Chapter 29
Sarahopenedhereyesand listened. All was quiet. For the first time in ages, she wasn’t waking to the sound of rain hammering on canvas. She climbed out of bed and poked her head out of the tipi door. The sun beamed down, warming the ground, drying off the mud-clogged earth. It was only seven, but the sun’s strength warmed her face as she tilted it to the sky.
It would have been easy to stay like a cat in a patch of sunlight all day, but there was work to do. Sarah dressed quickly, heading over to the café as soon as she was ready. There was no time to lose. When Sarah walked into the kitchen, Fran was already there.
‘What time did you get here?’
‘Half six. I’d rather miss out on a bit of sleep than be in a rush.’
Sarah marvelled at the woman’s dedication. ‘Right. Where do you want me?’
Fran issued instructions and the two of them set to work, the sound of the morning radio soothing any nerves as to what the day would hold.
*
Sarah stared at the wall, lost in thought, her arm stirring the bowl in front of her on autopilot.
‘Sarah? Sarah?’
‘Hmm?’ Sarah turned her head to see Fran standing behind her, hands on her hips.
‘I’m not even going to ask what’s put that soppy smile on your face, but you need to save thoughts of a certain person till later.’
‘A certain person?’
‘Oh, come on. It’s been obvious to everyone there’s something going on between you and a certain gentleman,’ said Fran, cocking her head in the café's direction.
Sarah stopped stirring. ‘Really? It wasn’t obvious to me.’
Jan laughed. ‘You are a one. That boy’s been mooning over you for weeks and you’re telling me you hadn’t noticed?’
Sarah caught her reflection in the window. No one would moon over her, least of all Felix. ‘I think you’re wrong.’
Fran laughed again. ‘So there’s no evidence to suggest I’m right?’
Sarah flushed.
‘I want to hear all the gory details, but not right now. We’ve got lunch to cook for a hundred people. I need you focused and on top of your game. You think you can do that?’
‘Yes, boss,’ said Sarah, dragging her thoughts away from the previous night and back to the present.
Five hours later, and with cakes and savoury pastries cooling on a rack, Fran instructed Sarah to find Hattie and check she was ready for the canapés to be sent out. Sarah walked out of the café and over to an enormous marquee set up the day before. The transformation was incredible. What had been a bare, grassy space was now filled with trestle tables groaning under the weight of spring flowers. Colourful rugs filled the floor, fairy lights criss-crossed the ceiling and hay-bale sofas lined the edge of the tent.
Hattie was standing at a wooden bar, clipboard in hand, Felix beside her. Sarah hadn’t seen Felix since she left his tipi, and took a deep breath as she walked over to him. Hattie had her back to Sarah, but Felix saw her, his cheeks turning rosy before his lips curled in a smile. Sarah returned her own shy smile and tapped Hattie on the shoulder.
‘Sarah, what can I do for you?’
‘Fran was wondering whether you’re ready for the canapés to come out?’
Hattie looked across to the grass outside the marquee, where men in suits and women in pretty dresses stood milling around, glasses of champagne in their hands. ‘Can you wait another thirty minutes? We’re still waiting for a few people to arrive.’
‘Sure, no problem.’
‘Great. How’s it going in there? You look hot and bothered.’
Sarah flushed an even deeper red, aware her increased heart rate had nothing to do with the heat of a kitchen or the stress of the morning. ‘Oh, yes, it’s all go in the kitchen, but Fran’s doing a wonderful job.’
‘I don’t doubt it. Once the canapés come out, you’ll have a bit of time to relax before we begin the lunch service.’
