Negative Nell

rotund build, so I was quite breathless when I reached the gate.

“Amy.”

I stopped dead, my heart sinking.

Summoning a smile from somewhere, I turned towards my neighbour.

“Good morning, Nell,” I said as cheerily as I could. “Isn’t it a beautiful day?”

“The sun’s come out too soon. It will cloud over, you’ll see. There’s heavy rain forecast.”

Big sniff.

“Right,” I said. “Well, I do have an umbrella. Always prepared!”

My attempt at a chuckle sounded hysterical.

“Turn inside out, that will,” Nell said. “High-speed winds coming along with the rain.”

“Ah, well. I’ll see you later,” I said briskly. “I’ve some shopping to do.”

“I’ve shopping to do myself. I’ll walk with you, then.” And with that, Nell invited herself along.

She sounded for all the world as if she were walking to the gallows, rather than following the picturesque lane that meandered by the stream leading into the village.

“My family’s coming to visit soon,” she announced.

My jaw dropped. Negative Nell had a family? And they were actually coming to see her?

“Gosh, how lovely for you,” I said.

“Lovely?” She tutted. “If only you knew, Amy. And it makes so much work.”

“In what way?” I asked, curious. “I mean, it’s always a bit of work, preparing meals and making up beds. But it’s worthwhile, don’t you think?”

If looks could kill I’d have perished in the stream burbling gently through the centre of the village we’d now reached.

“Well, here we are,” I declared. “I’ll see you later, then, Nell.”

I turned and made speedily for Cherry’s Cupcake Café.

I got myself settled at a table, breathing a sigh of relief as I took the weight off my feet.

In the warm, friendly atmosphere of the café, with its aromas of freshly ground coffee and mouthwatering baking, I could feel the gloom that settled on me when I was around Nell begin to evaporate.

Then the bell jangled, announcing another customer.

Nell.

I whipped a magazine from the pile I had in my basket ready to drop into the hairdresser’s, and pulled it in front of my face.

I heard rather than saw the chair opposite me being pulled out.

“That magazine’s upside down,” Nell informed me. “Are you avoiding me, Amy?”

Guiltily, I lowered the magazine. What should I say?

“Of course not,” I prevaricated. “I just wanted a cuppa and a bit of me time.”

“Me time?” Nell snorted. “What’s that when it’s at home?”

“Just spending time by yourself. Having a bit of peace,” I hinted.

“But you live on your own,” Nell pointed out. “Why should you want time to yourself? Anyway, you’re in a crowded café, so it’s not exactly peaceful. You were avoiding me, weren’t you?”

I hesitated. She wasn’t my favourite person and she sapped my energy, not to mention my usual joie de vivre. But I really didn’t want to hurt her. Although maybe she needed to hear the truth.

Was I the one to tell her, though?

To my relief, Cherry appeared at our table to take our order.

“A pot of tea, and a bumper slice of your carrot cake, please.”

“Nell?” Cherry turned to my table-mate.

“The same,” Nell said. “Thank you.”

“Won’t be long.” Cherry bustled away.

I had never met anyone as pessimistic as my new neighbour . . .