You’re telling me, thought Sarah. Fran hadn’t been her usual self for weeks. Sarah had tried to broach the subject, but Fran wasn’t having any of it. ‘Distracted by anything in particular?’ asked Sarah, deciding to try one last time to prise information from Fran.
‘I think it’s just old age,’ said Fran. ‘I’ll call the suppliers later and check if it’s a mistake at their end. I can’t see anyone here pinching a few tins and a couple of packets of dried fruit.’
‘Hmm,’ said Sarah, unconvinced.
The day dragged. It was quiet in the café and Sarah spent more time standing around than working. Outside, the sun blazed, giving an early taste of the summer to come. The few walkers around sat under canopies of trees in the dappled sunlight, drinking from flasks and eating home-made sandwiches.
‘It’s so quiet today,’ said Sarah, leaning against the worktop and taking a sip from her tenth cup of tea.
‘It always happens around this time of year,’ said Fran. ‘The first hot day of the year, all the locals flock to the beaches. They try to get their beach fix before the tourists descend and take up every spare inch of sand. I’m grateful for the rest.’
‘You’re sure everything’s OK?’ asked Sarah, looking over at her friend. Fran’s sudden change in appearance worried Sarah. The plump, jolly woman she’d met when she first arrived had become a grey shadow. The skirts and blouses Fran wore like a uniform hung off her and Sarah guessed she must have lost at least a couple of stone in as many months. As much as Sarah would love that kind of weight loss, it didn’t suit Fran. Her skin hung from her face, aging her by several decades. Her rosy cheeks were a light shade of grey, purple crescents sitting beneath her eyes.
‘How many times do I have to tell you,’ said Fran, ‘everything is fine. Apart from your nagging, that is. Sarah, you’re driving me up the wall with your concerned looks and constant questions.’
‘I’m only worried about you. You don’t seem yourself at the moment.’
‘And how would you know what I’m like when we’ve known each other five minutes?’
Fran’s words landed like a slap. What had happened to the woman she counted as a friend, with her endless patience and ever present ability to make Sarah smile? ‘Sorry to have troubled you,’ said Sarah. ‘I’ll get on with cleaning the oven, seeing as there’s nothing else to do.’
‘Good idea,’ said Fran. ‘I’ll phone the suppliers and check about that order.’
Sarah hunched beside the oven, fighting back tears. She took her confusion and frustration out on the oven, scraping and scrubbing at its metal until it gleamed as new.
‘I’ve spoken to the suppliers,’ said Fran. ‘They said they sent over everything we’d ordered, so there must be a problem at our end. Also, Sarah, I’m sorry I snapped. I’ve got a few things going on at home, but I don’t feel able to share them with you just yet.’
‘I understand. But you know I’m here if you need me.’
‘Thank you,’ said Fran. ‘That means a lot. Now as we’re quiet, why don’t I teach you how to make hommity pie?’
Sarah smiled. Fran may have changed, but her enthusiasm for food was as strong as ever.
Throughout the day, the café remained quiet. At four o’clock, Hattie announced she was going to close early. ‘There’s no point us all hanging around with no one about. Enjoy an evening off. The school holidays are only just around the corner, so rest while you can.’
Sarah went to the staff toilet to collect her bag and coat. Felix walked in behind her, the space small for two people.
‘I’ll only be a minute,’ said Sarah, unhooking her bag from a peg.
‘Don’t worry, no rush, I just need to get my bag.’
‘Where is it? I can get it for you?’
‘Don’t worry about it.’
‘Felix,’ said Sarah, ‘I know things are awkward between us, but there’s no need to be like that.’ Sarah looked around and saw Felix’s bag poking out from beneath a bench. ‘Here it is,’ said Sarah, pulling it out. She tried to lift it and almost dropped it back down. ‘My God, what have you got in there?’
‘Nothing,’ said Felix, leaning forward and snatching the bag from Sarah’s hands. ‘It’s just my camera. I thought I’d head into the forest and take a few photos after work.’
‘Right,’ said Sarah. As she handed over the bag, she felt something cylindrical pushing at the fabric.
Felix took his bag and rushed out of the room. Sarah watched him leave, her mind pulling together pieces of information. Felix was the thief. There was no doubt about it. But why would he feel the need to steal from them? Hattie fed them well.Oh, thought Sarah.Maybe the food isn’t for him.
*
Sarah waited for Felix to leave. Tonight, rather than following him, she wanted him out of the way. As the sun slunk low in the sky, she heard him undo the door of his tipi. She grabbed a towel and wash bag and stepped outside.
‘Hi,’ Sarah called.
