Page 21 of Welcome to Ero-TEA-Ca: We’re Open!

Cassandra

C ass huddled in bed until Mr Whiskers grew so impatient he attacked her face. Having a ball of fluff almost suffocate you brought things into perspective. Last night was bad, but not deserve to die by feline bad.

Dragging herself to the kitchen, she ignored the fact she still wore her underwear from last night because Harriet Kirkwell undressed her and put her in jammies. She’d compartmentalise the crap out of yesterday evening, allowing herself time to process and react with one thing at a time.

First, she had to feed her starving kitty before he really got mad and started shitting in all her shoes.

She’d learned her lesson long ago where Mr Whiskers was concerned.

Second, she needed a shower to wash away the wine still seeping from her pores, followed by three or four pints of water and some more painkillers.

Then the real work started. Even though it was Cass’s day off, she’d have to go to The Beanery and apologise to Kendal.

Once again, this came in stages, too. First, for acting like a brat at the beginning of the night.

Harriet had every right to call her out on her behaviour.

Second, for then getting Kendal’s new girlfriend drunk.

It wasn’t the plan, but after Cass relaxed, she’d found it really easy to talk to Shauna and one thing led to… many open and drunk bottles of wine.

If Kendal forgave her, Cass would then have to unpack her beautifully compartmentalised mind and figure out how the hell she was supposed to ever look Harriet in the eye again.

For once, Cass wished she’d got blackout drunk.

But oh, no. She remembered everything clearly: How she’d told Harriet she smelled of sunshine.

She remembered the singing. Oh, God, the singing.

Her neighbours would be pissed, too. She’d called Harriet a seductress.

To her face! And lastly, the almost kiss. Cass remembered that vividly.

Not forgetting the word vomit she’d so beautifully upchucked.

What the hell must Harriet think of her?

No way the confident young woman would still want to date her.

Not that Harriet planned to ask her out.

Ever. If last night proved anything, it was that Cassandra Beaufort is a hot mess who should be alone for the sake of everyone else.

For once, Lolita’s usual disappearing act didn’t even register on the list of problems Cass had. Maybe she’d finally accepted her mother just the way she was. There was no changing her. It was the job of her new man to put up with her now. Until the next time.

With Mr Whiskers fed and bribed with double the amount of kibble, Cass took her shower, taking twice the amount of time to scrub herself clean. She dressed in comfy jeans and a T-shirt, opting to leave her wet hair down.

The walk to The Beanery was brisk. Nothing got rid of a pesky hangover better than a bit of exercise—if you could call fast walking exercise. Whatever. It would have to do, because Cass had no plans of doing anything else after she’d prostrated herself in front of her ex-wife.

It was close to lunch by the time she arrived. The café was nearly full. Kendal smiled over when Cass entered, which had to be a good sign. Or she was lulling Cass into a false sense of security and would rip her head off when she least expected.

In the staff room, Cass dumped her bag and willed herself to go back out and make a cup of coffee. She’d just summoned up the courage and energy when Kendal bustled in with an espresso of Cass’s Peruvian Gold.

“You look like you need this.”

Cass took the cup happily and inhaled. “Thank you.” After a long draw, she put the cup down and looked at Kendal. “Ken—”

“It’s fine.” Kendal laughed. “You and Shauna were extremely entertaining.”

Groaning, Cass cradled her heating face in her hands. “How many bottles did we get through?”

“Too many!” Kendal continued to laugh. “Feeling a little green?”

Sitting at the table, Cass gestured for Kendal to join her. “Not as bad as I thought. I do need to apologise, though, Ken. For my behaviour, pre-wine.”

“Ah, yes.” Kendal crossed one leg over the other and waited.

“I acted like a dick. Harriet’s words. She was right, though. I behaved badly and I’m sorry. I’d like to apologise to Shauna also.”

“There’s no need, Cass. I knew it would be hard. On both of us. Shauna really enjoyed getting to know you. I’d prepared her for a frosty reception.”

Oh, Christ. That felt awful. Kendal had to pre-warn people about Cass’s tendency to be an arse. Ugh. “I’m still sorry.”

“Do you want to talk about the reason you acted that way?” Any other time, Cass would talk to Kendal, but after last night, things shifted.

Kendal had a relationship to nurture. Her attention had to be on Shauna, not her ex-wife.

Plus, Cass immediately thought of Harriet.

It was she who Cass wanted to talk to about things.

Not just her shitty behaviour or issues, but about everything.

“No, I’m good.”

Kendal furrowed her brows ever so slightly. “Okay.”

“I’d really like a do-over, though. With you and Shauna. Without copious amounts of alcohol. How about next Sunday? I’ll cook.”

She could see Kendal trying to work out what was happening. This wasn’t Cass. Cass didn’t invite people over for lunch. She didn’t care what people thought. And yet, she was trying.

“I’ll ask Shauna, but I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“Excellent. Now I need about four more espressos and I think I’ll be functioning normally.”

Before Cass could fully stand up, Kendal took her arm. “She’s good for you, Cass.” No need for Cass to pretend she didn’t know who Kendal was referring to. “She really is.”

Cass nodded but didn’t answer. She couldn’t.

Harriet was all she could think about, but it was more complicated than asking her out.

Cass had baggage she had to work through before she subjected someone as lovely as Harriet to it.

She needed the friendship to work. If, and it was a big if, Cass could get over some stuff, maybe she’d think about asking Harriet out.

Only time and lots of therapy would tell.

In the café, Cass settled on a barstool, quite content to inhale several strong coffees and a couple of Danishes. She felt Harriet before she saw her. A wave of embarrassment and warmth washed over her.

“Hey, I was just about to grab a coffee and come over to your house.” Harriet hopped on the stool next to Cass, looking fresh-faced.

“Morning,” Cass choked out. The Danish was now taking an excruciating amount of time travelling down her oesophagus. “I needed coffee.”

“Well,” Harriet replied, looking Cass over. Her eyes paused on Cass’s flowing hair. “You don’t look too worse for wear.”

“I think I have you to thank for that. The water and paracetamol saved me.”

“Standard care package.” Harriet smiled. “Do you want to have lunch?”

“She’d love to,” Kendal interjected.

“Cass?”

“Yeah. That’d be nice. I pay, though, as a thank you for looking after me last night.”

“Deal. How do you feel about tapas?”

“I love Spanish food.”

“Excellent. Let’s get another espresso down you first and then we’ll get off.”

Smiling, Cass flicked her eyes to Kendal, who gave her a warm smile and a playful wink, causing Cass’s face to heat again.

She was having lunch with Harriet. As a friend. Maybe.

Why hadn’t Harriet brought up last night? Since leaving The Beanery, they’d chatted about things. Nothing of consequence. Certainly not Cass’s confessions. Maybe she didn’t want to talk about Cass’s baggage. Or she was too embarrassed.

Cass did her best to get through lunch without having an anxiety attack, but it was getting harder as time passed. They paid the bill and somehow arrived at Cass’s house. “Um…do you want a drink?”

Harriet smiled. “Sure.” She was so laid-back Cass couldn’t get a grip on the situation.

As with every other time Harriet had stepped foot in Cass’s house, she immediately scooped Mr Whiskers into her arms and cooed into his face.

It was cute and at least gave Cass a few moments alone.

She set about making tea for Harriet using the tea she’d been gifted.

Deciding more caffeine was probably a bad idea, Cass settled for some lemon water.

“Here we are,” Cass announced. “One cup of weird-smelling tea for you.”

Harriet giggled. “It’s not weird smelling. You’re just used to having the smell of coffee permanently up your nose.”

Shrugging, Cass sat on the couch next to Harriet, who plonked a disgruntled Mr Whiskers on the floor. The air seemed heavier suddenly and Cass felt her skin become uncomfortable.

“Cass, relax.” Harriet was leaning towards her. “I can feel your anxiety. Please take a breath. You’re safe with me, okay?”

Wow. Cass had to swallow several times. “About last night,” she began. “I said some things.”

“You did. And I’m here if you want to talk about them a little more.”

Cass cast a quick look at Harriet’s face. She couldn’t detect any deception or forced sincerity. “Why? I mean, you must see what a mess I am. You don’t need that.”

“How about you let me decide what I want.” Harriet shifted a little closer.

“I like you, Cass. A lot. I know you’re not ready for more.

Hopefully, one day, but if all we have is friendship then I’ll be the best damn friend you’ve ever had.

When you opened up a little to me, I felt like I was getting to see the real Cassandra. ”

“It’s hard to talk to people.” Cass felt ridiculous. She was in her fourth decade of life, and she still felt like a lost child. “I think you, of all people, will find my issues silly.”

Harriet shook her head. “That’s not fair. First, I don’t know the full extent of your experience, so I can’t form an opinion. Second, I only want to create a safe space for you. There will be no judgement, Cass. I swear.”