Page 45 of Eden's Comfort Kitchen
‘I’ve had a lovely evening,’ Mavis said, grabbing both Eden’s hands.
Eden couldn’t help but stare at her. ‘You’ve worked like mad!’
‘Oh but I had fun! It’s been wonderful to spend time here with you all. A change from being at home in front of the telly. I hope you’ll want me again for the next one.’
‘I’ll never say no to help.’ Eden smiled. ‘I’m just shocked you want to come and do it again.’
‘Of course I do!’ Mavis gave her a peck on the cheek. ‘Goodnight, my love. You’ll let Bilbo know if you want me, won’t you?’
‘I can let you know myself that I definitely want you.’
Bilbo appeared at Mavis’s side and took her arm. ‘Come on – let’s get you home. Goodnight, Eden. Thanks for the lovely dinner.’
‘Thank you, Bilbo – you’ve been brilliant. I don’t know what I would have done without you. In fact, I might hire you for entertainment next time!’
Eden’s smile was stuck to her face as she watched them leave together, Liam trailing after them like a sheepish spare wheel, and she was still smiling as she watched the rest of her helpers follow, until it was just her and Livia, Julia and the children.
‘I think this was better than the first one,’ Julia said. ‘I can’t remember when I enjoyed myself so much grafting. And I’ve spent more time with people I know from the town than I have in years – and some of them I’d forgotten what lovely company they are. I think this could become a real social event, you know. It’s almost like a party in there once we get going.’
‘I can’t believe I was so nervous at the start,’ Eden said.
‘Me neither,’ Julia replied. ‘At least you know now you needn’t have been. Have you told your dad about it? I hope so. I expect he’ll want to come and see what you’re up to at some point? I’d love to meet him if he does, so don’t forget.’
Eden’s smile slipped at the mention of her dad, but she was too happy to let it unsettle her for long. ‘I expect I will, but we’ve got a lot to do yet. Maybe in a few weeks.’
‘Let me know. I’ll cook for him.’
‘He can eat here,’ Livia said. ‘At the hut.’
Julia laughed lightly. ‘He’s going to want more than one meal! I’d love to have him over for dinner, Eden,’ she added. ‘I’ve got to meet the man who raised such a wonderful woman, haven’t I?’
Eden wanted to curl up and die. Wonderful woman? It was hardly the description any of her family would use. If only Julia knew the truth.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Eden might have known her new life in the bay was going too well. Ralph had asked her to do a last-minute extra shift, and the irony was that she wasn’t even meant to be working that night. Afterwards, she couldn’t decide whether she was being cut a break or given a bad hand by being there, but when a face from her past – one she never imagined she’d see again – walked into the Darling Dolphin that night, Eden couldn’t have been more horrified.
The night had been quiet so far, and Eden had taken the opportunity of many gaps between customers to grill anyone who’d listen on new ideas for her community café.
‘I’m thinking about a lunch club,’ she said to Livia on one such occasion. ‘For the old people. I think Bilbo and Mavis might host it. They could do dancing and stuff, and we could do an afternoon tea type thing with sandwiches and cakes.’
‘There’s already a tea dance in town.’
‘Well, OK then, there doesn’t have to be dancing. Something else? Bingo? Old people love bingo!’
‘You have to give out prizes for bingo. Have you got the money for prizes?’ Livia leaned on the counter, and Eden felt as if she was trying not to laugh. But she didn’t let it faze her.
‘Can’t they play just for fun?
‘Bingo is a serious business, you know. Nobody plays for fun.’
Eden frowned. ‘You think it’s a terrible idea.’
‘I think you might be getting carried away. I think what we’ve got is just right. Remember what Ralph said: you don’t want to take too much on; you need downtime for yourself, or you’ll burn out and be no good to anyone.’
‘I know, but I just…’
How could Eden explain it? The feeling she was getting from her success was like a high, and she couldn’t get enough of it. Being so needed, doing so much good, feeling as if she mattered, it was almost addictive to her. The more she did, the more she wanted to do.
