‘Go and have a sit down in the kitchen,’ she whispers to me.

‘I’m so sorry.’

She waves away my apology. ‘Happens to the best of us. Go.’

I scuttle off to the kitchen, relieved at the chance to escape from all the stares. I’m such an idiot. I’ve allowed this business with Bella to interfere with my job. At this rate, Dee will be regretting offering me those extra shifts.

‘Rachel.’

I jump at the sound of Dee’s voice, and I pat my cheeks to try to get myself together. I turn around. ‘I’m so sorry about my crapness today, Dee. You can take their free breakfasts out of my wages.’

‘Don’t be daft. It’s just a few eggs. Is everything okay with you?’ She sounds concerned, not angry, thank goodness.

‘Uh, yes, everything’s fine. It was just a hectic morning and my head isn’t on straight. Getting the kids up and out was a nightmare, you know how it is.’ As soon as I say that, I want to cut out my tongue. Dee was never able to have kids despite always wanting them, so it’s a sensitive subject.

‘You sure that’s all it is?’ She puts a comforting hand on my arm. ‘If you want to have a chat later…’

‘That’s so lovely of you. But I’m fine, honestly. We should definitely go for a drink sometime though. It’s been ages since we last went out.’

‘Deal. We’ll sort out an evening.’

‘Thanks, Dee. Well, I better get back out there.’

‘Tell you what, Chrissie’s just arrived and it’s calming down a bit now, so why don’t you nip to the cash and carry for me instead. We’re running low on stock. You can take the van.’

This is music to my ears. I’m desperate for a few moments to myself and I was dreading going back out and facing all those customers. Plus, I’ll be able to get some proper thinking done while I drive. Dee hands me the keys and a list as I remove my apron and fetch my handbag from my locker.

‘Can you try to be back before the lunchtime rush?’

I check my watch. It’s already eleven o’clock. ‘It shouldn’t take me more than an hour. Thanks, Dee.’

She smiles, nods and gets back to the café. Normally she’s the one to go and pick up supplies, so I appreciate the gesture. Although it’s probably more likely that she wants me away from the café, where I was becoming a one-woman disaster zone.

I sneak out of the back door and slide into Dee’s pale-blue VW Transporter, adjusting the seat and the mirror, as Dee is much shorter than me. She’s had the exterior customised with the café’s name and logo – Row Your Boat, with a rustic rowing boat beneath.