Blessed by the Best!

Imogen the Doubter was really never ready to be so attracted by that unsuitable man! Some hours later, after her encounter with Mr. Calm and Urbane, she was still wasting her thoughts on this lovely, balmy and sunny day. Being the Imogen her close gal force so cherished back in her hometown, she had always blamed herself for her parents' miserable divorce and its aftermath.

Imogen had worked hard, trying to let her besties win her over to their Lord. Underneath her friendly and hospitable surface, she was a mess of insecurities. In some ways, she had been blessed by the best, she could believe that. She had studied hard at her local college, all she could afford. As the star student, she had walked right in to the catering industry, and saved hard to aim higher.

At the noble age of 27, she had invested in a coffee van to service workplaces and neighbourhood sporting events. Imogen loved to meet and greet, and had managed so well. One by one, her friendship circle had been hitched up in the social whirl of the old home town.

One day, feeling a bit jaded, she had listened to her aging mother complaining about how much money she needed to survive. Imogen had heard it all before, both her parents were the town drunks, she was trying to keep the peace. But she was only too aware that her mother was an online gambling addict, it was where she found her kicks. As well as from ringing her, playing the little old lady card so convincingly.

Finally, her mother had ended the phone chat, it was time for tiddles for her, and time Imogen had a break from this routine. She had been browsing herself, and located a seaside shorefront district that was very popular with beachgoers in summer. Yes, a summer holiday, with her coffee van. She could drive it there, no sweat. Imogen thought she was indeed blessed when the Barnacles Beach approved her permit to run her coffee business there.

Imogen wondered if this could be a new home for her, a fresh start, maybe relocating. She had leased a room in share house, and soon made an agreement with a foreshore bakery to supply her van with muffins and cake delights, first thing in the morning. Her opening hours were 6:30 am to 2 pm, then she could wipe down all her fittings, sort the takings and supplies, and spend some happy hours on the beach. The weather was glorious, she could put her phone on mute, so her mother could not ring her while Imogen was at work.

Imogen was doing so well, and grateful to be so blessed. She was hankering to lease an empty shop there on the beach front, and start her own coffee shop. She decided to wait to see what the winter trade was like here. Some regulars had retired to their beach houses, and tourist buses visited regularly to enjoy either surfing, or wildlife photos of whales or seals. They were all part of the coastal charms. Plus of course, tourists could take photos of the natural scenic beauty of the coastline, it was a perennial favourite.

But one Monday morning had dawned full of sunshine, promising many beachgoing customers after an Imogen coffee, even a puppychino for their pooches. Imogen was horrified and shocked as she reached her coffee van. Across it, someone had plastered a sign, in giant letters. "CLOSED DUE TO HEALTH VIOLATION!" Imogen did not quite know if this was a hoax. So she photographed the sign, and decided to confront the Council offices first thing.

By 9 am, Imogen was spitting chips as she fronted up to the receptionist, who was definitely in holiday mode, as it was that lazy summer time feeling. Imogen demanded an urgent and immediate appointment with the Town Planning and Permit officer. The receptionist was a bit blase, more interested in her text messages, but she tell Imogen the Irate where this vital office was.

Mr. Calm and Urbane seemed totally unfussed by Imogen demanding what this mysterious health violation had been. Steam practically hissed from her ears when this sophisticated, superior male told her, "Settle down! Someone's accused you of spiking their coffee. I must investigate, before you reopen. Go and sit on the beach, I shall make inquiries when I can." Then he smiled, such a male.

Imogen spluttered, "That's nonsense! Are you and this town on drugs? Who is the mayor of this hick town? Keystone cops you are!'

"Oh, grow up. Your blood pressure is making you hysterical!" Mr. Calm and Urbane sort of grinned at Imogen, who was so riled. There was nothing to do, except slam every door as she left, hoping all his cornices fell off as well.

Now she was complaining to her bestie back home, moaning as well as her mother ever could. Kira, her friend, was coaching her to focus on her zone, meditate while she was on the beach, soaking up her blessings.. "Keep breathing, circulate some positive energy, it's probably only someone on drugs, like you said. Now breathe, Barnacles Beach isn't the only fish in the ocean if you want to open a cafe."

Imogen said, "Okay, I am breathing. I am meditating on the beauty of being blessed. Yes, Kira, yes, Kira."

Kira told her, "Power to the peaceful, let go and let the love of our divine process sort destiny." Kira fancied herself as a good gal. "Look, I have to hop off the phone now, keep breathing. Maybe it's a storm in a coffee cup." Imogen could only laugh, that was what friends were for.

Just then, a shadow hovered over her. Glancing up, Imogen looked up at Mr. Calm and Urbane, looking a tad awkward.

"Mind if I sit next to you?' he asked. "It's all sorted. It was only a nuisance complaint by some drifter who wanted to sue the Council for his drugs, sign has been removed. You can open for business at any time you like. I take care of stuff. By the way, I am the mayor here as well, and here is a beer. It is time for tiddles."

"Is it spiked?' Imogen asked, relieved. Mr. Calm and Urbane was really a nice, adorable guy. Her plan for her path in life changed somewhat, after that fateful and dramatic first meeting. She did reopen her coffee van, kept in touch with her old home town. Her folks and besties were still there. But due to the attractions of the ex-surfer Mayor, she had to put that coffee shop on hold, due to her bundles of joy.

Imogen had not really ever wanted to fall in love, but love had found her. One sunny day, as her growing family were making sandcastles with Mr. Calm and Urbane, she could not resist taking a photo, a snapshot to treasure. Her plan had changed, and she realised she could not have asked for greater blessings. Destiny, the plan of the divine, had cast her good fortune, she was blessed by the best.