I’ll take you up on that. As soon as this campaign is over – I’m there. I think I’ll need a break from strong coffee …
She grinned. The one positive thing that had come out of working in that job was meeting Toby. Yeah, she had thought he was kind of annoying in the early days and a bit too eager, but now she could see that his enthusiasm was just commitment and a willingness to help others. Toby deserved to do well because he worked hard and loved his job. She felt a sudden rush of warmth just thinking about his cute little face and how thrilled he must have been to have secured Sapphire for her. A year ago, he wouldn’t have even dared contact her.
However, a year or so ago, she wouldn’t have needed Toby at all. She would have been going through her contacts list herself and reaching out to others, knowing exactly who the right person would be to speak to, and how best to win their attention. Now the whole idea of marketing and selling her business seemed scary and alien to her. Willow shook her head sadly as she closed her cash register and set about locking up the wagon. She wasn’t sure why she had lost so much confidence in herself; it was probably the burnout that had made her lose sight of what she was good at. ButToby was right; she did still have skills and she needed to use them again. Even if it was at a much-reduced level.
Stepping outside the wagon, Willow started to take some photos of her new business. The late-afternoon light made the colors glow around the van, causing them to pop. Tentatively, she posted a couple of the images with the following typed words:
Now she rests, but tomorrow the journey really begins.
Come and visit Willow’s Matcha Wagon in Honey Springs to experience a taste like no other in a unique and breathtaking setting.
Not been to Honey Springs? You truly haven’t peaked.
Not tried Willow’s matcha? You truly haven’t ascended.
This spring, venture to the Springs.
Willow then added another image of the powerful backdrop of the mountains. Tomorrow, she decided, she would do a vlog outlining her business in more detail. She would also reach out to Esmae and see if she could post something positive. She may have lost lots of followers, but that woman still had some influence and as she was focusing now on well-being, she was totally on brand for Willow.
But right now, Willow had other things to accomplish. She picked up the small box that she had brought with her outside the van and shifted it under her arm.
Tonight, she was going to hand out flyers the old-school way.
She had always thought of Honey Springs as being small; certainly, as a teenager it had felt like a place where the walls were slowly closing in. But delivering flyers house tohouse on foot, the town felt crazy huge, and by the time Willow reached the Watering Hole, her feet were killing her and her back was stinging with pain.
Distributing flyers was not for the fainthearted.
As soon as Willow walked into the bar, her throat was dry with thirst. Like everywhere else, it was quiet inside. Greg was serving Rachel, and Lucas was sitting next to her. The three of them were kind of huddled together. The couple that came to Willow’s van earlier in the day, the Henrys, were sitting in the far corner, and they waved as Willow walked in. Old Ernie was nursing a beer on the other side and completely ignored her – but he had always been that way, even when she was little. He was a very quiet, almost mysterious old man.
Then she saw Eric, Jake’s father, sitting on the other side of the room, huddled over a drink, dressed in an oversized, lumberjack-style jacket. Willow paused for a moment, feeling hesitant. Part of her wondered if she should wander over and say hello, but Jake had asked her explicitly not to. It didn’t look like Eric would notice her anyway. She could tell he was swaying a little on his stool, and his red-faced cheeks were clear even from this distance. He looked in a bad shape.
Not today, Willow decided. It’s not the right time. And it’s probably none of my business now anyway.
Willow strode over to the bar and rested her now more-or-less empty box on a stool.
‘Hey,’ Greg said brightly. ‘You look like you need a drink.’
‘You can say that again. I’d love a Coke, please,’ Willow replied, pulling herself up onto the stool next to her. ‘I’ve been all over town delivering these flyers, trying to drum up some interest.’
Lucas nodded at her. ‘Good for you.’ His eyes drifted towards Eric. ‘I see you noticed our regular?’
Willow glanced over at the slumped form again. ‘He looks like he’s in bad shape. Is he in here every day?’
‘When he can afford to. If not, I guess he drinks at home. That man isn’t well.’
His words were dry and heavy. Willow glanced at the beer Lucas was drinking and wondered how many he had had already. He didn’t exactly sound sober either. ‘Aren’t you working later?’ she asked.
‘Not today. Evening off. The wonderful Janice is covering for me.’ Lucas raised his glass and beamed. ‘So, I can celebrate your successful first day in here with my friends. And with Eric – not that he will care one way or another.’
Willow shifted on her seat awkwardly. Lucas didn’t look like he wanted to celebrate at all. His dark eyes were like granite now, hard and unflinching. His jaw was clenched. He seemed anything but happy.
‘Let me see one of those,’ Rachel said suddenly, leaning over and pulling a flyer out of the box. Her face scrunched up as she began to read out loud in what Willow thought was a slightly affected voice:
‘Willow’s Matcha Wagon. Now serving matcha in the heart of Honey Springs. Your daily dose of calm, low caffeine and color. Chilled energy without the crash and packed with antioxidants. Sitting right by the vibrant diner – Willow’s Matcha Wagon is your new go-to spot for feel-good matcha drinks and plant-based treats – all served from our cozy green van with good vibes only. Experience classic iced and hot matcha lattes. Coconut vanilla matcha. Lavender honey matcha. Vegan matcha ice cream. Seasonal fruit flavors. Come visit today. Ten percent off your first drink with this flyer.’
‘Sounds wonderful,’ Rachel said smiling stiffly and then discarding the sheet back into the box. ‘I’ll have to come and try one.’
‘More mumbo jumbo hippie stuff by the sounds of it,’ Lucas muttered, slurping his beer.
