Page 40 of Welcome to Ero-TEA-Ca: We’re Open!

Cassandra

C ass couldn’t stop her knee from bobbing up and down. In hindsight, the third espresso was probably a bad idea. Unfortunately, she’d gotten around two hours sleep. Partly because Harriet debauched her for hours, and partly because, after the fun was over, Cass couldn’t shut off her mind.

Having an in-depth conversation with her mother might be good for their long-term relationship, but it was doing a number on her short-term nerves. She’d wracked her brains all night, to no avail, trying to come up with an opening statement.

So here she was, waiting for her mum, with nervous energy making itself known in the way of awkward bodily movements.

How she wished Harriet were sitting next to her.

She’d offered to come along, but there was no way Cass would wrangle her mum in if she met Harriet in an official you’re my daughter’s girlfriend capacity.

“Cass, love,” she heard Lolita call from the other side of the pond. With a small wave, she took in her mum race-walking towards her with a smile lighting up her face.

“Hi, Mum, you look good,” Cass said as soon as Lolita was within a suitable hearing distance. No need to screech from across the park.

Walking into Lolita’s arms, Cass took a second to calm herself. This time around, she wouldn’t get irritated or run away. Cass was determined to have a healthy discussion, once and for all.

“You look wonderful yourself, love!”

Smiling shyly, Cass tugged gently on her mum’s sleeve to set them off walking. Motion was necessary to ward off a panic attack. If they sat down, Cass’s nerves would build to an explosive level.

“So, I know you want to talk about Henry,” Cass began. “I do, too. But could we chat about something…that’s sort of difficult for me to talk about?”

Lolita was smiling at a small puppy stumbling over its ball. “’Course, love. Chat away.”

Reining in a frustrated sigh, Cass navigated them away from the adorable dogs. She needed her mum’s undivided attention. “Mum, this is serious.”

Thankfully sensing Cass’s tone, Lolita turned to her and gave a nod. “I’m listening, sweetheart.”

Oh, boy. She had to say it now. There was no backing out. But how the hell does a person say what Cass needed to say without it sounding as if she were blaming her life’s issues on the one person who’d always been there for her? As best she could, anyway.

“I’ve been seeing a therapist.” Good place to start, right?

Lolita pulled them to a stop. “Oh?”

Biting her lip, Cass took a steadying breath. “Yeah, um…ah, this is really hard to say!”

“Cass, baby, just say it. I’ll listen with an open mind.”

“We don’t always communicate well, Mum. I think that’s a fair assessment, right?”

Lolita tipped her head from side to side. “I guess.”

Cass forged on. “I know I’m quick to react. Usually negatively.”

“You’ve always had a short temper.” Lolita laughed.

“Because I’ve felt embarrassed, Mum,” Cass shot. Closing her eyes, she chastised herself for snapping. “Growing up, I didn’t fit in. I’m reserved. Kids took that as an excuse to bully me.”

“I know you had a few problems, but was it that bad?”

“Yes, Mum, it was. And…God, I don’t know how to say this without upsetting you…”

“Cassandra, please just say whatever you need to say.”

Peering at her feet, Cass summoned the words.

“You made it worse, Mum. I know you didn’t mean to.

I don’t even think you realised how your behaviour affected me, but it did.

Enduring all the comments from kids and adults about you being…

loose —not my words, may I add. Everything just ended up being about you and your men.

Plus, you weren’t shy about telling me about them.

Or about sex in general. And I know you didn’t cross any boundaries, as such, but it all made me so uncomfortable, Mum.

To the point where anything to do with sex had me recoiling. It’s been…hard.”

Well, she’d officially word vomited, and her mum looked on the verge of tears. Shit!

“I…”

“I’m sorry, Mum. Maybe I could have put it better. Shit, I just wanted to be honest with you. I’m working hard to get over some stuff, and believe me, it’s not all because of you and our relationship—”

“But most of it is?” Lolita’s voice wobbled with emotion. “I traumatised my kid and sent her into therapy!”

“Oh, Mum.” Cass hugged Lolita fiercely. “Please don’t cry.” This was the first time in many years they’d properly embraced. Cass closed her eyes, feeling the sting of tears. “I pushed you away. Instead of opening up to you, and working it out years ago, I pushed you away.”

It took several minutes, but eventually, Lolita dried her tears. “I was so young when I had you, Cass. I thought I could carry on being me, even with a kid. I wanted us to be friends. I thought treating you that way would make us closer, because, Lord knows, I didn’t know how to be a single mum.”

“You did. You gave me everything. I…I just didn’t turn out like you. Outgoing, I mean. I’m introverted, and I struggle with social situations. They drain me.”

“And all I did was push you to be like me, without figuring out you couldn’t.”

“I’m really not here to place blame.” Cass gripped Lolita’s shoulders. “I want us to be closer. And to do that, we need to know each other better. I also don’t want you to change. I love you how you are, I just need…”

“For me to understand you.”

“I want you to understand me.”

Letting her mum guide her to the nearest bench, Cass sat down, never letting go of her mum’s hand. “Remember Harriet?”

“The owner of Ero-Tea-Ca?”

Cass nodded. “Well…we’re dating. And it’s serious.” Lolita’s face immediately brightened, and Cass saw the moment she went to ask something, but stopped herself. “She’s younger than me, and eternally positive, which was irritating to begin with.”

“She was lovely when I met her briefly.”

“I realised I wanted to change some of my ways when we started seeing each other. Now, she knows I’m never going to be Ms Sunshine, or one hundred percent comfortable with certain things, but that’s okay. Because I know she likes me, for me.”

Lolita cupped Cass’s face. “I couldn’t wish for anything more for you, honey.” She sighed. “I think I knew, deep down, my dating history had an effect on your romantic views. I worried that was why you and Kendal split up.”

“No, we wanted different things.”

“You never told me the reason.”

“I wanted kids and she didn’t. I’m sorry I didn’t confide in you more.”

“Why would you if you didn’t feel comfortable? But I need that to change, Cass. You’re my only daughter. Of course I want to know you. The good, bad, and the ugly.”

“Same. So, where do we go from here?”

Blowing out a breath, Lolita took a second to gaze over the park. “One day at a time? I think we’ll need more than one conversation, and maybe…maybe I could attend therapy? If that would help?”

“You’d come to therapy with me?”

“Cassandra, I’d do anything for you! Maybe I could learn something about myself, too.”

“I love you, Mum.”

“My sweet Cass. I love you too.”

Feeling lighter than she could ever imagine, Cass hugged Lolita again. They were on the road to recovery, and Cass hadn’t known how badly she needed that to happen.

Pulling away, Cass swiped a rogue tear. “Do you want to tell me about Henry?”

“He’s wonderful, Cass. Kind, gentle, and a fantastic lo— He’s perfect for me.”

“And you’re sure you want to marry him? He’s not after your money or anything?”

Lolita snorted. “Cass, he’s loaded! If anything, his kids should be asking that, not you.”

“So, he has kids?”

Cass settled in and listened to Lolita gush over her new love. It was a side Cass had never seen before, and she decided love suited her mother well.

“You’ll meet him, then?”

“Of course I will. Is he here?” Cass cast a look around the park.

“He’s waiting in the car.”

“Okay, shall we go to him, or do you want to wait here?” Cass was suddenly nervous again.

Lolita whipped out her phone and sent a message. “He’ll be five minutes.”

Sitting in silence, Cass began processing the morning. She’d need more time to fully digest their conversation, but at first glance, she thought it went as well as could be expected.

Noticing Lolita sitting a little taller, she followed her mum’s gaze. A handsome man beamed back at them. He was tall, probably around six feet with salt-and-pepper hair and a groomed beard—nice suit, too.

Stepping up to Lolita, he dropped a sweet kiss on her cheek before turning to Cass and offering his hand. “It’s lovely to meet you, Cassandra. Lol has told me a lot about you.”

Lol? Cass grinned at her mother, who blushed. “It’s lovely to meet you too,” she replied, shaking his hand. “Fancy grabbing a coffee? I know a place.”

Henry chuckled. “Sounds great! Lol.” Offering his arm, Lolita stood and wrapped her hand around his bicep.

“Why thank you, kind sir. Lead on, Cass.”

They walked slowly through the park, chatting.

Cass learned of Henry’s two children, both actors trying to make their fortunes, but both struggling.

Henry spoke a little about his company. Cass was reassured he wasn’t work obsessed.

She didn’t think that would work well for her mum.

But Henry allayed those fears when he explained he was semi-retired, looking to make it permanent by the end of the year.

By the time they got to The Beanery, Cass was a little in love with the man herself. He was genuinely kind and treated Lolita like a queen.

“Lolita!” Kendal called, jogging over to give her a hug.

“Kendal, my love. This is Henry. My fiancé.”

“It’s a pleasure,” Henry said, shaking Kendal’s hand.

“Lovely to meet you. I’m Cass’s business partner.”

“Oh, I‘ve told him all about you.”

“All good things, I hope. Sit down, I’ll bring you all some coffee.”

“Actually,” Cass interrupted. “Would…would you like to go next door?” She needed to see Harriet, and she wanted her to meet Lolita…officially in a this-is-my-girlfriend kind of way.

Kendal scoffed playfully. “Pilfering your own customers? Not a savvy business move, Beaufort!”

Rolling her eyes, Cass looked at her mum. “What do you think?”

Pulling Cass to the side, Lolita leaned in. “Are you comfortable with that?”

“I am. I go in there daily, and…I’m much better with things now. Plus, I really want you to meet Harriet.”

“Then I’d love to. Sorry, Kendal, we’ll catch up next time. I have a girlfriend to assess.”

Whirling around, Lolita was out the door before Cass could blink. Scrambling to catch up, she laughed silently at her mum’s antics.

“Hang on. Don’t go barrelling in there. You’ll scare her. She doesn’t know she’s about to formally meet you.”

“I’ll be on my best behaviour. I’ve told Henry how much I’ve wanted to visit the new tea shop.”

Cass smiled, appreciating the fact her mum hadn’t added a descriptor, which she most certainly would have before their talk this morning, probably adding something like saucy or kinky .

Stepping over the threshold, Cass tried to see Ero-Tea-Ca from the perspective of a new customer. It was gorgeous. Her mum clearly agreed, as she gushed over everything from the table settings to the vintage-style counter.

Nabi and Kevin were working the floor and service area. “Hey, Cass, she’s in the back,” Nabi called over her shoulder as she stacked tea boxes on the shelf.

“Thanks.” Ushering her mum and Henry to the only open table, Cass told them to order whatever they wanted. “I’ll be back in a second.”

Slipping through the door and into the stockroom, Cass cleared her throat, not wanting to startle her girlfriend, who was balancing precariously on a small ladder.

“Oh, hey, babe. One sec,” Harriet said, straining to reach the top shelf.

“Oh, for God’s sake, get down,” Cass bit out. Harriet was going to break her bloody neck. Marching over, she took Harriet by the hips and lifted her clear off the ladder. Ignoring Harriet’s protests, Cass hopped up, plucked the box from the shelf and handed it over.

“You need to learn health and safety.”

Harriet smiled. “Why, when it means my gorgeous lover comes to my rescue? I got a fabulous view of your arse just then.”

Trying to remain serious, Cass stepped closer. “Try and keep that feeling when you walk into the tearoom?”

“Why?” Harriet cocked her head. “Is there a disaster waiting for me? Did Nabi break something?”

“No disaster. Just one Lolita Beaufort.”

Harriet’s eyes went wide. “Your mum’s here?”

“Yes. We talked. It went…less catastrophically than I thought. We’re going to work on our relationship. But she’s here to meet you. Officially.”

Harriet let out an honest-to-God squeak. “Cassandra,” she hissed, “I’m a mess. I can’t meet her looking like this.”

Playing with the hem of Harriet’s apron, Cass smiled. “Harriet, you look beautiful. She’ll love the smiling teapots.”

Harriet huffed, planting hands on hips. “I can’t believe this.”

“Hey, you don’t have to meet her if you’re not ready.” Cass couldn’t exactly get upset if Harriet didn’t want to go out there and talk to Lolita. She’d refused to meet Harriet’s friends, after all.

Scrunching her nose, Harriet eyeballed Cass. “I want to meet her. Just know you’ve got some making up to do tonight.” Oh, no, however would Cass cope? Making love to Harriet as a punishment? How terrible! “Stop smirking.”

Cass laughed. “Sorry. No smirking or smiling of any kind. I’ll do whatever you like this evening to make up for my oversight.”

As much as Harriet tried, she couldn’t hide her own smirk. “Ugh, you’re impossible. Okay, let’s do this.”

Straightening her shirt and fluffing her hair, Harriet held her head high and strolled over to Lolita and Henry. In true Lolita style, she scooped Harriet into a tight hug and whispered something in her ear that left her blushing. Cass decided she didn’t want to know.

Cass sat back and let Lolita do her thing. She didn’t exactly interrogate Harriet, but she did ask what her intentions were, before bursting out into laughter. After that, the tension drained from Harriet’s body, leaving Cass feeling better.

Henry and Cass chatted as Lolita asked Harriet every question under the sun about Ero-Tea-Ca. There were several moments where her mum paused before speaking, looking over at Cass.

Not wanting to draw attention to it, Cass continued happily talking with Henry, and then Nabi when she sauntered over with a lollipop and a cup of tea for an impromptu meeting.

Cass couldn’t have asked for more. Harriet seemed to get along with her mum like a house on fire, and Henry definitely fit in with Cass, being a little more reserved than Lolita.

Cass’s heart swelled. Things really were looking up.