Page 11 of Welcome to Ero-TEA-Ca: We’re Open!

Harriet stifled a laugh when Cass pinched the bridge of her nose. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Although I shouldn’t be surprised a young whippersnapper like you would think what you’ve said makes perfect sense.”

Holding up a hand, Harriet snorted. “Did you just use the word whippersnapper ?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Well, nothing. It’s just I’ve never heard someone younger than eighty use it. Just took me by surprise. Sorry, I interrupted. Please continue.”

Another frown from Cass and Harriet was feeling happier than ever. “I can’t remember what I was saying.”

“Oh, you were telling me to take off my uniform.”

“What? No.”

“I distinctly remember you telling me when I came in to take it off.”

“Harriet—”

“Cassandra.”

“Ugh, you’re infuriating.”

“Are you finished working?”

“Why?”

“I want you to come to my opening.”

“No thank you.”

The back and forth was dizzying, but Harriet was up for it. She liked a good verbal spar. “I’ll take off my uniform for you if you come over.”

“I don’t want you to take off your uniform!” Cass cried.

“I absolutely remember you asking me to take it off, Cassandra.”

“I didn’t mean it like that!”

“So, you want me to keep the uniform on?”

“Yes.”

“Glad we got the uniform issue sorted. Now, why won’t you enter my shop?”

“It’s…I…I’m busy.”

Harriet knew she had Cass on the ropes. “You just told me you finished working and I’m only asking you to come over for a few minutes. Just so you can see the shop isn’t what you think.”

“I have a cat!” Cass declared. She even raised her index finger in exclamation.

Harriet grinned. “Oh, I love pussy…cats. I’d love to meet them. Do you live close by?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“I could meet your kitty and then you could come over to the shop for a cup of tea. Mandeep is there.”

“He would be,” Cass grumbled.

“So, shall we?” Harriet jumped off the stool and headed for the door. Clasping both hands behind her back, Harriet rocked on her heels, smiling at a slightly confused and stunned-looking Cassandra Beaufort.

Silence descended, but Harriet’s patience and overtly sunny nature finally won out. Cass was grumbling to herself the entire time, but she still threw off her apron, grabbed her purse, and headed out.

Casting a quick glance towards Ero-Tea-Ca, Harriet concluded everything was going okay.

A quick wave to Nabi and the returned rock on sign cemented it.

She had to go double speed to catch up to Cass, who seemed to be race walking.

Maybe she was trying to get away. The thought made Harriet quietly chuckle.

They remained silent the entire time. Harriet was more than happy to go along with the flow.

Oxford was gorgeous and there was always plenty to see.

“I live here,” Cass murmured.

“Is that your cat?” Harriet asked with a gasp. The sweetest looking cat sat at the window, staring at them.

“Yes. That’s Mr Whiskers.”

“Cute name.”

“He came with it from the shelter.”

“It’s still cute.”

Cass didn’t reply. She just pushed through the gate. Harriet followed, her eyes straying from the cat to Cass’s backside. The trousers were really working for her.

“How long have you lived here?” Harriet took in the decor, which was…plain. Everything seemed very orderly.

“Years,” Cass mumbled.

Jesus, the woman wasn’t giving her much to work with.

“So, can I look around?” A shrug. Was that even a valid way to answer?

Leaving Cass to feed Mr Whiskers, Harriet wandered aimlessly.

The living room was stark. A few nondescript prints hung on the walls.

The rug was nice. It at least had a colour in it.

“I’m done.” Cass stood in the hallway, hands on hips.

“That was fast. Are you ready to head back?”

“You didn’t actually meet Mr Whiskers.”

Harriet bit her lip. “You’re right. I’ll do that now.”

Slipping past Cass, Harriet inhaled her coffee and slightly floral scent. Nice . Mr Whiskers had his back to the room, happily munching on his fresh bowl of food. Crouching, Harriet gave him a scratch behind the ear, earning her a low rumble. He even stopped eating to butt his head in her hand.

“Huh.”

Harriet turned around. Cass was there, frowning. “Everything okay?”

“He doesn’t like people.”

“He seems to like me.”

“Hence the huh ,” Cass replied, rolling her eyes.

Standing, Harriet straightened her shirt. “Ready to go?”

Cass shifted on her feet. It was her tell. Harriet knew what was coming next. “I never actually agreed to come back. I’ve got laundry to do, and paperwork. Plus, it’s going to rain.”

“Hmm. It’s true, you didn’t agree to come back with me. And it is going to rain, which means I could get wet on the way back. Maybe I should stay here with you a little longer. We could discuss the uniforms a little more.”

“I’m ready to go.”

“Wow, you find the idea of spending one-on-one time with me that disconcerting? Should I be offended, Cassandra?”

“Yes. Now do you want me to come or not?”

Oh, Harriet was going to enjoy this. One perfectly shaped eyebrow raised, and Cass went red. “I’d love you to come.”

“I didn’t mean…that wasn’t…oh, for God’s sake, why does everyone your age insist on turning everything innocent into something sordid?”

Holding her hands up, Harriet chuckled. “I don’t know what you mean. Now, shall we go?”

“Fine.”

Harriet beamed. She’d done it. She’d convinced the resident grump to come to the shop.

That was the hard part, right? Surely everything else would take care of itself as soon as Cass entered Ero-Tea-Ca.

After all, it was a wonderland of delicious tea and fantastic art.

What could Cass possibly have against any of that?