Page 59 of The Second Chance Supper Club

‘True,’ supported Cath gently. She’d only heard good things about the nursing home in Kirkton.

‘It’d be an overnighter for us on the Saturday,’ Dan explained. ‘And then we’d be back on the train and home by late Sunday afternoon.’

‘Doesn’t sound too onerous to me. I’d probably enjoy it to be honest.’ Cath smiled warmly. ‘Yes, I’d love to be able to help.’ ‘Oh, and then there’d be Shirley to look after, too,’ Dan added. ‘Or we could try the kennels, if need be. But she wasn’t too happy in there last time, to be honest. Was in a huff with us for days.’

‘It’s a bit of an ask, we know. We’d pay you for working here, of course.’

‘Oh yes, we’d insist on that.’

‘It sounds fine to me, honestly. And having Shirley, that’s no problem. She’s a joy. Just give me those dates, and I’ll double-check when I get back in. I’m sure I can shift some of my tutorials on that weekend, if need be. And hey, me and Shirley are sofa pals now.’

‘Are you absolutely certain? It is a lot to take on.’

‘Just give me a lesson on the till before you go … and anything else I’ll need to know here. But yeah, I’d love to help out. Honestly.’

‘Oh, well we’re sorted then. London here we come … off to our Big Greek Wedding. I’ll get online in a mo to book the train tickets.’ Dan sounded excited.

‘Oh, that’s great, Cath. And Mama will be delighted. Though I still don’t really feel comfortable about leaving her.’ Andreas had been visiting twice a day, every day, since she’d got back from the hospital.

‘Would you like me to call in, and visit her whilst you’re away?’

‘Oh, my goodness, we can’t give you any more to do.’ ‘Well, I’d have some time on the Sunday afternoon, anyhow.

Why not? If you let the care home know in advance, and explain to Maria who I am. I’d love to meet her. From all you’ve told me, she sounds quite a character.’

‘Oh, she is that. If you think Shirley’s a character, well … Mother’s a step ahead. And yes, she’d enjoy your company, for sure.’

‘Well, that’s it then. Shop, Shirley and a visit to Maria … sorted.’

‘Ah, thank you, petal. We’ll make it up to you sometime soon. Perhaps a gourmet supper evening, all bells and whistles.’

‘Well, your beach picnic was pretty fab as it was, lads.’

‘You ain’t seen nothing yet.’

‘Well, don’t put any more pressure on yourselves, just now. Let me check these dates, which I’m pretty sure will be fine, and then you go and have a great time at your family wedding.’

‘You’re a godsend, lovely.’

Cath picked up her items and left the stores with a smile, but also a small chink of anxiety about what she had just taken on. Eek, she’d never run a shop in her life, what was she letting herself in for? But surely, if she could control thirty plus hormone-laden teens in a classroom it should be a doddle. And she was more than happy to help the lads out. They deserved a bit of a lift in their hour of need. The two of them had certainly helped lift her spirits since she had arrived as a lonesome newbie to the village.

Could she manage running a shop? Well, there was only one way to find out, and that was to hit the ground running.

Chapter 35

The two weeks until the wedding flew by, and here she was on the Saturday morning stood behind the counter of the village shop, five minutes before opening time, ready to fly solo – gulp. She’d had a quick lesson on the till and card machine with Dan yesterday, and well, she again reminded herself, she’d handled a classroom full of teenagers, how hard could it be?!

After working a couple of hours, Cath realised the flow of customers was all or nothing. There were peak times – the early morning papers, croissants and milk run, followed by the coffee and pie/cake/chocolate bar stop for the local workmen and farmers, and then mid-morning the oldies in for their regular provisions and a chat too, of course – which was lovely. And oh, if you dared to nip out the back to put the kettle on for yourself at what you thought was a lull, well, that would guarantee a fresh barrage of visitors. She’d not managed to get further than an inch down her mug of tea each time before it had gone cold.

She had to admit she was enjoying it, though, the buzz of being back in a workplace, of dealing with customers face to face. She was meeting more people from the village this morning than she had in the whole four months of living here.

An elderly gentleman, dressed smartly but with a well-worn appearance, in faded-grey twill trousers and a green checked flannel shirt, then came in. ‘Oh, and where are the lads this morning?’

‘Good morning,’ Cath greeted him, explaining, ‘Oh, they’re at a family wedding down in London.’

‘How grand … and who are yea, then?’ the chap asked rather forthrightly.

‘I’m Cath. Just here helping out today. I’ve recently moved here … into Cheviot Cottage.’