Page 55

Brushing aside her annoyance, Gemma stepped into the cafe. There was only one customer, who was nursing a cup of tea, while Melissa was staring off into the distance.

“Hey, Mel?”

At the sound of her voice, Melissa’s eyes snapped around to face Gemma, and a broad smile lifted her expression.

“Hey stranger, long time no see. How are you doing?”

“I’m doing good, actually,” Gemma said, thinking about the bag of underwear she was currently holding. “It’s a bit of a strange time for us at the café. But it’s good, I think.”

“Strange times, I get that,” Melissa said with a roll of her eyes. Gemma could recognise the signs of someone with a lot of work pressures on her mind.

“Is everything all right here?” she said. “I take it you’re looking at getting some renovations done?”

“Renovations?” Melissa’s expression pinched in what appeared to be confusion.

“That’s what the guy was just measuring up for, right? I assume you’re getting him in to do some work? Oddly enough, our new owner had him over yesterday. Random, right? Small world.”

A light chuckle escaped Gemma’s lips as she considered what a small world it was. Of all the people in that area of Essex who could work on renovating a coffee shop, both she and Melissa had the same person working for them. Only, instead of smiling or agreeing that it was indeed a strange coincidence, Melissa continued to stare at Gemma with that same confused look.

“The man that just left, the bald one?”

“Right, the one who was measuring up all your walls. Less than friendly character, but I assume he’s good at what he does.”

“He’s great,” Melissa said. “But he wasn’t measuring the place because he’s helping me renovate it.”

It was Gemma’s turn to look confused. “I don’t understand then. What was he doing?”

“He is the owner of Coffee-X,” Melissa said.

Gemma’s confusion grew. “Coffee-X? The chain that’s been buying up every establishment recently?”

“Yes, that’s him. He doesn’t do renovations, Gemma. Well, unless you call ripping everything up to make it all on-brand renovating, which I guess it is.”

“I’m sorry,” Gemma said, still struggling to understand what she was hearing. “So what was he doing here then? Why was he measuring things?”

“Why do you think?” Melissa said. “Because he’s buying the place. I’ve had to sell it. I’ve had to sell the cafe to Coffee-X.”

CHAPTER 77

Gemma felt nauseous. Kent was going to sell the Waterfront Café, and not to some owner who would keep the business running the way it had been for years, but into a soulless, profit-driven fast-food establishment. It made sense. He had probably bought the place at a steal from his uncle and saw this as a quick way of turning around a profit and getting the money he needed for the house in Hay-On-Wye. It made perfect business sense for someone with no sentimentality. How the hell had she ever thought she could be falling in love with a man like that? He’d probably been dating her, just so that she’d be distracted and wouldn’t see what was happening right beneath her nose. Well, she knew now, and she wasn’t going to let him get away with it.

“Are you alright?” Melissa said, as she continued to look at Gemma. “Do you want a drink? I can bring you something to eat if you like.”

“Sorry, you’re going to sell it? That man is buying your café?”

“Fingers crossed,” Melissa said. “At least that way I should be able to get some decent money from it.”

Gemma could feel the way her forehead had lined as she rubbed her temples and looked around the space, only for hereyes to fall on the till in front of Melissa. It was jet black, brand new, and remarkably similar to the one Kent had recently purchased for the Waterfront Café.

“You can’t be doing that badly?” Gemma said. “I mean, those things aren’t cheap.”

“The till,” Melissa let out a slight chuckle. “That was a gift. A sign of goodwill for seeking a valuation with Coffee-X. Basically, if they buy a place, they keep it, so it’s no loss to them.”

“Right, of course. They’re already purchasing for their new property,” Gemma said, feeling herself moving backwards as she spoke.

“Did you want something to eat or drink?” Melissa asked again. This time, Gemma shook her head.

“No, no, thank you. Actually, I think I need to head home. Yes, there’s something I need to do. Sorry, I’ll catch you later, and sorry about the sale too. I hope it gives you enough to carry on doing whatever you want.”