Frida, taken aback at the blunt question, laughed.
‘We’re only here for another week or so, Tracey,’ Callie explained. ‘We’re on holiday, remember.’
‘Oh yes. You’ve become such a fixture round these here parts, maid, I forget. Got used to seeing you wander past. You fits right into the place. Still, Frida, even if you’ve only got a few days, it would really help me out. I pay above the national minimum, and you’d get free meals and as much coffee or milkshake as you can drink, thrown in.’
‘How come you’re short-staffed?’ Callie asked, restraining Vinny as he yanked at her arm, catching an enticing new scent drifting in on the breeze from the sea.
‘Alice Ruddick, she’s Austin Ruddick’s granddaughter, you know Austin, always in here. Well, she usually works her summer holiday but she got taken into the RD&E last night. Hospital in Exeter,’ she explained to Frida. ‘Emergency appendectomy, poor mite. By the time she recovers, it’ll be nary time afore she goes back to uni. I’ve got my two other regular staff but could really do with a table clearer and order taker. Not skilled but you need to have the patience of a saint, lots of energy and feet which don’t mind a battering.’
Callie looked at Frida askance. She couldn’t imagine it appealing to her at all. Suppressing a frustrated sigh, she knew she should be kinder about her daughter but the truth was she didn’t have the strongest of work ethics. She’d lost track of the jobs Frida had had, only to leave for a variety of vague reasons. The office job at Price’s had lasted the longest but it was obvious Frida didn’t intend to stay there long-term either.
Frida shrugged. ‘Suppose I could give it a go. How about I do a trial run?’
‘Really?’ Callie gazed, open-mouthed. ‘You never fail to surprise me, Frida.’
‘No time like the present, my lovely,’ Tracey said. ‘How about you start by putting up the rest of the parasols? I’ll rustle us up a bacon sarnie and we can eat our breakfast before the rush starts. Give me a chance to explain one or two things.’
‘Cool. See you later then, Mum. Have fun at the art comp.’
With that, Frida followed Tracey into the café leaving her mother standing shaking her head in amusement. ‘Is it the magical effect this town has, Vinny,’ she asked, looking down at him, ‘or has something miraculous just happened?’
‘Not a good look, you know, standing talking to a dog,’ a male voice said. ‘Although I don’t blame you. Vinny is a handsome beast. Want me to walk him? I quite enjoyed our enforced nocturnal stroll last night.’
Callie looked up to see Johnny beside her. He was wearing a sky-blue linen shirt, and cargo shorts. Her heart did a little treacherous flip. ‘Hi, Johnny. No, you’re okay. I’m taking him along to meet Grace at the Art School.’
‘Mind if I tag along?’
‘Please do.’
After pausing to allow Vinny a moment to greet Johnny in effusive spaniel style, they began walking along the slippery, sandy promenade.
Austin, hurrying from the opposite direction, almost bumped into them. ‘Oh, do forgive me. I’m in a right fumble this morning.’
‘I’ve just heard about your granddaughter,’ Callie said. ‘I’m so sorry, Austin. I hope she’s better soon.’
‘Just on me way to fill Tracey in. They got the bugger out last night. Had a nasty infection, fit to bust, they said, so it was just in time. She’s shaking off the anaesthetic and feeling a bit groggy but they say she’ll be fine.’ Austin stooped to pet an over excited Vinny. ‘What a smashing dog. Didn’t know you had one.’ He peered closer. ‘Looks the spit of Gracie Grosvenor’s spaniel.’
‘He is Grace’s. We were looking after him yesterday for her.’
Austin looked alarmed, above his specs his bushy grey eyebrows knitted together. ‘Don’t tell me Gracie’s ill an’ all?
Callie didn’t think it her place to share Grace’s medical history. ‘She’s fine. I’m just on the way to reunite them now.’
‘Good. Good.’ Austin looked as if he hadn’t heard a word.
She put a hand on his arm. ‘Why don’t you go and get a coffee? You look as if you could do with one.’
‘Yes.’ Austin gave Vinny one last ear scratch. ‘I certainly need a pick-me-up. Was at that blasted place until the early hours. Left Alice’s mum there. I’ll go back with fresh supplies later. I’ve got a whole list of stuff Alice needs.’ He tutted. ‘What a to-do!’
The old man looked so distressed it moved Callie to offer help. ‘If I can do anything, let me know. I’m happy to drive you to the hospital. My daughter, Frida, is in the café with Tracey. She can pass a message on.’
‘Oh my lovely. How kind. I’m minded to say yes but my son-in-law will drive us back in this afternoon.’ Tears shone bright.
Callie fished out her phone. ‘Let me give you my number anyway.’
Austin reached into his shirt breast pocket and, rather surprisingly, drew out the latest iPhone. He tapped her number in. ‘Must go now. Sooner I tell Tracey, sooner I can get home and get Alice’s things together.’ Suddenly he clasped Callie to him, giving her a hug. Muttering, ‘So kind, so very kind,’ he marched into the Sea Spray.
After flicking Johnny a look, Callie resumed her walk. ‘What?’ she asked, irritated at his silence. ‘There’s something about this town. It makes you want to help people. Become part of the community.’
