Page 25 of The Perfect Blend
"Lovely to meet you, Benjamin has told me all about you and Beanie. I'm Sandy, receptionist and the events and social media manager. Please take a seat and he’ll pop out to get you when it's time in about 10 minutes. Would you like a cup of tea or anything?"
"Tea would be lovely, thank you"
"Milk, sugar?"
"Milk and one sugar, please"
She bustled away and came back a few minutes later with my cup of tea, along with a bowl of water and a treat for Beanie.
"Thank you," I said, as Beanie enthusiastically received pets from Sandy, her tail causing her butt to wiggle at a hundred miles an hour.
"No problem! Just let me know if you need anything else."
A few minutes later a door to the right of me opened and the bespectacled face of Benji popped out and motioned me in.
I left Beanie with Sandy - she said it was her pleasure - and headed into the studio after Benji.
He pointed to a seat and I sat, feeling a little dry mouthed despite the tea. It must have been the nerves.
Benji counted me in from the end of the song, and pointed to the light that pinged on and said Live.
"And that was the incomparable Dolly Parton, with 9 to 5. What a way to start the morning!” As ever, when I heard Benji on the radio I was always struck by the difference between his off-air and on-air personas. Outside of the studio, Benji was always such a quiet guy, but here on the air his personality grew to about five times the size. You could just tell he was in his element.
“Going from starting your morning off right to starting your Christmas off right now, I've got local coffee shop owner Robin Bell with us today, talking about an exciting venture kicking off this Christmas, with a hope for the new year. Want to tell us a bit about it all, Robin?"
No, I did not. I wanted to go back out and have Beanie swap places with me. But I was a grown-up with a business whoshouldbe more capable of doing a radio interview than a golden retriever. If it was a TV interview that would be a different matter of course, but now I was just letting myself get panic-distracted.
"Absolutely Benji, thanks for making time for me today," I said instead, feeling weirdly separated from the voice coming out of me as I tried to focus on saying the words that Zach and I had practised.
"For those who don't know me, I'm Robin, owner of Robin’s Roost, your local coffee shop with local suppliers. I'm extremely enthusiastic about local businesses, local produce and the fantastic offerings they can bring to the community.”
Was that too many ‘local’s for one sentence? I needed to focus and calm down. “That's why I'm so excited to announce a project I am co-running with local farmer Zach Spencer up at Bluebell Ridge Farm.” This was okay, I could totally do this. It was just me, Benji and a microphone. “Next year at the farm you can expect to find a fantastic place to take the family, a farm cafe and shop championing all local produce and artisanship.” I was pleased to hear my voice sounded competent, with no sign of my nerves. “To kick things off, this weekend we are hosting a farm warming party of sorts, a pop up of local producers and artisans at the farm for you to take a peek at what's coming in the new year and get in some of that last minute Christmas shopping!"
"Sounds great Robin, we here at Our Town Radio love it when exciting new local initiatives take off! Remind us all again when and where this is?" Thank God for Benji, I’d forgotten to give any of the specifics.
"Thanks Benji!” I heard myself say cheerily, as if I hadn’t just been reminded to give some key details. “We are really excited too. It's next Saturday, 22nd December, 3pm till 7pm, at Bluebell Ridge Farm. You can find the full list of stalls and food and drink stands online if you search for Bluebell Ridge Farm on google, there will also be ads in various local magazines, and you can always come and speak to me at Robin’s Roost if you have any questions."
"Perfect! Thanks Robin! Now for a requested song by Harry styles…"
I sagged in relief and waited till Benji motioned me out. I could manage irate customers without a sweat, but babbling into a microphone for an unknown number of people listening in gave me serious nerves.
I left the studio with Beanie, waving to Sandy as we went. The morning felt brighter and I felt more buoyant than before, with the relief of having that over and done with.
I decided to get breakfast in a cafe in town as a treat, and I knew just the place. A little further down the pedestrianised high street was a cute cafe called Jerry's Deli. It had a counter of nice cheeses and pastries, and an eggs benedict to die for. At this time in the morning it was starting to fill up for breakfast, but there were still a few tables free, so I took a seat at one of the little tables outside and Beanie settled by my feet. In a minute, the waitress came outside, and I smiled as I recognised her.
"Lucy! How are you doing? All ready for the market next Saturday?"
The slight young woman gave a short laugh, "Just about. Thanks for inviting me to participate."
"Of course! It would be against my values as a champion of local businesses not to invite the up and coming artists in the area!" I said with a wink.
Lucy was a fantastic artist and I proudly sold her art in my coffee shop. I'd caught her sketching one day over a latte and we'd struck up a gradual friendship. She was slowly developing a name for herself in the local art scene and waitressed on the side.
"Well, thank you anyway. What can I get for you today?"
"Eggs Benedict Royale and a pot of tea, please."
"Coming right up."
