The two of them chatted with Keya’s entertaining neighbour until a nurse arrived and said respectfully to the elderly lady, “Dr Lewis, are you ready to go?”

“I’ll miss her,” Keya said as an orderly stripped the sheets on the now empty bed next to her. “None of the other patients say or do anything.”

She looked at Dotty and asked, “How are things going with you? Did you visit the Lake District?”

“I did. It’s a long drive, but beautiful once you get there. And the project is very exciting. I wasn’t sure I’d be up to it but I think I can manage. I’m not in charge of all the furnishings, but I am sourcing quality items to create a luxury experience. And the owner wants different themes in different rooms. I’m putting together some thoughts at the moment, and then I’ll need to visit galleries and auction houses in London. Hopefully, I can also source some pieces locally. You can help me when you’ve recovered.”

“I’ve got enough to do. But I should have some time off from police work because of my condition. To tell you the truth, it’s a relief. Sujin is right. I need to take a break and reassess my priorities. I want to be fully involved in the cafe and deli, rather than relying on everyone else’s help. Things have run away with me lately.”

“And your arm?” Dotty asked, directly.

“The feeling is back at the top and I can still wriggle my fingers so the doctors are confident both feeling and movement will return, but it is going to take time.”

“And when will you be discharged?”

“I’m waiting to hear. Hopefully this evening or tomorrow morning. And then when I’ve sorted things out, I would like to visit the Lake District with you.”

“That’s fantastic. We’ll have such fun. I’ve pencilled it in for the second week in July, before the schools break up, but with enough time before then for me to agree to the themes and source some items.”

“Then I’ll be able to help Gilly with the outdoor cinema night. And how are the plans for Gilly’s party?”

“It’s all slotting into place. Everyone’s helping out, and I still don’t think Gilly knows about it. But I’ll be amazed if we keep it a secret until the night.”

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Keya was discharged from Cheltenham Hospital after lunch on Thursday.

She’d had to wait around for the doctor’s checks and the paperwork, and finally for Sujin to collect her.

“Sorry I’m late,” Sujin said as he approached her space in the ward. She was sitting in a chair beside her stripped hospital bed, wearing a simple floral shift-style dress which was perfect for the sunny weather outside.

The sun’s rays had begun heating up the ward, so the nurses had closed the blinds, but Keya longed to feel the sun on her face.

“Is that everything?” Sujin asked, eyeing her bags, which consisted of her overnight bag and several plastic carrier bags of additional clothes, Dotty’s cookbook, and some of the magazines she’d been given.

“Yes, but is it too much?”

“Not if you help.” Sujin lifted the strap of the overnight bag onto his shoulder and picked up two carrier bags.

Keya had already thanked the staff, but as she carried the third carrier bag out of the ward, she said a final goodbye to two of the nurses and followed Sujin along the hospital corridors.

As she climbed into Sujin’s car, she asked, “Are you taking me to the station or home?”

“Neither. I have a surprise for you first.”

Keya wasn’t sure if she wanted a surprise, but then she wasn’t certain what she wanted to do.

Home and her little cottage would be great for a while, but she needed to get stuck into something. Like taking back control of her cafe. She’d wanted to start cooking and baking again, but that wasn’t possible at the moment with her paralysed left arm.

“You’re very quiet. Is everything OK?” asked Sujin as he switched on the engine.

“I was thinking about what I should do now. What I actually can do. Because it’s not working in the kitchen at the cafe with my arm as it is. But equally, I don’t want to be stuck at home. And what am I going to do for transport?”

This was the first time Keya had considered the issue of driving. There was no way she could drive her Polo; it was a manual. She presumed if her arm didn’t get better … but she wasn’t going to think about that.

“Dotty and I have discussed it. I hope you don’t mind,” Sujin added as they drove through Cheltenham.

“And while I’d love you to come and live with me, I think it’s a bit forward and I don’t want to rush you. But Dotty has a spare room, and so does Aunt Beanie in the main farmhouse, so you can stay with either of them.”

So much for spending time in her cottage.

“But we also know you’ll want to spend some time at home, even if it’s only to recover from the last few weeks, so Ryan, Dotty and I are happy to provide a chauffeur service.”

“That’s really kind, thank you. But you and Ryan have work, and Dotty is still studying, and she’s taken on a new project. Can I think about it?”

“Of course.”

“And where are we going? This route looks familiar.”

Sujin grinned. “Nearly there.”

He parked in one of the new spaces at the side of the Waterwheel Cafe.

“Inspector Evan’s afternoon tea,” said Keya, realising why they were at her cafe.

“You didn’t think we’d let you miss out, did you?” Sujin opened the door, and Keya climbed out.

As they approached the deli, Maitri ran out and gave Keya a huge hug. “I’m so happy to see you, and I thought, if you need a taxi service to the cafe, I can pick you up and drop you off on my way to and from work.”

“That might work, thanks,” Keya replied, starting to feel overwhelmed by the offers of help.

Several regular customers greeted her as she walked along the path to the old mill building.

A few ladies were out in the sun, but most customers were enjoying the warmth while remaining under the shade of the new wooden-framed structure and its extended awning.

As she stepped through the patio doors into the main cafe area, a ripple of applause started and increased in volume.

Feeling her cheeks burn, she walked towards a large table where Inspector Evans was sitting, wearing his brown suit and a satisfied expression on his face.

“We’re all here. Excellent,” said the Inspector as Sujin pulled out a chair for Keya, and she sat down between Ryan and the inspector. Sujin sat opposite her, next to Warren, and Stan looked delighted to be present, sitting at the end of the table.

“Inspector Sue?” Keya asked.

“She sends her apologies, but she’s working on a missing person case for head office.”

“Hi, Keya,” Millie greeted her as she placed a tray on the table and started removing cups and saucers.