Page 66 of The Little Board Game Café

‘He’s great. Although we’ve still not had the conversation about being exclusive – but I’m hoping he likes me as much as I like him. How are things going with Ludek?’

‘Well, I couldn’t afford enough games for the café launch—’

‘The café? Forget the café for a minute. Tell me about Ludek!’

‘Give me a chance, Kate. So I decided to invite him round for dinner, sweeten him up a bit then ask him if I could borrow a few of his games. I burnt the pierogi so we had to have a curry.’

‘Yes, I saw the pan in the bin.’

‘I soaked it but it still wouldn’t clean up. I’ll buy you another.’

‘Forget it, Em. Go on. How did it go once you’d finished burning down my kitchen?’

‘Badly. I didn’t ask him about borrowing the games. And that was one of the reasons I’d invited him in the first place. But those games are his pride and joy. He wouldn’t want any of them in a café where there’d be members of the public. I’m not sure what I’m going to do about having enough games for—’

‘Never mind the games. What about him? Did he snog you?’

‘There was a moment when I thought he was going to, but then he didn’t. He just left.’

Kate scratched at an unidentified splodge of something on the kitchen table. Emily clearly hadn’t cleaned up as well as she’d thought she had.

‘Perhaps you need to give him a bit more encouragement,’ said Kate, ‘without being too obvious. He’s probably uncertain; you’re only just out of a long-term relationship, so he probably doesn’t want to rush you. Give him a bit more time.’

‘You’re right. And I didn’t get a chance to tell him that Peter and me are definitely over.’

‘You didn’t explain about the kiss?’

‘I was about to and then…’ - no need to tell her about the wine being spilled on the sofa – ‘…Anyway, I should be focusing on the launch event. Not long to go now.’

Kate held up crossed fingers. ‘Have you much left to do? Apart from finding the board games. You’ve finished the new décor? Sorted the food and drink?’

Bollocks. The food and drink.

She’d been so focused on the ‘board game’ part of starting her own board game café that the ‘café’ part had completely slipped her mind. No need to tell Kate that either.

‘Yeah,’ she said. ‘All sorted. But I’m gutted because Dad says he won’t come. I’ve sent him three texts – three! – but still he’s saying no. I mean, I know he never leaves Thornholme but I was hoping that this would be the thing that finally persuaded him. And then if he came to this, he might be tempted to get out and about a bit more. It’s been sixteen years since Mum died. And I still miss her too, but… Well, he’s not coming and that’s that. And it hurts, Kate, it really does. This event is important to me. I’ve ploughed everything into it. And I wanted all the people who matter to me to be there: Dad, Mr B, Marjory, Ludek. And you, of course.’

‘Ah.’ Kate bit her lip and frowned. ‘The thing is, Em—’

‘Oh, no. Don’t tell me you’re not coming either?’

‘It’s Freddie’s brother’s birthday and—’

‘Shit, Kate. I can’t do it without you.’

‘You can. But if you really want me to, I’ll tell Freddie I can’t make it.’

Emily sighed. She couldn’t do that to Kate. Not when she knew how important this new relationship was for her. Whilst Emily had always dreamed of running a café, Kate had dreamed of a husband and children.

‘Don’t be silly. You can’t miss his brother’s birthday. Being invited to meet the family is a biggy. The next step in the relationship. He must be serious about you if he’s invited you to that.’

Kate held up crossed fingers again. ‘Hope so. You sure you don’t mind?’

‘You let me stay in your house, don’t charge me rent, advise on marketing, don’t go apeshit when I ruin your frying pan. You do so much for me, Kate. I’d love for you to be at the launch. Of course I would. But you can’t come and that’s okay.’

Kate stretched across the table and put her hand over Emily’s. ‘Thank you. I really think that Freddie could be The One. I know I’ve said that before. But I really mean it this time.’

‘I hope he is, Kate.’