Free February Or Forever by Juliet Madison Page B

on whether there’re any local musicians available we can round up.’
    â€˜Oh, right.’ She cleared her throat. She could round up a musician, not that he’d be able to attend such a public place. ‘I’ve got a six-year-old son, so unfortunately I don’t get out a lot, but I’ll try and drop in on one of the nights he’s at his father’s.’
    â€˜Sounds like a plan.’ He smiled, and tapped the cup on the counter twice then added a decorative smiley face to the froth. He did the same to the other one, put a lid on each, and placed them in a cardboard holder, handing them to Chrissie.
    â€˜I hope you get your new beginning,’ he said.
    â€˜Thank you…’ she eyed his name tag, ‘…Jonah.’
    â€˜My pleasure. Enjoy your afternoon.’
    With service like that she should make a habit of having coffee more often. The guy was a total charmer; no wonder the place was busy. She sipped her coffee as she walked out. Mmm… Okay, the fantastic coffee probably played a role too.
    Chrissie looked along the length of the street, memories of old times rolling through her mind. Good memories; getting fish and chips from the takeaway shop, an ice-cream from the parlour, and getting lost in the whole other world that was Mrs May’s Bookstore. It was great that it still existed, although she guessed Mrs May herself would be retired by now. Chrissie wondered if the puppet shows still ran in the store. That could be another future reward for Kai.
    Chrissie crossed the road and walked past the Wishing Fountain. She’d made a wish in it at one of the Wishing Festivals during summer holidays when she’d stayed with Aunt Felicia, but now, she couldn’t even remember what she’d wished for. Whatever it was it probably hadn’t come true.
    â€˜Here you go,’ Chrissie said, handing the coffee to Sam’s mum.
    â€˜Oh, thanks, that’s kind of you.’ She blew through the little mouth hole then took a slow sip. ‘I’m Sarah by the way.’ She held out her free hand and Chrissie shook it.
    â€˜Chrissie. Chrissie Burns. Kai has a different last name, just so you know.’
    â€˜Oh, right. I know all about that. Sam is my second child, we share my husband’s surname, but my teenage daughter has a different father and hence a different surname.’
    â€˜Do you find people sometimes call you Mrs So-and-so, as in the wrong name?’
    â€˜Yes, when Gemma was younger. It can get confusing with all these blended families!’
    â€˜It sure can.’ The women sipped their coffees while the children climbed and slid down the slide repeatedly. Sarah waved at a couple of other parents walking past, and Chrissie noticed the beaded bracelet on her wrist. ‘That’s nice. I’ve never seen one like that before, it’s unique.’ She pointed at the multicoloured glossy beads interspersed with metallic shapes and dangling charms.
    â€˜Oh, thanks.’ Sarah held it out and twisted her wrist. ‘Actually, I made it.’
    â€˜Wow, you’re talented. I know who to go to for my jewellery needs then.’
    â€˜Thanks. I often set up a stall at the local markets. I have a website too, but it’s more of a hobby. I just make what I can when I can. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed.’
    â€˜I’ll have to come and check out your stall sometime.’
    â€˜That’d be great,’ Sarah said. ‘So how long have you been in Tarrin’s Bay?’
    â€˜Since the second week of January, so almost a month now. You?’
    â€˜My whole life.’
    â€˜Wow.’
    â€˜Yeah. Never even left, except for the odd trip.’
    Sarah looked to be a similar age to Chrissie. She might have even gone to school with Drew Williams. But she couldn’t ask, it would be silly and she couldn’t risk letting others know he was here.
    â€˜You must love it,’ Chrissie