Read Online Don't Want To Miss A Thing by Jill Mansell - Free Book Online Page B

soft-hearted she found it hard to refuse their requests. But it was a time-consuming business. Plus, in the show’s second series, Mags had turned part of her home into a café as a money-making exercise; the visitors always wanted to know where the café was and were invariably disappointed to discover it didn’t exist.
    Frankie finally gave in and opened the café herself. It wasn’t cashing in, it was fulfilling a need. By this time Amber was five and had started school, so it gave her something to do and meant she now actively welcomed the tourists rather than putting on a brave face and wishing they’d leave her alone.
    And now, twelve years on, the visitors continued to come and here she was, still running the café. The décor was kept as it had been on TV and one wall was covered with photographs and memorabilia from the show. Opening hours were a nicely manageable eleven till four, sometimes later during the summer months if a coach party turned up. On the TV show, the sign outsidesaid Mag’s Café. Hers said Frankie’s Café. It kept her busy. She enjoyed the chatter and the company, particularly with Joe working away as much as he did; as regional sales manager for a clothing firm he covered the whole of the south of England and spent a lot of time on the road.
    ‘That bloody animal.’ Coming into the café to say his goodbyes, Joe shook his head in mock despair. ‘Just tried to eat my shirtsleeve.’
    He had a long-running love-hate relationship with Young Bert, the family goat who spent his days tethered to a long rope in the garden and adored having his photo taken with tourists. When he wasn’t trying to shred their clothes.
    ‘That’s because he loves you and doesn’t want you to leave.’ Frankie came out from behind the counter, smoothed down a wayward bit of brown hair at the crown of his head and gave him a hug. ‘If I thought it would help, I’d do it too.’
    ‘And that’d be a shame, seeing as you’re the one who chose this shirt. Anyway,’ Joe kissed her on the mouth. ‘Won’t be long. Back tomorrow evening. Behave yourself while I’m away.’
    ‘You too.’ It was a standing joke between them. Frankie told everyone the only reason they were still married was because Joe spent two or three nights a week away from home. Absence makes the heart grow fonder . . .
    ‘Ew, kissing .’ The café wasn’t open yet but Molly had let herself in anyway. ‘Hasn’t anyone told you you’re too old for all that smushy stuff?’
    ‘You’re right. It’s disgusting. Shame on us.’ Grinning, Joe kissed Frankie again. ‘And all this canoodling means I’m going to be late. Better get going. See you tomorrow night.’ One last hug and he was off. ‘Bye, Moll, you two have fun without me.’
    ‘Too right we will,’ said Molly. ‘There’s male strippers at the Swan tonight.’
    When Joe had left, Frankie said, ‘Is there?’
    ‘Sadly not. Unless hairy Phil has too much cider and gets his kit off.’ They both paused and grimaced at this horrible thought. ‘Anyway,’ Molly was evidently keen to change the subject, ‘I met my mystery neighbour again last night.’
    ‘The one who bought Gin Cottage?’ Ooh, this was interesting; Frankie hadn’t seen him yet. ‘What happened?’
    ‘Well, he ended up staying the night. Not like that ,’ Molly added as Frankie’s mouth fell open. ‘Actually, it’s really sad. His sister’s just died and her baby’s only eight months old. There isn’t anyone else to look after her and Dex is the guardian but he says he can’t do it. The thing is, he’s in shock at the moment. I thought maybe you could have a chat with him about it.’
    ‘How awful. Of course I will, if he wants to talk to me.’ Just as running a café had never been one of Frankie’s master plans, neither had becoming Briarwood’s unofficial agony aunt. But somehow it had just happened; without ever meaning to, she’d become the kind of person other people felt the need to