Page 77 of Christmas at Hollybush Farm
‘“And I get to test new menus and you’ll roll them out in your other cafés?”’ says Evie. ‘“Yes, you know what works,” he’s telling her.’
‘“I do. I know what people can afford to spend too. How to make our shopping go further. And ready meals that don’t cost the earth. Jacket spuds that people can heat up at home.”’ Evie continues to translate.
‘“The bosses really do want to know more. Nutritious, affordable takeaways. They realize what’s going on here. People want good, home-cooked food. They’ve seen the social-media feeds.”’
Mae narrows her eyes. ‘What’s the catch?’ she asks.
‘”What’s the catch?” Mae’s asking,’ Evie relays to me.
‘“No catch” he’s saying to her “other than it’s Christmas and I thought you’d like to hear the news now.”’ Evie takes a sharp intake of breath. ‘He said he’d resign if they didn’t agree!’
We both look at them staring at each other.
Then watch as Mae drops her eyes. He’s watching her. She slowly lifts her head.
‘What’s she saying?’ I ask Evie anxiously.
‘She’s saying, “I don’t think I can. I’m sorry. Thanks for trying. But I can’t go back. Not after we’ve come this far. I want to find somewhere I can carry on selling my own food. Like here. If this works tonight, I’ll have a regular pitch.”’ Evie smiles as she translates, “she says she loves it.”’
He stares at her. ‘“I understand. And, if it’s of anyconsolation, I think you’re doing exactly the right thing. What you’re doing here is brilliant. You and Jem. I can’t wait for this to turn into something more permanent. I’ll suggest they put the jacket potatoes on hold. Too much local competition. But …”’
She looks at him.
‘“I did get them to agree to a bonus. Call it a payment in lieu of notice. A goodwill gesture.”’ He hands her an envelope. She opens it, stares into it, then throws her arms around him.
Evie and I hurry over to hug her, and her boys join in. She looks up at Josh. ‘This is my rent sorted. Thank you. Now I can have Christmas and pay the rent. Look, it won’t be much, but how about Christmas at ours? The boys are going to be made up when I explain they can have a present each from the sales. This is Jacob and this is Luke, by the way.’
‘Only if you promise to let me take you and the boys out for Christmas lunch …’
‘Really?’
‘Really. My way of saying sorry for all of this. You shouldn’t have had to do what you did to get them to see how badly you were being treated or for them to give you notice.’
‘I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have stamped on your foot like that.’
They look at each other and laugh.
‘So, you’ll let me take you to lunch tomorrow?There’s a hotel, out of town, but they have a table. I have it on hold. I was hoping you’d say yes. Your mum too. Like I say, my way of saying sorry.’
She looks down at the boys. ‘We’d love that.’
‘Christmas for one is never much fun,’ he says.
‘No,’ she says quietly. ‘I’m Mae, by the way.’
‘I know!’ He laughs.
‘And now it looks like I might be your problem.’
‘I’m Josh.’
‘Happy Christmas, Josh. And thank you.’ She looks up at the mistletoe over the door of the horsebox and I have a feeling I know where this is going as the boys cover their eyes and giggle.
‘Jem,’ I hear, as we turn away from Mae, who is kissing Josh under the mistletoe. It’s Bryn, the community policeman.
‘Shepherd’s pie, Bryn?’ I say, walking towards the lorry ramp.
He’s not smiling. ‘You’d better come. There’s been an accident.’
