Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop (6 page)

Imogen spotted the Mr Whippy machine at the counter. ‘Remember this?’ she said. ‘Our treat in the summer holidays when we’d come down and visit.’

Anna walked over to join her sister, running a hand affectionately over the sign on the machine. ‘Looks like it’s seen better days,’ she said. She tried the tap that used to release curls of soft-serve ice cream. A trickle of dirty water came out instead. The sisters looked at each other with the same mournful expression.

‘I haven’t been down here for a while,’ Anna said. ‘But Granny would never have let the place get like this. I guess that when Sue started helping out she must have stepped away from the day-to-day running of things. Maybe she was starting to feel unwell even then.’

‘Didn’t she talk about it – how the shop was doing?’ Imogen asked, flicking through an accounts book that was lying out by the till.

‘Not much, she always preferred to hear about how we were getting on. She did mention the other shop-owners – Evie, and a younger guy, Finn, who used to pop in and check up on her sometimes. But the business side of it – not much. Left to her, it would never be in this state, though. You know how houseproud she was. Shop-proud.’ Anna forced a smile.

‘Shop-proud,’ Imogen said quietly, running a finger over
the filthy countertop. It came away black. ‘Poor Granny V. It’s not quite how I remember it from the old days.’

‘I agree it needs work,’ Anna said, her expression relaxed, but a shade of worry in her eyes. ‘Although all the original fifties features are still here.’ She pointed at the wall lamps and the stools lined up at the counter. ‘We could spruce it up, couldn’t we? Keep the retro style, but give it a modern twist?’

Anna went behind the counter. ‘I’m sure there are loads of interesting nick-nacks hidden away too … ’ She ducked down to open one of the cupboards. Imogen could hear plates clattering out onto the floor.

‘ … It would entail a bit of vision, of course.’ Anna’s muffled voice came from below as she tidied the crockery back into the cupboard. She got to her feet. Above her, there was a heavy chalkboard hanging on the wall. Anna read the pastel-coloured writing out loud,

“Vivien’s Specials”
Pancakes and vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce

She paused. ‘Imagine it, Imo – we could make warm crépes with hazelnuts and chocolate ice cream, sundaes brimming over with freshly scooped sorbet and fruit sauces—’

‘That chalkboard looks like a hazard,’ Imogen interrupted.

‘Really?’ Anna held the edge, but the heavy board swung perilously on its hook now, threatening to fall. She steadied it and moved away. ‘Maybe you’re right.’

‘Look, sis. I like that you’re trying to put a positive spin on all this, but let’s be honest. This place is shabby, full of junk – and it hasn’t been profitable for goodness knows how long.’

‘I know,’ Anna said, feeling defeated. ‘But –’ she placed a steady hand on the counter where the two sisters had once sat as little girls – ‘I feel something, being here. Don’t you?’

‘I think you’re being sentimental,’ Imogen said. It had started to drizzle outside now, and some of the rain was drifting in through the open glass door. She got to her Converse-clad feet and went over to shut it tight. ‘Don’t get me wrong, Anna. I have happy memories here – and I know this place meant a lot to Granny, and still does to Dad. But some things are just better left in the past. I’ve got other plans right now. And with the best will in the world we’d need more than Mary Portas to turn this place around.’

Anna tucked her loose chestnut hair behind her ear, and started straightening some of the leaflets and scribbled orders into a neat pile. Silently, she ordered the stray pens and notebooks alongside them, perfectly in line with the edge of the counter.

‘Don’t go all OCD on me, Anna. I know it’s upsetting for you, but the simple truth is I don’t want to manage a rundown ice cream shop in drizzly Brighton. I mean, seriously,’ Imogen said, her voice softening a little. She cast her gaze down to the floor, and motioned to it, littered with empty Tangle-Twister wrappers.

‘Do you? Is this your big dream? Have you worked in marketing since uni to end up cleaning floors here?’

‘I guess not,’ Anna said, biting her lip. ‘And I certainly couldn’t do it on my own. But what are our options? Sell it to a complete stranger and ignore what Granny V really wanted?’

‘It doesn’t have to be a complete stranger,’ Imogen said, with a shrug.

Anna’s forehead furrowed. ‘You don’t seriously mean … ’

‘Aunt Françoise, yes,’ Imogen said, matter-of-factly. ‘I’m just trying to be realistic, Anna. Isn’t it worth thinking about?’

It wasn’t like Imogen didn’t feel anything. Of course she did, but she just pushed those feelings to one side. She was too young to be tied down.

‘Guess what?’ Imogen said to Luca later that afternoon, bending close in to the laptop so he could hear her from the busy seafront café.

‘What?’ he asked, smiling and taking a long drag of his hand-rolled cigarette. He let the smoke out slowly. Imogen took in the image and tried to keep it in her mind: Luca, with his top off, tanned skin, two-day stubble, dark hair. She missed him, but with nearly half her trip behind her now, the longing was almost sweet. With the goal of returning to the island in sight, she felt excited and energised – like herself again.

‘Just over a week now until I’m back,’ Imogen said, enthusiasm bubbling up in her voice.

‘Really?’ he said, grinning widely. ‘That’s fantastic. It’s gone really slowly. I can’t wait to see you again, baby.’

‘Well, you’re not going to have to. Or not for long, at least. I’m flying back the Tuesday after next.’

‘That’s great,’ Luca said, with a winning, lazy grin. Imogen bit her lip – he was so damn sexy. She could handle the wind and rain-lashed seafront, knowing that soon she’d be basking in the warmth of a Thai beach, with Luca rubbing suntan lotion onto her back.

‘I fly into Bangkok and then I’ll be coming down by bus and boat, so I’ll be with you on Thursday. Tell everyone to get ready.’

‘I will,’ Luca promised, a warm smile still on his lips. ‘Just leave the welcoming committee to me.’

‘Brilliant,’ Imogen said, feeling a piece of her regular life fall back into place. Staying on in Brighton out of guilt, or some sense of obligation to her grandmother, would have been wrong. She could see that clearly now. ‘So, what are you up to tonight?’ she asked.

‘There’s a beach party on, a few of us are going to that,’ he said. Imogen tried to ignore her envy: she’d be back there soon enough. ‘You?’ he asked.

‘Our for a drink with Anna and her friend Jess,’ she said. ‘Her wedding’s next weekend and they’re sorting out some last-minute details. I know Jess from school days too, so I’m just going along for the fun of it, some wine.’

‘Well, enjoy. And I’ll get your homecoming sorted,’ he said.

‘Thanks. I can’t wait. Bye, Luca.’ She blew a kiss at the screen.

Reluctantly, she logged off Skype, wishing she could keep his face in her mind all of the time.

She opened Facebook and posted an update:

‘Can we have another of these?’ Imogen said, a couple of hours later, holding up the empty bottle of white wine with a smile and waving it towards the barman. Jess, Imogen and Anna were tucked into a quiet candlelit corner at Smokey Joe’s, a bar in the Lanes with friendly staff, an extra-long happy hour and a legendary jukebox. Even on Sunday night, it was packed inside.

‘You look amazing, Imogen,’ Jess said. ‘The only woman in Brighton with a tan right now, that’s for sure. You still enjoying Thailand?’

Imogen still found it difficult to reconcile Jess, the gothy teenager glued at the hip with Anna, and the Jess she saw now, a successful human rights lawyer, elegant in a red shift dress. Of course the biggest difference of all was that now Jess and Anna were older, Imogen was actually allowed to hang out with them.

‘Oh yes,’ she said. ‘I mean it’s been nice to see Anna and all that, but … ’

‘Not sure we’ll ever get her back,’ Anna said, with a playful sigh.

‘Listen, sorry,’ Jess said awkwardly, as the barman filled their glasses from a chilled bottle. ‘If I’d known you were going to be here, I’d have sent you an invite to the wedding … ’

‘Oh God, don’t worry,’ Imogen said, batting away Jess’s concern. ‘Even I didn’t know I was coming back until last week.’

‘Come to the evening do, though?’ Jess said. ‘Anna’s got all the details. Ed and I would love to have you there.’

‘Sounds good to me,’ Imogen said, grateful for something to look forward to. Her plans for the coming week consisted mainly of helping her dad and Uncle Martin sort through Vivien’s belongings and get some of the furniture ready to go to auction. It was a big task, and she could tell that her dad needed some moral support.

‘So … ’ Jess said, running a pencil over her list, most of the entries now crossed through with a single line. ‘You’re still OK to do the cupcakes, aren’t you, Anna?’

‘Now about those … ’ Anna said.

A flush of panic passed over Jess’s face. She had one of those English rose complexions that the slightest hint of stress washed a rosy colour over.

‘But you promised … ’ Jess said, desperation in her voice. ‘Don’t mess with me, Anna.’

‘Don’t worry,’ Anna said, placing her hand reassuringly on her friend’s arm. ‘I just wanted to make one hundred per cent
sure that you were set on cupcakes. Because I was thinking … Cupcakes are a little been there, done that, don’t you think? I once made these tiny ice cream cones.’ She held two fingers up, close together to indicate the miniature size. ‘They were delicious. Inside, it’s not really ice cream, more like a chocolate mousse, but absolutely mouth-watering, I promise you. And it will fit right in with the summery theme.’

‘I like it,’ Jess said, her relief visible. ‘Love it, in fact. Phew. Sorry for freaking out. It’s just been one of those weeks.’

‘Trust me,’ Anna said. ‘I won’t let you down. Fancy helping me out, Imo?’

‘Sure,’ Imogen said. ‘That would be fun. It’s on Saturday, right, your wedding?’

‘Yes,’ Jess said, biting her lip exaggeratedly and then laughing. ‘Only three more days. I’m torn between excitement and blind terror. But thankfully I’ve had no doubts about marrying Ed. I’m pretty sure about that part.’

‘So what was it that happened this week?’ Imogen asked.

‘The travel company we’ve used for our honeymoon to Antigua. We saw on the news that they are having financial problems, and they haven’t answered any of my emails or calls.’

‘Oh dear,’ Anna said. ‘Are you insured?’

‘I don’t even know,’ Jess said. ‘Ed was in charge of that, and I haven’t asked him. There’s been so much to think about with the wedding. For now we’re just keeping our fingers crossed it’ll all work out.’

‘Sure it will,’ Imogen said. ‘There’s always a last-moment hiccup or two, isn’t there?’

‘I hope you’re right,’ Jess said. ‘Ed and I have been looking forward to this holiday since last year. And to be honest, after the stress of organising the wedding I think we’re really going to need it. ’ Jess took a swig of wine from her glass. ‘Anna, I’ve been meaning to ask you. You’re OK, aren’t you, with the whole Mia thing? I know it isn’t ideal, but we couldn’t not ask her.’

Mia
 … Imogen tried to remember where she’d heard that name before.

‘I mean she and Ed are still good friends,’ Jess went on. ‘We know what she did wasn’t right, cheating on Jon, and especially when Alfie was so young – but Ed didn’t want to take sides. Jon seemed OK with the idea of her being there.’

‘Of course,’ Anna said, calmly. ‘I see her quite often when we pick Alfie up and she’s always nice enough. It’s your and Ed’s day, and you should invite who you want to.’

‘Fine, good … ’ Jess said. ‘You’re all being very grown-up, I must say.’

‘With Alfie in the middle, it’s the only way to be,’ Anna said. ‘We all want the best for him. I knew from the start that going out with Jon wasn’t going to be entirely straightforward, but he’s the man I fell in love with. I feel lucky I found him.’

‘You’re right,’ Jess said. ‘Jon’s a keeper, and anyway, who
hasn’t got a bit of baggage? I still can’t believe you two are actually living together. It’s brilliant. Before he met you, he was adamant he was steering clear of women and commitment. In fact I really wasn’t sure about introducing you two. But you changed his mind, and you both seem really happy.’

‘We are,’ Anna said. ‘You and Ed have definitely earned your matchmaking points. But back to your wedding. What else is on the list, Jess?’

‘You may regret asking that,’ Jess said, laughing and picking up her thick notepad.

‘I got up early to do the mousse, so that’s all ready,’ Anna said to Imogen, on the morning of Jess’s wedding, pointing to a giant bowl of creamy, light milk chocolate on the kitchen counter. ‘So now we need to roll the waffle for the mini cones.’

‘MOOOSE,’ Alfie said from his high chair, chocolate smeared across his face. ‘MORE MOOOOSE.’

‘I think you may have had enough,’ Imogen said to him. She put on an apron, tying it at the back, and peered into the oven where the sections of waffle were cooking.

‘Yep,’ Anna said, wiping his face with a cloth. ‘Any more and your dad’ll kill me when he gets home.’

‘Tasty,’ Alfie said. ‘Alfie likes the mooose.’

‘There’s our seal of approval,’ Anna laughed. ‘Now we just have to hope that the wedding guests are as easy to please.’

Anna had woken at six to get started, relishing the time on her own, preparing food for Jess’s friends and family to enjoy. When she had a wooden spoon in her hand, she instantly
forgot about the working week, the subtle flavours and aromas in her kitchen whisking her away to a sweeter place.

This week was one she was only too happy to forget – with back-to-back meetings and a new budgeting crisis at the Brighton Pavilion, she’d hardly had a moment to manage her team, let alone work on her own projects – she was still checking her emails at midnight, in bed. The new promotion she’d been so excited about a month ago was starting to look worryingly like two jobs in one.