Sarah gave a small nod.
‘There’s something I think you should know about Felix.’
‘Go on.’
‘A couple of years back, he lost his little sister to suicide after she suffered a sexual assault.’
‘Oh my God. I’m the worst person in the world.’
‘You weren’t to know.’
‘No, but his explanation for what happened made sense, I was just too embarrassed to admit it.’
‘That’s understandable.’
‘I’m not sure he’d see it that way.’
‘Give him time. That boy’s come a long way in the past two years. When he first joined us, he was a different person, quiet, withdrawn, wouldn’t say boo to a goose.’
Sarah struggled to imagine the cocky Felix ever being shy. ‘What changed?’
‘Time. But also family, our little family we’ve got going here. Hattie and her partner Millie were wonderful. Millie used to work here too, till she got a job in a posh restaurant on the coast. They mothered that boy, licked his wounds, held him when he cried, fed him, gave him somewhere to stay when he couldn’t go home.’
‘Couldn’t go home?’
‘Felix didn’t have the easiest home life to begin with. I don’t think it was a happy household before Mia died, and it certainly wasn’t after. His parents blamed him for what happened, but it wasn’t his fault. Mia snuck out to a party while Felix was sleeping. No one knew what happened at the party till months after when she couldn’t go on anymore and wrote it all down in her suicide note.’
‘Where were his parents?’
‘The night of the assault? At the pub. Same thing the night she died. Felix was more of a parent to Mia than they ever were.’
‘God, that’s so awful.’
‘Yes, it was. He’s been with us for two years now. Hasn’t spoken to his parents since Mia’s funeral.’
‘He’s lived in the tipi all that time?’
‘Yes. He stays with Hattie and Millie when it’s freezing, but he says he likes his own space. He even fitted a wood-burner into his tipi this year so he can stay in it all year round. Hattie still insists he come to theirs for a hot meal each night during the winter, but he’s happiest out in the woods. I’ve never seen a transformation like I’ve seen in Felix. Finding his purpose was the last piece of the puzzle.’
‘Purpose?’
‘Coffee.’ Fran laughed. ‘It might not sound like much, but that boy’s a genius at making coffee. He’s won too many awards to count. He’s often head-hunted by other restaurants to train their staff.’
‘Wow, I must be a terrible pupil.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘He tried to teach me, and I was awful at it, even after two hours of trying.’
Fran laughed. ‘Don’t you worry, love, you only had two hours. He’s had two years to perfect his talent. Besides, I think your skills lie elsewhere.’
‘You do?’
‘Yes. Stick with me and you’ll find your calling soon enough.’ Fran winked at Sarah. ‘Come on, best get back to it. I’ve got thirty scones to make and could do with a hand.’
As they entered the kitchen, Felix stood beside the sink, unloading a tray of dirty dishes. Fran gave Sarah an encouraging nod.
‘Felix, I need to apologise. I was out of order, embarrassed. I…’
