The Tea Shop

Things in life happen for a reason, although we are not always aware of it at the time. I wrote this story to show that, although some things seem sad at the time, something good can come out of it.
Thank you for your kind comments and support - both are truly appreciated.

Enjoy a tranquil day. - J

Transcript

Things in life happen for a reason,

Although we are not always necessarily aware of that reason at the time.

My name is Jacqueline and I would like to share a story I wrote which shows that although some things in life may seem sad at the time,

There can be a happy reason why they happened.

So if you make yourself comfortable,

Here's my story.

The Tea Shop The tiny silver bell tinkled as the first customer of the day walked into the tea shop.

Hello Mrs Scott,

How are you this morning?

Cora asked in her usual cheerful way.

As soon as Cora unlocked the door,

Mrs Scott was always the first person to enter the tea shop.

I'm very well thank you Cora,

Mrs Scott said as she made her way to her regular round table for two by the window.

She sat down and looked around the tea shop.

Where's Jemima today?

She asked.

She's just finishing her breakfast in the kitchen,

I'm sure she'll be out in a minute.

Cora answered,

Knowing how fond they were of each other.

Good,

Said Mrs Scott as she placed a napkin across her lap.

She's the only reason I come in every day and she winked up at Cora.

Cora was used to having this same conversation each day and smiled as she asked,

What can I get you this morning Mrs Scott?

I have a delicious chocolate fudge cake waiting to be sliced or a Bakewell tart which has been very popular.

I'll have my usual please,

Mrs Scott replied as she rearranged the sugar bowl and slender vase holding a single carnation on the table in front of her.

Cora went into the kitchen and took the pink rose pattern teapot off the shelf and poured a scoop of PG Tips tea leaves into it.

Then she cut an ample slice of fruit cake and filled a small glass dish with butter.

Mrs Scott had ordered the same thing ever since she walked into the tea shop the first day Cora opened for business three years ago.

Cora loved her tea shop and a day never passed when she didn't thank the universe for fulfilling her dream.

Ever since she was a little girl Cora had dreamt of opening a tea shop but many people she told couldn't see her vision.

They would say things like that's a crazy dream or no one drinks tea around here so it won't be as successful.

Her parents told her she had to forget her fancy ideas and concentrate on school before going on to college.

Cora was an only child and spent a lot of time with her grandma Alice who she adored.

From an early age Cora would sit with grandma Alice and drink tea with her using china cups and saucers.

Cora loved drinking tea from her favorite set which had a pattern of tiny blue forget me knots on them.

She would lift the cup from the saucer and raise her little finger as she drank mimicking the ladies in the old black and white films she watched with her grandma.

When Cora was old enough grandma Alice would make cakes with her.

Every Sunday morning they would try out different recipes such as coconut cake,

Eccles cake,

Carrot cake,

Swiss roll.

In fact the list is far too long to mention.

But Cora's all time favorite cake had to be the classic Victoria's sponge with a sweet buttercream and freshly made strawberry jam filling.

This was the first cake she made with her grandma and it was love at first bite.

When they were making cakes together Cora would often talk to grandma Alice about her dream of opening a tea shop.

Her grandma didn't think it was a crazy idea.

She thought it was a wonderful idea.

They would talk for ages about what the tea shop would look like and the different teas and cakes Cora would serve to her customers.

Grandma Alice would encourage her granddaughter and always told her to follow her dream.

If people tell you it's a silly idea politely change the subject and don't speak to them about it ever again would be her advice.

Just believe in yourself and one day it will happen.

When Cora was 15 years old her grandma passed away quite suddenly.

Cora was devastated and lost her desire to do anything.

She stopped thinking about her dream and didn't make any more cakes.

She just got on with life in a robotic kind of way.

Cora finished school with reasonable grades and went on to college just like her parents wanted her to.

But her heart wasn't in it.

She couldn't focus on her future but tried to do well to please her parents.

Eventually Cora left college and accepted a job in the office at a school which was not far from her house.

Cora still lived at home with her parents as she didn't earn enough money to rent anywhere at that moment.

But because she didn't have much of a social life she was able to start saving a bit of money from her wages each week.

The school was only a 10 minute walk from where she lived and Cora enjoyed the gentle stroll there and back each day.

The houses in her neighbourhood all had pretty flowers in their gardens and Cora enjoyed looking at these as she walked past each one.

One house in particular was very pretty with a garden full of roses and forget-me-nots.

There was also a black and white cat who would be sitting at the window every day watching people going by.

One morning Cora noticed the cat was not in its usual spot at the window as she passed.

This was a little unusual and she hoped to see it when she walked by later that day after work.

But the cat wasn't there later.

Instead an elderly lady Cora hadn't seen before was standing in the garden looking all forlorn.

She was only a little lady and used a wooden walking cane to balance herself.

She had grey hair placed neatly in a bun at the back of her head and a brown woollen shawl draped over her shoulders.

She looked as if she was searching for something.

Is everything okay?

Cora asked her from the edge of the garden.

No it isn't,

She replied a little unhappily.

I seem to have lost my cat.

I see your cat sitting in the window every day on my walk to and from work,

Said Cora as the little old lady slowly walked towards her.

I noticed it wasn't there this morning.

She loves to watch people go by,

Said the old lady sadly.

This morning I was late getting up.

I didn't sleep very well last night you see,

So Jemima didn't get her breakfast until later.

I just can't seem to do things right today and things just seem to have gotten worse as the day has gone on.

I was putting something in the bin just now and left the door open by mistake.

You see Jemima is a house cat and doesn't go outside,

But obviously the temptation of an open door was too much for her and I couldn't move fast enough to stop her running off.

Well try not to worry,

I'm sure she can't have gone far,

Suggested Cora,

Thinking of a way she could help.

I live just down the road so I'll have a look around for her.

Now go back indoors and I'll let you know how I get on.

That's so kind of you my dear,

Said the elderly lady,

Slowly walking back to the house.

Cora waited until she was safely inside and had closed the door before she began walking down the road to search for the black and white cat.

She hadn't gone too far when she glimpsed a black tail disappear behind a bush in her neighbour's garden.

Jemima,

She called gently,

Here girl.

Cora moved closer to the bush and bent down.

She could just about see the cat sitting in there.

It's alright girl,

She said quietly,

So as not to scare her.

Jemima didn't seem to be wanting to come out any time soon,

So Cora got down on her hands and knees and crawled a little way into the bush.

I won't hurt you,

She whispered as she looked into Jemima's big golden eyes.

Cora reached her hand out near to the cat's face and surprisingly Jemima didn't pull away.

Cora placed her hand around the cat's tummy and carefully pulled her out of the bush.

As Cora stood up she tucked Jemima under her arm.

You're giving your mum such a scare,

She said,

Gently stroking Jemima's head.

Come on,

I'm taking you back home.

Jemima purred as she looked at Cora.

Cora carried the cat back to the old lady,

Who was delighted to see them both.

Do come in my dear and have a cup of tea with me.

My name's Mary by the way.

I don't get many visitors nowadays.

All my friends have passed away you see,

Except for one who doesn't know what day of the week it is,

Let alone her own name.

It's very sad getting dementia and growing old is hard enough without having that too.

She's in a nursing home now and they take care of her very well.

Oh dear,

Where is that cake I was saving for a special occasion?

I know I put it in this cupboard somewhere.

Or was it this cupboard?

I can't remember.

I have to buy cakes from the shop now,

Although the taste is not as good as homemade ones.

But I can't make cakes anymore you see.

The arthritis in my hands has stopped me doing lots of things I used to love to do.

Ah,

Here it is.

I do hope you like walnut cake my dear.

And taking a breath,

She held the cake up to show Cora.

I love any type of cake,

Answered Cora,

Intrigued by this sweet little lady and her carefree chatter.

Do you have any family Mary?

Mary poured the hot water into the teapot.

No,

I never married.

I looked after my parents all my life and when they passed away it was a little late for me.

My neighbour next door comes in to check on me every day,

But she doesn't stay for longer than five minutes and she has her own family to take care of.

Could you carry the tray into the lounge for me please my dear?

It's difficult to do things with this cane in one hand.

Mary slowly walked into the lounge while Cora carried the tray which had everything they needed for tea and cake upon it.

Mary and Cora spent a lovely hour together having tea and chatting while Jemima sat in her usual spot in the window watching everyone go by.

As Mary talked,

Cora realised how much she missed the interaction with someone older and wiser than herself and asked Mary if she could visit her every now and then.

Oh that would be wonderful my dear,

Said Mary with tears in her eyes.

That would warm my heart enormously.

So Cora started visiting Mary as often as she could and she also started making cakes again which she took with her on her visits.

Mary loved the cakes and was always surprised by the variety Cora made.

After a few visits Cora told Mary about the tea shop she used to dream about owning one day.

Mary thought this was a wonderful idea and encouraged Cora to think about it again.

I really don't know if it will ever happen Mary,

Cora said.

My job doesn't pay very well and it will take me forever to save up enough money.

Hold on to your dream my dear,

You never know how life will unfold.

Now this Battenberg cake is one of your best creations so far.

Mary remarked as she took another bite of delicious light sponge.

Your grandma was a superb teacher,

I wish I had known her.

Yes she was,

Sighed Cora.

In more ways than one,

I know the two of you would have been great friends.

Bringing herself back from her thoughts she asked Mary,

Would you like another cup of tea?

A few days later there was a knock on Cora's front door.

It was Mary's neighbour who Cora had met once or twice before.

Cora,

She said,

Her voice trembling slightly,

I'm so sorry to tell you,

But Mary passed away in her sleep last night.

She called me about 8 o'clock saying she didn't feel well.

I went straight round to her and sat with her all night.

She gave me this envelope to give to you just before she fell to sleep.

I'm so sorry my dear,

She was a lovely lady.

Stunned by the news,

Cora took the envelope,

Feeling at a loss of what to say.

She said goodbye and closed the front door.

Cora walked into the kitchen and sat at the table with her mum and told her about Mary.

She wanted me to have this envelope,

Can you open it for me please mum?

Cora's mum opened the envelope and took out the piece of paper which was inside.

It's from her solicitor,

Said her mum,

After briefly looking over the letter.

It appears she has left you everything she owns on two conditions.

The first is that you must sell her house and buy a tea shop and the second is you have to look after her precious cat,

Jemima,

For the rest of her life.

Stunned and speechless,

Cora and her mum just stared at each other as tears started running down their cheeks.

The tiny silver bell tinkled,

Bringing Cora back to the moment as another customer walked into the tea shop.

Cora wiped a stray tear away from the corner of her eye,

Glanced up at the photo of Mary on the wall next to the photo of her grandma Alice and smiled.

She carried the tray with Mrs Scott's tea and cake out to her and greeted her new customer.

Jemima was sitting in her usual spot,

On the chair at the table with Mrs Scott,

Right next to the window watching people going by.

Today was starting to become another busy day as the tiny silver bell tinkled again as a group of women came into the tea shop.

Hello,

How are you today ladies?

Asked Cora as she felt thankful at the way life had turned out.

Thank you for listening to my story.

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Reviews

I love this 🌷🩵

What are wonderful, heartwarming story. Thank you ☺️

Such a wonderful, heartwarming story. I loved it. 💜

Love stories with happy endings, you did a wonderful job! Thanks 😊

I love tea, cats, and a good heart-warming story. This checked all the boxes! Bravo and thank you! 🫖🐈📚❤️

So do my great grandparents have something spiritually to tell me
(The are sadly no longer with us)

What a sweet story ! It brought me into tears ! Lovely message to keep dreaming and never forget your dream . Much love and gratitude to you ❤️🙏

This is a lovely story that brings back memories of tea parties with my granddaughter and my mom.

Beautiful story with great meaning! Thank you.
💖🕊🙏

Such a wonderful story of having a dream to open this special tea shop. Would love to visit and be near the cat with my tea and cake. 😀🙏🫖☕️🍰

This story was my cup of tea :) very relaxing and enjoyable.

You created such a lovely story which you kindly shared with us. Thank you and many blessings to you.

Beautiful story! I love it. It's so meaningful.

Although I am in tears, this is the best story ever, and I related to it so much. I spent a lot of time with my Grandma growing up and would help her bake. Later in life she owned a restaurant with my Grandpa where she baked her amazing homemade pies. I also loved the cat sitting in the window because now on my morning walk with my dog, we pass a house where the cat is sitting in the window & I talk to it. Thank you for this beautiful & loving story.