Page 16 of Be More Capybara

‘I doubt it. We sort of said we would catch up, but he didn’t seem keen.’

‘But you could do with a bit of romance in your life.’

‘Oh, I can’t be bothered. I’m enjoying life on my own.’

‘But you fancied Nigel years ago.’

‘And he didn’t fancy me.’

‘I’m not so sure. You don’t accidentally kiss someone without having feelings for them.’

‘So why did he skedaddle off to America so soon afterwards?’

‘He said it was for his career, didn’t he?’

‘Exactly. His career mattered more than me. And let’s face it, I was never posh enough for his circles.’

‘I guess that’s why he ended up with whatsherface.’

‘Hmmm.’

Helen heard a voice in the background at Carrie’s end.

‘I’m going to have to go. Sam’s calling me for breakfast. We’re eating on the balcony. He and George make such an effort for every meal, and I don’t think it’s purely for my benefit. It’s quite exhausting. I’m looking forward to slobbing in front of the telly with an M&S microwave dinner for one when I get back home. Not that I’m ungrateful, of course.’

Helen laughed. ‘Of course. When you come here there will be lots of slobbing!’

‘I can’t wait! Happy 2024!’

‘Happy 2024!’ Helen said as the call ended.

She was about to put her phone down on the table when she noticed she’d got an unread message. Odd. It must’ve arrived while she was driving. She opened the messaging app again. A text from Nigel. She felt her heart skip a beat. Not again! She was sure that was a perimenopausal symptom. More likely than the alternative explanation that she still had feelings for him after all these years.

She tentatively opened the text. He wanted to meet for coffee.

She read the message again. Yes, he was definitely suggesting that they meet up at that new bookshop and cafe that had opened by the harbour. Madness. But then again he’d always been good company - they’d had a lot of laughs in those years when they’d been good friends. And she wanted to visit the bookshop anyway.

Come on, Helen. You’re mature enough to cope with this. And you could do with some company your own age.

She tapped out a reply and pressed send.

9

NIGEL

Nigel checked his watch. Fifteen minutes early. Good. He looked up at the sign on the front of the shop: The Dragonfly Bookshop & Cafe. It looked a lot more sophisticated than the tatty old hardware store that used to be here when he was a child. The smell of coffee and books as he walked in was more welcoming too.

The young woman behind the counter looked up and smiled. ‘Hello! You’re our first customer of 2024. You can have a coffee on the house.’

‘That’s kind, but I don’t mind paying.’

‘No, I insist. What can I get you?’

‘Actually, I’d prefer tea.’ He’d been back home for less than 36 hours, and his mother had already converted him to the delights of the teabag again. God knows what else he’d be doing if he stayed longer.

‘Any particular type of tea? We have most varieties.’

‘English Breakfast?’