All That She Can See(30)



‘Hi,’ said the rosy-cheeked woman from the doorway.

‘Hello!’ Cherry waved her tea towel at the elegant lady. She was very tall and wore a long, plain, formal black dress with a duck-egg blue coat that swished at the hem, and she was carrying a cello case like a rucksack.

‘I’m Orla,’ she said, struggling to get her cello through the door, tendrils of her blonde hair stuck to her sweaty forehead. Cherry ran to help her but then hesitated when she realised she wasn’t sure how to help. ‘I hate my seven-year-old self for choosing such a big instrument. Why couldn’t I have picked the flute?’ Orla went back outside, took off her instrument rucksack and pushed it through the doorway on its side.

‘At least it’s not a double bass!’ Cherry said. She waited for Orla to get settled and then asked, ‘Orla. Yes, you’ve been in before. I just didn’t recognise you underneath that case! What can I get you?’

‘Well, I’ve know you’re good at picking for your customers so… I guess I should ask what you think I need?’

Cherry stole a quick glance out of the window and there on the pavement was a gallumphing bear of a creature that yawned as she caught its eye. Cherry could spot Exhaustion anywhere.

‘Here. Let me take that. I bet you’re rather tired dragging that around everywhere. Are you part of a band?’ Cherry took the cello and was surprised at the weight of it. She couldn’t imagine dragging it upstairs to her flat, let alone from shop to shop. She placed it behind the counter for safekeeping.

‘An orchestra, actually. I’m playing with the new show that’s on at the Theatre Royal. Only here for a week before we move on again.’

‘Impressive! Bet it’s a tiring business moving about so often.’

‘Like you wouldn’t believe,’ Orla said, trying her hardest to stifle a yawn.

While Orla took a moment to rest, Cherry went into the kitchen to fetch a Sleepy Sticky Toffee Pudding. She put it in a takeaway box and sealed it shut with a gold star-shaped sticker.

‘Here,’ Cherry said, handing the box to Orla, ‘but you can’t eat it now, this is a treat you have to eat before bed. I know that sounds weird but just… trust me.’

Orla took it and nodded without question, stifling yet another yawn.

‘Anything in particular you’d like to see while you’re here?’ Cherry asked. ‘Although I’m new myself so I may not be the right person to ask for directions.’

‘I really wanted to see Royal William Yard, The Barbican and the Gin Distillery and I’ve already seen them all! I went to the Gin Distillery last night and it was incredible. It was heaving, there were so many people but the cocktails were amazing. I’ve not had such a good night in a long, long time. I felt awful this morning though,’ Orla said, clutching her head with one hand.

‘I bet.’ Cherry rolled her eyes.

‘You don’t like it there?’ Orla asked, raising her eyebrows.

‘Um… not really. I just know one of the bartenders —’

‘Chase?’ Orla interrupted.

Cherry nodded. ‘Yes. Do you know him?’

‘I met him last night. He was flirting a lot. Should I be careful?’ Orla’s voice was tentative.

Yes, Cherry thought.

‘No,’ Cherry said. ‘Maybe. To be honest, I don’t really know.’

‘Oh,’ Orla said, fiddling with the side of the takeaway box.

‘He’s just a difficult person to get along with,’ Cherry said carefully.

‘He seems a good sight better than some of the people I work with. Well… one person in particular. Theatre’s a difficult job sometimes. People don’t always know where the, er… physical boundaries are.’

Cherry sensed she needed to tread carefully here. ‘Or they do know where those boundaries are and ignore them anyway?’ she asked kindly.

‘Bingo. For the most part it’s nice knowing you can go to work and get a hug when you need it but there are those select few who…’

‘… take it too far?’

Orla nodded and continued playing with the box absentmindedly.

‘You’re always welcome here if anything ever gets too much,’ Cherry said. ‘I know we’ve only just met but you’re safe here. You gotta talk about this stuff, let it out.’

‘I know, I know,’ Orla said but Cherry got the feeling she didn’t. ‘Well, I’m going back to the bar again tonight. Another cast birthday! So I’ll let you know if I find out anything more about that bartender.’

Cherry was about to decline when she realised just how interesting that might be. ‘Thanks. I really appre —’

The bell above the door rang out with a clang as someone burst in. ‘Cherry! You need to come quickly. It’s George. He’s asking for you.’

Without hesitation Cherry reached for her cardigan and then stopped. ‘Wait! I can’t leave the shop!’

‘I’ll watch the shop, Cherry,’ Sally called from the corner, her gaze fixated at something outside. ‘You won’t be long.’ She pointed with one of her cards to George, who had now come into view. He looked awful. There were vomit stains down his white T-shirt, his jacket was on inside out and he was only wearing one shoe. Cherry ran out into the chilly sea air.

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