Page 64 of Be Less Panda

February 2020

31

Mary finished pouring a mug of coffee in her tiny cafe on the Dashford seafront. Even though it was only just gone 12 o’clock, it would have to be the last one of the day. After the severe weather warning on the radio this morning, she planned to close early before the sea turned wild.

She headed outside to where Nancy was sitting at a table, wrapped up in a thick padded coat. She seemed to be mesmerised by the large waves breaking on the beach.

‘We’re expecting a storm,’ Mary said as she put Nancy’s second mug of black coffee down on the table in front of her.

‘Aren’t we all,’ Nancy replied, sighing.

What an odd thing to say. But then everything about Nancy’s presence here was odd. It was the first time she’d visited in fifteen years at least. Mary shuddered at the memory of Nancy’s dog, Basil, whimpering over his broken leg. Stupid animal, running out behind Mary’s car like that. At least he’d survived. Why had Nancy suddenly decided to forgive and forget, particularly today when it was hardly ideal weather for sitting outside? And why was she drinking coffee? In all the years Mary had known Nancy, she had never seen so much as a drop of coffee pass Nancy’s lips.

‘I’m going to bring the tables and chairs in,’ Mary announced.

Nancy looked at her. ‘I want to sit here for a while longer.’

‘I’ll be locking up in ten minutes. You’re alright until then. Is that coffee ok? You’re not normally a coffee drinker.’

‘It seemed appropriate today,’ Nancy said, slowly turning the mug around

What did she mean by that? ‘Is there anything you want to talk about?’

Nancy shook her head and looked away.

Fine. If that’s how it was going to be, she could suit herself. Mary busied herself collecting the tables and chairs and putting them in the storage area behind the cafe. She carried on until they were all packed away, apart from the table and chair Nancy was using.

Mary looked across at Nancy again. She was ignoring her coffee now. She looked freezing cold. Surely, a woman in her mid-70s shouldn’t be sitting outside in a high wind on a cold winter’s day. Mary tried again. ‘Can I get you anything else?’

‘I’m sorry?’

Mary repeated her question slowly and more loudly.

Nancy huffed. ‘No, thank you. And there’s no need to talk to me as if I’m senile. I’d appreciate it if you left me alone.’

The wind wasn’t the only thing that was sharp today. Mary retreated to the safety of the café. Perhaps she should phone Em. She took her phone out of her apron pocket.

Em answered immediately.

‘It’s Mary. Is Nancy ok?’

‘I think so. Why do you ask?’

‘She’s sitting outside my café nursing a mug of coffee and staring out to sea.’

‘In this weather?’ Em obviously thought it was odd, too.

‘Exactly.’

‘Did she drive down? I don’t remember hearing her go out.’

Mary looked around the corner of the cafe at the car park. ‘I can’t see her car.’

‘I’ll come and fetch her.’

Em got out of the car and headed towards Mary’s cafe. Nancy stood up as she approached.

‘If you’re after a sludgy coffee or you want to be interrogated about your personal life, you’ll have to go to Fisherman’s Arms. Mary’s just shutting up shop.’ Nancy told Em, a hint of disapproval in her voice. ‘Though they’re not quite as nosy in the Fisherman’s Arms.’

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