Page 73 of Eden's Comfort Kitchen
‘I know.’
Eden watched Cam empty the sack into the sink. One thing she was quite sure of, he wasn’t going to be entertaining anyone at the Darling Dolphin tonight. She was surprised to see him here at all. A bit of her had to hand it to him – she wasn’t sure she’d be able to turn up like this if the tables had been turned. She supposed he was offended and maybe embarrassed about what they’d done and then her refusal to make it more. She supposed he wasn’t used to being turned down in that way either. Of course, the irony was she hadn’t wanted to turn him down at all and this whole charade could easily have been avoided. But then, wasn’t life full of ironies like that?
Before they’d finished clearing down the kitchen at the end of the sitting, Cam pulled on his jacket and headed for the door. The last few times he’d been he’d said goodbye to everyone if he was leaving them, especially Bilbo. He’d even given him a lift home, and then, of course, there had been the riotous night in the Dolphin they’d all enjoyed together. But not tonight. As the door slammed shut with a mumbled goodnight, Bilbo tied up the rubbish bag he’d just pulled from the bin and watched through the window as Cam got into his car. Then he went over to Eden, who was wiping down the oven.
‘Is he all right? Doesn’t seem himself today.’
‘He’s exactly himself today,’ Eden said with more irritation than she’d meant to. But Cam had been so much his old self this evening that she’d come close on more than one occasion to telling him they didn’t need his service and asking could he please bugger off.
‘Oh dear,’ Bilbo said, presumably because he didn’t know what else to say.
Eden grimaced. ‘I’m sorry, Bilbo. I didn’t mean it like that. I suppose it’s sort of my fault. Cam and I fell out. It’s nothing to do with anyone else, and I’m sorry you’ve all been dragged into it.’
‘You’re not being moody about it,’ Livia called over.
‘I guess that makes me the grown-up,’ Eden said, not feeling very grown up at all. When all was said and done, if she’d controlled her ridiculous urges the night he’d come round, there would be none of this. Cam would have nothing to sulk about, and they’d all be getting on like a house on fire. The bet was almost over, but she already knew she’d lost and it was her mistake that had blown it at the last minute. They’d been doing so well up until then; Eden was certain they’d been winning him over.
Bilbo looked about as sad as Eden had ever seen him look. She wondered if he still thought he’d done something to offendCam, despite her reassurances. Whatever the reason, she hated to see the gregarious and lovable old man so down.
‘Why don’t you head home?’ she told him. ‘We can finish here.’
‘You don’t want me?’
‘Of course we do!’ Eden smiled. ‘We’ll always want you! I only meant it’s been a long afternoon and perhaps you might like to put your feet up. Nice half of stout and some telly? Liam always says how much you like your half a stout of an evening.’
Bilbo hesitated but then nodded. ‘All right then – if you’re sure.’
‘I’m sure. Liam will walk back with you?’
‘I expect so.’
‘We’ll be in the pub later if you want to come to us,’ Livia called over.
‘I might,’ Bilbo said. ‘Actually, I think I will. What time will you be there?’
‘Not for another hour or so,’ Eden said. She glanced at Livia, and knew she understood.
Bilbo and Liam went, and then, one by one, as they finished their tasks, the other volunteers went too, leaving just Eden and Livia to lock up.
‘How about you tell me this big secret now we’re alone?’ Livia said.
Eden let the utensil drawer slam shut and turned to her. ‘I slept with Cam.’
Livia froze as she stared at her. ‘What?’
Eden gave a grim nod. ‘I know what you’re thinking, and yes, I think it was a stupid thing to do as well.’
‘When? Oh, wait, let me guess…’
‘It’s not hard to work out, is it?’
‘You were quite drunk.’
‘A bit too drunk, apparently.’
‘Well…was he any good?’
‘Livia!’
