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It was as he left his apartment on a Saturday morning in May that Ed clocked that somebody was moving in opposite him. He didn’t have time to hang around to find out more, though. He continued out past the removal man and headed to open up the coffee shop. Not only did he need to get the day’s cakes baking, he also had a new waitress starting.
As he had expected, it got busy in the late morning. Although it was tiring, this was what he loved – feeding people with good, wholesome food. He finished after the lunchtime rush, making his way home via the gym.
When he got back, he found that the removal men had left. He decided that it would be good to welcome his new neighbour by making them a cake. He thought a sticky ginger cake would be a suitably homely offering, so he got to work. As well as using the ground spice, he also put in some crystallised stem ginger for extra bite. While the cake was in the oven, he made himself a bit more presentable, slipping on a decent t-shirt and redoing his hair. When the cake had cooled sufficiently, he covered it on a plate and stepped across the corridor.
The door was opened by a blonde man, slightly shorter than Ed, and with kind eyes. He smiled, and those eyes crinkled.
“Hello,” the man said.
“Hi,” Ed replied. “I’m Ed. I’m your neighbour across the hall. Thought you might like some cake.”
“That’s very kind of you,” the man responded, stepping aside. “Come on in. You’ll have to excuse the mess. I’m Stede, by the way.”
The mess was as Ed had expected for moving in. However, the essentials seemed to be in place in the kitchen.
“Do you like tea?” Stede asked.
“Love it,” Ed replied.
“Fab. I’ll make a pot.”
Stede delved into a cupboard and withdrew a teapot. It was white, with intricate floral decorations.
“Holy shit,” Ed gasped. “That’s a proper fucking teapot.”
Stede laughed. “Yeah. Well, I think tea should be done properly.”
Ed couldn’t help smiling. “Quite right. You don’t see that many people over here who are into tea.”
“Do sit down,” Stede offered. “What sort of cake have you brought?”
Ed took a seat at the table and removed the cover from the cake. “Ginger,” he said. “I thought it would homely.”
“Ooh, yum! I love ginger cake.”
While Stede prepared the tea, Ed looked around the room. He could see several crates of books, waiting to be arranged on the shelves. A richly patterned blanket and fine cushions were placed on the couch. Stede certainly had interesting taste, and Ed found it charming.
Soon, Stede brought teacups and plates to the table. They were decorated in the same way as the teapot.
“More fancy china,” Ed observed.
“I know it’s a bit fussy,” Stede said, his tone somewhat apologetic, “but I like fine things.”
“I like it,” Ed responded. “It makes things seem more special.”
Stede beamed. “That’s exactly what I think. It’s nice to find someone who agrees. Now, let’s have this tea and cake. Do you take sugar?”
“Please.”
Ed cut the cake while Stede poured the tea. Stede placed a bag of sugar on the table and Ed stirred several spoonfuls into his cup. Then they tasted the cake.
“Holy shit,” Stede murmured, his eyes twinkling knowingly. “This is really good.”
Ed smiled. “Bloody good tea, too. So, what brings you to this place?”
“Been living in big cities for too long,” Stede replied. “I wanted somewhere quieter, somewhere near the ocean, where I can think. I’m an author, you see.”
“Hang on,” Ed said. “Stede … Stede Bonnet?”
Stede nodded. “Yeah, that’s me.”
“Fuck off.” Ed was amazed. “I love your books.”
“Thanks,” Stede said, blushing slightly. “I hope we can still be friends, though.”
Ed understood this. He too had moved there for the peace. “Of course, we can, mate. You’re just Stede.”
“What brought you here, Ed?”
“Pretty much the same. I was working in New York, and it all got to be too much.”
“And you found peace here?”
“Yeah, I’m happier now.”
They talked on, chatting about all sorts of things. Ed learned that Stede had studied in London, where he had gained his love of tea. They had both grown up in New Zealand, and they spent a long time reminiscing about home.
By the time Ed made his way back across the hallway to his own apartment, he was convinced he would do almost anything to make Stede happy. Stede was undoubtedly eccentric, but Ed could somehow only find this impossibly charming. He was going to have to make an awful lot of cake!
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It was about a week and a half after Stede had moved in that Ed met him unexpectedly in their hallway on the way out in the morning.
“You’re up early, mate,” Ed said.
Stede chuckled. “I’ve got a meeting with my publisher’s agent. They want to know what’s coming next.”
“And, what is coming next?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see.”
“You’re such a tease.”
Ed blushed when he had said it, but Stede only laughed, bubbling and bright. Ed let out a breath.
“Well, good luck with it anyway.”
“Thanks,” Stede replied. “It’s never too bad, but they are a bit of a bore. At least I get coffee out of it.”
“I’m only working until lunch today,” Ed said. “Maybe we could do something together in the afternoon.”
Stede smiled. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
They separated outside the building, Ed making his way straight to the shop. By the time he had begun mixing up cookie dough, he received a message from Stede.
This is *not* worth it for the coffee! For starters, the coffee is grainy as hell.
Laughing, Ed sent a reply.
Don’t worry, I’ll make you a better one later. You bored?
This started a conversation, with Stede giving a running commentary of the bullshit his publisher came out with. Ed felt very lucky to have met someone he got on with so well so quickly.
When the lunch shift was done, Ed headed home to meet up with Stede. They decided to go for a stroll down to the sea. They sat together on the edge of the walk, looking out over the ocean.
“I should bring my kids here in the summer,” Stede mused.
Ed smiled. “I bet they’d love that. There’s just something about the sea, isn’t there?”
Stede nodded. “Yeah, it’s special alright. The kids have definitely caught my love of pirates.”
“Ah. A great source of games.”
“Absolutely. I bet they’ll like you, too.”
Ed felt a warm glow at the implication of this. “Thanks.”
They sat there for a while longer, before heading back to Ed’s apartment. As they went through the door, it occurred to Ed that this was the first time that Stede had been into his apartment. He suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
“It’s not as fancy as yours,” he said, “but I like it.”
Stede was smiling. “I like it too. It’s just like you – not too showy, but with all the good bits.”
Ed laughed. “Well, make yourself at home. I’ll make that coffee.”
Stede naturally gravitated toward the shelves, and Ed watched out of the corner of his eye. He knew that he would now have to explain why he didn’t have many books. It was a silly thing to be worried about, but he still was. He finished making the coffee and took the mugs and a plate of cookies over to the coffee table.
“Here we are,” he said. “Proper coffee and peanut butter cookies.”
Stede took a cookie and had a bite. He hummed appreciatively. “That’s delicious. Thank you.” He paused for a moment. “You’ve got some great graphic novels.”
Ed smiled. “I like graphic novels. They’re easier for me to read. The words don’t move around.”
“Does that happen normally when you read?”
“Yeah. That’s why I do most of my reading with audiobooks.”
“Makes sense,” Stede said with a nod. He finished his cookie and reached for another. “If you keep feeding me like this, I’m going to get fat.”
Ed laughed delightedly. “Would that be so bad?”
Somehow, all he could think of was how lovely Stede would look with a soft tummy.
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Over the coming weeks, Ed and Stede continued to spend lots of time together. Despite his protestations about his weight, Stede always enjoyed whatever treats Ed made. Ed suspected that Stede only pretended to care about such things because that had always been expected of him.
In mid-June, Stede was invited out on Friday night by his young publishing agent. He told Ed that he didn’t really want to go, but he felt he had to because he needed to make connections. He rolled his eyes as he said this, making Ed laugh.
Ed stayed up late, hoping to hear Stede coming back in. He gave up at about eleven, slouching to bed and promising himself he would message Stede in the morning.
As soon as he moved it in the morning, Ed knew that his bad knee was acting up. He flexed it experimentally and it twinged badly.
“Fuck,” he groaned. “Stupid fucking thing.”
He rolled over carefully and reached for his phone and his knee support bandage. He pulled the bandage into place, then messaged Stede.
You alive?
After a couple of minutes, a reply came through.
Just about. How are you?
Knee’s fucked. Want to come over and look after each other?
Yes please!
Ed pushed himself out of bed and flung on a t-shirt and joggers. Then he made his way out into the main room. He moved slowly, trying to minimise the pain in his knee. In a few minutes, there was a knock at the door. He hobbled over and opened it to reveal Stede, looking a bit the worse for wear.
“Morning,” Stede said a little sheepishly.
“Morning,” Ed replied. “Come on in.”
“Is it painful?” Stede asked as he stepped in.
“Yeah,” Ed responded. “It does this from time to time. If I wear my support bandage for a couple of days, it settles down again. Did you have a good night?”
“Not really. I hate things like that. I had a few drinks and I left at midnight.”
“Do you fancy a bacon sandwich and a coffee?”
“That sounds amazing.”
Ed grinned. “You’ll have to help. You can make the coffee.”
They worked around each other in the little kitchen and soon had everything ready. Then they flopped together onto the couch to eat.
“Is there anything you can’t make?” Stede asked when he had taken a bite.
Ed laughed. “You know, I actually trained in patisserie.”
Stede’s eyes blew wide. “Really?”
“Yeah, I went to a culinary school in Paris. Afterwards, I opened my own place in New York. It was hard work, but I loved it in those days. But in the end, it became too much. I got into a shitty relationship with a guy who brought out the worst in me. When that ended, I realised how tired I was. I left everything to Izzy, who’d been working with me forever, and I came here. That was five years ago.”
“Do you ever miss it?” Stede asked, placing a gentle hand on Ed’s arm.
Ed shook his head. “Nah. I needed a change of pace. My coffee shop actually does pretty well.”
“What’s it called? Where is it? Can I come?”
Ed laughed again, loving Stede’s enthusiasm. “It’s down near the sea. Blackbeard’s Coffee House and Other Delicacies and Delights and Lending Library. And of course, you can come, mate.”
Stede smiled. “You actually want me to visit?”
“Yeah, I do.” Ed met Stede’s gaze. “If you come down on Tuesday, about half five, I’ll make you something special.”
“It’s a date.”
Ed blushed and looked away. They sat in silence for a little while as they each finished eating.
“Would you like me to try to ease your knee?” Stede asked.
Ed couldn’t find the words to answer for a moment. “Yeah, I’d like that,” he managed, trying to sound casual.
“Then put your leg in my lap.”
Ed carefully lifted his leg up and laid it across Stede’s lap. Stede pushed up Ed’s trouser leg and pulled down the bandage, then he began to massage the knee with his thumbs. Ed winced a little initially, then he started to relax.
“Fuck,” he sighed. “Stede, that feels so good.”
Stede smiled. “I’ve had lots of practice massaging my own joints.”
“You know, I’ve never had this with anyone before,” Ed said. “Like, just being able to sit together and take care of each other.”
Stede gave Ed’s thigh a little squeeze. “Well, you’d better get used to it. I really like this.”
Ed felt warmed to his core.
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As time slipped slowly by on Tuesday, Ed found his nerves building. He wanted to make it special for Stede, to impress him.
It was about half four when two of Ed’s favourite customers came in. This was a lady who lived a few blocks away, and her six-year-old granddaughter. They generally came in for a special dinner once a week.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” he greeted them.
The little girl giggled, as she always did.
“Good afternoon, Edward,” the grandmother replied. “How are you?”
“Pretty good,” he said, although his smile said more about his suppressed excitement. “What can I get you?”
“Just a capuchino for me. What would you like, Sarah?”
“A cheese and sausage toastie, please,” Sarah said.
They went to sit down while Ed prepared their orders, then he took everything over.
“I thought you might like a cookie, Mrs Shaw.”
She tutted playfully. “You really shouldn’t, you know. But thank you. Anything on your mind?”
He sat down beside her, twisting his fingers together on the tabletop. “I think I might be in love,” he said. It was the first time he had voiced the thought.
She smiled. “Tell me about him.”
Not for the first time with Mrs Shaw, Ed was amazed by her perceptiveness. “How did you know?”
“There’s just something about you,” she replied enigmatically. “Now, tell me.”
“His name is Stede,” Ed said, a smile playing about his lips and a blush tinging his cheeks. “He’s an author. He’s kind and handsome and funny. We just get on so well. It’s because of him that I’ve added the extra teas to the menu.”
“He sounds lovely.”
“He is.” Ed gave a little sigh that made him feel vaguely ridiculous. “He just … makes me feel special , you know.”
“I know.” She gave his arm a pat. “You should tell him.”
Their conversation moved on into other channels. Sarah talked about her day at school, and the things she was learning. When she had finished eating, Ed put on a serious expression.
“Now, time for your payment,” he said. “I think Monkey was about to launch a raid on Toucan’s fruit cache.”
“Yes,” she exclaimed. “Brave Captain Monkey was hiding in the leaves, watching the toucans. His first mate, Kraken, was by his side. He was thinking about how he could use Kraken’s coils to scare the birds so they could get through.”
She babbled away happily, weaving her story. Kraken the snake distracted the guard birds, and the rest of Monkey’s crew pulled off the raid. When she had finished, he looked up to see Stede looking at him with a fond smile. It made Ed’s heart flutter.
“ Kia ora ,” he said, hoping Stede would be able to read all the things that meant.
Stede’s smile broadened. “I haven’t heard that in a while. Feels like home.”
Ed smiled back. “Just give me a minute to finish with these lovely ladies, then I’m all yours.”
Stede’s eyes widened, and Ed gave him a wink.
“Can I have my receipt?” Sarah asked.
Ed tore his gaze away from Stede. “Of course,” he replied.
He scrawled down on his pad ‘1 x sausage and cheese toastie. Paid: 1 x story’. Then he tore the paper off and handed it to her.
“Here you are, madam,” he said.
She giggled again. He loved how she reacted to being spoken to ‘like a lady’. As he escorted them to the door, Mrs Shaw gave him a nudge.
“I like him,” she whispered. “He’s got kind eyes. Good luck.”
“Thank you,” he whispered back.
He ushered them out, then returned to Stede.
“They don’t have a lot,” he explained, “so I do them a special deal.”
The fond smile came back to Stede’s face. “You really are very sweet.”
“Shut up,” Ed scoffed. “Come and sit down and choose what you’d like.”
They sat on one of the curved bench seats, near to the book shelves. Stede hummed appreciatively as he took in his surroundings.
“This is lovely, Ed,” he said. “It’s so cosy.”
Ed smiled. “I’m glad you think so. It’d be nice to have you down here more often.”
“Maybe I will,” Stede replied. “So, what would you recommend?”
“Not to blow my own trumpet, but my toasties are pretty fucking amazing.”
Stede laughed. “Okay. What can I have in it?”
“I make my own chilli jam.”
“Ooh, that sounds good. I’ll try that, please.”
Ed left for the kitchen to make the toasties and tea. When he came back out, he found Stede browsing the books. Again, his heart fluttered. He had never thought that he would become one of those daft twats who found everything someone else did adorable, but that couldn’t be helped with Stede Bonnet.
“Food’s ready,” he said.
Stede turned. “Fab. I was just having a look. I could give you some of mine, if you like.”
“That would be good.”
They took their places on the bench seat once more. Stede gave a sigh of pleasure when he took his first bite of his toastie.
“You didn’t oversell this,” he said. “It really is fucking amazing.”
Ed laughed. “Well, I do my best.”
As they ate, they swapped stories about their days, joking and laughing. Ed loved the way that Stede’s eyes sparkled when he laughed. They finished their toasties, then Ed brought out a slice of red velvet cake which they shared. Their hands kept brushing as they went in with their cake forks. With every touch, Ed’s skin tingled, and he felt a little surge of warmth.
“When we first met, you told me you were happier here,” Stede said. “So, what makes you happy?”
“All of this,” Ed replied, gesturing around. “Making good food. Chilling out more. Being near the sea.” He paused. “You.”
A small smile teased at Stede’s lips. “Well, that’s, uh, that’s-”
Ed cut off Stede’s spiralling by leaning in to kiss him. After a moment’s surprised hesitation, Stede let out a murmur of pleasure and kissed Ed back. Happiness blossomed in Ed’s chest. Stede’s kisses were sweet, his lips soft and warm, and Ed couldn’t get enough. When they pulled away, Ed cupped Stede’s cheek, his thumb gently tracing the cheekbone.
“You make me happy,” Stede whispered.
“I think I love you,” Ed murmured, offering up his heart.
“I love you too,” Stede murmured back.
“Really?”
“Yes, you nut!”
Giggling giddily, they tumbled into more joyful kisses. Stede’s fingers tangled in Ed’s long hair, brushing against the scalp. To Ed, this felt incredibly precious, like all of the soppy adjectives he had ever heard.
“What now?” Stede asked when they had pulled away and were gazing at each other.
“I don’t know,” Ed replied. “It’s an adventure. But I do know that we need to clean up, of my assistant will want to kill me tomorrow.”
Stede laughed. “Okay, tell me what to do.”
Together, they wiped down surfaces and loaded the dishwasher. There was laughter and teasing and stolen kisses. There was joy.
Eventually, they left the shop to go home. They strolled slowly, hand in hand. Stede was thoughtful. He began, in a soft voice, to speak lines of poetry.
“Come when the nights are bright with stars
Or come when the moon is mellow;
Come when the sun his golden bars
Drops on the hay-field yellow.
Come in the twilight soft and gray,
Come in the night or come in the day,
Come, O love, whene’er you may,
And you are welcome, welcome.”
“What’s that?” Ed asked.
“It’s a poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar. It’s called Invitation to Love. Seemed very fitting.”
“Please always do that. I fucking love it.”
“I promise you’ll always make me feel poetic, love.”