The Cheesemaker's House Read Online Free Page B

Matt’s voice came back to me, calling Owen a weirdo and creepy. What if he is? What if he’s some kind of stalker? Could I have got him so very, very wrong?
    I convince myself, somewhat conveniently, that the only way to find out is to see more of Owen and to make up my own mind. A trip to Caffé Bianco is clearly in order but it takes me the rest of the morning to pluck up the courage.
    By the time I arrive the café is half full but there is no-one to be seen at the counter. I ring the bell and a voice belts out from the kitchen
    â€œWon’t be a minute.”
    After a few moments a pasty looking man with a shaved head appears, wiping enormous floury hands on a white tea towel. “What can I get you?”
    â€œA skinny latte and whatever cake you recommend.”
    â€œThey’re all good.”
    â€œI’m sure they are, Adam – Owen’s told me what a great cook you are.”
    He grunts and turns away to start the coffee, then grabs a plate and shoves the nearest piece of cake onto it.
    â€œWhere’s Owen today?” I ask.
    â€œHe’s sodded off to London and left me on my own. God knows how I’m going to cope if it gets busy at lunchtime.”
    Adam won’t cope, I can see that. He’ll get stroppy with indecisive little old ladies and have customers running from the place in droves, never to return.
    â€œI’ll help.”
    He looks brighter for a moment but then he says “No, you can’t. Owen says we’ve no money for extra help.”
    But I’m already half way behind the counter. “Then you can make me a cake instead. Now find me an apron and bugger off back into the kitchen.”
    His look is one of unqualified relief as he disappears. But I don’t have time to think about it because the café door swings open and a bevy of office workers walks in. I have no time even to study the coffee machine; still, I’ve seen it done a hundred times before and it can’t be that difficult.
    Two hours later the place is deserted and I am on my knees. Adam would never have managed on his own and quite honestly it was irresponsible of Owen to leave him; surely he knows Adam isn’t exactly a people person? He’s alright with me though; in fact he’s very sweet. As I dump the last of the dishes into the washer I feel his heavy hand on my shoulder.
    â€œYou go and have a sit down, pet. I’ve got some cheese scones freshly baked – we’ll have those and a cup of tea.”
    A few minutes later he eases his bulk onto the chair next to mine. It’s not that he’s fat – just what you’d call a big lad; tall, muscular, broad-shouldered, ever so slightly going to flab. He is in total contrast to Owen’s pristine neatness.
    â€œI gotta thank you,” he mutters, not looking me in the eye, “but I don’t even know who you are. Let alone why you did it – but I’m right glad you did.”
    â€œI guess I owed Owen a favour – he was very kind to me in church last Sunday.”
    Adam nods. “Then you must be Alice.”
    â€œYes, yes I am.”
    There is silence while we munch our scones; tangy cheese and mustard tingle together on my tongue. More for something to say than anything I ask:
    â€œSo will you need me tomorrow?”
    â€œNo. Owen should be back by then. I put him on the train after we closed yesterday and he promised me faithfully he’d be home tonight. I’ll bloody kill him if he isn’t.”
    I smile. “It’s always as well to have Plan B.” I scribble my number on a paper napkin. “If he doesn’t show up, then call me.”
    I am more than half way back to my car before I realise that Owen wasn’t even in Great Fencote last night.

Chapter Six
    Wednesday morning comes and goes and I receive no call. I am a bit sorry, to be honest; I enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the café – it made me realise how much