Page 52 of Daydreaming at the Boathouse Cafe

‘Oh, congratulations,’ they both said at the same time.

‘Thanks,’ replied Molly. ‘Logan and I are over the moon.’

‘And your mum too, I’m sure,’ said Dotty.

Molly nodded. ‘First grandchild so he or she is going to be spoilt rotten. So what would you both like?’ asked Molly. ‘Tea? Coffee? Pastries?’

‘Coffee,’ said Dotty. ‘Definitely one of your delicious cakes, you choose for us. We’re not fussy eaters. And a little information as well, if you don’t mind.’

‘Information?’ Molly laughed. ‘I don’t think anyone’s ever asked me for that before now.’

‘My granddaughter here is opening up her own tea room in the old boathouse on the lake,’ said Dotty.

Molly looked delighted. ‘At Maple Tree Lodge?’ she asked, to which Hannah nodded her reply. ‘Oh, that’s a fantastic idea. Location is everything, as you can see,’ she carried on, waving her hand towards the river. ‘I would say you’re definitely going to be onto a winner.’

‘I’m not so sure about that,’ replied Hannah, her fears bubbling to the surface once more. ‘I’ve never done anything like this before.’

Molly gave her a sympathetic look. ‘I know all about being nervous,’ she said. ‘I was a bag of nerves before I opened up this place. But you know what? I knew my cakes were good. Beyond that I had no skills at all but at least I felt that if my cakes tasted great then hopefully everything else would follow.’

‘That’s what I keep telling her,’ said Dotty.

‘Any advice for me?’ asked Hannah before grimacing. ‘Although I feel kind of bad asking you because we’re in the same line of business.’

‘Oh, that doesn’t matter,’ Molly replied, with a smile. ‘There’s plenty of room in the area for all of our small businesses. Now, let me see. Definitely start with only a short menu of your favourite items. It will help with the stock control before you know how many customers you’re getting in each day. Also if there’s less choice then you won’t have quite so many leftover cakes.’ She laughed. ‘However pleased your family will be to eat them!’

‘We always enjoy her baking,’ said Dotty, with a proud look.

‘I’m sure. Now, what else?’ said Molly. ‘Staff are key. I was lucky with mine and now I’ve got a great set-up with someone that I can rely on. And she’s become a really great friend as well. That helps.’

‘I’ve told her that I’m happy to help out,’ said Dotty. ‘I haven’t got much else to do these days.’

‘That’s great,’ said Molly. ‘Family support really helps. Oh and finally, get yourself an amazingly supportive partner,’ she added, twirling the engagement ring around on her finger. ‘That makes all the difference in the world.’

After thanking her and placing their orders, Hannah thought back once more to Sean and knew that he could never be described as being supportive. What would he think about her new venture? He’d probably tell her that she would be no good at it, she figured.

That made her all the more determined to prove him wrong. She was stronger without him, she realised for the first time. And with that thought, she began to feel a little more brave about opening up her very own café.

28

When Molly brought out the coffees and cakes to their pretty table in the Cranbridge tea room, Hannah had to concede that they were truly delicious.

Her grandmother agreed.

‘That was lovely,’ said Dotty, leaning back in her chair. ‘I must say, Molly has done well with the place. It’s a real success.’ She smiled. ‘Although I like to think that I played my part.’

Hannah was surprised. ‘How?’ she asked.

‘I helped out with the clearing of the garden when it first became a community shared scheme,’ said Dotty. ‘They asked for volunteers and, you know me, I can never sit still.’

It was true, thought Hannah. Her grandmother was almost eighty years old and yet was still a powerhouse of energy. For most of the time, in any case.

The death of her son, Hannah’s father, had been the only time when Dotty had become more reserved, unwilling to see people whilst she quietly went through the grieving process.

Now, she met her friends in the snug more often and yet she still wasn’t the same. Perhaps you never were after the loss of a loved one, thought Hannah, knowing how much she missed her dad as well.

Dotty was still staring over at the garden. ‘Of course, I only did a bit of weeding and digging,’ she carried on. ‘I’m not a florist. I leave that to your dear mother.’

‘I definitely haven’t inherited that talent,’ said Hannah, with a grimace.