‘Actually,’ said Sarah, ‘we do. You were quite happy taking our money and said nothing about there being a time limit on how long we had to finish our drinks. Now, if you don’t mind, my friend and I are in the middle of a conversation.’ Sarah turned back to Felix, and the waiter slunk away. Felix laughed. ‘What?’
‘Nothing.’
‘No, what is it?’
‘It’s just good to see you haven’t completely changed.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘It’s just this new, improved, cuddly Sarah is strange. I like your feisty side, just not when it’s directed at me.’
‘Hey,’ said Sarah. ‘There’s nothing wrong with standing up for yourself. Think of me as the same old Sarah, but a bit more self-aware.’
‘Sounds good to me.’
Chapter 44
‘AreyouOK?’
Sarah turned to Felix and nodded. They’d been sitting in the car so long the windows had steamed up.
‘You’ve got nothing to worry about.’
‘I have. The way I spoke to Hattie was awful.’
‘Then apologise. She’s not someone to hold a grudge.’
Sarah took a deep breath and opened the car door. Hattie stood outside the café, bringing in the chalk boards for the night. When she saw Sarah, her face lit up with a smile.
‘Hi,’ she said, waving. ‘The wanderer returns.’
‘Do you need a hand with those?’
‘That would be great, thanks.’
Sarah gathered up a heavy board and heaved it into the café. Hattie walked over to the sofa and slumped down.
‘Come on then,’ she said, patting the seat beside her. ‘Let’s have a chat.’
Sarah took her place on the sofa, eyes on the ground. ‘I’ve been such an idiot. I’m so sorry for the way I spoke to you.’
‘To be honest, it was upsetting, but I get where you were coming from. You came to a rational conclusion based on the information you had. Have you chatted to Felix?’
‘Yes. I know about Lily.’
‘Good. So you understand why I was so keen to protect him?’
‘Yes. Look, Hattie, all that stuff I said…’
‘Forget about it. Just make sure you learn from it. You see things as very black and white, but there’s often more to a situation, or person, than surface level. Try not to judge too fast in the future.’
‘I won’t. God, I’m so embarrassed. I’m a twenty-five-year-old woman who’s been behaving like a child. There’s no excuse, but I’m trying to change.’
‘Well, don’t change too much. We like you as you are. Maybe just smooth off a few of those sharp edges.’
Sarah smiled. ‘Thank you for being so kind.’
‘I have an ulterior motive. I need you to come back to work. We’re screwed without Fran. How was she when you saw her?’
