It was inevitable, in such a small town, that Millie bumped into Tessa.
Millie had popped in to see Biddy and was hurrying down the high street, a scampering Trevor at her heels. It was two days before the parties and she still had loads to do. She was desperate to get back to the café. She saw Tessa coming out of the chemist’s on the opposite side of the street. Millie walked on, hoping she hadn’t been spotted but Tessa waved and nipped across the road in front of the bus, which was groaning its way up the hill to Axminster.
‘Hi, Millie,’ she said cheerfully enough. ‘How are you doing?’
Millie let Tessa fuss Trevor before trusting herself to answer. ‘I’m okay.’ She tried for a civilised tone but was aware it sounded forced.
‘I loved my birthday present. Thank you so much. Gave me a right giggle when I opened it.’
Millie had given the mug to Sean to pass on to his mum. It had been the first time in many years she hadn’t celebrated a birthday with Tessa.
‘Heard the café’s being re-launched.’ Tessa nodded, her expression eager. ‘Sound! Hope it’s going well?’
‘Yes thank you.’
‘So, I’ll see you around, kiddo?’
‘Probably. Got to go. Lots to do.’
‘Aw, Mil, please don’t be like that.’ Tessa caught her arm.
Millie turned back, startled to see tears in her friend’s eyes.
‘I’m sorry, Millie. I’m really, really sorry. I thought you’d see why I had to do it.’
There was a pause. Tessa had been her best friend and she missed her so much. ‘I do, sort of,’ Millie admitted and looked down, scuffling her feet. ‘I just feel a bit –’
‘Shafted. Yeah, I get that. If it’s any consolation, the new job’s crap.’
‘Is it?’ Millie looked properly at Tessa for the first time. She was grey with fatigue.
‘They keep on at me to reduce costs, cut corners with cheaper ingredients. Non-organic stuff, like. Keep upping the targets too. I just can’t bake what they want, the way they want it. My bread’s too expensive.’ She gave a little hiccough. ‘And I’ve missed you so much, kiddo.’
Millie wasn’t quite ready to forgive. ‘You’ve caused me a lot of hassle.’ She jerked her head towards Berringtons. ‘I had to do a deal with the bakers.’ One look at Tessa, who was now distraught and had tears streaming down her face, had her opening her arms. ‘Oh I’ve missed you too, Tess. So much.’
They hugged, ignoring a startled tourist passing by and an overexcited Trevor, who was jumping up and trying to get in on the action.
‘Oh, babe, can I come back? Can I do some stuff for you again? I’ve got some great ideas. Only I can’t get out of my contract for a bit. It’s a bloody pain. Oh, I’m so sorry!’ Tessa’s words jumped over themselves and were soaked through with tears.
Eventually everything calmed down. Millie passed Tessa some tissues and they mopped each other up.
‘You’ve got mascara all down your cheek, I always told you to wear waterproof,’ Tessa sniffed. ‘Here, let me get it off.’
‘You don’t look too hot yourself,’ Millie countered. ‘Get down, Trevor,’ she added to the dog, who was beside himself, sensing the drama.
‘Never was a pretty crier, me.’ Tessa scrubbed her eyes. ‘Should have seen me after each of the kids were born. Total mess.’
‘Your Sean’s a bit of a superstar.’ Millie blew her nose and pocketed the tissues.
‘He is an’ all. Can’t be too awful a person if I produced him, can I?’ Tessa glanced at Millie, checking they were alright.
‘No. Although I think he’s got most of Ken’s genes.’
Tessa grinned. ‘If you’re back to insults we must be okay now.’
‘Of course we’re okay.’ Millie hugged her again then wagged a finger. ‘Don’t start crying again! I’m on my way back to the café. Fancy a coffee?’
Tessa put her arm through Millie’s. ‘You bet! Think we’ve got some catching up to do, haven’t we?’ She gave Millie a keen look. ‘For a start, I want all the goss on this hot man you’ve got in tow.’
Millie grinned at her friend. ‘I think we have. Not that we’ll have much time to chat. Got far too much to do and I’ve got just the job for you.’
Tessa groaned. ‘Well, I suppose I deserve that. Come on then, kiddo. We’d better get a move on.’