Sanditon Steamy Brew Cafe

Chapter 3

Lots of people began showing up at the allotted time. Alison and I stood dumbfounded at the response our book club was getting. It appeared Jane Austen was still quite popular in Sanditon.

James Stringer, Fred Robinson, and Julia Beaufort were in charge of handling the orders and making the coffees during the rush of customers who arrived for the book club. Alison and I moved the chairs and small couches around to create a circle.

Just as everyone was settling into chairs to get started, Sidney walked in. I nearly had a panic attack when I saw him. I got up and headed behind the counter as if I was working rather than there for a book club.

"I wasn't expecting to see you here again today," I said, as he reached the front of the counter.

"Neither was I," he said with a tone of contempt. "My sister wanted to come to the book club."

"She needed an escort?" I asked.

He sighed and for a moment I felt bad for what I said. "Maybe I just wanted to prove my point that you are in fact in charge of this little book club."

I shook my head and scoffed at his comment. "So, you came to make fun of me?"

"Sort of like you were making fun of my family earlier today and calling me arrogant and intimidating for offering my help to make your café better," he argued.

I scoffed. "You call coming in here every single day and criticizing our work offering your help?" I asked in shock. "Are you serious?"

"Charlotte!" Diana greeted excitedly, interrupting our heated argument. "I'm so excited to be here. My brother happened to pick up a flier about the book club and just new I'd want to be here. I'm a big fan of Jane Austen. Are you?"

"I am. I'm glad you were able to make it," I said, trying to calm my anger.

"Come, let's sit by each other," she said, linking her arm around mine and guiding me away from Sidney. A part of me was thankful she had, but another part wanted to finish my argument with Sidney. He was an infuriating man. Diana sat in a chair while I sat down beside her. "I know my brother can come across as sort of a jerk at times. He does mean well and doesn't intend to offend those around him. He just can't seem to help himself."

"And why is that?"

"He has become quite successful for telling others what they are doing wrong. Companies pay him a fortune to give his honest opinion and suggestions on how to be better. I think he forgets sometimes to leave his opinions with the people who pay him for them and not share them with the rest of the world."

"You mentioned a little about that earlier today," I reminded. I honestly wasn't that surprised, but I didn't know that was even a career option.

"It's not exactly the nine-to-five job, but he's had a lot of success with it," she said. "He practically takes care of all of us. Not only financially, but with other little things also. Like bringing me here tonight so I didn't have to come alone. He helps Tom and Mary with their four children quite often giving them a break and the opportunity to get things done without four kids in tow. He helps Arthur with his physical therapy. I'm sure you noticed. He had a terrible accident years ago that nearly took off one of his arms. He lost quite a bit of mobility and movement in his arm. He really has to focus to be able to pick small things up and struggles with holding on to it. Sidney even helps me with the shop. I wouldn't be able to keep it running if it wasn't for his support. We don't get a lot of business. I'm sure you noticed that too. But the shop belonged to our parents when they were still alive, and I can't seem to let it go. We would all be lost without Sidney."

"Here is your tea," Sidney said to Diana, handing her a cup.

"Thank you, Sidney," she said to him. He walked past us and took a seat on the other side. For a moment, I started to see him in a different light. Hearing about how much he helped his family and even seeing him earlier with his nieces and nephew, made me realize he wasn't as bad as I always assumed he was. Maybe he truly was just trying to help me have a more successful café. He just came across as being rude.