Time to Move On by Grace Thompson Page B

there, she wanted Seranne back.
    Paul comforted her and tried to help. He persuaded her that an older, more experienced woman would be a better choice and he introduced her to Pat Sewell, a widow with three children, who had worked in cafés all her working life. Jessie didn’t take to her, she had the feeling the woman would expect a lot of her own ideas to be instigated, her own pushed aside, but Paul was very persuasive and Jessie did love to agree with him, make him feel he was in charge. She hoped one of the two girls she had on trial would do instead but had doubts.
    Paul had begun to do the weekly accounts telling her that by taking those off her hands meant she had more time to spend teaching her individual ways to the new assistants. Jessie was forced to admit that neithersuited and after Paul’s repeated persuasions, she interviewed and employed Mrs Pat Sewell.
    Jessie’s first impressions were confirmed. Mrs Sewell was very confident , in fact, even during the original interview she was forceful with her opinions about how Jessica’s Victorian Tea Rooms should be run. Jessie sighed and accepted that Pat Sewell was the best she could hope for at such short notice, and prayed that her daughter would some day return.
     
    After one week in the Cwm Derw café, which she begun to clean and freshen, Seranne offered to paint the chairs on her weekends. She bought paint and brushes from Geoff, explaining what she was doing.
    ‘Good heavens, haven’t you got enough to do? After moving in, people usually spend weeks changing things around and getting everything as they want it.’
    ‘Not Badgers Brook. It’s perfect. Apart from adding two rugs and all my bits and pieces, there’s nothing more to do.’
    ‘We’ll come and give you a hand, if you like,’ Connie offered and the following weekend found them in the yard behind the café and, with Mrs Rogers looking on and pointing out where they had ‘missed a bit’, the work was done.
    That Mrs Rogers disapproved was in no doubt, but Connie and Geoff made the work fun.
    ‘I’m hoping the atmosphere will improve if it looks more cheerful,’ Seranne explained to Connie in a whisper. ‘There’s clearly no encouragement for customers to relax or stay longer than the time needed to drink their coffee and eat their food. Perhaps Christmas will give us the opportunity to liven things up.’
    ‘Will you be going home for Christmas?’ Connie asked, as they were cleaning their brushes.
    ‘Mum’s café is usually very busy right up to Christmas Eve, and she always provides a free meal for people who live alone, on Christmas Day. We have our meal in the evening. So I expect I’ll be needed.’
    ‘That’s a very kind thought,’ Connie said, her face lighting up. ‘I bet there’ll be plenty offering contributions if we tried it here in Cwm Derw.’
    ‘Make it a few days before and I’ll be happy to help,’ Seranne said at once.
    Later, she was glad she had made the offer. When she made a brief visit home, she found arrangements had been made for several people, including Pat Sewell, to help with the charity meal, and her help wasn’t needed. To cover her disappointment, Seranne said, ‘Thank goodness, Mum. Yousee I’ve volunteered to help with something similar in Cwm Derw.’ She didn’t explain that the date for the lunch in Cwm Derw would not be the same.
    Connie commiserated when she heard. ‘It confirmed that you did the right thing in coming to Cwm Derw. It opened its doors wide and welcomed you in.’
    ‘And my home has closed its door behind me,’ Seranne replied.
    ‘No, Seranne. Your home will always be there – if you ever want to go back.’
    During the following few weeks many of the local people introduced themselves to Seranne. Kitty and Bob Jennings, who lived next door along the lane called often and left little treats of vegetables, flowers and on occasions a small pie or a cake or two. Betty Connors who ran the Ship and Compass pub