How Laura Lewis Met Richard Brown

Chapter Sixteen

The Cottage Bun was surprisingly busy, even for a Monday lunchtime. Laura peered through the window and wondered if she should give it a miss and just have a quick sandwich at home before walking to the home to start her shift. Spotting an empty table in the far corner of the room, she spun on her heels and pushed open the café door. As usual she was greeted by the tinkling bell and the smell of freshly brewed coffee.

Laura headed to the counter and looked at the chalkboard which displayed the lunchtime menu. She wanted something hot because she wouldn’t be cooking anything when she got home, gone ten that night. A bowl of cornflakes and a cup of tea would be all she’d rustle up before bed.

‘Hello, there,’ Sue said with a welcoming smile. ‘Didn’t expect to see you in here today. Aren’t you working today?’

Laura wondered how Sue knew what shift she was on. It was true what they said about small village life — everyone knew your business.

‘I’m not starting until two today, so thought I’d eat out of the house. Make a change.’

‘Well, I like the sound of that,’ Sue said, wiping down the counter.

‘I’ll have a pot of tea and the homemade soup, I think, with a white roll.’

Sue nodded and gestured over towards the only empty table. ‘Well, grab a seat and I’ll bring over a pot of tea in a minute.’

‘I’ll carry it over if you like,’ Laura said.

‘No, go and rest your feet. You won’t get chance later on.’

Laura smiled and did as she was told. She unbuttoned her coat and hung it over the back of the chair. She then opened her bag and took out the paperback she’d been trying to read for the past week. She still hadn’t managed to read the first hundred pages.

All around her, people were huddled over cups of tea and coffee, tucking into toasted sandwiches and engrossed in conversation. A melodic hum enveloped her. As she cast a furtive glance around her, she realised what was so different about this café, as opposed to the coffee shops in the city. No one was glued to a smartphone, tablet or laptop. That’s what was different. Not one single person was staring at a screen.

It was like she’d stepped back in time and she liked it.

Laura’s mother had told her from a young age that she should have been born a hundred years earlier, that she was an old soul.

Laura chuckled at the memory.

Maureen had been right.

‘Here you are then,’ Sue said, placing the pot of tea on the table along with a sturdy brown mug.

‘Thank you.’ Laura moved her book to the side.

‘Ooh, what are you reading?’ Sue asked. ‘Anything good?’

Laura picked up the book to show Sue the cover. ‘It’s good, but I haven’t got very far yet. I picked it up from the library. They have a very good selection.’

Sue nodded. ‘Tell you who you should visit — Gertie in the home. She was an English lecturer . Her house used to be full of books. I’m sure she took most of them with her.’

Laura couldn’t help laughing as she remembered the first time she’d seen Gertie’s room with the walls covered from floor to ceiling with books. ‘I’ve been caring for Gertie,’ Laura said with a smile. ‘And I think you’re right. She has her own library right there in her room. Perhaps I should talk to her about setting up a mini library in the home.’

‘Ooh, that sounds like a lovely idea,’ Sue said, placing the book down on the table.

Laura nodded. Yes, it really was. She wondered why Gertie hadn’t already thought of it.

‘Right, I’ll be back in five minutes with your soup and bread,’ Sue said, scurrying off to the counter where a customer was waiting to pay.

Laura poured the tea and then picked up her book.

* * *

Laura didn’t hear the tinkle of the bell when the door was pulled open, nor did she see the man who walked through it with a brown satchel slung over his shoulder. He wore a thick woollen coat and a woolly hat pulled down low over his ears.

She didn’t see the man place his order at the counter, or make his way over to her table. Which was why she nearly dropped her book when he spoke.

‘Do you mind if I sit with you?’ Richard asked.

He held a mug of coffee, his satchel slung around his chest.

‘Of course,’ Laura said, moving the pot of tea closer to her. Her hands trembled slightly. She wasn’t entirely sure why she felt a little nervous around this man.

‘Thanks,’ Richard said. He put his mug of coffee down, removed his satchel, placing it on the floor by the table leg, unbuttoned his coat and pulled off his hat. Short black curls suddenly sprang to life.

Laura had the sudden urge to smooth them down.

She wasn’t sure if she should carry on reading, giving Richard his own space in pretty much the same way she would have done when sharing a table in a crowded city-centre coffee shop. Or was the etiquette different here? She suspected that it was. She didn’t want to appear rude so she closed the book and placed it back in her bag.

‘Oh, you don’t have to stop reading,’ Richard said, leaning back, the cup of coffee warming his hands.

‘No, it’s fine. I’m not sure if I’m enjoying it to be honest.’

Richard nodded and sipped his coffee.

A whole minute passed without either of them saying a word.

‘So, the school not feeding you then?’ Laura asked with a small smile.

Richard laughed. ‘They do, actually, but I just wanted a change of scene.’

‘Me too,’ Laura said.

‘Are you not working today then?’ Richard asked.

‘I’m on the late shift. I’ll be heading off once I’ve had lunch.’

Richard was about to reply but was interrupted by Sue arriving at the table.

‘Right. Here we go. Vegetable soup for you, Laura, and a ham-and-cheese panini for you, Richard. Now, can I get you two anything else?’

Richard shook his head.

‘No, thank you,’ Laura said.

‘Well, then, I’ll let you enjoy your meal together.’

Sue stepped back and Laura could have sworn she winked at them. Or perhaps she had a twitch?

‘I won’t be long actually. A quick lunch and then back to it,’ Richard said.

Laura said nothing. Just ate her soup.

Did he not want to sit with her? Stupid question really, as he would have sat by himself if another table had been free.

‘Gertie was seeing the doctor this morning, wasn’t she?’ Laura asked. She didn’t like the silence between them.

‘Yes, she did. I’m going to the home later on to see her. Find out how she got on. That’s if she tells me,’ he said. He stared at the untouched panini on his plate. He pushed it away, then carried on staring at it.

Laura put her spoon down. ‘I can chat to her if you like. Find out what was said.’

Richard looked up at her. ‘I’d be very grateful if you could. I just know that she won’t tell me the whole truth and I really don’t want to talk to Hazel. It’s only really you and Linda who keep me informed.’

‘It’s a tricky one, you know, because of confidentiality,’ Laura said gently. ‘Gertie is of sound mind. She’s able to make her own decisions. To withhold information from you. But I can chat to her. Tell her you’re worried. Perhaps then she’ll talk to you.’

‘Thank you.’ Richard offered her a half-smile that lit up his blue eyes.

Laura thought, not for the first time, that he was an incredibly attractive man.

Richard cleared his throat and twisted the white serviette in his hand.

Laura noticed that he couldn’t quite meet her eye. ‘I, erm, well, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but could we swap numbers?’

Laura stared at him, eyes wide. Was he about to ask her out? No, surely not. They’d only ever talked about Gertie. She didn’t really know him at all.

‘It’s just, it would be good to be in contact with you, seeing how close you’ve grown to Gertie. It would make me feel a lot better. If I need to know anything or you need to update me, then it will be easier if we have each other’s number.’

Laura puffed out her cheeks and let out a small giggle. She rooted in her bag for her phone. ‘Of course. No problem. Tell me your number.’

Richard reeled off his number from memory and Laura typed it into her phone contacts before sending him a quick text.

‘Got it.’ He grinned, showing her his phone screen.

Laura didn’t quite understand the twinge of regret she felt at not being asked out. She didn’t want to go on a date with Richard Brown. Yes, he was an attractive man, and he would be good company, but she wasn’t ready for any type of relationship just yet. But at the same time, she craved friendship. And she felt it in her bones — Richard Brown would be a good friend.

Richard glanced at his phone screen once more before putting it back into his pocket. ‘I’d better be off.’ In one swift movement he shrugged on his coat, slung the satchel over his shoulder and shoved his hat back on.

‘Maybe see you later then?’ he said.

‘Yes, maybe,’ Laura said.

He smiled. ‘Bye, Laura.’

‘Bye, Richard.’

Laura watched him walk through the café door, her eyes fixed on the door as it swung shut behind him.

Then she watched him through the window as he made his way back to school.