In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (058) – Coffee for Two

 February

 

Rich Beetlestone was a modest, well mannered, well-groomed and good-natured man, knocking loudly on the door of his fiftieth birthday.

Although he lived in Pepperstock Green, he owned and managed a coffee house in Pipershaven, a nice one, called Rich’s Roast, it was not one of the chains, in fact it was a very swanky establishment, with prices to match, which attracted the discerning punter and deterred the riff raff.

Rich was a single man, not that he was opposed to the idea of marriage, far from it, unfortunately the one he would gladly have made his wife was in fact already married, so he thought if he couldn’t have her, he was not prepared to settle for second best.

So, he remained unmarried and was content with his life, until the day the recently widowed Kelly Barnaby walked into his coffee shop and back into his life.

 

After her first “out of the blue” appearance in Rich’s Roast she became a regular and whenever she walked in, he would drop everything and spend as much time with her as possible.

However, on one occasion in February when she entered and beamed a smile at him, he was unable to leave his position behind the counter as he was short staffed due to a flu epidemic, unperturbed Kelly proclaimed.

“Not to worry, if Mohammed can’t come to the mountain, then the mountain must come to Mohammed” and then she gracefully climbed up onto one of the stools at the counter.

“Excellent, as soon as the cavalry arrive, we can go and sit somewhere more comfortable” he said although he liked her where she was as he had a wonderful view of her legs.

 

While Rich made her coffee, Kelly rummaged in her handbag and took out a flyer for the upcoming St Patrick’s Day Party at the Mablethorpe Spa Hotel and laid it on the counter.

“Ah it’s that time again already” he said gesturing towards the flyer.

“Are you going?”

“No” she said.

“Oh! Why not? I’d have thought it was your kind of thing.”

“It is yes” she replied, “and I do normally go.”

“But?”

“But I don’t want to go on my own” she replied, and he looked at her with puzzlement.

“Why not?” he asked, “You’re not exactly lacking in confidence.”

“I know I’m not” she replied and smiled.

This made her blush and avert her gaze, then after a few moments she looked back at him.

“And you won’t be among strangers either” he pointed out.

“I know, but when my husband was alive, he was an arm to hold on to and I didn’t need confidence” she said, “now I’m alone so it’s a case of no escort, no Party.”

“What about your brother, he’s unattached” Rich suggested.

“Well, he would do it if I asked him because he loves me, but I know he can’t abide crowds, and he thinks dancing is an abomination.”

“Ok I see how that might be a problem” he said, and they both laughed before she said. 

“I have had offers though.”

“I don’t doubt that for a moment” he said, “you are a catch.”

“You are too kind” Kelly said and bowed.

“So, who is in the running?” Rich asked.

“My sister’s new man Michael suggested his brother as an escort.”

“Really? I’ve met him” he said brightly “he’s very nice.”

“Yes” she agreed, “I like Michael.”

“Yes, so do I, but what I meant was that I’d met his brother, Steve” he responded.

“How do you know them?” she asked

“They’re regular customers” he replied, “and they’re nice guys.”

“That’s as maybe, but...” she began but left the sentence unfinished.

“But what?” he asked.

“I’m a bit old for blind dates” she replied, “And I haven’t been on a date of any kind for so many years.”

“Is that all that’s holding you back?” Rich asked.

“Well partly”

“So, what else is worrying you?”

“Well, I’m not sure I want a stranger knowing where I live” she admitted.

“Ok, if you don’t want him to pick you up at your house you could always go with Anna and Michael and meet Steve at the Hotel.”

She sat quietly for a few moments drinking her coffee and he judged that she was not altogether convinced by his argument and then a thought occurred to him, and he said.

“If you’re still not sure there is a very simple solution you know.”

“What’s that?” she asked vaguely.

“You could go with me instead” he said.

She didn’t speak but was considering the merits of his suggestion in silence, so he pressed on.

“I’m quite partial to Dancing, I can tolerate crowds, and I already know where you live.”

Again, there was silence until he added.

“So, what do you think?”

“I think No, if you’re only asking because you feel sorry for me?” she said.

“Of course, not” Rich recoiled.

“Really? So, you actually want to take me?” she asked, and he began to panic because the truth was that he thought of nothing else but being with her, but he had held back because he was unsure of his ground, but he was now in a catch 22 situation, so he walked around the counter and replied

“Yes, I do”

“Promise?” she asked.

“Promise”

“Very well you can pick me up at 7 o’clock” she said and slid effortlessly off the stool and then reached up and kissed his cheek.

And as she left the coffee house she smiled and said to herself.

“Well played Kelly, very well played indeed.”