Page 117 of The Sunrise Sisterhood

‘You mean you might be staying?’ Marta raised her eyebrows. ‘I thought you were just here for the summer.’

Skye held her gaze. ‘I was. But now I’m not sure what comes next.’

‘Breakfast comes next,’ said Marta decisively, pointing towards the door.

No sooner were they inside than Jade came over and embraced them both. Skye had only met her briefly at Angel’s party but had been grateful for her help when things had got out of hand towards the end.

‘Welcome, welcome, I knew you two would get on. This is amazing. What can I get you? Skye, I know you like your coffee and I’ve got a new blend in that you should try, and Marta I’ve made the most amazing caramelised-onion marmalade, you’re going to love it! Sit down, sit down.’ She released them and flapped her hands towards the table in the window.

Skye and Marta exchanged smiles and sat down opposite each other.

‘I love that girl,’ said Marta, watching Jade tip coffee beans into the grinder. ‘She and Ele have been good friends to me. When I first arrived here, I was an exhausted, broken wreck. They held space for me while I mended; they nurtured me and brought me back to life.’

She had a haunted look in her eye and Skye wondered what could have happened to her. She wanted to ask but knew better than to pry. Some stories took time to tell; Skye was content to wait.

Instead, she reached across the table and placed her hand on top of Marta’s. ‘I’m sorry to hear that. Jade’s a ray of sunshine, that’s for sure.’

Marta smiled and covered Skye’s hand with her other one; Skye did the same so that all four hands were stacked together, and they laughed at their childishness.

‘And she makes great coffee too.’ Marta peeled her hands away just in time for Jade to place a French press of coffee on the table.

Skye decanted hot milk into two mugs for them, Marta pressed down on the plunger and poured the coffee while they ordered some breakfast. Jade scurried away with their order.

Marta and Skye sipped and savoured their coffee in amiable silence for a few moments.

Skye exhaled with pleasure. ‘Delicious.’

‘How is the coffee?’ Jade piped up, clearly having been watching for Skye’s reaction. ‘It’s from Africa!’

‘Best coffee ever!’ Skye replied, laughing as Jade punched the air.

‘Tell me about Africa,’ Marta said, sweeping her hair back over one shoulder.

Skye smiled. ‘Well, for starters, coffee plants grow wild everywhere.’

‘I’m sold already,’ Marta grinned. ‘You must miss it?’

‘I love the life out there, I love Kampala, I love the weather and the landscape and the feeling of being so aware of the natural world, with national parks and wild animals right on our doorstep. I miss my friends, and the kids at school and their families. The Hope Foundation is like a family. I think that’s what I loved most about being in Uganda – the sense of belonging. I hadn’t felt that at home in the UK.’

Marta nodded thoughtfully. ‘I always spend the month of January in a new country; it fills me up and gives me a fresh perspective on the world. Maybe I need to go and visit.’

‘You should,’ Skye said, loving the idea of one month of the year travelling. Perhaps it was something she should consider. ‘I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it.’

‘From what you’ve said, it sounds as if your heart lies in Kampala?’

‘It’s more complicated than that.’ Skye picked up a spoon and stirred her coffee absently. ‘Right now, all I know is that I’ve felt happier during the last few weeks than I have in a long time. But that might all end today.’

‘That sounds like the start of a good story,’ said Marta. ‘Talk to me. Tell me as little or as much as you want.’ She held her hands up. ‘No judgement from me, I promise.’

Skye felt something inside her loosen. No judgement was something Marta said at the start of her yoga classes and it never failed to resonate with her. It helped her to be free from the pressure of doing things perfectly. Not just free from the opinion of others but from herself too.

‘I appreciate that.’ And she hoped Marta meant what she said, because she wasn’t proud of what she was doing to Jesse.

‘Excuse me,’ Jade whispered, sliding their plates on to the table. ‘Enjoy.’

They smiled their thanks.

‘Take your time,’ said Marta, handing her a napkin.