before I arrived, that some peace, quiet and solitude would help get my life back on track, but the last few days were proof enough that I was wrong about that. What I needed was another project to sink my teeth into to help balance out the thinking time and give me some perspective. It turned out that you could have too much quiet, even if you had been craving it.
‘I’d love to help,’ I told them, ‘as long as no one thinks I’m butting in. I’m only a holidaymaker after all and I wouldn’t want to stand on any local toes.’
Sam shook his head.
‘After the success of last week’s event, no one’s going to think that. If anything, they’re all grateful to you for getting me to shake things up a bit.’
‘A bit?’ said Hope, raising her eyebrows.
‘All right,’ Sam laughed, ‘a lot.’
‘And now there’s no stopping you,’ I smiled.
‘And Hope,’ said Sam, giving her a nudge. ‘She’s got plans too.’
‘All still in the early stages,’ she said softly.
‘What’s this?’ I asked.
Sam slipped away and Hope told me about her potential business venture. She explained how her recent trip to see family and her visit to Blossom’s Bakery in Norwich had inspired her to come up with the idea. She was planning to develop a range of mail-order Caribbean-inspired cookies. Blossom already sold a couple and apparently they sold out almost before they’d cooled.
‘Blossom has given me the recipe for her ginger and lime ones,’ Hope said, ‘and there’s potential to develop lots more. Mum said I can trial them in the café.’
‘So, you’ll be able to build up a local reputation first,’ I said, ‘and gauge what works and what doesn’t.’
That sounded like a great idea to me.
‘Exactly,’ she said. ‘Although really, I’d like to just set up a mail-order business and go for it.’
‘I think your mum . . .’
‘Has the right idea,’ Hope laughed. ‘I know. I’m just excited to get going, that’s all.’
‘I’m not surprised,’ I laughed back, ‘they sound delicious.’
‘Wait till you’ve tasted the coconut one I’ve been working on.’
‘Oh my,’ I drawled. ‘You’ll be creating a buzz in no time and once you’ve decided on your line, you’ll be able to sell them at local food fairs.’
‘That’s a great idea.’
‘I’d definitely focus on getting yourself a local reputation before you launch online,’ I mused, my marketing head already imagining the look of the labelling and website. ‘Build slowly, but strongly.’
‘You’re right, Tess,’ Hope agreed. ‘No point trying to make a splash before I’ve made a ripple, is there?’
‘Exactly.’
‘So, you think it’s a good idea?’ she asked. ‘I know Mum does, but of course she’s biased.’
‘I think it’s a great idea,’ I told her, ‘and,’ I added thinking with a pang of the combined force of such a special mother and daughter, ‘if you follow your mum’s advice and build steadily, I think you’ll be sending off your first batch of Caribbean cookies before you know it.’
Hope looked very pleased.
‘Thanks, Tess,’ she said, giving my hand a squeeze. ‘Besides Mum and Sam, you’re the first person I’ve talked to about it. Your reaction really means a lot.’
I felt honoured that she trusted me enough to tell me about it.
‘Hope!’ Sophie called, ‘can you give me a hand, please?’
In the time we had been chatting, the pub had started to fill. No one looked too soaked, but it was obviously still raining and getting darker by the second. I helped Sam light the candles while everyone settled down to enjoy some fine food and, later, George’s tall tales.
I had just finished my bowl of curried veg and was mopping up with a hunk of crusty bread, when my chair was almost knocked out from beneath me and my lap was full of a familiar-looking Labrador.
‘Hello, you,’ I said, rubbing the top of the dog’s damp head before pushing him and his wet paws away.
‘Bloody hell, Bruce,’ said a breathless voice. ‘I said you could say hello, not leap all over her.’
I twisted round to find Joe standing behind me.
‘Still not dried out from Monday?’ I chuckled, taking in his damp hair and the rain flecked shoulders of his jacket.
‘Something like that,’ he nodded. ‘Have you finished eating?’
‘Yes,’ I said, ‘are you going to have something? It’s all absolutely delicious.’
‘No, I ate at home,’ he told me, ‘but I wouldn’t mind a pint of bitter. Would you like to join us in the snug? It’s a bit quieter in there.’