The Future is Now (Chapter 8)

Morgana unlocked the door to the tea shop and went in. she was early but she wanted to get some paperwork done before she started the baking.

She was about to lock the door back when Elena waved to her from the car park.

Morgana frowned and waited until Elena came in to lock the door. “I know why I’m here but why are you here?”

“I wanted to talk to you and I know you always come in early on Tuesdays.” Elena hung up her jacket on the peg by the back door as she and Morgana walked to the office.

“What could be so important that you had to talk to me this early.” Morgana started to get a sinking feeling in her gut. “The birds aren’t even awake yet.”

“I need to give you my notice. I will stay on until you find someone to replace me.” Elena looked uncomfortable. “I need to leave Cardiff and try to make a life somewhere else.”

“You’re irreplaceable.” Morgana sat down at her desk. “It’s about Arthur, isn’t it?”

“Yes… and no.” Elena plopped down in one of the ratty old arm chairs in the office. “I have been here all my life. I need to go.” Elena sighed. “I’m not sure where yet.”

“Wherever you go, you will do fine.” Morgana smiled. .”I just don’t know what would have done without you helping me get started. You worked as hard as I did to make this place successful.”

“Who knows? Maybe I will open a tea room of my own somewhere.” Elena smiled. “Or a pub.”

“I don’t know. You would have to get a big fit bartender to throw out the drunks.” Morgana chuckled. “I can see you now with a cricket bat chasing out the riff raff “

“Oh wouldn’t that be fun. I could knock them about the head and everything.” Elena laughed. “Loads more excitement than a tea room.”

“I’ll give you a little something to help you start off.” Morgana sighed. “It’s the least I can do.”

“Morgana, you don’t have to do that.” Elena shook her head. “I have plenty of savings and my credit is good.”

“You know that it takes more than good credit for a woman to get a business loan.” Morgana rolled her eyes. “It takes a husband with good credit or a father that feels guilty enough to give you start up capital.” 

“Your father’s heart was in the right place.” Elena picked at the chair arm.

Morgana rolled her eyes. “My father doesn’t have a heart. At least, not since Arthur’s mother died.” 

Elena looked around. “I’m going to miss this place.”

“I’m going to miss you.” Morgana started to tear up. “You and I have been friends since before grammar school.”

“Oh no! Don’t start crying or I will start crying. You know that’s what always happens.” Elena bit her lip.

Morgana got up. “I’m going to make us some tea. The books can get stuffed.”

Elena laughed as she watched Morgana go into the kitchen to put the kettle on.

Elena sighed and looked around again. She was really going to miss the tea room and Morgana but she needed to go. It didn’t matter where as long as Arthur Drake wasn’t anywhere nearby.

On the other side of Cardiff, Lance was loading the last of his possessions into his car. He let himself in to the flat he had shared with Gwen while she was at work to clear out his things. He left her a note on her pillow.

Later that afternoon, when Gwen came home she found the note and threw it in the bin without reading it. She stared at it for a moment then pulled it out and stuck it in a drawer. Someday she would read it but not that day.