Page 18 of Welcome to Ero-TEA-Ca: We’re Open!

Cassandra

A ccording to the thermometer, she didn’t have a fever.

After a thorough body check, no rash was found.

Sinuses were clear, and no headache. Diagnosis?

Cassandra’s recent behaviour was not because of a malady.

No, she just had to accept Harriet was wearing her down.

She made Cass softer, more pliable, and it was utterly unbelievable!

Shocking, actually. Even Kendal agreed when she learned Cass had signed them up for the ribbon-cutting event.

And it was an event. People lined the street, waiting to get their first look at Ero-Tea-Ca.

Harriet had looked overwhelmed and Cass had to physically hold on to the drainpipe to stop herself from going over and taking Harriet into her arms. What was that about?

If she hadn’t had her own place to run, Cass might just have gone into the tea shop. Voluntarily! Strange things were happening, and Cass didn’t know how to proceed.

After Harriet’s confession, Cass was finding it more and more difficult to shut out the voice telling her to give it a go; ridiculous when her original reasons for not giving Harriet false hope were still valid.

Harriet was too young. Eleven years wasn’t insurmountable, the little voice whispered, but Cass couldn’t let go of the idea that eventually, like many others, Harriet would come to see her as an old curmudgeon.

Or a fuddy-duddy—even her ex-wife thought that.

There were glaring differences between them.

Cass was set in her ways. She had peculiar habits, likes, and dislikes, which led to her third and final reason for shutting Harriet down: No woman would put up with her, and Cass was tired of feeling shitty about herself, so it was better not to date at all.

And yet, with all those things still very valid, Cass’s heart was straying from its set path. She’d get a glimpse of Harriet, and it was like a fizz of excitement would dance in her chest.

Two weeks had passed since Ero-Tea-Ca had officially opened and Cass was more than a little disappointed with how little she saw Harriet.

Sure, every morning, like clockwork, she’d come into The Beanery and order a Danish, but their conversations were often short because Harriet had a million and one things on her mind or a list as long as her beautiful hair to complete.

What should it matter, though? Cass only wanted to be friends, and a friendship was what they had. Cass could get on with her life, just the way she liked it, because that was what she wanted, right?

“Ugh,” Cass sighed into the mirror. No, it was not what she wanted.

She wanted to kiss Harriet Kirkwell. She’d dreamed about it several times and woken up panting.

Mr Whiskers regarded her from the hallway.

It was delivery day and Cass always went in super early because she’d badgered the deliveryman to drop her stock off first. He didn’t like her very much, but she’d worn him down.

Deciding to leave her hair down until she arrived at work, Cass surveyed herself one last time.

Had she started wearing a little mascara?

Yes. Had Kendal noticed and given her an amused look?

Of course. Cass found herself ridiculous, but it was like she’d been possessed.

That bloody voice in her head made her do things she’d never dream of doing…

like dressing a little nicer and adding a bit of perfume, or wearing her hair down.

All of this for the attention of Harriet. Utter madness.

There had even been times when Cass had wanted to go to Ero-Tea-Ca.

Not for tea, or the other things in there, but just to get a look at Harriet in her element.

The teashop was brimming every day, and it didn’t look like it would settle down anytime soon.

But as much as she wanted to see her little ray of sunshine, Cass just couldn’t bring herself to go there.

It was the proverbial bucket of cold water on her overheating feelings. The shop, and Harriet’s attitude towards all things saucy, would be a big problem, and Cass couldn’t see a way around it. They were fundamentally different where sex was concerned.

Her meandering thoughts carried her all the way to The Beanery. Mark, the delivery man, was already there and looking miserable. “Mornin’,” he gruffed.

“Mark.” Cass opened the back door and began moving stock. It was a simple and quick process which suited them both. Mark shoved the invoice in her hands and left the second she’d finished penning her name.

“Hey, Cass,” Kendal called an hour later. “Delivery all sorted?”

“Yes. Want an espresso?” Cass was already moving to the machine.

“Please.” Kendal dropped her belongings in the back and then wandered over to where Cass was skilfully making their coffee. People thought it was as easy as shoving some ground coffee in the press and hitting a button. Excellent coffee needed a gentle hand.

“So,” Kendal began, “I’d like you to meet Shauna.”

Cass’s hand froze midway to the machine. “Shauna? The woman you’ve been seeing?”

Kendal nodded, before taking her cup of espresso from the drip plate. “Yes. It’s going somewhere, Cass. You’re my best friend and I want you to meet.”

Wow, okay. Cass knew the day would come. She just wasn’t expecting it to be so soon. Taking her own cup, she gestured for Kendal to follow. They settled down in a set of comfy chairs. “Of course I’ll meet her, if that’s what you want.”

“Would this weekend be okay?”

Cass swallowed a lump. It would give her several days to process the news.

That would be sufficient. If Kendal thought it was important they meet, Cass had to try to get over herself.

She couldn’t help the pang of sadness. Kendal getting serious meant they were really over.

Not that Cass wanted to reunite with Kendal. They were much better as friends.

“I can make that work.”

Kendal dropped a hand on Cass’s knee. “Thanks, Cass. This means a lot.”

“Does she make you happy?”

Kendal’s cheeks blushed delicately. “She does.”

Cass cleared her throat. “And does she want what you want?” It was the politest way to ask if Shauna was okay with not having kids.

“She doesn’t want children. Like me, she’s happy to be a fun aunt, but that’s it.”

“Good.” Cass had a million and one questions, but she didn’t want to come across as interrogating. “What time should I come over?”

“How about seven? I’ll cook.”

“Perfect. Okay, let’s get set up.”

They went about their morning routine in comfortable silence.

Kendal knew Cass needed quiet, especially when she was thinking.

She tried to imagine meeting Shauna. Would it be awkward?

What if they didn’t like each other? Shit, would she have to sit there while Kendal and Shauna got all gooey over each other?

In addition to the voice harping on about her feelings for Harriet, Cass now had to contend with all the questions and feelings meeting Kendal’s new lover raised.

By lunchtime, Cass had to get out of the café. She usually ate in the back room, but the sun was shining and she needed some fresh air, away from Kendal, who kept shooting her worried looks. Did she think Cass was that fragile?

Taking her panini, Cass headed to the local park. It’d been a while since she’d visited and already she felt lighter. Sitting on the bench, she watched dogs run around chasing sticks and balls. Kids were playing on the field with parents.

“Hey.”

The soft voice made her jump and choke on the last bit of food. A sudden thwack landed on her back, dislodging the bread. After several moments of coughing, Cass looked up through watery eyes. “Hi.”

Harriet was smiling her usual disarming smile. “I didn’t mean to almost kill you.”

“You just startled me. What are you doing here?” Cass really had to work on her delivery sometimes. Why did she always sound pissed off or accusatory?

Chuckling, Harriet sat on the bench next to her. “Taking a break. The shop is non-stop.”

Cass brushed some crumbs off her trousers. “You’re certainly doing well.”

“Thanks,” Harriet beamed.

Together they sat watching the world go by until Harriet turned her body. “Are you okay? You look like you’ve got something on your mind.”

Ugh, Cass wished she didn’t wear her feelings on her face all the time.

“Fine,” she replied. Harriet didn’t push.

She never did. Suddenly Cass blurted out her reason for needing some space.

She told Harriet about Shauna and the fact Kendal wanted them to meet, how it was making her anxious because of what it meant and all the ways it could go wrong.

Cass never opened up like this. It took Kendal years to pry open the vault doors, but with Harriet, it felt so natural.

“That sounds difficult,” Harriet said once Cass finished.

Cass blew out a long breath. “But it shouldn’t be. I mean we’ve been divorced for years. We love each other but we’re not in love. I want her to be happy.”

“May I ask why you got divorced?”

“Kids,” Cass replied. “I wanted them and Kendal didn’t. We saw a therapist and knew it wasn’t something either of us could compromise on.”

Harriet nodded. “Understandable.”

Cass glanced at Harriet. Was she really about to admit she still saw a therapist? “I still see our therapist sometimes.”

“Good. I mean, if they help.”

“She’s nice. For a long time, I felt like I’d failed Kendal. If I could just stop myself from wanting children, we would probably still be together.”

“Is that what you want? To be with her?”

Cass didn’t miss the hint of disappointment in Harriet’s voice.

“No. But she’s my normal, you know? The one person in this world I feel comfortable with, and who knows me—grumpiness included. It’s completely selfish on my part, I know that. Kendal deserves all the happiness in the world.”

Cass looked down when she felt a hand on her arm. “You do, too,” Harriet whispered. “You both deserve to be with someone who wants what you want, Cass.”

With a self-deprecating laugh, Cass shook her head. “I’m better off alone. No one wants to put up with my shit. Trust me.”

Another arm squeeze. “I’d like to try. Even if it’s just as a friend, Cass. You can open up to me, if you want. I’d like to know you, grumpiness and all.”

A sharp laugh left Cass’s throat. “You would, wouldn’t you? I actually believe you.”

“I don’t tend to say things I don’t mean,” Harriet said with a smile.

Turning towards Harriet, Cass let her defences drop a little more. “Would you come with me?”

“With you?” Harriet asked, looking confused.

“To Kendal’s on Saturday, to meet Shauna? I know it’s a lot to ask. Yeah, too much, just forget—”

“Hey, it’s not too much and I’d happily tag along. Don’t take the offer back.”

They were sitting closer than before. Who had shifted? Cass shook the thought away. “Are you sure?”

“Would it make things easier for you?”

Cass nodded. It would take the pressure off her. She was sure of it. There would be less of a third-wheel feeling, and she knew Harriet would help her through any tough spots.

“Then, I’m sure. What time should I be ready? I can come to your place first if you want? Maybe we can have a pre-game drink. Nothing takes the edge off like a nice glass of wine.”

“Okay,” Cass heard herself say. “Why don’t you come ’round about six. It will be super casual, so don’t worry about getting dressed up.”

“I look forward to it.” Harriet playfully bumped against Cass’s shoulder. “Now, I suppose I should head back. Nabi and Kevin are in charge, and together they usually get into trouble.”

“Yeah, me too. Thanks…you know…for this,” Cass said.

Another award-winning smile. “Anytime. I mean it. I like getting to know you, Cass.”

Swallowing, Cass smiled back. “Me too.”

They walked back in comfortable silence. Harriet gave Cass a little wave before disappearing into Ero-Tea-Ca. Taking a cleansing breath, Cass went back to work. The lunch rush was about to start, and she had to focus.

When Saturday arrived, Cass was a bag of nerves.

Not only because she was going to meet Shauna, but because, in less than ten minutes, Harriet would arrive.

They were going to have a glass of wine and Cass was going to do her best not to kiss her.

That was where her head was at nowadays.

They hardly knew each other, and yet Harriet pulled Cass like a magnet. It was infuriating.

A knock on the door ramped up her nerves by a factor of ten. Only it wasn’t Harriet standing on her doorstep.

“Cass, darling,” Lolita said, pulling her in for a kiss. “I couldn’t find the key. Are you off out?”

Lolita had done one of her famous disappearing acts.

Cass hadn’t seen or heard from her mother since, unfortunately, hearing buzzing coming from her spare room.

It was typical Lolita, though. Cass would bet she’d met a nice man and had her way with him for a couple of weeks before getting bored.

Cass also knew she’d return at some point, considering her luggage was still taking up space in her spare bedroom.

“I’m going to Kendal’s,” Cass replied. There was no point in asking why Lolita didn’t think to let her only daughter know where she’d been.

“Oh, hi,” Harriet said from behind Lolita. She was dressed in tight-fitting jeans and a light sweater. Cass wanted to rush them out of the house and far, far away from Lolita, but it was too late. Her mother pivoted in place until she was face to face with Harriet.

“Harriet, my love. Oh, it’s lovely to see you. Are you here for Cass?”

“Yes, we’re going to Kendal’s for dinner.”

“Together?”

“Yes, Mother. Together. I’m meeting Kendal’s girlfriend—”

“And you wanted Kendal to meet yours? How wonderful.”

“No, Mum. Harriet and I are just friends.”

Lolita spun back around. “Why on earth aren’t you together?”

Cass gritted her teeth. “Are you coming in or what?” she shot back. Lolita rolled her eyes, but stepped through the door. Harriet followed behind. This was not going at all the way she’d hoped.

“I’m not staying,” Lolita called. “Henry is picking me up in five. We’re going to the Lake District. I’ll call when we arrive.”

So the mystery man had a name. “Sure, Mum,” Cass replied, her eyes still on Harriet. What was she thinking?

“Okay, my lovelies. Cass, I’ll come back soon. Harriet, I’m so sorry I didn’t get to see your beautiful shop. Next time.”

“Absolutely,” Harriet said, allowing Lolita to draw her into a hug. After seeing her mum out, Cass let out a deep breath the second the door was shut. Her mother could be exhausting.

“By the looks of it, you’re ready for that glass of wine now,” Harriet said with a laugh.

Spinning around, Cass nodded. “More than one, probably.”