Page 23 of Welcome to Ero-TEA-Ca: We’re Open!

Harriet

“ T hanks for coming in early,” Harriet said, wincing slightly. Kevin and Nabi looked half asleep and kept shooting her pointed looks.

“Early? Early! This is still nighttime. Why couldn’t we have the meeting after hours? You know, when we’ve all had a full night’s sleep.” Kevin promptly dropped his head to the table after his outburst.

“Yeah,” Nabi echoed, her eyes falling closed.

“I didn’t want to wait until this evening. Look, I have an idea I need you to get behind.”

Nabi blinked rapidly, trying to will her eyes to stay open. “You know we’ll more than likely love it.”

“It’s not what you think,” Harriet replied. Ever since Cass agreed to work at the teashop, she’d mulled over the idea. It was a spontaneous offer at first, but the more she thought about it, the more perfect a solution it became.

Cass needed a low-pressure environment to face her fears. Was fear the right word? Harriet pondered for a second. Yeah, she guessed fear was the right descriptor. Cass was afraid of sex because she’d rejected any thought of it. The subject held too many negative connotations.

So, yes. Cass having some time to be around people who were comfortable with themselves, and artwork that was salacious but discreet, was the absolute best way to help.

Harriet was sure of it, until a creeping doubt flittered in.

She wasn’t a therapist. What if her suggestion was the complete opposite of what Cass needed?

Maybe even suggesting it was a major overstep?

“Sis, you look constipated.”

Harriet punched him in the arm. “And you look like a unicorn threw up on your head. What is that colour, anyway?” Kevin’s new hairstyle was…a choice.

“Gogo wanted to experiment. This was the result.”

“I hope they paid you for your time and possible damages.”

“Damages?” Kevin’s hands shot to his dry-looking hair. “What damages?”

Nabi plucked several broken ends off in her hand. “They over-bleached, my friend. Your hair is crispy.”

“Fuck,” Kevin growled. “Why do I let them do it?”

Harriet knew why. Kevin had a crush on Gogo that spanned many, many years. He’d never summoned the courage to ask them out, even though they’d be a great couple.

“Anyway. Back to my idea.”

Two pairs of eyes snapped to Harriet. “We’re all ears,” Kevin replied, still fingering his hair with a scowl.

“For reasons I can’t fully explain because it’s not my place or story, I’d like Nabi and Cass to swap shops for a week.”

Silence. Kevin looked bewildered. “Cass? You mean the bitch from next door?”

“Don’t call her that!” Harriet fumed. “She’s not a bitch.”

Keven sat back, hands in the air. “Okay, chill out. But didn’t she—”

“Yes, but it’s water under the bridge. We’re friends now and I’m trying to help her with something.”

Kevin nodded and shrugged. “It’s entirely up to Nabi. If she’s cool, so am I.”

Harriet turned a hopeful gaze to her best friend, who was in the process of unwrapping a lollipop. “Kendal’s cool. I can work with her. When do you want to do it?”

Giving Nabi a high five in appreciation, Harriet told them she’d like Cass to start next week. “Because we’re dark on Sunday afternoons—”

“Only until the week after next,” Nabi reminded her. “After that the Dommes are taking over,” she said with utter delight.

Amazingly, Nabi had found a book club full of Dommes.

They’d formed over seven years ago, meeting in one another’s living rooms every month.

As soon as Nabi put the flyer up offering the tearoom on a Sunday afternoon, exclusively for book clubs, the Dommes called in, reserving one Sunday every month, starting next week.

“How could I forget? In fact, I wanted to run some theme ideas by you both.”

“I can only deal with one thing at a time,” Kevin complained. “It’s too early for multi-tasking.”

“Here,” Harriet said, thrusting a muffin towards him. “It’s blueberry.”

While Kevin devoured his muffin, Harriet poured them all tea. “Are you sure you’re okay with this, Nabs?”

“Yeah, why not? It’ll be fun. Although, I’m really surprised. Cass all but scaled the walls to get out of here last time.”

“I know. I wish I could tell you more, but it’s up to Cass and I’m not going to betray her trust.”

A quarter of a muffin hit Harriet square in the head. “You like her,” Kevin declared.

“Fuck! Why did you need to throw food at me?”

“I got excited.”

“You know how he gets,” Nabi added. “His motor functions take on a life of their own.”

“Whatever,” Harriet grumbled as she picked crumbs from her hair. “Yes, I like her. But we’re just friends. She needs that more than a relationship.”

“But you think she’ll change her stance later down the line?” Nabi surmised.

Sighing, Harriet nodded. “I hope so. She’s like no one I’ve met before.”

“You mean emotionally repressed,” Kevin shot.

“No, she isn’t. She’s the absolute opposite actually. If anything, I think she feels too deeply. Is this going to be a problem, Kev?”

“Hey, no need to get snippy.”

“No need to run your mouth,” Harriet shot back. “I like her, Kevin.”

“Alright, alright. My lips are sealed. You know I only want you to be happy. I’m a little worried, is all.”

“So why get so excited?” Nabi asked. Harriet could always rely on her to have her back.

“Because it’s been ages since Harriet liked someone.”

“It has, but can we not hyperfocus on it, please? And do not make any stupid comments to Cass. I’m serious, Kevin. I need you to promise me.”

“Jesus,” he snorted. “I’m not that bad. I’ll be nice as pie. I guess we’ll work together at some point?”

Harriet nodded. “You’ll have a shift next Thursday. I’ll need you to take point on any toy sales or enquiries about the art and teapots.”

“So, Cass is literally just here to serve tea?” he stated.

“Yes.”

“Okay then. Now can I go back to bed?” Kevin was already standing and putting on his coat. “I’m still pissed at you for dragging my arse here.”

Harriet stood and pulled him into a hug. “I appreciate it, bro. See you at Mount Doom.”

Nabi cackled. “Do the ’rents know you’ve baptised their house Mount Doom?”

Kevin grinned. “No, but even if they did, the reference would be lost on them.”

“Completely lost on them,” Harriet reiterated.

“Okay, beautiful people, I’ll see you later.”

Harriet started the job of preparing for opening. The chairs were already placed under tables, and they’d cleaned the night before. Just the food needed to be cooked and displayed.

Nabi hopped on the kitchen counter. “So, you and Cass?”

“There is no ‘me and Cass’. I’m happy to be her friend.”

“Okay. And this swap is really about helping her through something? Not just a way for your fragile gay heart to spend some quality time with her?”

Harriet laughed. “My heart is not fragile. And spending extra time with her is a perk of the situation. But really, this is about helping Cass. That’s my number one priority.”

“And you can’t tell me what it’s about? Even though I have a vague idea.”

Harriet shook her head. “No. Sorry, Nabs.”

“Fair enough. So, this Sunday, you’re gonna what? Let her roam the teashop?”

That’s exactly what Harriet intended. Hopefully, a day with no customers would give Cass the chance to process and acclimatise. “Yes, that’s the plan. I’ve got plenty of paperwork to do, so Cass can have the run of the place.”

“To do what?”

“Whatever she needs. Now, enough of the third-degree. Get the croissants in.”

Harriet didn’t go in for her usual Danish. She thought it wise to wait for Cass to come to her. Before leaving Cass’s house the night the decision was made, she’d said she’d chat with Nabi this morning and Cass said she’d do the same with Kendal.

But Cass hadn’t contacted her all day, and now she was en route to Mount Doom. An evening with Patsy and Ronald was low on the list of things she wanted to do, but Diane insisted they try to keep some semblance of a family unit.

Mentally scrolling through the different takeout restaurants she’d hit up once the night was over, Harriet pulled up alongside Diane’s car.

Kevin opted to grab a lift from her instead of on the back of Harriet’s scooter.

He said it was too cold, but Harriet knew he just didn’t want to put the helmet on in case it further damaged his already wrecked hair.

She had visions of him removing the headgear, only to find all his hair stuck to it and a nice shiny bald head.

She snorted at the thought. It would keep her going through the evening, a bright spark in the pit of darkness her parents no doubt intended to cast over the disappointments that were their children.

Diane called a greeting from the kitchen. Kevin waved from the living room, which was deadly quiet. Only the glow of the muted TV gave any clue of life. Placing her bag and coat by the door, Harriet dragged her heels. God, she already felt the oppressive judgement of her parents weighing her down.

“Well, if it isn’t the family’s madame,” Patsy sneered.

Great start.

“Mum,” Harriet murmured, bypassing her to hug Diane.

“Don’t listen to her,” she whispered in Harriet’s ear.

The rest of the evening followed the same trajectory.

One or both parents slipped in jibes and insults about Ero-Tea-Ca.

They were disgusted she was still in business.

Apparently, they’d heard things about the shop from their friends and couldn’t believe Harriet was disgracing the family like that.

Diane tried in vain to interject, but they were on a roll.

Even Kevin, who usually found their parents’ rants funny, sat silently. Harriet tuned out completely. Her mind wandered to Cass. She thought of their upcoming week together, which brought a smile to her face.

“And what exactly do you have to smile about, young lady?”

The vitriol in her mother’s voice was enough to bring her crashing back to the doily-lined table.

Oh, right, I’m still in hell.

Looking up, Harriet stared down her mother and father. “Enough of this shit,” a voice whispered in her head. “I have plenty to be happy about. I’ll smile whenever I please.”

“Harriet Kirkwell—” her father began.

Slamming her cutlery on the table, Harriet rose from her seat.

“Don’t ‘ Harriet Kirkwell’ me. I’ve had it.

” Casting her gaze to Diane, she smiled regretfully.

“Sorry, Di, I can’t keep doing this. None of us should.

We come here out of duty because we’re blood-related, but that’s it.

I will not have my mental health suffer just for the sake of blood ties.

None of us are good enough. You’re the only one with any redeeming qualities and that’s because you have kids.

But I’m sitting here, time in and time out, getting verbally abused and putting up with it.

Not anymore. Mother, Father, this will be the last time I step foot in this house until you can offer me some modicum of respect.

I am a business owner—a successful one at that.

My life is rich and full of love. Your approval is no longer needed. ”

Pushing out her chair, she bent to hug a stunned Kevin, and then Diane. “I’ll see you at work, Kev. And I’ll see you when you’re free, Di. Just give me a call. Night.”

In a storm of indignation, Harriet walked past her parents without sparing them another second of her time.

Only on the ride home did the realisation of what she’d just done hit her.

But she didn’t regret it. Actually, she felt bloody brilliant.

It was amazing how much of a weight her parents’ criticisms and outright disdain weighed on her. But now she felt liberated.

Instead of driving home, Harriet parked the scooter outside Cass’s place. The curtain twitched. No backing out now. She could see Cass’s silhouette moving from the window.

The door opened before Harriet had a chance to knock. “Hi, sorry to turn up unannounced.”

Cass shrugged. “It’s fine. Want a tea?”

Harriet liked this. Cass was so much more comfortable with her, and the fact Harriet could turn up without getting scowled at was great.

“Hey there, little man,” she cooed. Mr Whiskers wound himself around her feet until he was scooped up and cradled.

“You’re both ridiculous,” Cass teased.

“You’re just jealous.”

“Mmm. Biscuit with the tea?”

“God, yes, I’m famished.” On cue, her stomach growled.

Cass went wide-eyed. The noise was impressive. “Um, I think you might need more than a Hobnob. I’ll order pizza.”

And just like that, Harriet was having dinner with Cass.

“I spoke to Kevin and Nabi. They’re both on board if you still want to do the swap thing.”

Cass didn’t answer right away. She finished tapping their food order into her phone and poured the tea. “I spoke to Kendal.”

Harriet settled Mr Whiskers on her lap. “Okay. Would you like to talk about it?”

“Nothing to talk about. She’s fine with the idea. Ken knows me well enough not to push. I just told her it was something I needed to try, and she was completely supportive.”

“So, we’re doing it then?”

Cass looked at her for the first time since sitting down. She swallowed nervously, but allowed her mouth to curl a little. “We are.”

“Everything at your pace, Cass. I thought it would be an idea to start on Sunday, when we’re closed.”

Cass nodded. “I thought the same thing. Maybe if I have time to orient myself and process, it’ll help when there are customers.”

“You’re just serving tea, remember. Nothing more. No pressure.”

“You keep saying that.” Cass laughed.

“Because it’s true. And if you do feel it’s too much, just nip out the back and take a breath. You can also talk to me, too. About anything.”

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Cass murmured to herself. Harriet needed to have some kind of contact. She settled her hand on Cass’s thigh.

“You can back out. But I hope you don’t because I think what you’re doing is very courageous.”

Cass scoffed, “I think it’s ridiculous. A forty-one-year-old needing to be schooled on…sex. How pathetic.”

“You aren’t being schooled, Cass. You’re working through trauma to make your life easier.”

Cass wiped her face. “Whatever the reason, I wish I didn’t have to do any of it. I just want to be normal.”

“Whoa. Okay, I don’t want to hear you say things like that. Cass, you are normal. As normal as any of us can be. It’s a horrid term. You are you. That’s all you can be. We go through life, changing and learning. It never stops. That’s all you’re doing. You’re growing. It’s a beautiful thing, okay?”

They looked each other in the eye, and that overwhelming desire to capture Cass’s lips surged through Harriet’s body.

This was going to be harder than she thought.