Jedda rolled her eyes. ‘You’ll have to wait your turn. Ashling here has already been waiting for her coffee long enough.’

As the two men turned to acknowledge me, I noticed the logo on their jackets—the words ‘Lobster Factory’ with a cartoon image of a lobster beneath.

This time the shorter one spoke. ‘Well, hello there,’ he said a little flirtatiously. ‘You must be new around here … I know I’d remember if I’d met you before.’

‘Don’t mind these two,’ Jedda said as she turned back to the coffee machine.

‘It’s fine.’ I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had flirted with me and it gave me a much-needed boost. ‘I don’t mind waiting a bit longer. You guys are obviously off to work.’

‘That’s mighty kind of you,’ said the tall one. ‘The boss is a stickler for punctuality.’

At the word ‘boss’, I thought of the man I’d met on the beach and wondered if perhaps he too worked at this Lobster Factory. He looked like the type of guy who’d enjoy toiling out on the high seas.

This thought reminded me again about the island. I really wanted to hear more about this Bill person.

‘Thanks, Jedda, and thanks …?’ As the men took their coffees, the shorter one’s voice trailed off in a question.

‘Ashling,’ I replied. ‘And you’re welcome.’

‘Maybe we’ll see you round,’ said the other one with a wave as they both exited the cafe.

‘So sorry about that,’ Jedda said. ‘You’re not on Facebook, are you?’

‘Yes, why?’

‘Because you’ll probably give me a terrible review for my terrible service, but I promise you this coffee will be worth the wait, and I’ll throw in the muffin for free.’

‘It’s honestly fine. If I knew how to leave you a review, it would be a glowing one.’

Jedda smiled her thanks as the doorbell dinged again and this time three grey-haired women entered. They sounded slightly out of breath when they greeted Jedda and they were all dressed in active wear. Quickly on their heels came a woman dragging two kids in school uniform behind her, and only moments later, a young woman with her red hair piled up in a tight bun rushed in after them.

‘Sorry, I couldn’t get here earlier,’ she called as she headed behind the counter, stopping only briefly to wave at Bindi in the playpen.

‘No worries, Cassie.’ Jedda tossed her an apron. ‘Can you get the muffins out of the oven and grab one for Ashling? Hope they’re not burnt.’

Jedda handed me my coffee in a takeaway cup and then I stepped aside as the active wear brigade approached the counter. ‘Enjoy the muffin,’ she said over the top of the coffee machine a few moments later as Cassie handed me a brown paper bag. ‘It was lovely to meet you. Have a safe drive home.’

‘Actually, I think I’m going to stay.’

My announcement was as much a surprise to me as it was to Jedda, but she’d inspired me. Perhaps I’d been too hasty in writing this opportunity off.