Page 26 of Welcome to Ero-TEA-Ca: We’re Open!
Several tea packets hit the floor this time. Harriet desperately wanted to look over her shoulder, but fought it. “Tori is lovely, and in other circumstances I would happily ask her out, but I have my eye on someone, so…”
Ronnie nodded. “Fair enough. Thought I’d ask. What about you?” Ronnie shouted, her eyes on Cass.
“Um…I…”
“Not a lesbian?” Ronnie asked.
“I don’t think that’s any of your business,” Cass bit out.
“Oh, sorry, love,” Ronnie replied, not looking in the least bit sorry.
She’d told Harriet once that she’d long gotten over upsetting people.
She asked awkward questions and gave her unsolicited opinions no matter what.
She’d said it was the only positive aspect of getting old. “No potential here, then. Bugger.”
Harriet removed the tea bag from Ronnie’s pot. “Here, have a cuppa.”
“Thanks, cherub. Back to the party. Would you make those delicious French Fancies?” Ronnie pointed to the stack of cakes in the display case. “But instead of the normal icing, can you do them in the colours of the lesbian flag?”
“Sure. How many people are you expecting?”
Ronnie tapped her chin. “Let’s say twenty. You, Nabi and Kevin will come, right?”
“I can’t speak for the others, but I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Obviously, you’ll be running it,” Cass mumbled behind her.
“And what about you, grumpy arse? Wanna come to a coming out party?”
Cass cleared her throat, and Harriet finally allowed herself to look. She was red-faced and her eyes darted from Harriet to Ronnie. “I…” Harriet wanted to jump in and save her. But Cass was a grown woman. She could speak for herself. “Okay.”
“Fantastic,” Ronnie exclaimed. “So, the French Fancies are sorted. Can you do a selection of sandwiches? I’d also like to purchase some gift boxes. Tori’s eyed up the Ancient Greek porn pot every time we’ve been in.”
“It’s not a porn pot.” Harriet laughed. The teapot in question had Ancient Greek replicated scenes of women getting busy painted over it.
“You know what I mean. I want that to be her present. Also, a dildo of her choice.”
Harriet could feel Cass’s face radiating heat. Surprisingly, though, she’d not stormed out. “That can be arranged. But maybe wait until Tori is alone before offering her that. You don’t know where her comfort level is yet.”
Ronnie nodded. “Good point. Okay, we’ll leave that bit until the end.”
“I’ll make a list of everything and send you an invoice.”
“Perfect. Right, I’m going to take my tea and leave you lovely ladies to it. Ta ta, for now.”
Instead of immediately checking on Cass, Harriet wiped the counter and rearranged the display case. Cass would talk to her when she was ready.
“Wow, she’s something.”
Harriet closed the case and spun around. “She’s great. I love her. Tori is a sweetheart too. I’m so pleased she felt confident enough to come out.”
“So, you do events?” Cass continued to fill the shelf. Her eyes darting to Harriet’s now and then.
“Book clubs, yes. We’ve never done a coming out tea party before. Should be fun.” Harriet paused. “You…you’re really going to attend?”
Cass looked back to the box in her hand. “If that’s okay?”
God, Harriet had the urge to hold her again. “Of course it is. I think you’ll really enjoy it.”
“Then I’ll come.” They continued for a little while in silence until Cass had no more tea to put out.
“You can take a break now if you want.” Harriet didn’t want Cass to go back to the stockroom. She wanted her at the counter next to her. But this whole thing wasn’t about what she needed.
“I’m okay, for now. I was wondering if you’d teach me to use the till. It’s gorgeous.”
A warmth filled Harriet’s chest. “Sure. Put the box in recycling and come back out. It won’t take long.”
Cass came back, looking more determined than ever. Did this mean she was feeling less anxious about being in the main serving area? It only took Cass a few tries before she was a whiz on the vintage machine. Her eyes lit up every time she got it right.
“Want to take over for a bit? I can make the tea and wait the tables.”
Biting her lip, Cass cast a glance around the room. “Okay. Yeah.”
They worked seamlessly together until there was a lull. Harriet made them both a pot of tea and plated two French Fancies. “Did you make these?” Cass licked off a blob of cream from her lip and Harriet swore she whimpered out loud.
Clearing her throat, she took a bite of her own cake. “Yes, I love baking.”
Cass’s eyes went wide. “You made all of this from scratch?”
The display case was jam-packed, full of delicious treats. Harriet made the majority of them. Baking helped calm her racing thoughts. It was easy to get lost in a recipe.
“Not everything. I don’t make the crumpets.”
Cass scoffed. “But everything else?”
Harriet nodded.
“Wow. They’re delicious. Where on earth do you find the time? I can barely cook pre-made croissants.”
“Mostly I stay after the shop’s closed and bake. It doesn’t take long. Nabi and Kevin do the sandwiches.”
Chewing the last bit of cake, Cass sighed. “You’re impressive, you know.”
Harriet smiled shyly. “Thanks.” It felt good, too good, to have Cass compliment her. She was so, so screwed. Cass was going to run away with her heart, and Harriet had no intentions of stopping her.