Page 22 of Be More Capybara

‘We’ve talked more than enough about our exes,’ he said. ‘Are you ready for that coffee now? Because I can see Mary putting out the chairs and tables outside her cafe.’

13

NIGEL

‘Happy New Year,’ Nigel said as he walked into Mary’s kiosk.

The woman behind the counter beamed at him. There were a few more wrinkles on her face than last time he saw her, but otherwise she looked just the same in her sweatshirt, jeans and long apron. ‘Nigel Farnham. Look at you. All grown up.’

‘I was grown up when I saw you at Dad’s funeral.’

‘I know, but I always think of you and Helen as teenagers.’ She glanced outside at where Helen was sitting at a table. ‘I heard you’d found one another again.’ She raised an eyebrow.

‘I only bumped into her yesterday.’

‘Word travels fast around here.’

‘I thought that with all the wonders of the internet to distract them now, everyone would be too busy to indulge in gossip.’

‘Gossip? We care about one another, that’s all. And WhatsApp enables us to care quicker,’ she grinned. ‘What can I get you?’

‘Helen will have a latte, and I’ll have a tea, please.’

‘Earl Grey, Lapsang Souchong, Darjeeling or English Breakfast?’

‘What happened to PG Tips?’

‘Visitors like something more sophisticated these days. I’ve had to up my game with all the rival cafes that have set up around here lately. So what will it be?’

‘English Breakfast, please.’

‘Can I tempt you with a bacon butty? They always used to be your favourite.’

‘Shouldn’t that be organic, dry-cured bacon on sourdough?’

Mary laughed. ‘There are limits to how sophisticated I’m prepared to go. And everyone loves a butty. I bet you don’t get those in New York.’

‘Not like yours.’ He leaned outside the door. ‘Hel, do you fancy a bacon butty?’

‘Ooh. Can I have a sausage one instead - with ketchup, please.’

‘One bacon, one sausage, please.’

‘Coming up. You can tap your card there. We’ve gone cashless, if that’s not too shocking for you.’

‘Everything’s shocking today.’

14

HELEN

Helen watched Nigel carrying the tray of drinks out of the kiosk.

‘The food will be on its way shortly,’ he said as he put the tray on the table and sat down.

He seemed more relaxed now they were sitting together again.

‘Mary knew I bumped into you yesterday,’ he said as Helen handed him a blanket.