“Irish apple cake?”I call after her once I realize what she’s given me.
“I’ve resurrected a few of your dad’s old favourites,” she says.“A small way to honour him and keep his memory alive.”She jams her hands in the pockets of her apron, her eyes glazing over briefly before she gives her head a small shake.“Made it myself this morning.I’ve felt inspired to get back in the kitchen lately.I just hope Aneesha doesn’t mind me encroaching on her territory.”She tilts her head, and I follow her gaze to see Aneesha and Thea heading in our direction.
“Mind?”Aneesha says.“Learning recipes from the legend herself?I’ll happily share the kitchen with you any day of the week, Mae.”
This elicits another genuine smile from Mum.She tells Aneesha and Thea to take a seat, and says she’ll send over coffee and cake for them too.
“Join me?”I say, thinking of the discussion Nathan and I had about Thea the other night.“I’m glad to see you both.I’m sorry I haven’t made more effort since I’ve been back.”
Aneesha gives me an incredulous look as she slides into the seat across from me.“Are you kidding?Your dad just died.”
Thea plops into the chair beside her.“Yeah, I don’t know how you’re evenfunctioningafter such a huge loss.”
“If anything,weshould be apologizing toyoufor not making more effort,” Aneesha says.
The way they carry on each other’s thoughts so easily reminds me of Mila and me.I had no idea Thea and Aneesha were friends, but I’m glad they are, especially since both of them have been through so much.
“How about none of us are sorry, and we just enjoy our time together now?”I suggest.
Their expressions of relief mirror what I feel.Regina brings their coffee and cake a minute later.Mum has disappeared, likely either into the office or possibly even the kitchen.
“Mae seems to be doing a bit better?”Aneesha says, her tentative tone sounding like a question.
“She does,” I agree.“Sometimes it’s a moment-to-moment thing, you know?She’ll be totally fine one minute and then sobbing the next.Fully present and then completely checked out.It’s torture seeing her like this, but I imagine simply existing feels like torture forherright now.”
They both make quiet hums of sympathy.As silence falls over the table, I berate myself for bringing the mood down so quickly.
Thea gives her head a little shake and taps the notebook in front of me.“What are you working on?”
“I’m not sure if you know this, but my dad left his cottage in Ireland to Nathan,” I say.Thea and Aneesha exchange a glance before nodding.“Dad wanted Nathan to spend some time there, so I told Nathan I’d help him plan a trip.I’m not sure if he’ll take me up on the offer, but I started creating a practice itinerary of sorts.”
“Can we see?”Thea asks.
Surprised by the question, I shrug and slide the notebook across the table.They huddle together and peruse the list.I didn’t get very far, but I jotted down some of my favourite off-the-beaten-path places, plus a few of the more popular tourist destinations I think Nathan would enjoy.I also started a list of contacts I’ve made in Ireland over the years, both personal and professional.
“It’s a really rough list,” I say when neither of them speaks.“If Nathan decides he wants my help, I’ll sit down with him, ask him what sorts of things he wants to see, and then create a full itinerary.”
“From scratch?”Aneesha asks.“You’ve done this before?”
“Yes and yes,” I say.“I love planning trips, so I’ve done it for a few friends over the years.”
“I know you already have a job, but could you do this professionally?”Aneesha asks.“Make a business of it?Or even a side hustle?”
“The company I work for has a strict non-compete clause, and getting paid to create tours would fall under that,” I tell her.“If I decided to do it, I’d have to wait a minimum of six months after my contract ended before I could start anything official.”
It’s something I’ve thought about over the years.Mila and I have even semi-jokingly spitballed ideas for our own company.Between being happy with my job at On the Go Travels and knowing I’d need a substantial amount of money to not only put into the business but also to support myself until I started making money, it was a ‘maybe someday’ dream that seemed far off and unrealistic.
Until now.Now, I have the time to think about itanda considerable amount of money, thanks to my dad.And while Dad would be thrilled for me to use my inheritance to start my own business, especially a travel-based one, I’m not sure if it’s feasible.
“Too bad,” Aneesha says absently.“But you’d do it for a friend?”
Her imploring tone piques my interest.It must intrigue Thea too, because she asks, “Thinking about a trip, Aneesha?”
Aneesha drums her short, bright-pink nails on the notebook in front of her.“Maybe?It hasn’t gone past the thinking stage yet, but I’ve been considering taking Aaliyah to Scotland this summer.She recently chose Edinburgh as a topic for a school project and becameobsessed.She recites facts constantly like a tiny, walking encyclopedia.A couple of weeks ago, she made me drive two hours to a farm that has Highland cows.”
Thea and I laugh.“I’d love to help you plan a trip to Scotland,” I tell her.“The whole country has a special place in my heart, but especially Edinburgh.That’s where I went to university.”
“Wait, I didn’t know that,” Aneesha says.“When?What did you take?”
