?’
Addie gushed, ‘Amazing!’
‘Really good,’ said Susanna.
‘It’s Nancy’s recipe,’ Gayle added cheerfully. ‘She’s my righthand man. Or woman, rather.’ She lifted up their empty bowls. ‘I’ll take these to the kitchen.’
They let the significant moment settle and talked between themselves, and when Gayle came back into the main area once more the girls went up to the counter. ‘We’re heading back to carry on with sorting through Dad’s boxes,’ Susanna told her.
‘Are there still quite a few to go through?’ Gayle asked.
‘There are,’ said Susanna. ‘Did you really not go through any of it in all these years? I’m not complaining, just wondering.’
‘I didn’t feel it was my place.’ Gayle pushed fresh napkins into an aluminium dispenser. ‘I’m glad you’re here to do it. It’s what Harry would’ve wanted.’
‘We’ve run out of room in the bin and the recycling bin,’ said Addie with a grimace. ‘That’s why we’ve slowed down. Well, partly because of that, partly because it’s hard work.’
Gayle smiled. ‘Just pile what won’t go in the bin at the far end of the utility room. I’ll get rid of it gradually if needs be.’
‘Are you sure?’ Susanna asked. ‘You don’t want us to try to get it collected or anything?’
‘No need. I don’t mind.’ Gayle locked eyes with Susanna in a way they hadn’t really done before. Was it a look that suggested peace, forgiveness?
Or was Addie, as usual, trying to read too much into it?
Susanna glanced outside to where the pink van was parked, although there was no sign of Louisa. ‘Is your holidaymaker working here?’ she asked Gayle.
Gayle faltered but not for long. ‘It worked out well. We needed the help and she was happy to earn some extra cash on her holidays.’ She set the napkin dispenser back in its place at the end of the counter before offering them a quick smile. ‘I’d better start pulling my weight for the afternoon.’ And she disappeared into the kitchen again. Escaping.
Susanna’s smile was replaced with a frown as she and Addie left the café. ‘I think she’s hiding something.’
‘Like what? She’s already tricked us once, not sure what else she could possibly be keeping from us.’
‘I’ve just got a feeling, that’s all. I really don’t want any more surprises.’
‘I’m pretty sure no surprise from now on could be as big as finding out she’s not actually dead.’ When they reached the end of the path that led to the street, she glanced back at the Sweet Life Café and the beautiful balcony. The venue really had stood the test of time – it was just as she remembered, and she’d never forgotten the joy of baking with their aunt until it seemed that Gayle had her own life and it was time for Addie to get on with hers.
When her phone rang, she took it from her pocket and smiled to see it was Maurie, although the first thing she asked was, ‘Is everything okay?’ when she saw Maurie’s face.
‘Of course.’ And she was soon pushed off screen by a beaming Isaac.
‘Hi, Mummy!’ His infectious smile had always had the power to transform her in an instant if she needed a pick-me-up.
When Susanna leaned so that she was on camera, Isaac’s smile widened. ‘Auntie Susie!’ He was the only one ever allowed to call her Susie. He’d called her that from when he was tiny and the habit stuck.
‘Hello, you. How’s my favourite nephew?’
He rolled his eyes. ‘I’m youronlynephew.’
‘Wait a minute,’ said Addie, registering the fact he wasn’t at school, ‘What’s going on? You’re not at school. Are you sick?’
‘My tooth was hurting,’ he said, putting a hand to his mouth.
‘Your tooth?’
Maurie leaned into the picture. ‘He was complaining of toothache this morning so I took him to the dentist. I did send you a text.’ She disappeared briefly but was soon back on screen holding her device. ‘Ah, it didn’t send. Honestly, I am useless. I was rushing, I should’ve checked.’
‘Don’t apologise, Maurie, please.’ She went above and beyond for her grandson, and Addie had zero complaints.
